Neighbourhoods of Barcelona

Barcelona is a city with many things to discover, each area is different and offers different options for each person. Our Xior Collblanc residence is located 10 minutes away from the Diagonal Campus and the UB/UPC Campus, as well as close to many other neighbourhoods that you have to know. 

We are going to name some of them, the best known and most visited, each of them may seem more modern or older, and that is the charm of Barcelona, the combination of history, the most modern and the urban rhythm of the city. 

By visiting each of them you will be able to get to know the whole city and experience the city as you have always wanted to. 

1. Gràcia

It is considered one of the best districts in Barcelona, perfect for students and young people, thanks to its large number of restaurants and bars. It is an area with a very alternative atmosphere and also has a bohemian touch, thanks to the artists who frequent the area.

Visit “Park Güell”, the most famous park in Catalan city, a huge garden with architectural elements by the artist Antonio Gaudí. It has an extension of more than 17 hectares, all the figures that this park has are inspired by the forms of nature. During the week of August from the 15th to the 21st, the Festa Major de Gràcia begins, where you can attend a lot of activities, the most popular and traditional of the Catalan culture. 

2. Eixample

This district is one of the newest and most central areas of the city, as well as one of the most dynamic districts, with Passeig de Gràcia, Gran Via and Avenida Diagonal running through it.

You will be able to see the most touristic places of all Barcelona like the Sagrada Familia, the work of Antonio Gaudí, Casa Batlló, Casa Amatller, La Pedrera, Casa de les Punxes, Sant Antoni Market, Paseo de Gracia one of the most visited streets by tourists full of shops and modernist buildings, or also a different visit to the one you are used to, go to the old prison “La Modelo”.

3. Sants 

Sants-Montjuïc is the largest and one of the most important districts of Barcelona, in Sants-Montjuïc you will be able to know a lot of things and it has the attractions of the city, those are the sea and the mountains. 

You can walk to the Plaza de España and Montjuïc, where you will find the Magic Fountain, the Fira de Barcelona, the MNAC museum (National Art Museum of Catalonia) and you can also take the Montjuïc cable car. In the “Parc de Montjuïc”, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the views from its viewpoints and also the installations that were made in the Barcelona ’92 Olympics. In the Plaza de España, you have the shopping centre “Las Arenas”, a former bullfighting stadium. 

4. Born

El Born preserves part of the history of medieval Barcelona, which is why it is considered one of the oldest areas, but it is a fashionable area with a bohemian air. Strolling through its streets has a special charm, and you’ll find several art studios and museums.

You can visit the great Palau de la Música Orfeó Català, the building was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. In the neighbourhood, you will also find the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar, better known as “La Catedral del Mar”. Another must-see is the Picasso Museum and others such as the MEAM (European Museum of Modern Art), and the Chocolate Museum. And last but not least, the Santa Caterina Market, a food market famous for its modernity. 

5. Gothic Area

Another of Barcelona’s old quarters, full of history, where you will find archaeological remains of Roman Barcelona. In the neighbourhood, we find the palaces of the City Hall and the Generalitat, the Cathedral of Barcelona (Cathedral of Santa Cruz and Santa Eulalia), the Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi, this church of Catalan Gothic style built during the 14th century. 

6. The “Barceloneta”

This seaside neighbourhood, bordered by the Olympic Port, the Ronda Litoral and the sea, was home to fishermen for a long time. Undoubtedly, the main attraction is its beaches, and the closer you get to the sea, the more modern the landscape, and just a few minutes away you have the opportunity to visit the large Maremagnum shopping centre and the Barcelona Aquarium, the only aquarium in the city. You can ride the Port Cable Car or do something more cultural like visiting the Museum of the History of Catalonia in Port Vell.

Here you can sample some of the best fresh fish in the city, and some of the most mouth-watering rice dishes in the neighbourhood’s restaurants. 

7. Poble Nou

This is a very quiet area, with the largest number of beaches, ideal if you want to enjoy a stroll along the Paseo Marítimo. Formerly this district had the highest concentration of factories and industries in Catalonia and was transformed with the arrival of the Barcelona ’92 Olympic Games.

You can enjoy beaches, museums and its streets and buildings, in the Rambla del Poblenou, enjoy its liveliest street. Some of the beaches to visit, stroll and swim in are Bogatell and Mar Bella, much quieter than the well-known Barceloneta or Villa Olímpica.

8. The Raval

This is a neighbourhood characterised by its interculturality, it is located next to the port of Barcelona and the Rambla, the “Rondas” de Sant Pau and Sant Antoni. For many, this is one of the most dangerous neighbourhoods in the city, as it is not the safest but it is full of life with an authentic personality that makes it attractive. Here you will find many galleries, art studios, as well as the well-known MACBA, and on the Rambla del Raval you can find the best places to eat and “el Gato Botero” a sculpture by the Colombian Fernando Botero.

From the Raval, you can visit the famous Boqueria market and the Sant Antoni market. As we have already mentioned, you can make a cultural visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona (MACBA), with free entrance every Saturday from 16h or go to the Centre of Contemporary Culture of Barcelona (CCCB), free entrance on Sundays from 15h to 20h.

If you are in the Xior Collblanc student residence, take advantage of a weekend and visit these wonderful neighbourhoods, discover the most charming corners and get to know the most visited places in Barcelona.