Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ogling the strange and wondrous collections at the
Museu Frederic Marès
.
Enjoying an alfresco meal or a drink in the picturesque
Plaça Reial
.
Explore: La Rambla & Barri Gòtic
La Rambla is Spain's most talked-about boulevard. It certainly packs a lot of colour into a
short walk, with flower stands, historic buildings, a sensory-rich produce market, overpriced
beers and tourist tat, and a ceaselessly changing parade of people from all corners of the
globe. Once a river and sewage ditch on the edge of medieval Barcelona, it still marks the
southwest flank of the Barri Gòtic, the nucleus of old Barcelona.
Lining both sides of La Rambla are a handful of worthwhile attractions - including the
Mercat de la Boqueria (for a snack), Gran Teatre del Liceu (for a lavish night at the theatre)
and several sizeable galleries with changing exhibitions. But coming to La Rambla is more
about strolling the boulevard than ticking off sights. Come in the early morning to see it at
its most peaceful, then return in the afternoon for the daily circus parade in all its colourful
unruliness.
You could easily spend several days or even a week exploring the Barri Gòtic without
leaving the medieval streets. In addition to major sights, its tangle of narrow lanes and tran-
quil plazas conceal some of the city's most atmospheric shops, restaurants, cafes and bars.
There are swarms of tourists afoot - as well as some overpriced restaurants best avoided -
but Barri Gòtic has plenty of local character as well, and it's full of rewards for the urban ex-
plorer.
In the Barri Gòtic, wandering without an itinerary is also a highlight, though you'll want
to be sure not to miss La Catedral and a smattering of Roman ruins (particularly those inside
the Museu d'Història de Barcelona). Another highlight is lingering over coffee or an alfresco
meal at one of the Barri Gòtic's many outdoor plazas. The Plaça Reial, a wide, pretty square
lined with restaurants, is perhaps the best-known spot for a bite, though Plaça del Pi and tiny
Plaça de Sant Just are also quite charming.
By night, Barri Gòtic transforms into a maze-like collection of bars and clubs - which lay
otherwise hidden during the day. The streets around Plaça Reial and Plaça George Orwell
(also known as Plaça del Trippy) are good places to bar-hop, though you'll find nightspots
all over the neighbourhood. In the later hours of the night, the tourists disappear, and a
mostly local crowd takes over.
