The back story
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Neighbourhood guide
The Gothic Quarter and El Born: the back story
Roman walls, the cathedral, Santa Maria del Mar and the medieval palaces of Carrer de Montcada.
Neighbourhood guide · Barcelona
Gothic Quarter & El Born: Our Favourites
The cathedral and Plaça del Rei, Santa Maria del Mar, the Museu Picasso, the Palau de la Música, the markets and the old-town hotels.
What's onThis week in Barcelona
What to see and do
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The heart of the Gothic Quarter
Barcelona Cathedral
The Gothic cathedral of Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia, with its cloister of geese.
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Catalan Gothic
Santa Maria del Mar
The great Catalan Gothic church of El Born, light and spare inside.
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In five medieval palaces
Museu Picasso
Picasso’s early years, in a row of medieval palaces on Carrer de Montcada.
Montcada 15–23, 08003 BarcelonaExplore View on map
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Plaça dels Àngels
MACBA
The museum of contemporary art in El Raval.
Plaça dels Àngels 1, 08001 BarcelonaExplore View on map
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Roman Barcino underground
MUHBA, Barcelona History Museum
The city’s history museum at Plaça del Rei, with Roman streets beneath it.
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UNESCO World Heritage
Palau de la Música Catalana
Domènech i Montaner’s concert hall of stained glass and mosaic.
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Opera on La Rambla
Gran Teatre del Liceu
Barcelona’s opera house, on La Rambla.
La Rambla 51–59, 08002 BarcelonaExplore View on map
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From the cathedral to Santa Maria del Mar
The Gothic Quarter and El Born
Medieval lanes from the cathedral to Plaça del Rei, across Via Laietana and down Carrer de Montcada.
Where to eat
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One MICHELIN Star
Koy Shunka
Japanese cooking at the counter, in a lane behind the cathedral.
Copons 7, 08002 BarcelonaExplore View on map
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One MICHELIN Star
Dos Palillos
Asian-inspired small plates at a counter in El Raval.
Elisabets 9, 08001 BarcelonaExplore View on map
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Counter seafood
Cal Pep
Seafood tapas at the counter on Plaça de les Olles.
Plaça de les Olles 8, 08003 BarcelonaExplore View on map
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Opposite the Picasso Museum
El Xampanyet
A tiled tavern on Carrer de Montcada, pouring its house cava with anchovies and tapas.
Montcada 22, 08003 BarcelonaExplore View on map
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Rice dishes
7 Portes
Paella and rice dishes in a grand old dining room by the port.
Passeig d’Isabel II 14, 08003 BarcelonaExplore View on map
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Bib Gourmand
Bar Cañete
A long tapas counter beside the Liceu.
Unió 17, 08001 BarcelonaExplore View on map
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Breakfast institution
Granja M. Viader
A traditional granja off La Rambla for hot chocolate, milk drinks and breakfast.
Xuclà 4, 08001 BarcelonaExplore View on map
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Cakes by Santa Maria del Mar
Bubó
A pâtisserie and shop on Carrer de les Caputxes, beside Santa Maria del Mar.
Caputxes 10, 08003 BarcelonaExplore View on map
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A Modernista shopfront
Escribà
The pastry makers’ shop on La Rambla, in the mosaic-fronted Antigua Casa Figueras.
Bars
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Through the fridge door
Paradiso
A cocktail bar hidden behind a pastrami shop in El Born.
Rera Palau 4, 08003 BarcelonaExplore View on map
Shopping
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The wave roof
Mercat de Santa Caterina
A neighbourhood market under a wave of coloured tiles.
Avinguda de Francesc Cambó 16, 08003 BarcelonaExplore View on map
Where to stay
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A medieval palace
Hotel Neri
A small hotel in a medieval palace by Plaça de Sant Felip Neri.
Sant Sever 5, 08002 BarcelonaExplore View on map
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Carrer del Lledó
Mercer Barcelona
A boutique hotel on Carrer del Lledó, in the oldest part of the city.
Lledó 7, 08002 BarcelonaExplore View on map
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Opposite Santa Caterina market
The Barcelona EDITION
A design hotel opposite the Santa Caterina market.
Avinguda de Francesc Cambó 14, 08003 BarcelonaExplore View on map
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Between the cathedral and El Born
Grand Hotel Central
A grand hotel on Via Laietana, between the Gothic Quarter and El Born.
Via Laietana 30, 08003 BarcelonaExplore View on map
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On La Rambla
Hotel 1898
A hotel at the top of La Rambla, near the Boqueria.
La Rambla 109, 08001 BarcelonaExplore View on map
Health and wellness
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Candle-lit baths
AIRE Ancient Baths Barcelona
Thermal baths in a vaulted building by Parc de la Ciutadella.
Passeig de Picasso 22, 08003 BarcelonaExplore View on map
Share your Gothic Quarter & El Born tips
Been there? Share your experience and tips with other visitors.
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