Neighborhoods of Barcelona: Exploring the Gothic Quarter, Barcelona, Spain

If there’s one thing I’d say to absolutely do in Barcelona it would be to walk. Walk everywhere. There’s no better way to get a feel for the city than walking around its vibrant neighborhoods. One neighborhood not to be missed is the Gothic Quarter, or Barri Gotic.

The Gothic Quarter is the center of Barcelona’s old city, located in between Las Ramblas, Placa de Catalunya and the neighborhood of El Born. It’s where the Romans first built their city here, and you can still see some remains of the Roman Empire. The air of history is everywhere you walk in the Gothic Quarter – in the architecture, in the narrow streets, in the courtyards. You can’t help but feel you’ve been transported in time, even with the throngs of tourists surrounding you.

The Gothic Quarter is touristy for a reason – it has that medieval charm of dark streets, secret alley-ways and old world details. I read somewhere before visiting Barcelona to make sure to always look up, and it’s true, and couldn’t be more true in a neighborhood such as the Barri Gotic. There’s always something new to discover around the next corner, and in places where you least expect it you come upon a hidden gem. Musicians take to these little crevices throughout the neighborhood, and suddenly you’ll find yourself coming upon someone strumming his instrument, with hardly a crowd around him, because he’s found that secret spot. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).