Gothic Quarter
The Gothic Quarter, which is located centrally in Barcelona, is one of the oldest neighbourhods within the city. Its narrow streets, winding allels and terrifyingly huge buildings send the visitors back to the Middle Ages. Besides all this, there are several monumental architecturally interesting points to visit, like the very attraction of the district, which is the Barcelona Cathedral, a very important Gothic structure built between the 14th and 15th centuries and really impressive in its grandeur and detail of facades.
Barcelona: Gothic Quarter Tour with Digital Audio Guide
Your Guide to Gothic Quarter
This FAQ is your companion for exploring Gothic Quarter
The Gothic quarter location is at the heart of Barcelona, which makes it quite accessible. These are some of the main options:
- Metro: The nearest metro stations are Liceu (on line L3) and Jaume I (on line L4). These stations are located just right into the Gothic quarter itself.
- Bus: Another option to access the Gothic quarter is using H16, V13, or D20, which run through the center of the city bus stops before entering the Gothic quarter.
- Taxi: It's a pretty good option, especially if you are far from the center. Simply tell the driver to take you to Plaça de Catalunya or Plaça Sant Jaume, and you can walk from there.
- On foot: If you are in the middle of town, a walk would make a rather nice introduction to your journey into this historic area.
- Barcelona Pipa Club: One of the oldest bars in the area, famous for its comfortable atmosphere and the variety of drinks offered.
- La Vinya del Senyor: This is a wine bar with a fantastic view of the Barcelona Cathedral. Best place for local wine tastings.
- Café de l'Òpera: The historic café located right across the renowned Liceo Theater, great for having a coffee or a small snack.
- Ocaña: The new bar and restaurant are opened with a terrace for enjoying cocktails and tapas in open air.
In general, even at night, the Gothic Quarter is considered a good place to be safe. As in all major cities, it is worth taking the usual precautions:
- Avoid dark deserted streets.
- Stick to the people and healthy parts of the main tourist routes.
- Always keep an eye on your belongings, as they can get hit by mobs.
- If you are going to be returning late, you may want to consider taking a taxi or public transport.
Definitely the places worth visiting in the Gothic Quarter of the city:
- Cathedral of Barcelona: An outstanding piece of Gothic architecture constructed between the 14th and 15th centuries. The cathedral contains tombs of Catalan Counts and Bishops, in addition to the famous interior courtyard where white geese reside.
- Plaza de Sant Jaume: The main square in the neighborhood, with the buildings of the municipality of Barcelona as well as the government of Catalonia. A great point to start the walk around the neighborhood.
- Praça Reial: One of the most beautiful squares in Barcelona, with palm trees, fountains, and arcades, hosting concerts and festivals regularly.
- Boqueria Market: Technically, not part of the Gothic Quarter but rather south of it alongside one of Barcelona's big claims, a market in which you can taste fresh produce and some local wine and delicacies.
It depends on how much you want to explore the area in detail as a general briefing on main attractions would last about 2-3 hours. While immersing more into the history and architecture, it can be a whole day's visit to museums, churches, and cozy inner courtyards.
The Gothic Quarter has a number of excellent places to go street food hungry:
- Mercat de Santa Caterina. This market lines fresh produce and snacks. Everything from fruits and vegetables to prepared dishes can be found here-
- El Quim de la Boqueria. A tapas and seafood haven at the iconic market of Bocateria-.
- Wok to Walk. Fast food chain offering Asian-style dishes like wok noodles and rice.
- 100 Montaditos. cheap sandwiches and tapas brilliant for a snacking blitz.
Sure! Here are a few restaurants you could consider:
- Can Culleretes: One of Barcelona's oldest restaurants, first opened its doors in 1786. It serves authentic Catalan dishes in an inviting atmosphere.
- Els Quatre Gats: A historical restaurant associated with Pablo Picasso's life and art. Here, exquisite dining meets the atmosphere of the early XX century.
- La Fonda: A restaurant representing traditional Catalan cuisine in a modern light. Great for romantic dinner.
- Restaurant 7 Portes: A classical restaurant for the marine cuisine, opened as early as in 1836. Perfect for those who like fish and seafood.
- Establishments such as restaurants and cafes have provided some of their customers with free Wi-Fi.
- City-level hot spots: Some of the public squares and parks are included in the city-wide free Wi-Fi hot spots.
- Hotels and hostels: It is highly likely that if one is staying in the area hotels or hostels, some will have free Wi-Fi as well.
The Gothic Quarter has a lot of these souvenir shops. Here are some of the recommendations:
- Art Montfalcon: A shop with artistic products and decorative items. A good place to look for unique gifts.
- Cereria Subira: The oldest candle shop in Barcelona, established in 1761. Here, you can find fine handmade candles.
- Torrons Vicens: A famous sweet shop selling typical Catalan nougats and more.
- Las Ramblas Market: Small market on the street Las Ramblas where you could find souvenirs from magnets to T-shirts.
Yes, there are specific routes in the Gothic Quarter intended for the disabled. Most of the large streets and squares have ramps for easy access and special crossings. However, keep in mind that many streets in that area are narrow and cobbled, which may make it difficult for a wheelchair-bound person to maneuver.
Most museums and historic buildings are also equipped with lifts and ramps for providing conveniences to their physically challenged visitors.