Welcome to the oldest quarter in Barcelona, built on the remains of the Roman Barcino. The medieval layout of narrow pedestrian streets and hidden squares is one of the most charming and touristic areas in the city. However, not everything here is Gothic: some of the most emblematic buildings are less than 150 years old, such as the façade of the cathedral. This is also one of the busiest quarters in Barcelona, frequented by both tourists and locals. Catalan restaurants, emblematic cafes... 'El Gòtic' is essential.
Info & Location
City/Province: Barcelona
Type of Experience:
Top attractions
Address: Pla de la Seu, 3, 08002, Barcelona, Spain
Where: Located in the district of Ciutat Vella, in the heart of the city, this quarter is delimited by Las Ramblas, Via Laietana, Paseo de Colón and Plaza de Cataluña.
Points of interest: In the Gothic Quarter, you'll discover numerous points of interest, each rich in history: the Cathedral, several palaces like the Town Hall and the Palace of the Generalitat (the autonomous government of Catalonia), the old Jewish quarter, and the Roman necropolis in the Plaza Vila de Madrid... all sprinkled with fashionable boutiques!
But perhaps one of its greatest attractions are its squares. These are the more interesting:
Plaça Sant Jaume: the City Hall and the Palace of the Generalitat of Catalonia are located here. It is the political center of the city.
Plaça Reial: Located next to Las Ramblas, it is one of the most pleasant, emblematic and lively in the Gothic quarter.
Plaça del Rei: headquarters of the Royal Palace since the Middle Ages, it houses a set of medieval buildings that house part of the Museum of the History of the City.
Plaça del Pi: small and lovely, with a pine tree, as the name implies. On Saturdays, it helds an artisan food market.
Plaça Nova: it extends in front of one of the gates of the Roman city of Barcino, the Praetoria gate, known today as Portal del Bisbe.
