Eixample in barcelona: Guide to Eixample in Barcelona (Spain)

Guide to Eixample in Barcelona (Spain)

EVERYTHING THE BARCELONA EIXAMPLE HAS TO OFFER

The September 11th defeat in 1714 opened an era of repression for Barcelona. King Phillip V declared the city walls a military zone and had hundreds of neighbors to leave their homes in the Born district so a citadel could be built in that area. With their cannons pointing towards the city to control it, rather than to protect it.

No one was allowed to build right outside of the walls, within one mile of distance – theoretically within cannon ball reach. That forced Barcelona to remain small and closed within its medieval walls. But with the arrival of the industrial revolution, the city population grew exponentially with immigrants looking for jobs in the factories.

The city was packed, dirty and dangerous. And the solution laid past the walls: empty lands waiting to be developed. But it wouldn’t be until 1854 that the Spanish Monarchy passed a law allowing us to knock down the walls and start building a new city beyond them.

In 1859, the architect Rovira i Trias won the city contest for the new urban plan project. However, his radial design was rejected by the Spanish government, who imposed the “chess-game” like plan by Ildefonso Cerdà. Maybe one of the few times in history that an imposition of the Spanish Government has eventually become a wise choice seen with historical perspective…

The Eixample district was the result of Cerdà’s project. And here bloomed the Catalan Modernism, driven by the burgeousie’s desire of showing off their wealth and living in a space surrounded by beauty. It offered Gaudi and his peers the perfect setting to be creative.

And it was also community conscious: The urban plan of l’Eixample was based in a grid of streets crossed by just a few strategically placed diagonal avenues to make getting around easier. It also incorporated designated spaces for food markets, hospitals, firemen stations, schools and other services. Trees lining up the streets and interior gardens added a touch of greenery.

And while it eventually wasn’t executed 100% loyally to the original plan, the Eixample in Barcelona has been the inspiration of many other modern cities that were developed later on. Come with us discovering one of the best places to live in Spain… and possibly the world!

In today’s post we are taking you to the Eixample neighborhoods of Sant Antoni, Nova and Antiga Esquerra de l’Eixample, Dreta de l’Eixample, Fort Pienc and Sagrada Familia. Are they worth checking?

Here is our Eixample neighborhood guide:

Sant Antoni district

Sant Antoni used to be a local neighborhood just animated by its busy market and its festival of Els Tres Tombs. But when the first brunch restaurant opened there, things started changing.

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Young hipsters started frequenting the area more and more, and that led to the opening of more restaurants, mostly tapas and vermouth. Tourists don’t flock it yet, at least not as much as the Boqueria Market and the Born district. But the well informed ones that are looking for new things besides what everyone else does, are starting to discover it.

Where is it? The Sant Antoni district is shaped as an arrow point, and it limits with Avinguda Paral·lel, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, Ronda Sant Antoni And Ronda Sant Pau.
How to get there?
- L3 (green) subway line, along Avinguda Paral·lel: Plaça Espanya, Poblesec and Paral·lel stations.
- L1 (red) subway line, along Gran Via: Plaça Espanya, Rocafort, Urgell, Universitat stations.
- L2 (pink) subway line, along the Rondas that limit with the Raval: Universitat, Sant Antoni and Paral·lel station.
Things to do and what to see: The most important feature is definitely the Mercat de Sant Antoni – the largest food market in Spain, featuring also clothing, accessories, collector items and second hand books.
Where to stay: Hotel Market.
Where to eat: The neighborhood of Sant Antoni is a foodie destination for its tapas, its vermouth and its vibrant feel. Don’t miss our post on the best restaurants in Sant Antoni.
Shopping in this Eixample neighborhood: Besides the Sant Antoni Market, we recommend the ceramic workshop Eko Cercamic Space, the urban shoes from Miss Kleckley, and the shirts of Brava Fabrics.
Parks and green areas: Sant Antoni doesn’t stand out for having many green areas. But you can explore there some “interiors d’illa”, public parks opened inside Eixample blocks. We love the Tres Tombs, accessible from 24-28, Manso street, specially when its cherry trees are blooming in the spring.
Off the beaten track: 30, Comte Urgell. Considered the first building built in l’Eixample back in 1864, between 2008-2014 it was occupied by a community of squatters that called it “La Carboneria” (the coal-house). They painted a huge graffiti featuring a balloon on its façade, that made the building famous. In 2020, a real-state company bought the place and erased the graffiti, as part of the restoration of the building to make high-end apartments there.

