El Born
el born
Small, intimate, friendly, and funky, the Born is currently one of the most fashionable areas for art, fashion, interior design, cuisine, cocktail lounges, night clubs, and more.
El Born has two distinct personalities: one during the day and another at night.
Main Metro Stops:
Jaume I (L4 - Yellow)
Urquinaona (L4 - Yellow and L1 - Red)
Arc de Triomf (L1 - Red and RENFE train)
about the barrio
Despite its humble beginnings as a settlement built on top of a medieval area of jousts and celebrations, El Born has grown into being one of the most fashionable parts of the city.
The cafés are packed all day long and at night people simply stroll over to Passeig del Born (which according to local legend was the site of jousts) for bar hopping. According to legend, the name El Born is derived from the Catalan word bornejar which means "to joust." Barcelona's textile museum is located in El Born because the area was once home to the city's textile guilds.
Nowadays, one of the reasons people are attracted to El Born is the shopping. You can find some very unique pieces at the beautiful, local boutiques.
Parc Ciutadella, also located in El Born, is a relaxing place to sit in the sun and listen to live music. The Barcelona zoo is also located in Parc Ciutadella.
the BORN to-do list
During the Medieval era, jousting tournaments were held on the strip that is now called Passeig del Born.
The origins of Carrer Montcada date back to the 12th century when the Barons of Montcada were given the land by the Count Kings of Catalonia.
The Centre de Cultura (Culture Center) resides in what was formerly Barcelona’s largest wholesale food market. It was discovered that beneath the market there were very well preserved archaeological remains dating back to the year 1700.
The Santa Maria del Mar was built from 1329 to 1383 and the impressive Gothic church reflects the wealth and power of the period. The interior is remarkably light and spacious, with the widest spaced columns of any Gothic church in Europe.
El Fossar de les Moreres is a historic square that was built over a cemetery where defenders of the city were buried following the Siege of Barcelona at the end of the War of the Spanish Succession in 1714.
The Estació de França is the second busiest railway station in Barcelona. It was originally built in the 19th century as the main station for trains arriving from France, Costa Brava, and northern Catalonia. The beautiful station is laced with marble, bronze and crystal elements, with modernist motifs throughout.
The Museu Picasso contains an extensive collection of Picasso's early paintings. With over 3,500 works, it is the largest collection of his art in the world.
The undulating, brightly colored roof of the Santa Caterina Market is hard to miss. The original design of the building, as well as the abundant supply of fresh produce sold, makes it a fun place to visit.
The Palau de la Música Catalana is a concert hall designed in the Catalan modernista style by the architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner for the Orfeó Català, a choral society that was a leading force in the Catalan cultural movement known as the Renaixença.
Museu de la Xocolata is a chocolate museum promoted by the Barcelona Confectionery Guild and located in the former Sant Agustí monastery that takes you through a journey to explore the origins of chocolate, its arrival in Europe and its use in Spain.
Stroll through the Arc de Triomf, built by architect Josep Vilaseca i Casanovas as the main access gate for the 1888 Barcelona World Fair. The arch crosses over the wide central promenade of the Passeig de Lluís Companys, leading to the Ciutadella Park.
For decades following its creation in the mid-19th century, El Parc de la Ciutadella was Barcelona's only green space. The 70-acre grounds include the Barcelona Zoo & the Parliament of Catalonia. Fun fact: you can rent a rowboat and take it out on the park pond!
Check out the #BarcelonaBucketList items in El Born - items #34-43!
restaurants
El Kiosko - Marquès de l'Argentera, 1. Like its founders, this burger house is half Spanish and half Australian. They combine elements of Australian barbecue with Mediterranean ingredients. On the menu you'll find burgers made with organic Pyrenean veal, Galician beef, and lamb from Burgos. However, they also have meat-free options for vegetarians and vegans.
La Paradeta - Carrer Comercial 7. Founded in 1994, the secret to its success is its simplicity. Order fresh seafood (displayed on ice) by weight and sit patiently until the kitchen calls your number. The price-to-quality ratio here is excellent, so expect a line out the door, especially at the city center locations.
Bodega La Puntual - Carrer de Montcada, 22. Bodega La Puntual has the unique skill of offering excellent food in a touristy area while maintaining its local charm. Here you can enjoy oysters, tapas, seasonal Catalan dishes, and more.
Pastisseria Bubó Born - Carrer de les Caputxes, 10. A cake shop from famous pastry chef Carles Mampel, Bubó looks more like a jewelry store than a bakery. The glass display cases full of baked goods beckon you to treat yourself with a pastry, coffee, glass of cava, or all three!
Mosquito - Carrer Carders, 46. Mosquito offers a unique selection of Chinese dumplings, crispy duck, and Vietnamese pho noodles.
Casa Delfín - Passeig del Born, 36. Locals were heartbroken when the beloved original Casa Delfín served its last plate of fried sardines, but quickly welcomed its new location. They serve traditional Catalan recipes like fish stew and mountain lamb with wild mushrooms.
Pitin Bar - Passeig del Born 34. The friendly Pitin Bar was originally opened as a restaurant more than 20 years ago. The family's son has now turned it into a cool bar and lounge, serving up light snacks on their sunny terrace.
Cuines de Santa Caterina - Mercat de Santa Caterina. This is the perfect spot if you don't know what you're in the mood for, as the menu has everything from Asian to Mediterranean food. The space is modern and cool with long wooden tables and a buzzing market atmosphere.
Passadis del Pep - Plaça de Palau 2. It's difficult to find a better restaurant serving fish and sea food than the discreet, but very smart, Passadis del Pep. There is no menu and no prices (in other words, it's not a cheap eat), but rather you are guided through a wonderful meal by the knowledgeable waiters.
Set Portes - Passeig Isabel II 14. Opened in 1836, the restaurant really does have seven doors (see the name), though you can only enter through one. This is one of the best places to order a classic paella, and although the atmosphere is pretty formal and booking is essential, the prices are surprisingly reasonable.
Hofmann - Carrer Argenteria 74. The elegant dining room features Catalan dishes. A unique twist is that the restaurant also functions as a culinary school, so from the street you can watch as amateur chefs train to become the future talents of the Barcelona culinary scene.
You can find more recommendations of where to eat in El Born here!