Barcelona districts: description, attractions, characteristics, travel tips

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

Barcelona is a favorite of many tourists. It is bright, dynamic, unique… And everyone who visits it will definitely find its own “zest” and live its own history. There are exciting events, amazing sights, trips of various types and at the same time for any budget. And our Barcelona area guide will help you decide which part of this amazing city to visit.

Sightseeing

It's worth starting from the Sants Montjuic area. Its construction was founded near the mountain of the same name - Montjuic, at the base of which are now the famous singing fountains. There are other attractions here, including the famous Barcelona football club stadium, the picturesque Spanish Village, the luxurious Botanical Gardens and the Montjuic fortress. The transport interchange of this quarter is the Plaza de España. From her dear youwill lead both to the airport and to the most beautiful places. Don't forget to visit El Castell and the National Palace, and lovers of romance will love the view from the hill. In general, the Sants Montjuic area is considered relatively calm, especially in the evening, with the exception of the quarter with singing fountains.

The Eixample district in Barcelona is called one of the most interesting and convenient in terms of sightseeing. In its very center is the Sagrada Familia, and despite the fact that today its construction has not yet been completed, it has already earned the title of a real masterpiece. According to forecasts, it will be possible to see it in all its glory in 2030. Tourists who have already visited this place speak with sincere enthusiasm about its beauty, grandeur and architecture, and they speak especially enthusiastically about its tower, which has amazing secrets and a fascinating history. Since Eixample is one of the most densely populated areas of Barcelona, it is here that you can find many modernist buildings, as well as many shops and supermarkets. There are more than enough attractions here: the monument to the hospital of Sant Pau, La Pedrera, Casa Batllo, etc. In addition, from here it is easy to get to the above-described Sants Montjuic area. Thus, from visiting this place you will get a very bright combination: an intense urban pace and the majestic tranquility of architectural structures.

If you want to get the most out of your holiday and don't knowin which area of Barcelona is it better to stay, pay attention to Park Güell. When you visit this place, you will immediately understand that it was created in order to draw inspiration. By the way, this is exactly what was conceived by the greatest architect Gaudi. He erected his own house here, from the terrace of which almost all of Barcelona and the magnificent Mediterranean coast are visible. In the immediate vicinity of the Park Güell, there are restored bunkers, which also offer unforgettable views to their visitors. Getting to this area is quite easy - the metro line goes here directly from the center.

Old City

The most famous street of La Rambra, which is the historical center of Barcelona, you can find in a place called the Old Town. Previously, it was surrounded by powerful walls, which at the moment, unfortunately, are mostly destroyed. Here is the oldest district - the Gothic Quarter. It originates from Plaza Catalunya and ends at the very sea. Passing it, you can enjoy an amazing labyrinth of beautiful streets, where Roman monuments, ancient buildings made of natural stone, as well as attractions such as the Synagogue and the Cathedral of Barcelona, Plaza del Pi and Plaza del Rey, the Temple of Augustus, etc. are located. here you can plunge into the romantic atmosphere and visit many picturesque places. Avid travelers and adventurers should pay attention to the underground ruins of Barcino, which are the oldest pedestrian area in this city. Here you will find lovely narrow streets, chicRoyal Square and the Cathedral.

One of the most visited areas of the city of Barcelona is the Born. Tourists will find charming squares, walking streets and countless restaurants and cafes. Mandatory places to visit will be such places as the Palace of Catalan Music, the Picasso Museum, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Mar, the Museum of World Culture and the sweetest of all - the Chocolate Museum. And of course, the famous Arc de Triomphe cannot be left without attention. And in Ciutadella Park, street artists and musicians will be waiting for you, meeting with whom will leave warm memories for a lifetime.

Raval is called the intercultural area of Barcelona. The most memorable place here is the modernist San Antoni market, but the famous Rambla has been the center of attraction for all visitors to the city for many years. It runs from the Columbus monument to Barcelona Square itself. Neighborhoods around this area will be quieter, with much less tourist influx.

