With the citys’ main Sants Estació train station conveniently situated in this area, you will also find the stunning National palace, which now houses the national art museum of Barcelona. 

With views to the city, the palace sits at the foot of Montjuїc and overlooks the regal parade, stretching down past the giant La Fira exhibition halls to Plaça Espanya. 

Famous for spectacular colour fountain displays with light and music, Plaça Espanya is a magical favourite with families and tourists every week.

Sants barrio borders Poble Sec and Montjuїc and many more cultural interests in this district include the Miró Foundation gallery, the old-style Spanish town Poble Espanyol and the Olympic Stadium.

Sports fans will also delight in the close proximity to Camp Nou football stadium, home to Barcelona FC.

When you’re ready to wind down, the easy-going Sants area is full of little bars and eateries on its pretty tree-lined streets and avenues.  With an abundance of shops and supermarkets also in the neighbourhood, this city district has its own very attractive qualities for all tastes.


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Eixample Esquerra

Centrally located, the Eixample Esquerra, "Eixample Left" area provides not only easy access to Plaça Catalunya and the heart of Barcelona, but also its own cultural hot-spots.

Here you will find Passeig de Gracia, famous for its grandeur and a neverending string of luxury designer shops. 

What makes this tree-lined avenue so special is its early 2oth century Spanish design, with attention to detail from the patterned pavement and sculptured streetlamps right up to the balconies and intricate façades of the buildings, most notably of which ; the remarkable Casa Batlló by Gaudí.

The district follows through in style with its many terrace cafés and tapas bars and a walk deeper into the barrio will take you to Belgian beer bars, quaint bakeries, the old University buildings, or the area nicknamed "Gayxample" because of its snazzy cocktail bars and discos.

For an area of Barcelona so full of shops and leisurely activity, Eixample Esquerra still maintains its graceful tranquility within a busy metropolitan life.


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Eixample Dreta

The exquisite architectural style of Eixample continues in Eixample Dreta, "Eixample Right" leading you to Barcelonas’ defining monument, the jaw-dropping and magnificent Sagrada Familia cathedral, which rises high over the cityscape. 

Although probably the most important of Antonio Gaudís works, the architect was fatally hit by a tram while surveying his masterpiece and work has been ongoing ever since. 

The Sagrada Familia is due for completion in 2027 to mark the 100 Year anniversary of his death.

With such an inspiring ambience, the Eixample Dreta barrio has produced many boutiques specialised in modern art and interior design, while at the same time the area is awash with lively bars and fine-dining, hinting at Barcelona’s favourite past-time.

To the South, as you can see on the map, the Eixample Dreta district meets directly with Plaça Catalunya, barrio Gotico and the city centre.


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El Borne

In recent years, El Borne district has been labelled as the hip area of the city centre, thanks to its predominantly young base, trendy clothing stores, a multitude of smart, alternative eateries and a growing list of cocktail lounges. 

However, El Borne barrio has even more to offer than this, being right in the middle of the old city, close to the beach and the cosmopolitan Parc de la Ciutadella, while also beautifully surrounding itself in its own narrow cobbled streets and showing off a mix of Roman, medieval and modern architecture.

Take in some culture at the Palau de la Musica, get your taste buds watering at the chocolate museum, or visit the official Picasso museum, which is home to thousands of his works.  The area also thrives on homegrown art galleries and music spaces, which are key to its charm.

To the North of the district is the indoor Santa Catarina market, with fresh produce from the local area.  The colourful and edgy rework of the old structure is typical of Barcelona’s original take on Design, fast-becoming the citys’ trademark.

Loved by artists, culture-vultures and socialites alike for its slick vibe, El Borne also keeps its traditional roots and a thoroughly authentic Barcelona feel.


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Poble Nou

True to evolving Barcelona style, Poble Nou offers a chic alternative to the touristic city centre. 

The most tranquil of the city beaches and the pedestrianised Rambla de Poble Nou with its many shops, bars and cafés create a very local and charming atmosphere.

New design developments such as the Forum make the district a hot-spot for music festivals and events; old industrial buildings also create a melting pot of art and music space. 

The underground nightlife scene in the Poble Nou area is lively, where all Barcelonians know to come for its clubs and warehouse parties.

For added value, Poble Nou barrio boasts the biggest deluxe shopping mall in Europe, Diagonal del Mar.  Thrifty shoppers can also be satisfied with the huge outdoor flea-market, to the North of the district, giving Poble Nou an all-round cultural high for Barcelona.


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Raval

The old reputation of Raval as being a dangerous area has since been dispersed, thanks to its new and diverse developments such as the MACBA contemporary art gallery, spawning much artistic breeding and culture into the district. 

Influenced by this and Catalunya’s beautiful National library, found here, the Raval barrio flaunts bookstores including trendy art book ‘galleries’, cafés and bars for the intellectual, including being home to the famous Absynthe bars in Barcelona.

This district is known for the edginess of its punk and skate scene; the busy little streets are full of in-the-know music and record stores and the Raval area is also a favourite for vintage-style shopping, with several streets hosting a great array of vintage and retro clothing and accessories, such as Carrer Riera Baixa.

Sight-seers can look for Palau Güell and the huge MACBA gallery, but the district appeals to everyone for its many terraced eateries with international cuisine and usually overlooking gardens or gothic architecture. 
At night Raval is popular with the young and fashionable as it has some of the best clubs and nightlife in the city centre. 

Its multi-cultural neighbourhood and great setting off Las Ramblas makes the Raval district perfect for those wanting a mix of excitement and arty cool.