Nova Esquerra de l’Eixample

Locals are quite simple when naming some districts. Since the Eixample neighborhood is the largest district in town, it mostly get divided in two sections at first: Left Eixample and Right Eixample.

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But then the Left Eixample grew too big. So it was divided again: the “older” Left and the “new” Left. So “Nova Esquerra de l’Eixample” means the “New Left of Eixample”. Easy enough!

Where is it? The Nova Esquerra de l’Eixample is shaped like a pentagon, limited by Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, Tarragona street, Avinguda Josep Tarradelles, Avinguda de Sarrià and Comte Urgell.
How to get there?
- L1 (red) subway line, along Gran Via: Plaça Espanya, Rocafort, and Urgell stations.
- L3 (green) subway line, along Tarragona Street: Tarragona and Sants Estació Stations.
- L5 (blue) subway line, along Rosselló Street: Hospital Clínic, Entença and Sants Estació stations.
Things to see: The former Las Arenas Bull Ring, Joan Miró’s “Woman and Bird” sculpture, the mosaic butterfly of Casa Fajol. The Modernist buildings of Casa de la Lactància and Casa Golferichs. The photography exhibit center Francesc Català i Roca.
Where to stay: Hotel Villa Emilia.
Where to eat: Pastries and breakfast: La Desayuneria and the baking school L’Atelier. For tapas and vermouth: Senyor Vermut and Morro Fi.
Shopping in this Eixample neighborhood: Las Arenas Shopping Mall.
Parks and green areas: Joan Miró Parc (L’Escorxador). “Interior d’Illa” garden Emma de Carcassona, accessed from 157, Comte Borrell. Its lush vegetation used to be part of a nuns convent.

Antiga Esquerra de l’Eixample

Although the Left Eixample is divided in two smaller sections, sometimes people still think of both as a whole. This was what happened when in 2020 Time Out declared the Esquerra de l’Eixample as the coolest neighborhood in the World.

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The good community vibes it had during lockdown where one of the reasons for it. But also were its cafes, local artists, gayfriendly businesses, repurposing of old buildings… But let me tell you one thing: most of it was in the “Old Left”, the Antiga Esquerra.

Where is it? L’Antiga Esquerra de l’Eixample is shaped as an irregular polygon enclosed by Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, Comte Urgell, Avinguda de Sarrià, Avinguda Josep Tarradelles, Diagonal Avenue and Balmes street.
How to get there?
- L1 (red) subway line, along Gran Via: Urgell and Universitat stations.
- L2 (pink) subway line: Universitat station.
- L5 (blue) subway line: Hospital Clínic station.
- FGC trains: Provença station.
Things to see: The modernist house Casa Pere Company, now seat of a Sports Museum.
Where to stay: The Axel is our recommendation for LGTBI travelers, and the Mirror and Granados 83 for everyone.
Where to eat: Gelato from Delacrem. Catalan food from Bar Gelida. Semproniana, for families with kids. Disfrutar for Michelin star cuisine. And the many fun bars and restaurants along Enrique Granados street.
Shopping in this Eixample neighborhood: Mercat del Ninot market. Galegory Lego shop. Pepa Paper cool stationery. Alianto, The Avant, M69 and Teresa Helbig for fashion.
Parks and green areas: The quaint gardens of the Universitat de Barcelona.
Off the beaten track: Fabrica Lehman, an old toys and dolls factory turned a local creators hub.

Dreta de l’Eixample

When the Eixample started being built, the old road to Gracia became the city’s new “Champs Elysées”: Passeig de Gràcia. There moved the wealthy classes, who also took over the continuation of La Rambla beyond the walls: the new Rambla de Catalunya.

