Gothic Quarter
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Cultural Experience,
Good Place to Drink,
Good Place to Eat,
Must-Do Experience,
Neighborhood
Barcelona's Gothic Quarter (Barri Gótic) dates from medieval times, featuring narrow winding roads and impressively haunting architecture. On the streets, passersby find gems tucked away in the little nooks and crannies - trendy restaurants, chic bars and thumping clubs. The area's proximity to La Rambla also contributes to its popularity amongst the young, nightlife-loving crowd. Meeting with friends in one of the several placas (plazas) before heading to dinner or a club is customary amongst the locals, and you would be wise to follow suit as it is here that the most interesting people-watching takes place.
Besides the thriving night scene, there is plenty to see during the daylight hours. Highlights of the Barri Gótic include Barcelona's cathedral, the political hub of Placa Sant Jaume, and some of Barcelona's best surviving stretches of the Roman walls. Full of history, mystery and culture, this district of Barcelona is worth at least a full day on every vacationer's itinerary.
Latest Reviews
Review by Jonette B, USA, May 2013
Doing what: Skip the Line: Best of Barcelona Tour including Sagrada Familia
Fabian was our tour guide and he did a good job. It was great not to have to wait in line for the Sagrada Familia. We covered a lot. Well worth it. The tour office was a bit hard to find. So give yourself extra time to find the check in as it is not well marked.
Review by Lovemore F, May 2013
Doing what: Skip the Line: Best of Barcelona Tour including Sagrada Familia
It was a trip of a lfetime for the entire family but the toilet facilities around Sagrada Familia were also rather limited and not well sign posted. Every church I know has plenty toilets inside and outside but this bit of detail appears to have escaped the great Ghaudi and all the other architects on that site. In fact should you spend any amount of time in the queue outside, you will have huge issues.
Also due to the amount nof walking on the entire tour we could not finish the last part of the trip around the Catedral de Barcelona, the kids were also just too tired. I hope by the time they complete construction of Sagrada Familia in 2026-28 the entire district around it would have been reconstructed allowing for a tourist bus parking area adjacent to the facility. Tourist buses are a reality around the facility, to expect them to park a KM away is unreasonable, what if you have disabled people and small children like we had?
Review by Mary S, May 2013
Doing what: Skip the Line: Best of Barcelona Tour including Sagrada Familia
Incredible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our guide Julia/Juliet (sorry my memory is bad) was amazing. She was so informative and fun. She paced the tour perfectly, she made it engaging and relevant for all the folks on the tour. It was the perfect introduction to Barcelona. She was so knowledgeable and fun and personable. I was sad when the day was over. It was also such a treat to skip all the long lines. The tour was just perfect. 5 stars out of 5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Practical Info
Because the roads here are narrow and cobbled, most are closed to regular traffic and are more or less pedestrian walkways. Metro stops Jaume I, Drassanes and Liceu are all near or within this district and there is access from La Rambla as well. It's easy to get lost in the maze of alleys, but there's no need to worry - the maps are detailed and people are always willing to give directions. Not to mention that getting lost is part of the adventure!
