10 Places To Visit in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter – Blog
If you want to jump from one century into another with just a few steps, the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona is the place for you. Here, you can find contemporary art, the square where Catalan politics was born, a church that has lived as many lives as a cat and, of course, a whole museum that can tell you all about that and more.
I’m a local guide here in Barcelona and excited to share with you the secrets of my city. Come along as we explore Barcelona’s breathtaking Gothic Quarter.
Why is it called the Gothic Quarter?
First, what exactly is the Gothic Quarter and why is it called that?
The Gothic Quarter is located in the historic center of Barcelona. You’ll find it between two streets: the famous La Rambla (sometimes called Las Ramblas) and Via Laietana. You can easily get there by metro from the Liceu or Jaume I metro stations.
Despite its old age, it was named the Gothic Quarter, or Barrio Gótico in Spanish, only a century ago. The reason? To attract more tourists, particularly with a little help from its beautiful neo-Gothic cathedral.
Before that, back in the Middle Ages, the true heart of this quarter was the Jewish neighborhood — El Call — named like this after the Jewish word for community (“cahal”).
Want to see everything this historic corner of Barcelona has to offer? Let’s dive in together to every spot you can’t miss while visiting Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter.
1. Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia
Credit: Jorge Láscar / CC BY 2.0
The stunning Cathedral of Barcelona, also called the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, is a must visit in the Barrio Gótico. If you decide to start this itinerary from Plaça de Catalunya, the central square of Barcelona, you’ll come by way of Via Laietana or Portal del Ángel.
The cathedral dates back to the 4th century, but it’s been renovated many times over the years, including for the Universal Expositions in 1888 and in 1929.
As a result, it’s had a number of styles through the ages. You might think of it as different lives through different eras: Paleocristian to Visigoth to Romanesque.
If you want to visit the cathedral, check the hours before you go. You can get your entrance ticket online or at the church.
Credit: Jocey K / CC BY-SA 2.0
Guide tip: Count the geese! According to the legend, Saint Eulalia, the saint protector of Barcelona, was a geese shepherd who died as a martyr when she was only 13 years old. That is why you can now find 13 geese in the cloister of the cathedral. The legend also says that if only one goose is missing the entire cathedral would fall down. Better keep an eye on them!
2. Royal Artistic Circle
Credit: Cristina Carrisi
The Royal Artistic Circle was founded in 1881 by several Catalan artists as an institution to promote artistic creations. Due to the historical period, this has been the place where many ideas about modernism began.
The museum is now a place dedicated to temporary exhibitions.
Be sure to check them out during your visit to the Gothic Quarter.
3. Association of Catalan Architects (COAC)
Credit: Cristina Carrisi
Undoubtedly the youngest building of Plaça Nova, the presence of the Association of Catalan Architects makes us feel we are in a completely different district, but we are just outside the cathedral on the opposite side of the Royal Artistic Circle.
The interesting fact about this building is the origin of the sand-cast friezes, done by the Norwegian artist Carl Nesjar in 1962. The designs gave new life to one of Picasso’s original drawings.
Guide tip: During the third weekend of October, thanks to 48H Open House Barcelona, you might have the opportunity to visit the COAC — and many more buildings — for free.
4. The kiss mural of Barcelona
Credit: Cristina Carrisi
“El món neix en cada besada” — translated from Catalan, “A world is born in every kiss” — is the title of the giant kiss you’ll find if you head one block to the right just of the COAC.
This mosaic was created in 2014 to commemorate the 300 years of the siege of Barcelona that put an end to the War of the Spanish Succession in 1714.
Credit: Cristina Carrisi
This work is a collage of thousands of pictures on tiny tiles that people from Barcelona were asked to take, anonymously, during a moment of total freedom.
The kiss mural, sometimes called the Kiss of Freedom, by artist Joan Fontcuberta is definitely the most Instagrammable spot of the Gothic Quarter. Don’t leave without taking a picture!
5. The History Museum of Barcelona (MUHBA)
Credit: Cristina Carrisi
The History Museum of Barcelona (MUHBA) is one of the best museums you find in the city. Whether you want to know something about Barcelona or see where all the archeological remains ended up, this is the place.