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To their left run the railway track, and the neighborhood in the other side of it was “the wrong side of the track”, where the middle class lived and the high society would never step on. So the right side of the track became was chosen by the bourgeoisie to build their residences.

All the way between Rambla Catalunya and the also elegant Passeig de Sant Joan you can find gorgeous modernist buildings by the top architects of the moment. BTW, Passeig de Sant Joan was named 2nd best street in the world by Time Out in 2021! Only after Melbourne’s Smith Street.

Where is it? The Dreta de l’Eixample is the central part of the district. It looks like a deformed square that limited with the top of the medieval walls (now Pelai street, Plaça Catalunya, Fontanella street, Plaça Urquinaona and Trafalgar street), Balmes street, Adiagonal Avenue, Córsega and Rosselló streets, Napòls street, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes and Passeig de Sant Joan.
How to get there?
- L1 (red) line: Universitat, Plaça de Catalunya, Urquinaona and Arc de Triomf stations.
- L2 (pink) line: Universitat, Passeig de Gràcia and Tetuan stations.
- L3 (green) line: Diagonal, Passeig de Gràcia and Plaça de Catalunya stations.
- L4 (yellow) line: Urquinaona, Passeig de Gràcia, Girona and Verdaguer stations.
- L5 (blue) line: Diagonal and Verdaguer stations.
- FGC trains: Provença and Catalunya stations.
Things to see: So much! Gaudi’s Casa Mila and Casa Batllo. Casa Amatller and Casa Lleó Morera, making part of the Block of Disagreement together with Casa Batlló. Casa de les Punxes and many other modernist buildings. Museums such as the Fundació Tàpies, the Museum of Modernism or the Egiptian Museum…
Where to stay: The choices are infinite… You’ll find my recommendations for hotels near Paseo de Gracia and hotels in the city center of Barcelona in our blog. Or stay in Praktik Garden to experience a more local side of this district.
Where to eat: Again, so many choices! Our post about restaurants on Passeig de Gracia is a good start.
Shopping in this Eixample neighborhood: Passeig de Gracia for couture designers and European fashion brands. Rambla Catalunya for shoes and accessories. The streets between these two streets for fun smaller stores. Diagonal Avenue between Passeig de Gracia for more cool shops and home decoration. Consell de Cent between Passeig de Gracia and Balmes for art galleries. The Mercat de la Concepció food market.
Parks and green areas: The tranquil gardens of Palau Robert. The Torre de les Aigües “interior d’illa” park, with its industrial past.
Off the beaten track: Modernist shops that preserve their original decoration from 100 years ago, such as Queviures Múrria, Forn Sarret or Farmacia Bolós.

Fort Pienc

Fort Pienc is probably the most local area of the whole Eixample. You might see tourists in the edge that limits with other districts, be it Passeig de Gracia or the Plaça de les Glòries. Or in Estació del Nord to cath a long distance bus.

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But the rest of it is part of the “real Barcelona”, where nothing much special happens and locals go on their daily lives.

Where is it? Fort Pienc has a sort of triangular pattern and is surrounded by Passeig de Sant Joan, two blocks of Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, Nàpols street, Avinguda Diagonal, Avinguda Meridiana and Almogàvers street.
How to get there?
- L1 (red) metro line. Arc de Triomf, Marina and Glories stations.
- L2 (pin) metro line. Tetuan.
Things to see: Arch of Triumph. L’Auditori concert hall. TNC (National Theater of Catalonia). The former bull ring La Monumental.
Where to stay: SM Hotel Teatre Auditori.
Where to eat: El Puestu for local tapas. The bars of Els Encants flea market for some fun street food.
Shopping in this Eixample neighborhood: Els Encants flea market.
Parks and green areas: Parc de l’Estació del Nord.
Off the beaten track: The Biblioteca Arús library, with its replica of the Statue of Liberty and its franc-mason past.

AND FINALLY! How did Gaudi and Guell meet and what was their relationship?

Sagrada Familia neighborhood

The Sagrada Familia Church by Antoni Gaudi has become such a huge attraction pole that it deserves to have its unique neighborhood. The presence of this imposing building makes neighbors feel special… as much as annoyed at the crowds nuisances.

