Neighbourhoods at a Glance

1La Rambla & Barri Gòtic

La Rambla, Barcelona’s most famous pedestrian strip, is always a hive of activity, with buskers and peddlers, tourists and con artists (watch out!) mingling amid the crowds gracing the sunlit cafes and shops on the boulevard. The adjoining Barri Gòtic is packed with historical treasures – relics of ancient Rome, 14th-century Gothic churches and atmospheric cobblestone lanes lined with shops, bars and restaurants.

2El Raval

The once down-and-out district of El Raval is still seedy in parts, though it has seen remarkable rejuvenation in recent years, with the addition of cutting-edge museums and cultural centres, including the Richard Meier–designed Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona. Other highlights not to be missed include El Raval’s bohemian nightlife and the sprawling culinary delights of Mercat de la Boqueria.

3La Ribera

This medieval quarter has a little of everything, from high-end shopping to some of Barcelona’s liveliest tapas bars. Key sights include the superb Museu Picasso, the awe-inspiring Gothic Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar and the artfully sculpted Modernista concert hall of Palau de la Música Catalana. For a bit of fresh air, locals head to the leafy gardens of Parc de la Ciutadella.

4Barceloneta & the Waterfront

Since the late 20th century, Barcelona’s formerly industrial waterfront has experienced a dramatic transformation, with sparkling beaches and seaside bars and restaurants, elegant sculptures, a 4.5km-long boardwalk, ultramodern high-rises and yacht-filled marinas. The gateway to the Mediterranean is the gridlike neighbourhood of Barceloneta, an old-fashioned fishing quarter full of traditional seafood restaurants.

5La Sagrada Família & L’Eixample

The elegant, if traffic-filled, district of L’Eixample (pronounced ‘lay-sham-pluh’) is a showcase for Modernista architecture, including Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece, La Sagrada Família. L’Eixample also has a celebrated dining scene, along with high-end boutiques and wildly diverse nightlife: university party spots, gilded cocktail lounges and the buzzing gay club scene of ‘Gaixample’ are all part of the mix.

6Gràcia & Park Güell

Gràcia was an independent town until the 1890s, and its narrow lanes and picturesque plazas still have a village-like feel. Well-worn cafes and bars, vintage shops and a smattering of multicultural eateries make it a magnet to a young, hip, largely international crowd. On a hill to the north lies one of Gaudí’s most captivating works, the outdoor Modernista storybook of Park Güell.

7Camp Nou, Pedralbes & La Zona Alta

Some of Barcelona’s most sacred sights are situated within the huge expanse stretching northwest beyond L’Eixample. One is the peaceful medieval monastery of Pedralbes; another is the great shrine to Catalan football, Camp Nou. Other reasons to venture here include an amusement park and great views atop Tibidabo, the wooded trails of Parc de Collserola, and a whizz-bang, kid-friendly science museum.

8Montjuïc, Poble Sec & Sant Antoni

The hillside overlooking the port has some of the city’s finest art collections: Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC), Fundació Joan Miró and CaixaForum. Other galleries, gardens and an imposing castle form part of the scenery. Just below Montjuïc lie the lively tapas bars and eateries of Poble Sec, while the up-and-coming neighbourhood of Sant Antoni draws the young and hip.