Credit: Cristina Carrisi
Even though it has many different branches all over the city, the one that is located in King’s Square is the official and the biggest one. You can enter the museum from the door of Padellás House, an old house in King’s Square now used for the history museum.
Then you can dive into the beautiful and very old story of this amazing city.
Savings alert: If you decide to visit this museum on Sunday afternoon after 3 p.m., entrance is free.
6. Plaça Sant Jaume
Credit: Cristina Carrisi
The Plaça Sant Jaume, or Saint James Square, has long been the bureaucratic center of Barcelona. Both City Hall and the headquarters of the Catalan government are located in this square, which is named after the first king of the Aragonese dynasty.
Here, you often see people trying to make their voice heard by protesting laws they might find unfair. That is also a place where people of other nationalities stand up against any injustices occurring in their country. As such, this square isn’t only a place for Catalan politics, but also for global affairs.
The sight you can’t miss here is the gorgeous Palau de la Generalitat. This historic palace, built between the 15th and 16th century, has the first renaissance facade of Catalonia.
What’s more, just above the main door, we find the statue of Saint Jordi, or Saint George, the saint protector of Catalonia, celebrated with roses and books all over the city every April 23rd.
7. Bishop Street Bridge
Credit: Cristina Carrisi
Exactly in between the Cathedral of Barcelona and the Palau de la Generalitat you’ll come upon the famous Bishop Street. In this narrow street, we find a bridge that, even if it has the same neo-Gothic characteristics of the Cathedral of Barcelona, was built over 40 years later. Bishop’s Bridge, as it’s called (or Pont del Bisbe), was created for the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition.
There are many legends related to this bridge. One of these tells that if you look at the skull under the bridge and make a wish, that wish will come true.
8. Plaça de Sant Felip Neri
Credit: Cristina Carrisi
This is the saddest story of the Gothic Quarter.
The Plaça de Sant Felip Neri is located in the heart of the Jewish neighborhood.
As you can see in my photo above, the Church of Saint Philip Neri (Iglesia de Sant Felip Neri in Spanish) still has signs of a bombing that occurred in 1938 during the Spanish Civil War. At the time, the church was being used as a shelter for evacuated children. Two bombs dropped by the Nationalist party, led by Francisco Franco, who ultimately won the war, exploded in front of the church, killing dozens
For many years this story was unknown to most tourists. But in 2018, exactly 80 years after that event, the Council of Barcelona finally posted a sign at the entrance of the square to commemorate what happened here.
9. The Church of Holy Mary of the Pine
Credit: Cristina Carrisi
This church, found between La Rambla and Sant Felip Neri Square, might have been built where the Roman Barcino (that’s the name of the former Roman colony that became Barcelona) began to expand. And it’s there where the first Holy Mary of the Pine was born in 987 AD. Later on, in the 14th century, the church became one of the first examples of Catalan Gothic architecture.
It is said that this church has survived the plague, an earthquake, the siege of the War of the Spanish Succession and a fire during the Spanish Civil War. We should definitely call it a survivor!
Where does the name come from? The most famous legend related to this church tells this story. Many years ago, faithful locals decided to plant a pine tree just outside of the church because the face of Mary, mother of Jesus, was found in the trunk of a pine tree.
10. Royal Square
Credit: Cristina Carrisi
The Royal Square is where you can easily find many Barcelonians and a lot of tourists at the same time.
Still part of the Gothic Quarter, but just next to the famous Rambla street, this square is the place to go for a drink with your friends while listening to many different languages.
While you’re there, have a look at the modernist lampposts. They are unusual because they were designed by Antoni Gaudí at the beginning of his career. In the photo above, you can see how he added Mercury’s helmet to the very top.
Why? The symbol celebrates Barcelona’s role in Mediterranean trade. (Mercury was the Roman god of merchants — and travelers too!)
Guide tip: You can find another of Gaudi’s lampposts in Pla de Palau, a square located just behind the Barceloneta metro stop.
Discovering Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter
There are many ways to soak up the charm of the Barrio Gótico. Whether you start from La Rambla or from Via Laietana, you can explore plenty on foot. That’s part of why we love walking tours so much!
If you want to do more than just see this beautiful quarter at a glance but truly get to know it, try a walking tour with someone who daily lives, loves and admires this city. Our Barcelona Ancient Markets Walking Tour includes the Gothic Quarter, the long-running Mercato de la Boqueria, La Rambla and much more.
Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic) (Barcelona)
Reviews may contain information about traveler safety at this business.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
40,384 reviews
Excellent
26,843
Very good
11,788
Average
Terrible
Eaton_Out
Greenville, SC495 contributions
Gothic Quarter was a convenient place to stay
Apr 2023 • Couples
We stayed in the Gothic Quarter in a 5 star hotel about two blocks from La Ramblas. Although the neighborhood seemed ok by day we did note that the hotel had several doormen out front at all times and we assumed this was for security. We did not go out at night but by day we felt very safe. Pick pockets are said to be rampant in Barcelona and many apparently ride scooters so beware and keep valuables close. There is much great architecture to see here. We walked by ourselves on our first day and came back with a local guide who showed us around our last day.
Written April 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
A Midlife Adventure
Dursley, UK1,004 contributions
Worth a wander around
Apr 2023 • Couples
We did a self guided walk around this “old part” of the city.
Beautiful cobble stones although not kept as clean as other Spanish cities with similar old towns.
Highlights of our walk included the Roman pillars and the Sant Felipe Neri church.
Written April 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Healyum86
81 contributions
Cool streets with so much energy
Apr 2023 • Family
We loved walking through the Gothic quarter. So much history that can seen as you walk around, beautiful shops and even a Christmas shop.
Not as busy in April and a nice break from La rambla
Written April 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
nam p
29 contributions
Wandering back in time
Apr 2023 • Couples
Love the walk here. Wandered around to admire the building, the architecture. There are atractions you should get to like the Catalan Cathedral and Pont Bisbe but the narrow streets themselves are already an atraction. There are also alot of shops around.
Written April 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bria W
4 contributions
Go!!!
Apr 2023 • Couples
Totally worth visiting! Breathtaking narrow city streets. Brilliant architecture. Wonderful shops throughout.
Written April 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Emanpee
Sydney, Australia2,765 contributions
Great to walk through
Apr 2023
A really interesting area of narrow streets, apartment buildings, shops and restaurants. Wondeful to walk through and appreciate.
Written April 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Colorado K
Colorado142 contributions
Feels like stepping back in time
Apr 2023 • Couples
We stayed in this area for a reason, this has a feel of a historic city you don’t get in the United States. The pedestrian streets were fun to explore along with the shops, bars and restaurants. We absolutely loved it!
Written April 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BojanLukic
Belgrade, Serbia19 contributions
WARNING :Robbery on the street!!!! Gotic Quarter – Carrer de Ferran
Mar 2023 • Friends
WARNING: Me and my friend were walking on Monday evening around 10PM, 20.03.2023 from Placa de Sant Jaume along Carrer de Ferran towards Ramblas. Let me also mention that we are both men, 185cm tall and sportily built, 40 years old. At one point, about 70m from the Ramblas street, I slowed down a bit and my friend was at that moment about 7-8m ahead of me. I was suddenly knocked to the ground by 3 men from my back and 1 of them pulled an expensive steel watch from my hand and the other two held me on the ground, from the third jerk the bracelet on the watch opened or broke and all three robbers immediately ran away into a narrow side street with my watch. I ran after them for about 50 meters and lost them, they probably entered some building. Everything happened in about 10 seconds, and I should mention that I am neither small nor weak, but I was not aware of what happened from that shock.
My friend heard me only when I shouted his name, but they had already slipped into that small street. I was wearing a feather jacket and the watch was sticking out on my wrist because I was often taking pictures with my phone. People be very, very careful, these are well trained and skilled bandits. There were still a lot of passers-by on the street, and only 1 Asian approached me and ran after them with me.
-I attachment are photos where this crime happened.
-I read that reporting to the police won’t help, and that the police won’t search for your values, which is a very bad advertisement for the tourism of this beautiful country.
-IMPORTANT : I hope that in the future the police will solve this very ugly and big problem of all well-intentioned tourists and that they will understand the magnitude and seriousness of this problem.
Written March 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
lesleyc64
Little Rock, AR586 contributions
If you’re tired, you won’t miss anything by not doing this.
Mar 2023
It’s basically a stroll through a really beautiful old part of Barcelona with shops. We enjoyed it.