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If it’s your first time in Barcelona, you’ll definitely be visiting the area. And if you’ve already been here, you’ll likely want to come again to check the progress of the church construction works. But is there anything else interesting in the area?

Where is it? The neighborhood of La Sagrada Familia is shaped light an horizontal heart. The streets around its perimeter are Avinguda Diagonal, Nàpols street, two blocks of Rosseló street, three blocks of Sardenya street, Sant Antoni Maria Claret street and Dos de Maig street.
How to get there?
- L1 (red) line: Glòries station.
- L2 (pink) line: Sagrada Familia and Encants stations.
- L5 (blue) line: Sagrada Familia and Sant Pau | Dos de Maig stations.
Things to see: Gaudi’s hugely famous Sagrada Familia church, of course! And although technically that side of Sant Antoni Maria Claret belongs to the Guinardó neighborhood, let me mention that if you are there you shouldn’t miss the Hospital de Sant Pau either.
Where to stay: Here you’ll find our favorite hotels near Sagrada Familia.
Where to eat: Check out this post on places to eat near la Sagrada Familia.
Shopping in this Eixample neighborhood: Souvenirs all around the Sagrada Familia Church. Some local shops along Avinguda Gaudí.
Parks and green areas: Not much but the parks at each side of the church, from where you can take great pictures of it.
Off the beaten track: The “balcons de Barcelona” trompe-l’oeil painting covering and entire wall on Plaça Neruda. It depicts balconies with local historical personalities of Barcelona in them. Let’s see if you can find Gaudi and Picasso on them!

What is your favorite area of l’Eixample district in Barcelona?

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AUTHOR BIO

Marta is the founder of ForeverBarcelona. She is a passionate tour guide that loves Barcelona and loves writing too. She is the main author of our Blog, and is committed to sharing her knowledge about Barcelona and her best tips with our readers.

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L’Eixample in Barcelona | Frommer’s

Barcelona’s “new town,” its extension beyond the old city walls, actually contains a glorious grid of 18th- and 19th-century buildings, including the most vibrant examples of the moderniste movement. It is roughly divided into two areas: Dreta (right-hand), which is the southeast part of L’Eixample, and Esquerra (left-hand), meaning the northeastern side. The dividing line between the two is the Passeig de Gràcia. The famous Quadrat d’Or (Golden Triangle), an area bordered by the streets Bruc, Aribau, Aragó, and the Diagonal, has been named the world’s greatest living museum of turn-of-the-20th-century architecture. Most of the key buildings are within these hundred-odd city blocks, including Gaudí’s La Pedrera and the ultimate moderniste calling card, the Manzana de la Discordia. Many of these still serve their original use: Luxury apartments for the city’s 19th-century nouveau riche. Others are office buildings and shops (the Passeig de Gràcia, the neighborhood’s main boulevard, is the city’s foremost shopping precinct). In case you were wondering, the marine-colored, hexagonal tiles on the footpaths are reproductions of ones used by Gaudí for La Pedrera and the Casa Batlló.

Gaudí’s Resting Place

Before you leave the Sagrada Família, pay a visit to the crypt, Gaudí’s resting place since his death in 1926. The architect spent the last days of his life on site, living a hermitlike existence in a workroom and dedicating all of his time to the project. Funds had dried up, and the modernisme movement had fallen out of fashion. In general, the Sagrada Família was starting to be viewed as a monumental white elephant.

In contrast to the rest of the Sagrada Família, the crypt is built in neo-Gothic style. The first part of the building to be completed, it is the work of Francesc de Villar, the architect who was originally commissioned for the project until Gaudí took over. Villar was a religious architect who studied at Madrid’s prestigious Academia de San Fernando and whose important works included restoring the Barri Gòtic church of Santa María del Pi and building the apse in the mountaintop Monastery of Montserrat. He quit the Sagrada Família project for unknown reasons and died in 1901. During 1936’s “Tragic Week,” when anarchists went on an anti-clerical rampage in the city, the crypt was ransacked. Ironically, the only artifact left intact was Gaudí’s tomb.

