Want to explore the best things to do in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona? The Gothic Quarter, aka Ciutat Vella or “the old city,” is full of history, charm, and a grungy-yet-gorgeous aesthetic. Here, you’ll find winding alleyways, old-world architecture, and hidden gems around every corner. The Gothic Quarter is the historic heart of Barcelona and a must-visit for first-timers and return travelers alike, not to mention one of my favorite places in the world. In this post, I’m going to tell you 10 of the best things to do in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter.
- Related Post: The Best Restaurants in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter
Barcelona – Fast Facts
LANGUAGE – Spanish and Catalan (most locals speak both)
CURRENCY – Euro (1 USD = ~0.88 euro)
TIME DIFFERENCE – +6 HOURS EST
CONVERTER PLUG NEEDED – Type C or F
TRANSPORTATION – Walk, Uber, Metro, Bus
1. See The Barcelona Cathedral
When you are getting ready to go to The Gothic Quarter, I would recommend putting the Barcelona Cathedral into Google maps as your destination point. This will ensure that you are taken right to the heart of this part of the city.
The Barcelona Cathedral is by far my favorite church in Gothic District. It is dedicated to Saint Eulalia, who’s tomb actually lies beneath the main alter in the church. Currently, is a stunning representation of Catalan history and serves as the seat for the Archbishop of Barcelona. The outside of it is absolutely gorgeous and would make a phenomenal Instagram photo spot.
Click the links below for entry tickets and tours for the Barcelona Cathedral:
- Cathedral of Barcelona Entry Ticket
- Barcelona Cathedral: Ticket, Guided Tour and Virtual Reality Experience
- Barcelona: Cathedral & Rooftop Private Tour & Catalan Treat
- Pro Tip: Across from the Barcelona Cathedral is Lamaro Hotel, which has a rooftop bar offering stunning views of the cathedral and the city. They do NOT take reservations, but this is a really cool spot to grab a drink.
2. Learn About the Legend of El Pont del Bisbe
El Pont del Bisbe (translation: The Bishop’s Bridge) is a bridge on Carrer de Bisbe, to the right of the Gothic Cathedral. It is one of the most photographed parts of the Gothic Quarter, partially due to its beauty, but also partially due to the (creepy) legend that it carries with it.
If you walk underneath El Pont del Bisbe and look up, you will see a skull pierced by a dagger underneath the bridge. Legend has it that whoever walks underneath the bridge and gazes at the dagger will be cursed with bad luck!
Of course, now you can’t not look at it, but you also don’t want bad luck, right? Good news: you can (literally) reverse your bad luck by walking backwards underneath the bridge while looking up at the skull and making a wish. Sure, you may get some odd looks, but who’s the real winner here? You, withOUT bad luck, obviously.
3. Gaze at the String Lights in El Born
El Born is probably my favorite area of the Gothic Quarter. The easiest way I have found to know that I am in El Born is to walk to the Jaume 1 metro station, cross the street, and walk down Carrer de la Princesa. Carrer de la Princesa is a busy street, but once you’re here, you can dart off into one of the alleyways and start exploring. Here, you will immediately notice that it is somewhat calmer – that is, still lively but less touristy.
If rustic-grunge alleyways with string lights that come alive at night are your vibe, I found more of them last time in El Born than I did in the main Gothic Quarter. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’ll understand when I say, “it’s giving Diagon Alley.” Except, you know, make it Spanish. In fact, one of my favorite Barcelona nighttime activities is wandering around the alleyways looking at the string lights.
4. Walk Down Las Ramblas
Las Ramblas (or, La Rambla – it is known as both) – is one of the busiest and most tourist-heavy streets in Barcelona. This 0.8 mile stretch contains shops, restaurants, and vendors all along the street, and serves at the connecting point between Plaça de Catalunya and the city’s old port. It is located right beside the Gothic Quarter and therefore, makes it easy to walk down while exploring this part of the city.
Now, before you get too excited, I do want to tell you that Las Ramblas has been nicknamed “The Pickpocketing Capital of Europe” due to the abundance of people – tourists and locals alike – on this street. I’m not saying this so you avoid it, I’m saying it so you come prepared…and the best way to do that is to read my other post, The Best Ways to Avoid Pickpocketing in Barcelona!
5. Check Out The Mercado de La Boqueria
While you’re on Las Ramblas, pop into the Mercado de La Boqueria (aka Mercat St Josep La Boqueria), a large food market that will likely blow your mind. Spain is famous for its food mercados (markets) that have everything you could possibly imagine: meat, cheese, seafood, wine, dessert, sandwiches, the list goes on and on. Expect this market to be crowded, especially during high tourist season. When I lived in Barcelona for a summer, there were times it was so crowded that I could barely see what the individual vendors were offering. But it’s worth it to at least walk through, especially because we don’t have markets like this in America!
