Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Gràcia-theclosestneighbourhoodtotheEixample-wasavillageformuchofitsearly
existence before being annexed as a city suburb in the late nineteenth century. There's
still a genuine small-town atmosphere here, very distinct from the old-town neighbour-
hoods,whileGràcia'svibrantculturalsceneandnightlifecountersthenotionthatBar-
celona begins and ends on the Ramblas. The one unmissable attraction is just on the
neighbourhood fringe, namely the surreal Parc Güell, by architectural genius Antoni
Gaudí.MeanwhileinnearbyHorta(“garden”),socalledafterthegardensandcountry
estatesthatoncecharacterized thearea,twomoredistinctive parksattractthecurious.
That of Creueta del Coll is typical of the new urban projects that have revitalized for-
gotten corners of the city, while the Parc del Laberint and its renowned maze speak of
more traditional times.
Gràcia
Still very much the liberal, almost bohemian, stronghold it was in the nineteenth century,
the northern neighbourhood of
Gràcia
feels set apart from the city in many ways. Its tradi-
tional annual summer festival, the
Festa Major
every August - a week's worth of concerts,
parades, fireworks and parties - has no peer in any other neighbourhood and although actual
sights in Gràcia are few and far between, it's well known for its cinemas, bars and restaur-
ants. Wander the narrow, gridded streets, park yourself on a bench under a plane tree, catch a
film, grab a beer or otherwise take time out from the rigours of city-centre life - you'll soon
get the feel of a neighbourhood that, unlike some in Barcelona, has a real soul.