Beach vacation

Poblenou is a relatively quiet beach area. It is famous for its boulevard, which will bring the traveler to the very beach, as well as a huge number of bars and restaurants. By the way, it is precisely for these reasons that recently it has been tirelessly gaining more and more popularity among visitors.

SantMarty. It was built recently - in 1992, by the beginning of the Olympic Games. Located on the seafront, this quarter is the most prestigious and is characterized by increased comfort.

Barceloneta is an area that lovers of beach holidays and sunny coast will definitely appreciate. This quarter was restored on the same date as the previous one. And if a little earlier it was a haven for poor fishermen, today you can find the Barcelona Aquarium, beautiful embankments, cozy bars, great restaurants, and nightclubs here. In short, this place is becoming ideal for young people.

Holidays for families with children

Gracia is an amazing place that is suitable for tourists of all ages to relax in almost all of Spain. In the area of Barcelona under this name, you can enjoy the quiet breath of a small town, contemplating the beauty of cobbled streets, craft markets and neat houses. This area is not noisy, as there are always very few tourists here. In addition, in Gracia you can visit ecological shops, restaurants, boutiques and relax in a quiet pedestrian zone.

Inexpensive areas

The farther from the city center, the cheaper - this statement works great in all countries. And if you want to rent a budget place to stay, but do not know which area of Barcelona is better to stay, pay attention to Nou Barris. In addition, few people know about it, and therefore there is usually no influx of tourists here.happens. For this reason, a traveler who finds himself in this quarter will be able to plunge headlong into the local atmosphere. And there is something to visit here - the most beautiful natural park of Collserola. And you can get to this green oasis by public transport, which goes here directly from the center.

Among the good areas of Barcelona that delight with pleasant prices is Hospitalet de Llobregat. There will be more tourists here, but the cost of renting housing at the same time remains quite affordable.

The Sant Andreu neighborhood will show the life of Barcelona without any embellishment, as it really is. But at the same time, he was not left without sights - the traveler will find ancient churches and beautiful bridges in this area.

For those who love luxury

In the Les Corst area, a we althy tourist can relax in one of the nightclubs and at the same time remain completely safe. In addition, this place is very convenient to get to, and there are both we althy people and students here. The Camp Nou stadium is close by. And since Les Corst is the financial center of Barcelona, real estate prices here are very high.

Sant Gervasi is another prestigious area that is very much loved by the local population. It is expensive, but at the same time comfortable, cozy and convenient. Here, no one is in a hurry, and the quarter itself is full of tall buildings and other indicative objects of a real metropolis. But in this place you will find not only skyscrapers, amongattractions Observatory and Cosmo Caixa. And you can get real pleasure and the most vivid sensations by visiting the Tibidabo amusement park.

In different areas of Barcelona, a tourist who loves a quality holiday and does not think about the money spent will be able to discover several chic restaurants with Michelin stars at once. And among the most famous are Pakta and Lasarte. And if you are a real gourmet, take care of booking a table in advance. And for those who want to enjoy the taste of national cuisine, there is a special place - the El Nacional restaurant. It is built in such a way that it has several spaces at once. In a word, an institution that deserves special attention.

There are also sophisticated clubs in Barcelona that offer visitors exclusive VIP areas. The most prestigious and popular among others is Shoko's private terrace, which has access to the beach and is located just a few meters from the Olympic Village. Another chic club is called Carpe Diem Lounge Club. It surprises with its color and luxury: silk pillows, Bali style, Arabic notes. Plus, it has an incredible cocktail menu and a great location.

Barcelona Nightlife

Which areas of Barcelona surprise with nightlife? Again, it is worth remembering the Olympic Village, since it is here that the most incendiary parties of the port area take place. Fans of hip-hop, house music and R&B will find their place in Opium and Catwalk, while Shoko will surprise not only with Asian design, but also with the mosttrendy tracks.