La Manzana de la Discordia

The superlative showcase of the moderniste architecture is the Manzana de la Discordia (Illa de la Discordia). The “Block of Discord,” which is on the Passeig de Gràcia between Consell de Cent and Aragó, consists of three works by the three master architects of the movement: Josep Puig i Cadafalch, Lluis Domènech i Montaner, and Antoni Gaudí. Although they are all quite different in style, they offer a coherent insight into the stylistic language of the period. The Casa Amatller houses the Centre del Modernismo, an information point on the modernistes and the movement.

The Moderniste Walk

As most of Barcelona’s moderniste legacy is in the Eixample neighborhood, it makes sense to see it on foot. The Centre del Modernisme at the Casa Amatller, Passeig de Gràcia 41 (tel. 93-488-01-39; Mon-Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 10am-2pm; Metro: Gràcia), is a one-stop information point on the movement. They have devised the “modernism route,” a tour of the city’s 100 most emblematic Art Nouveau buildings. You can either pick up a free map or buy a well-produced, explanatory book (14€), which includes a book of coupons offering discounts of between 15% and 50% on attractions that charge admission, such as Gaudí’s Casa Batlló and La Pedrera.

If you wish to explore modernisme beyond the boundaries of Barcelona, the center supplies information on towns such as Reus (Gaudí’s birthplace) and Terrassa, which has an important collection of moderniste industrial buildings. Tours are also offered.

The Centre del Modernisme also has branches at the Hospital Sant Pau and the Finca Güell in Pedralbes.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

Eixample | Planet of Hotels

The history of the Eixample region began in the 19th century, when an industrial boom took place in the Spanish province, and the inhabitants became crowded in the Old Town. An engineer from Catalonia, Ildefons Cerda, came to the rescue, whose unusual urban layout helped expand the city. Thanks to the architect’s love for straight lines, the area looks like a lattice, and Antonio Gaudí himself had a hand in the construction of buildings.

The Eixample district is divided into 5 districts: the Right Eixample (La Dreta de l’Eixample) with its impressive architecture, the Left Eixample (L’ Esquerra de l’Eixample) with modernist buildings and vibrant nightlife, the Sagrada Família with the famous Sagrada Familia, the quiet and peaceful district of St. Anthony (Sant Antoni), and Fort Pienc (Fort Pienc).

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Map of the Eixample district

What to see in the Eixample district of Barcelona

The area began to acquire buildings in the Art Nouveau era, but the main attractions of this place are the buildings “from the pen” by Antonio Gaudí. There are also a huge number of museums, art galleries and restaurants with quaint architecture.

Sagrada Familia (Sagrada Familia) is a place that can be called the “visiting card” of Barcelona. This is the most visited attraction in the city, the construction of which continues to this day.
Casa Batlló is also a masterpiece by Antoni Gaudí. Its design is thought out to the smallest detail, there are practically no straight lines, and the whole appearance of the house resembles a giant dragon.
House Mila – the appearance of this building can be called innovative even in comparison with modernism. The house is still residential, and on the top floor and mezzanine there is a museum dedicated to the work of Gaudí.
The Monumental arena is an impressive piece of architecture these days, but until 2011 it hosted a traditional Spanish bullfight. Now this entertainment is banned in Barcelona.
Egyptian Museum of Barcelona – This museum houses more than a thousand exhibits that acquaint visitors with the culture of the Egyptian pharaohs. Jewels, statues, ceramic and stone products will be of interest to both schoolchildren and adult tourists.

In this area, you should also visit Plaza Catalunya and one of the most beautiful European avenues, Passeig de Gràcia.

Sagrada Familia

Mount Tibidabo and Temple of the Sacred Heart

Montjuïc Magic Fountain

Plaza Catalunya

Picasso Museum

Park Güell

Camp Nou Stadium

Gaudí Museum House

Gothic Quarter

House Joan Miró

Foundation Mila

La Rambla

Montjuic

Picasso Museum

Spanish Village

Barcelona Aquarium

Sitges

Barcelona Cruise Port

Pyrenees

Barcelona Zoo

Barceloneta Beach

Torres Winery

Caixa Forum Cultural Center

Casa Batlló

Cafes and Restaurants

The Eixample district has a huge number of restaurants and eateries. Here you can find everything from burgers and tapas to fine dining with Michelin stars.

