One of the aspects about Barcelona that many people find especially fascinating is that the city has such a variety of completely different neighbourhoods, or districts. The Gothic Quarter, Eixample, Montjuïc and Barceloneta, for example all have aspects about them that are absolutely typically Barcelona but are totally different to each other. A visitor can easily spend a day wandering around each of these districts; have a distinctly different experience in each of them; and yet unmistakably be in this charismatic Catalan city.
The wonderfully atmospheric Gothic Quarter, the Barri Gòtic, in a little triangle to the east of Las Ramblas, north of the port and west of the cathedral, is a predominantly pedestrianised maze of narrow, windy lanes with history meeting you round every corner. Some peaceful secluded squares and some grand palatial houses; some intimate, cosy bars and some busy, bustling streets around the sublime Picasso Museum – home of more than 3,500 originals from the iconic artist; this is Barcelona at its most absorbing. For those of you who love to wander into unconventional, old world little shops, then this is the place to meander.
So, for a completely contrasting area to walk round – just to the north of Plaça Catalunya – head for L Eixample, the Enlargement. This is the part of the city that many of the locals consider to be their favourite as it epitomises the modernism that characterised Barcelona for so long. Designed as a grid system of wide streets, with a plaza at either end of each one – L Eixample was begun in the latter half of the nineteenth century and has wonderful examples of the architecture of Barcelona s finest craftsman. Obviously it is La Sagrada Familia, Gaudí s famous unfinished church, with which most people will be familiar but there are many other stunning buildings. For example, head for the ludicrously named Manzana de la Discordia – literally the Block of Discord. Here, there are three houses, by each of Barcelona s most noted architects. Gaudí s Casa Batlló stands neat to Domènech s Casa Lleo Morera and Puig i Cadafalch s Casa Amatller. All strikingly different, and yet all showing the elements that make Barcelona s modernism so compelling. The wide, boulevard type streets of this area are also home to some of Spain s – and the world s – most famous store names; Gucci, Calvin Klein, Armani and many others have their city stores here.
Montjuïc is a glorious area to walk around, always offering stunning views across the city or out to sea. Not surprisingly given its geographical position, The Mountain of the Jews was originally a fortified position guarding the harbour and there are many reminders of that military history. This is also the location of many of Barcelona s very best museums and galleries as well as the Olympic Stadium, the spectacular and totally absorbing Poble Espanyol (Spanish Village), the outdoor amphitheatre that is the Greek Theatre, some spectacular parks and open spaces and much, much more. To visit Barcelona and not spend time on Montjuïc would be a great shame.
And yet there is still the port area and Barceloneta to explore! The superb, if sometimes crowded beaches; the fresh sea food overlooking the Mediterranean or the yachts in the port; the entrancing Aquàrium with its methacryllate tunnel allowing you to wander amongst the sharks and other marine creatures; this is one of the liveliest parts of the city – by day or night.
Barcelona is full of districts that each have their own individual identity. El Raval, to the west of Las Ramblas opposite the Gothic Quarter, was historically the red light zone but is now one of the most fashionable haunts, for example. Or the old village of Gràcia, perhaps a slightly more refined version of the areas around Las Ramblas.
The good news for visitors is that the transport system of Barcelona is so good that getting to each of these enthralling parts of the city is straightforward and inexpensive. The bad news is that, however much time you have, you ll never see everything. You ll just have to visit again.
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