If we talk about the Gothic area, then there are also very famous nightlife. Among them are Sidecar or Jamboree. And getting into them is often fairly easy, with a discounted entry ticket from a promoter who is usually always nearby.

During the day, Born is an ideal place for walking and contemplating the surroundings, but at night a completely different story begins to happen in it. You can have an unforgettable party in one of the local clubs, such as Magic Club or Cactus Born Bar.

One more district of the Old City - Raval - can please the nightlife. Bohemian pubs are located here, which often host soul and jazz jam sessions. And if you want to hear the best indie music, then be sure to check out Manchester.

Most Atmospheric Areas

As you have already noticed, there is no shortage of discos and other fun activities in Barcelona. Plus, this particular city is on the same level with San Francisco and Amsterdam in terms of the number of gay establishments and promotions of the same theme. For example, in the Eixample district, which was mentioned above, there are several clubs for people with a non-traditional orientation at once. They can be found on Carrer d'Arago, Balmes Street and Gran Via de Les Corts, and admission is free for absolutely everyone who wants to have the most fun.

Rainbow flags can also be seen in Barcelona's Raval district. In general, the culture of this place is characterized by freedom and diversity. And thereforeit is here that more and more LGBT communities appear every year.

Safe rest

Barcelona is not a crime city, and all its areas are safe for tourists. But you should still be vigilant in public transport, as there are plenty of pickpockets, especially in the central part.

Among the quarters described above, Gracia and Eixample are considered the most peaceful. Here you can really relax, stay away from the dynamic rhythm and at the same time not worry about the safety of your personal property.

Sarria Sant Gervasi is another one of Barcelona's good neighborhoods. There are many holiday houses built by local we althy families. At the same time, the Tibidabo Natural Park is located nearby, which has both entertainment and a beautiful temple. The quarter previously had the status of an independent town, but today it is a district of Barcelona and is connected by a convenient transport line.

Most dangerous areas

An important question for a tourist is in which area to stay in Barcelona and feel completely safe at the same time. It is worth mentioning right away that not whole blocks, but some specific streets are dangerous in Barcelona. And you should definitely know about them if you decide to spend your vacation in this city. Almost all of them are located on the outskirts, where there are few police officers and many hostels. After all, almost everywhere poverty and crime are side by side.

These include: Ciutat Meridiana, Zona Franca, Vallbona and Torre Baró. They are the most vulnerable. Also, don't follow at nightwalk in the Montjuic park, as the cameras turn off here at dusk. San Cosma also has a high crime rate, although it should be noted that more and more police stations are being built here every year, and special attention is being paid to security.

Romantic getaway

Barcelona is multifaceted and able to satisfy the whim of every traveler. People come here not only with friends and children, but also just together to spend an unforgettable romantic vacation. And this city has a lot to offer couples in love.

Bourne and the Gothic area are beautiful at dusk. There are cozy bars, which seem to be specially hidden from the noisy crowd in hidden places, and quiet streets - ideal for leisurely walks. Tibidabo is the best way to show how the city falls asleep in the rays of sunset, just like the roof of the National Art Museum, where you can not only retire, but also taste excellent varietal wine.

Many lovers go to Barcelona to visit the harbor at night, where the moonlight is incredibly beautifully reflected in the sea waters. And even Gracia Square is able to amaze with its relaxed atmosphere, which floods everything around with the onset of twilight. And of course, it is worth taking a walk to the Pedralbes Monastery - it is a real piece of Gothic art that you can admire for hours.

If you are wondering which area in Barcelona is the best place to stay for a romantic getaway, pay attention to Born, which has been mentioned more than once. And despite the fact that during the day there is usually an influxtourists, and quite a lot of noisy parties take place at night, it is quite possible to spend time together. Lovers will be able to find several restaurants that always play live music, medieval squares and streets, as well as take pictures at the Arc de Triomphe and visit the amazing beauty of Ciutadella Park.

Which area of Barcelona is better to choose for recreation, depends only on your plans and preferences. Based on them, you will definitely find the perfect area for your next vacation.