Written March 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frenchgirl
Swanzey, Nh355 contributions
A bit of a come-down
Mar 2023
While the alleys and small streets are interesting, this is so highly touristed that it’s almost not worth seeing. It’s filled with touristy stores and alot of mediocre restaurants (although there are some real gems in there, too). If you are not comfortable in crowds, I would also caution that this area is very busy, even in the off-season.
Written March 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Showing results 1-10 of 16,461
Gothic Quarter Barcelona – 2020 All You Need to Know Before You Go
Reviews that may contain information about travelers’ safety while staying at this property.
4.5
40,384 reviews
Excellent
26,843
Very good
11,788
Not bad3
Terrible
90 2 vadimk962
Moscow, Russia7,410 publications
The very charm of Barcelona
2022
The first place I went to when I came to Barça on my own was the Gothic Quarter. Without him, the city would lose all its charm. The soul of Catalonia is located on the Ramblas, but the heart is definitely here. All buildings belong to the period of 14-15 centuries. The buildings are chaotic medieval, but you can afford to get lost here for a couple of hours) Although people lived here back in the time of Emperor Octavian Augustus, the remains of Roman buildings can still be seen .
. In a word, Must See in Barcelona!
Published December 11, 2022
This review represents the subjective opinion of a member of the Tripadvisor community and is not the official position of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor checks reviews.
Kristina L
4 publications
Gothic present
aug. 2022 • For two
Been here 2 times. First time in 2019 and second time now in 2022. Nothing has changed. Quarter in the heart, like any part of Barcelona.
Posted August 29, 2022
This review represents the subjective opinion of a member of the Tripadvisor community and is not the official position of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor checks reviews.
Andriy K
Mariupol, Ukraine789 publications
Revived antiquity
May 2022
I love such districts in European cities – narrow winding streets, squares, squares and squares with fountains and fountains and cathedrals, old ones.
Literally around every corner you will find some kind of discovery. I think one day will not be enough to enjoy this place well.
Published May 14, 2022
This review represents the subjective opinion of a member of the Tripadvisor community and is not the official position of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor checks reviews.
Foodomania by DYCO
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain4,801 publications
The Soul of Catalunya
July 2020 • For two
The Soul of Catalonia is definitely here! A mirror into the past, as Dali said, Wandering and wandering through these streets forever, makes every house and every corner fall in love with itself! Definitely a must visit.
Published July 23, 2020
This review represents the subjective opinion of a member of the Tripadvisor community and is not the official position of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor checks reviews.
Olga L
Daugavpils, Latvia10 publications
Atmospheric area
July 2020 • With friends
A very atmospheric area of Barcelona.
Narrow streets, lights in the evening, beautiful architecture. I advise for a walk👍
Posted on July 15, 2020
This review reflects the subjective opinion of a member of the Tripadvisor community and not the official position of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor checks reviews.
Vilanna
Prague, Czech Republic96 publications
Walking in the historical quarter as if in a time machine…
July 2019
Having visited Spain on a tour, we realized that we did not see much. Therefore, we planned an independent trip to Spain and visited 6 cities. They allocated a week to Barcelona (Madrid, for example, is not friendly for a Russian tourist – a day was enough). Many thanks to the izi audio guide and Google maps, we saved on guides. We lived near Columbus Square, so we walked in the quarter more than once. It really is like traveling in a time machine. You just walked by the port, admired the fish in a very modern building of the Oceanarium, and then turned off the main street of Barcelona and you are at the royal palace, where Isabella and Ferdinand handed letters to Columbus.
Published March 8, 2020
This review represents the subjective opinion of a member of the Tripadvisor community and is not the official position of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor checks reviews.
Ksusha N
Dijon, France6 publications
Impressive
Feb. 2020 • For two
Very beautiful gothic church. I liked the small zoo at the exit with snow-white geese and fish
Entrance seems to be free
Published February 27, 2020
This review represents the subjective opinion of a member of the Tripadvisor community and is not the official position of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor checks reviews.
PROFESORS
Moscow, Russia 2020
The spirit of Barcelona is located in the Gothic quarter, it is enough to walk along it on Sunday, visit various nooks and crannies, and there will be a sea of impressions.
Posted February 19, 2020
This review represents the subjective opinion of a member of the Tripadvisor community and is not the official position of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor checks reviews.