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Barrio Gotico

Gotico or the Gothic Quarter is the oldest part of Barcelona and its ancient winding streets, hidden squares and huge gothic architecture, such as the gothic cathedral, make it very popular with tourists.

Just off Las Ramblas you will find Plaça Reial.  This large, regal square is always full of young travellers and boasts a Gaudí fountain, gigantic palm trees and renaissance architecture. 

With end-to-end terraced cafés and bars to enjoy the view, the square comes alive at night with its highly-recommended discotécas and live Flamenco.

Further South on the map, Carrer Escudellers is a street full of happening little bars and leads right into the heart of the old city.  Here you can find the off-beat designer stores and shops with traditional, interesting Spanish art novelties. Being close to the marina, the Gotico area also contains the biggest selection of seafood and tapas bars to try.

Literally a city within a city, it’s understandable why travellers earmark the Gotico area to visit; the district could be explored forever, having countless cultural features to enjoy.


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Poble Sec

The Poble Sec barrio continues to enjoy its friendly neighbourhood atmosphere, where authentic local bars and modern restaurants blend perfectly with its surrounding parks and typical Barcelona street-life.

The most visited attraction here is Montjüic, which can be accessed by cablecar or Ferrocarril as well as on foot or by car.
Apart from the Olympic Games and World Exposition which have been hosted here, modern-day Montjüic is a keen fan of the arts, with not only its Miró Foundation but also its outdoor films and installation art during the citys’ high-season.

Barcelona’s war museum is set in the fortress at the top of Montjüic.  Non-history geeks will nevertheless, still be impressed by the fantastic hall of swords and weaponry or by the absolute best view of the whole continental city below, which is stunning at sunset.

With direct access to the city centre and its great location right at Montjüic, Poble Sec provides the easy option for both cultural and social activities during your stay in Barcelona.   


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Gràcia

Gràcia is one of the most characteristically Catalan districts of Barcelona. 

Its ambient streets and quaint plaças are set off by this districts’ colourful and youthful attitude; the area is renowned for its frequent community street fiestas, for example Fiesta Major, which in August makes the district central to the citys’ party activities.

To the North on the Gràcia map is situated probably the best park in Europe and as is typical for Barcelonas’ must-see places, it’s another Gaudí creation!

Parc Güell, a fascinatingly fresh take on a city park, is full of curved mosaic seating, eccentric architecture, using elements from nature combined with the creators’ obsession with dragons and breathtakingly overlooks the city with views right down to the Mediterranean. 

Independent boutiques and partisan businesses in art and crafts in the Gràcia barrio, along with live music bars, cosy Cuban establishments famed for their cocktails and, of course an extensive tapas menu, give this district an extremely competitive corner for culture in the city.

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Vila Olimpica

Vila Olimpica, the Olympic village area, is a key design area for modern development in Barcelona.  Those who appreciate giant, futuristic sculpture and original architecture will love the surroundings, while at the same time the area appeals to families and beach-lovers with its Port Olimpico.

Port Olimpico, featuring the marina, the promenade, the glistening beaches and no less than 82 of the best seafood restaurants of the city, also caters to the young and fabulous with its stretch of stylish discos and a very glamorous casino.

With endless possibilities for beach activities and nightlife at your doorstep and such a close proximity to the rest of the city, the Vila Olimpico area really is an excellent location for travellers to Barcelona. Check out our beach guide; see the link at the bottom of this page..


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Barceloneta

Little streets and a mixture of local and international communities give this beach barrio its flavour. 

Barceloneta is situated around the elegant marina and at the Mediterranean and for smart beach-goers it has supermarkets and amenities close-at-hand, alongside its many breezy cocktail beach bars and seafood eateries which stay busy long after dark.

Anyone not keen on sun-worshipping can visit the official museum of Catalunya or take a trip in the cable car, stationed here, for an exhilarating view of the city, Montjüic and the Mediterranean coastline.

The marina also offers a beautiful view at sunset ; when the sun goes down it creates a silhouette against Montjüic and castles along the mountain ridge, the perfect backdrop for the glittering city rooftops and palm trees.

One of the citys’ listed buildings and an important visit in Barceloneta is definitely the Xampañería, an intensely Spanish bar which makes its own Cava, Spain’s answer to Champagne, and offers a complete selection of meats, cured ham and tapas, all served in a fun, chaotic environment.

Just a short walk into the heart of the city, the historical beachside Barceloneta makes a very desirable district for your stay.


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Las Ramblas

Although this famous avenue is ‘The Strip’ of Barcelona, Las Ramblas is so greatly visited by tourists because it is a stunningly beautiful attraction. 

Built on an extinct river-bed, it is a wide tree-lined pedestrian boulevard, nearly a full mile of street performers, market stalls, with crowds of people from around the world and it runs from Plaça Catalunya down to the port-side statue of Christopher Columbus.

While handsome buildings including the Liceu theatre and the giant indoor market, La Boqueria, make up its busy appearance, Las Ramblas’ quirky erotic museum, art galleries and its many shops and bars all add to its novel personality.

In the evening, this area is spectacularly lit and rife with nightlife and entertainment; with locals and visitors alike taking advantage of the various restaurants, bars and clubs, getting well involved until the early hours.

For everyone who comes to this fantastic Spanish city, Las Ramblas will always set the scene for a true Barcelona experience.


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Read more about Barcelona

Barcelona public transport

Barcelona sightseeing tour

Barcelona beach guide