Anita Flow – a restaurant near the Tetouan metro station will surprise you with subdued lights and neon lights. There is a wide selection of dishes from different cuisines of the world.
9 Nine – This restaurant is famous for its steaks, but it also serves Mediterranean and Spanish cuisine. The restaurant is a three minute walk from Diagonal Avenue.
La Paradeta Consell de Cent is a restaurant for those who love seafood and want a quick bite. Located 100 meters from Casa Batlló.
CocoVail Beer Hall is a place to drink beer and watch football. The establishment with its own brewery is located a 2-minute walk from Casa Batlló.
Escriba Gran Via is a cozy patisserie near the Museum of Modern Art. Here you can enjoy crispy croissants, macaroons and chocolate cakes – a real paradise for the sweet tooth.

Shops and markets in the Eixample area

Every year there are more and more shopping centers in Barcelona, and in the Eixample area there are both international chain stores and ordinary clothing and footwear stores.

Centro Commercial Arenas is the famous shopping center in the Plaza de España, which originally served as a bullring. More than 100 shops, 12 cinemas, many cafes and restaurants are located on several floors of the shopping center.
Els Encants – a flea market right next to the Plaza de Catalunya. Here you can buy really interesting things.
Paseo de Gracia is one of the most important streets in the Eixample. Here you will find chic jewelry boutiques and famous fashion brands.
L’illa Diagonal is a huge shopping center on Diagonal Avenue. In addition to shops, it includes two hotels, two schools, a gym, a dance hall, a park and a car park.

Accommodation in the Eixample area

The Eixample area is one of the most popular with tourists, as it is here that you can literally touch the work of the great Gaudí. There are many different hotels and apartments in this place for every taste and budget.

Hotel El Palace Barcelona 5 * – a luxurious hotel with a unique spa. It is located within walking distance to the main tourist places – to Plaza Catalunya 6 minutes on foot.
Olivia Balmes Hotel 4* is a modern family hotel located 5 minutes walk from Paseo de Gracia. The hotel has a swimming pool and a restaurant.
Hotel Market 3* – The hotel’s convenient location, a short distance from the Museum of Modern Art and the metro, makes it a popular accommodation option for tourists.
Casa Vila Apartaments Turistics – spacious apartments in the heart of the area. The room has a terrace with a beautiful view of the Sagrada Familia.
Casa Kessler Barcelona is a modern hostel located 10 minutes’ walk from Plaza Catalunya. The interior decoration of this place is in no way inferior to expensive hotels.

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Eixample

Eixample is translated as “extension”, and the area is named so because of its status as a new part of the city. This is a large area north of Plaça de Catalunya, stretching on both sides of Passeig de Gràcia.

The area really expanded the city, which benefited greatly from the skillful urban planning work of the Catalan engineer Cerdes, carried out in the 1850s. Cerdes loved straight lines and the whole area is a grid, with each block having its own courtyard. This means that getting lost in Eixample is not easy, but finding the right address is easy.

Today, Eixample is famous for being home to most of Barcelona’s art nouveau masterpieces, as well as for its shops and for being an upscale residential area.

The right side of Eixample is older, which means the architecture here is more impressive, although in reality there is little difference between the two parts of the area.

Passeig de Gràcia is the heart of Eixample and the street that cuts the area into two parts “Eixample left” and “Eixample right”.

Casa Mila in Eixample

Most of the world’s designer brands such as Chanel and MaxMara are located here. Also on this street are La Pedrera (The Quarry) and Casa Batlló (House of Batlló), two typically fabulous buildings by Gaudí. There are many art galleries here. If you like art, be sure to check out the Fundacion Antoni Tapies, which is located near Passeig de Gràcia and houses a collection of works by Catalan artists.

Eixample is a safe residential area, but it also has a vibrant nightlife and plenty of cafes. Eixample is a beautiful area, it’s good to walk here, looking at the magnificent architecture, and people watching, sitting on the terrace of one of the many cafes.