Fun fact – In addition to Mercado de La Boqueria, I’ve also been to Mercado Central in Valencia, Spain. However, my favorite mercado I’ve seen so far is Mercado de San Miguel in Madrid, Spain.
6. People Watch at Plaça Reial
Plaça Reial (translation: “Royal Plaza”) is a lively square in the heart of the Gothic Quarter surrounded by palm trees, giving it somewhat of a “tropical” feel. If you ask me, the palm trees seem kind of random in this part of the city, but I digress. It has a fountain in the center with two lampposts that were designed by (who else?) Antoni Gaudi, and in fact, serve as his first commissionable work for the city!
This area has also become a huge draw for nightlife in Barcelona. Events, concerts, and festivals are often held here, and there are a few nightclubs in the square as well. Similar to Las Ramblas, this is due to it being a large tourist-draw, which can make for higher food and drink prices. I like coming here to grab a cup of coffee and people-watch!
7. Go Inside the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar
Santa Maria del Mar is another impressive church in the Gothic District (although from the outside, not as impressive as the Barcelona Cathedral IMO). Still, it is definitely worth seeing. You can also go inside and tour this church as well, which I would recommend. Its incredibly high dome shaped ceiling, tall pillars, stained glass windows, and Gothic-style architecture is truly a work of art.
Click here to get your ticket to tour the Santa Maria del Mar (with terrace access!)
8. Have a Spa Day at AIRE Ancient Baths
If you are a spa person, I’m going to tell you that AIRE Ancient Baths in El Born is a must-do. AIRE has various locations around the world, but I have been told their Barcelona location is more affordable than some of the others.
You are able to choose from a variety of massage treatments, and/or spend your time in the different baths. They have hot and cold pools, along with a salt pool you can float in, and a sauna. The entire spa is gorgeous and the staff is incredibly kind. Oh – and you can also get cava and chocolate truffles. What’s not to love?
9. Get a Drink at Paradiso Bar
Paradiso Bar is a Barcelona speakeasy that was voted Best Bar in the World in 2022. So, you kind of have to visit. Paradiso is located behind the unsuspecting fridge door of a pastrami shop and has taken the world by storm with its creative cocktail presentation and energetic bartenders. Seriously, the bartenders make sure you have the time of your life from the second you walk in the door. Their menu changes yearly, but there are some “staple” drinks that they keep on rotation – my favorite being the Evolution Negroni. After all, you can’t spell Gina without gin.
- Pro Tip: You can’t just walk into Paradiso, and they don’t take reservations by phone. To know how to enter, check out my other blog post: How to Enter The Best Cocktail Bar in Barcelona.
10. Take in the History of Plaça Sant Jaume
Plaça Sant Jaume (St. James’s Square) is a great place to check out if you like history. It’s the home to the city’s 2 most important political buildings: Barcelona City Hall and the Palau de la Generalitat (Palace of the Generalist of Catalonia). As you’ve probably guessed, these buildings govern Barcelona’s Old City along with the autonomous community of Catalonia.
What’s So Special About Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter?
I wanted to answer this question from a personal standpoint. If you’ve taken a look at any of my photos on this website, you may be a bit…surprised…that I like the Gothic Quarter as much as I do. After all, I tend to favor sparkle and femininity over darkness and grunge. So why do I love the Gothic Quarter? If you’ve read my Barcelona itinerary post, you know that my first trip to this city was the catalyst to me becoming a travel blogger. I spent my first day in Eixample, Barcelona’s “new city” – but the Gothic Quarter is what really made me fall in love.
Don’t get me wrong – I loved Eixample too. But entering the Gothic Quarter was like entering a fairytale. I mean, okay…a slightly haunted fairytale…but work with me here. If you read ACOTAR, it’s giving Night Court energy, especially once the sun goes down and bar lanterns and string lights come on. During the daytime, towering cathedrals, tucked-away plazas, and centuries-old buildings create a moody, romantic atmosphere. At the time, it was like nowhere else I’d ever been, and in many ways, it still feels like that. I really love how Barcelona has kept so much contrast between its new city and the Gothic Quarter – you get the best of both worlds when you’re here.
Where to Stay in The Gothic Quarter
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- Lamaro Barcelona (5 stars)
- Hotel Barcelona Catedral (4 stars)
- H10 Raco del Pi (3 stars)
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