Discover the districts of Barcelona!
The city of Barcelona is divided into a number of districts, each with its own council and Catalan name. However, these districts of Barcelona are administered by a councilor appointed by the main city council; and in the same vein each one of them has competencies related to issues such as urban planning or the infrastructures of its territory. The current division of the city into different districts was approved in 1984; but in 2009 Barcelona began to use a new division of 73 neighborhoods!
Some of these districts of Barcelona have a further previous history as autonomous municipalities that were integrated into the city of Barcelona at the end of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th; and the others contiguous to Barcelona remain separate towns to this day, and are part from a much larger metropolitan area than Barcelona. Here’s a list of the amazing districts of Barcelona:
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Ciutat Vella
Ciutat Vella is the very oldest of all the districts of Barcelona. Here you find the neighbourhoods of the Barrio Gótico, El Raval, La Ribera, El Born and the old fishing quarter Barceloneta. Each neighbourhood posesses its own defining characteristics and style!
The Gothic Quarter
The Barrio Gótico, home to the magnificent Barcelona Cathedral, the Placa Reial; but much more is made up of a trail of maze-like narrow alleyways and small side streets. You can spend a pleasent day wandering around this pedestrianised neighbourhood admiring the old architecture, browsing through the small boutiques and art shops, or chilling at one of the trendy little cafes or bars.
Las Ramblas
The famous Ramblas runs through the centre of the Ciutat Vella district; subsequently dividing the Raval from the Barrio Gótico on the other side, and continuing down towards the sea. At the top of the Ramblas is Plaza Catalunya, which is considered to be the heart of the city centre.
La Ribera & El Born
Walking through La Ribera and El Born you will find many buildings dating back to the Medieval times. There are several tourist attractions in these areas; such as the popular Picasso Museum, the Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar (a spectacular church built during the 14th century), and adjacent to this, the Fossar de les Moreres (a memorial site built over a cemetery, where defenders of the city were buried after the Siege of Barcelona in 1714).
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Barceloneta
The Barceloneta or “Little Barcelona” is an old fishing village dating back further to the 18th Century. The neighbourhood has a lot of charm and character; and is famed for its excellent seafood restaurants. To find the perfect accommodation near the beach, take a look at our apartments in Barceloneta.
El Raval
El Raval has a character of its own, including a dark and seedy past, which is still evident today. Places of interest here include La Boqueria, a massive fresh produce market where you can purchase for instance meat, fruit, vegetables and much more; and MACBA (the Museum of Contemporary Art) which boasts stunning architecture.
Eixample
To the North of the city centre lies Eixample; one of the large districts of Barcelona characterized for instance by it’s grid-like design, wide avenues, long streets, chamfered blocks and intersections. This design is owed to the forward-thinking Ildefons Cerdà. Eixample is split into the left (Esquerra) and the right (Dreta) side. Eixample is home to many tourist attractions, namely Gaudí’s famous works. Examples of Gaudí’s impressive architecture are for instance in this area are Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, and Casa Milà or La Pedrera . The former two can be found on the famous shopping strip: Passeig de Gracia.
Source: www.todosobrebarcelona.com
Eixample contains much more equally fascinating, but less well-known architecture. It is certainly worth taking a walk away from the hustle and bustle of the very city centre and exploring this calm, yet lively area. There are countless bars and restaurants to be found in Eixample, many of which offer traditional Spanish and Catalan fine dining.
Sants-Montjuïc
The Sants-Montjuïc district covers the Southern part of the city and is home to popular attractions, mostly around the Montjuïc and Plaza Espanya areas. The other areas of the district are primarily residential areas.
Montjuïc is a large hill and was the main site for the 1992 Barcelona Sants-Montjuïc Olympic Games. Above all it has a great deal to offer; with sweeping views over the city, stunning scenery, the Olympic Stadium and other sporting facilities; Poble Espanyol, Palau Nacional (which houses the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya), the funicular cable car, beautiful parks and gardens, and La Fira (the spectacular Magic Fountain at the foot of the hill in Plaza Espanya). Also found in this district is Barcelona’s major train station: Sants Estacio.
Les Corts
Les Corts is one of the commercial and financial districts of Barcelona where one can find many shops, hotels, universities, restaurants, and bars. It is up to the North of the city and does not offer a great deal in terms of tourist attractions apart from FC Barcelona’s impressive stadium: Camp Nou. The area also boasts a number of nice parks and a large shopping mall called L’Illa, situated on one of Barcelona’s major roads called Avenida Diagonal.
Sarrià-Sant Gervasi
Sarrià-Sant Gervasi is to the North-West of the city and is one of Barcelona’s largest districts. Much of the area is upper-class, and you can see many large, beautiful houses throughout the area. There are many trendy hotspots where the young and the stylish like to hang out in cool bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. There is a village-like feel in this district, which makes it a popular place to go out at night and at the weekends.
Some of the Collserola mountain range is part of Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, including Mount Tibidabo which overlooks the area. Tibidabo is a popular place for locals and tourists alike, offering one of the most incredible views over the whole of Barcelona, and housing Barcelona’s oldest amusement park.
Gràcia
The Gràcia area is a small, charming area with a slightly bohemian feel to it. Certainly, there is a diverse mix of inhabitants who form a tight-knit community; which makes for a great atmosphere. Characterized by narrow streets and small alleyways and numerous plazas, Gràcia is above all a district worth visiting. During the warmer months the plazas fill with people of all ages that gather to enjoy the sunshine and the atmosphere of the district.
There are countless bars and restaurants here; many of which are small but make up for size for instance in character and atmosphere. It is a fantastic place to spend the day or night eating and drinking with friends; particularly as just about any cuisine that you may desire can be search for here. Most importantly, the bars and restaurants are very popular amongst Barcelona’s younger population.
Gràcia’s most well known attraction is Gaudí’s Parc Güell. With beautiful views over the entire city and fascinating Gaudí’s creations, this is a must-see. In addition, Teatre Lliure (one of Barcelona’s most prestigious theatres) is here in Gràcia. The Gràcia Fiesta (Festes de Gràcia); which is further think off as one of the biggest and best festivals, and takes place here over a period of 8 days in August each year.
Horta-Guinardó
Horta-Guinardó is large area to the North-East of the city centre. Above all, you will find mostly locals here, and a lack of tourist attractions. The district, characterised by its hills and steep streets, in addition has a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. For a nice change from the hustle and bustle of the city, and for a breath of fresh air, escape to this less-visited area.
Nou Barris
Nou Barris is located North-East of the Barcelona’s city centre; but like Horta-Guinardó, is relatively free-touch of tourism. A quiet neighborhood with a local community.
Sant Martí
Sant Martí is to the East of the city centre and includes a coastal strip. There are commercial and business areas here so you can find many hotel, bars, restaurants and nightclubs. It is a lively place to be, particularly in the areas that are nearer the coast. Many of the cities beaches can be found here, as well as some of the cities most popular nightclubs. Port Olímpic, Barcelona’s famous twin towers, and the Diagonal Mar Shopping Centre are also some of the main sights in the district of Sant Martí.
Sant Andreu
Sant Andreu is a peaceful neighborhood in the North-East of Barcelona. It is less well-known to tourists, however there is much to like about this quaint neighborhood. The streets and plazas are rich in history and tradition, and there are a number of authentic restaurants that serve some of the best tapas that you will find in Barcelona; and most importantly at very reasonable prices.