Nin4ic
Minsk, Belarus138 publications
A very colorful place 2020
The former center of Barcelona and the focus of all its medieval sights, the Gothic Quarter is located between the Rambla and Laietana. Despite the fact that many buildings here date back to the 14th and 15th centuries, the Gothic Quarter has many cozy restaurants, expensive shops, and lively nightclubs.
Published February 18, 2020
This review represents the subjective opinion of a member of the Tripadvisor community and is not the official position of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor checks reviews.
Sergey Kostarev
Omsk, Russia9 publications
Wander around Barcelona
Jan.
2020
An interesting place and a day or two is clearly not enough to feel and understand it. It will be necessary to come again and walk around the streets during the day and in the evening.
Posted February 13, 2020
This review represents the subjective opinion of a member of the Tripadvisor community and is not the official position of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor checks reviews.
Showing results 1-10 of 11,827
Gothic Quarter, Barcelona
If you want to see what Barcelona looked like in ancient times, then head to the Gothic Quarter. It stretches from Plaça Catalunya all the way to the sea. On the one hand, the border of the quarter runs along Via Laietana, and on the other, along the main tourist promenade of Barcelona – La Rambla.
The Gothic Quarter is the oldest area of the city where medieval buildings have been preserved. Although the area received its current name only in the last century. Countless narrow crooked streets where you can get lost, the remains of Roman columns, ramparts and Gothic cathedrals will plunge you into the era of the past.
Remains of a Roman fortress in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter
Barcelona Cathedral
The central point of the Gothic Quarter is the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia. It was built in the XIII-XV centuries and is a Catholic cathedral in Barcelona. It is also called the Cathedral of Saint Eulalia or Barcelona Cathedral.
It is this cathedral that is the main cathedral of Barcelona and the residence of the Archbishop of Barcelona, and not the Sagrada Familia, as many are convinced. Perhaps, with the completion of the construction of the Sagrada Familia, the residence will be moved, but so far there is no talk about this.
The cathedral was built in the Gothic style in 1298-1420. Outside the walls of the cathedral there is a courtyard, into which visitors are allowed. There is a garden with palm trees, magnolias and orange trees of the 15th century, a fountain and a pond where 13 white geese, the symbols of the cathedral, live. The white color of the birds symbolizes the purity of Eulalia, and their number is the age of the martyr, who died at the age of 13 from the pagans.
Barcelona Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia
The church is active. But for tourists, the temple is also available for visiting on weekdays from 12:30 to 19:00, on Saturday from 12:30 to 16:45, on Sunday from 14:00 to 16:45.
If you are not a religious Catholic, then for a tourist visit to the cathedral you will have to make a donation, that is, buy a ticket.
A simple entrance ticket to the cathedral and monastery costs 3 euros. For an additional fee of 3 euros, you can climb to the roof, where an observation deck is equipped. You can buy a complex tourist ticket for 7 euros, which includes a visit to the temple, the Hall of Fame museum, the chapel and the climb to the roof. If you want to use an audio guide, you can rent it for 4 euros for any type of ticket (this will also provide an opportunity for an extraordinary entrance to the temple).
The cathedral regularly hosts organ concerts, for which tickets are sold separately.
Do not forget that there are requirements for visiting the temple in terms of appearance: shorts and T-shirts are reluctantly allowed.
Bridge of Lovers in the Gothic Quarter
Bridge of Lovers
Walking through the Gothic Quarter, find an unusual openwork balcony between two adjacent houses. It is located on Bishop Street (Carrer del Bisbe) and connects the residence of the President of Catalonia and the Government Palace. Built a balcony at 1928, but it looks much older and fits perfectly into the atmosphere of the Gothic Quarter.
Due to its lace design, this bridge-balcony was popularly called the Bridge of Kisses, the Bridge of Sighs, the Lace Bridge, and, of course, it was chosen by lovers. There are various beliefs associated with the romantic magical properties of this balcony. Here they think of those narrowed, under it they reconcile in quarrels, swear to each other in eternal love, sealing promises with passionate kisses.
How to get to the Gothic Quarter
There are metro stations on both sides of the Gothic Quarter:
- in Plaça Catalunya – Catalunya station (lines L1, L3)
- near the Barcelona Maritime Museum – Drassanes station (L3).
