Strolling through El Gòtic
Not all streets are created equally – not even in the beautiful Barri Gòtic. If you decide to explore the neighbourhood on foot, you’d better make sure that you take all the right lanes. Walk from Plaça de Catalunya to Plaça Nova through Portal de l’Àngel. Here, walk straight ahead through Carrer del Bisbe and take the first street on your right to enter El Call. Walk through this ancient labyrinth until you reach Plaça de Sant Jaume, from where Carrer de Ferran will take you to the beautiful Plaça Reial.
REGAL AND LUSH
Located mere metres away from La Rambla, Plaça Reial is not exactly a tranquil square to pass some time in. Nonetheless, it is a spot like none other in the city. Its typical Spanish façades with soft-yellow and white, tiny balconies blend in very well with the square’s lush lanterns by the hand of Antoni Gaudí. In its galleries, you’ll find numerous restaurants, serving traditional Spanish and Catalan dishes as well as tasty cocktails and nice ‘vermuts’.
PLAÇA REIAL
THE FAMERS’ MARKET
Historic buildings, focused painters and an idyllic farmer’s market: Plaça del Pi captures the entire essence of the Mediterranean in one square. The court yard in the shadow of the Church of Santa Maria del Pi lies on the exact location of a former cemetery. Today, however, this place is all about enjoying the best things life has to offer. Numerous chocolate boutiques adorn the square; at the farmer’s market on the weekends, you can enjoy high-quality Catalan delights; and in the nearby Carrer de Petritxol, you’ll find the best ‘churros con chocolate’ in the city at one of the many ‘xurrerias’.
PLAÇA DEL PI
Visit the farmer’s market from 10am to 9pm on the first and third Friday, Saturday or Sunday of the month.
A CIVIL WAR SOUVENIR
This little square is one of those last hidden secrets in the city centre. Most tourists don’t manage to find it, making it a lovely oasis of tranquillity. In stark contrast to that silence are the many bullet holes in the ancient walls. After the Civil War, Barcelona was in very poor shape due to the bombings and gunfire. While restoring the rest of the city, the government decided to preserve the damage in this one square as a memorial to all the victims of the Civil War and the children from the nearby school, who passed away when this very square was bombed. On a less solemn note, fans of the rock band Evanescence might recognise this square as the shooting location of the My Immortal video. So, take off your shoes and re-enact the legendary scene on top of the fountain.
PLAÇA DE SANT FELIP NERI TIME TRAVELLING
Located at the historic Plaça del Rei, the History Museum of Barcelona (MUHBA) is surrounded by the city’s tangible heritage. In an interesting and modern way, it takes you on a journey from the Roman era to the age of the Modernists. In addition to its main branch on Plaça Del Rei, MUHBA counts 15 other small museums, all located at important heritage sites. With one ticket, you can enter them all. Eight of them are in Barri Gòtic, and the other seven are spread around town.
MUHBA
Plaça del Rei. €7 for all 16 locations (discounts available). Free admission on 12 February, 18 May, 24 September and every first Sunday of the month. Open daily from 10am to 5pm (and until 7pm from April to September).
NARROW, NARROWER, NARROWEST
Dating back to the 13th century, the narrow streets of El Call are among the oldest still-existing parts of Barcelona. The former Jewish quarter stands out with its dark alleys – sometimes just a metre wide – and sober use of grey stone. Today, however, many of these buildings house warm restaurants, cute coffee bars and unique shops. Our favourite spot to have a drink or a meal is Placeta de Manuel Ribé, where you can enjoy a great coffee at Satan’s Coffee, a refreshing tea at Caj Chai, and a satisfying lunch at Bistrot Levante.
EL CALL
Enter El Call through Plaça de Sant Jaume, Carrer de Ferran or Plaça de Sant Felip Neri and let your intuition guide you.