El GÓticO
EL gótico
The beautiful neighborhood known as the Gothic Quarter historically used to be the Roman village, and is still full of the remnants of its glorious past.
Because of the constant modernization, it's easy to spot an ancient Gothic-style building right next to one built in the 1990's. It's this mix of old and new that brings people from all over the world to explore the Gothic Quarter.
Major Metro Stops:
Catalunya (L1-Red, L3-Green, L5-Blue, FGC & Renfe Trains)
Drassanes (L3-Green and Jaume I-Yellow)
Most people identify the Gothic Quarter as being the historic "city center" of Barcelona. It stretches from La Rambla to Via Laietana and from the Mediterranean seafront to the Ronda de San Pere. The area encompasses the oldest parts of the city and includes many medieval and Roman landmarks.
The narrow, winding streets create quite a maze but the Gothic Quarter also opens up to many peaceful squares (plaças in Catalan or plazas in Spanish) where you can relax and just enjoy your surroundings.
There are endless restaurant and bar options, especially around Plaça Reial. The night-life in the Gothic Quarter is lively and you will always find somewhere to have a drink or a dance.
the gÓtico to-do list
Right in the heart of the district is the huge Cathedral which has a stunning courtyard full of plants and oddly, geese. There is a good chance of seeing sardanes (Catalan dancers) in the plaza located in front.
You can see the past of the Roman city that once was Barcino in the Roman walls and the Roman temple.
You can find amazing shopping in the Gothic Quarter, from the more commercial area of Calle Portal de L'Angel and Portaferrissa to all the little boutiques on Calle Avinyó.
The Plaça Sant Jaume is where the Catalan Government has its main headquarters, La Generalitat, which is in front of the City Hall of Barcelona.
The famous Las Ramblas are considered to be the separation line between the Gothic Quarter and El Raval. Stroll the Rambla from top to bottom, stopping to look at the souvenirs, flowers, artists, and street performers.
Plaça del Rei, a 14th-century medieval public square, is surrounded by the Palau Reial Major, a 15th-century tower and palace that now contains the Barcelona City History Museum (MUHBA).
Els Quatre Gats is a café that is famous for being a meeting place for artists throughout the Modernist period, such as Pablo Picasso, Ramon Casals i Carbó, Santiago Rusiñol, Antoni Gaudí, and more.
The Plaça Reial is famous for its Mediterranean atmosphere and for the wide offer of restaurants, bars, and clubs lining the square.
The Plaça de Sant Felip Neri is a hidden spot behind the Cathedral of Barcelona. You can still see the remains of bombings from the Spanish Civil War.
La Llotja in Carrer Avinyó is one of the oldest art schools in Spain, and it was the inspiration for Picasso's work, Les Demoiselles d'Avignon.
The Colón monument at the very end of Las Ramblas was built for the Universal Exhibition of 1888 and it honors Columbus' first voyage. Fun fact: it does not actually point to the Americas.
Check out the #BarcelonaBucketList items in El Gótico - items #1-11!
restaurants
Ohla Gastrobar - Via Laietana 49. At the top of the Ohla Hotel is an exclusive but relaxed spot that serves upscale dishes and incredible views.
Dolça Hermínia - Carrer de les Magdalenes 27. Seasonal dishes in a sophisticated restaurant. It offers traditional market cuisine.
Bosco - Carrer dels Capellans 9. A cozy restaurant with spectacular decor, it's a favorite among neighborhood locals. No fancy food here, just traditional dishes like cannelloni stuffed with chicken, mushrooms and foie gras, etc.
Can Culleretes - Carrer d'en Quinatana 5. Barcelona’s oldest restaurant, and one of the oldest in Spain, is still going strong to offer excellent Catalan cooking at very reasonable prices. An ideal place for an enjoyable low-key Sunday meal.
Els 4 Gats - Carrer de Montsió 3. This legendary venue historically began as a space for struggling artists. Some of the most important figures of the late-19th century visited this bar/restaurant: Picasso, Ramon Casas and Rusiñol.
Ocaña - Plaça Reial 13-15. This space is the namesake of painter and activist José Perez Ocaña, who was also one of the main players of 'la Movida' (the counterculture movement following Franco's death in the 1970s). Ocaña is a café/bar/restaurant with prime outdoor seating, and its own cocktail bar, La Apotheke.
Les 15 Nits - Plaça Reial 6. Their terrace is one of the most sought after in Plaça Reial. They offer plenty of options, featuring Mediterranean cuisine.
You can find more recommendations on where to eat in El Gótico here!