BARCELONA GUIDE
Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, a region with its own language, character and history.
Barcelona is a multi-cultural city full of surprises, contrasts and plenty of charm, you should always look up and around or you may miss some of the best bits.
All our Apartments for rent in Barcelona are located in the most central areas of Barcelona.
In this guide of Barcelona, you will find the different characteristics and attractions of all the areas of Barcelona, some culinary recommendations and some places we specially recommend.
1- The Gothic quarter and La Rambla:
 The Gothic quarter is the oldest part of Barcelona with its medieval buildings and little streets making labyrinths. It´s located to the west of the famouse Ramblas until Via Laietana and between Plaza Catalunya and the Marina.
La Rambla or Ramblas is the most popular boulevar of Barcelona. It goes from Plaza Catalunya to Colombus´s square and is always full of atractions, from flower stands and historic buildings to human statues performances and bar terraces with overpriced beers.
It´s a real pleasure to walk around in this pedestrian area and you will find a lot of peaceful squares, like Plaza del Pi where you could relax or enjoy a“café con leche” (milk and coffee), a “cortado” (coffee express) or a“bocadillo de jamon” (spanish jam sandwich) and don´t miss Plaza Real with its palmtrees to have a drink or a meal.
The history is everywhere in this neighbourhood and right in the heart of the district there is the huge gothic Cathedral. Beside there is Plaza Sant Jaume the heart of the city´s administration, facing each other across it are the Palau de la Generalitat (seat of Catalonia´s regional government) and the Ajuntament (Town Hall).
For shopping, we recommend you the commercial street Portal del Angel and the street Avinyo for all its little boutiques.
On La Rambla, which is by itself an attraction, you can´t miss the Market of La Boqueria. For sure you will be fascinated by its smells, its colours and all the fresh and traditional products that you can find there.
In this area, we have some beautiful Barcelona apartments near Ramblas and a studio for rent in Ramblas.
2- Borne and Sant Pere
 For us Borne is the coolest district of Barcelona, we especially like its bohemian and chic atmosphere. It is a small village in the city center, fashionable but very authentic. It´s located on the west of Via Laietana to the Parc de la Cuitadella and between Plaza Urquinaona and the Marina.
The Born has been the commercial hub of Barcelona since medieval times, and these days is plenty of designers´s clothes boutiques, delicatessen food stores, fashionable bars and restaurants.
Don´t doubt to go into the little streets to breathe the old Barcelona. You can for example have a walk on the medieval trading that will guide you from Plaza de l´Angel (where was the grain market), to the street Argenteria (“silverware”), trough among others the streets Mercaders (“traders”, probably in grain) and Montcada where there are the Picasso´s Museum and some medieval merchants palaces. Then you will reach the animated Paseo del Born (a hub for the city´s trading for 400 years) plenty of cafes and terraces and finish by the magnificent church of Santa Maria del Mar.
Don´t miss, up el Borne, the San Pere area. It may be medieval in origin, but its finest monument is one of the most extraordinary works of Modernism, the Palau de la Musica. And the Market of Santa Catarina is speacilly reccommended for its fresh food and restaurants.
Staying in our apartments for rent in Barcelona of the Borne area, gives you the possibility to enjoy totally all the treasures of the old part of Barcelona and to be in a central location with all the beauties of the history around plus 10 minutes walking from the beach.
3- The Raval
 The Raval is located east of la Rambla and is certainly the most multicultural part of Barcelona.
It used to have an infamous reputation but since some years El Raval has changed significantly due to its central location and has become an attraction of Barcelona.
El Raval is becoming one of the hippest up-and-coming neighborhoods of Barcelona where many artists live and work. It is home to many bars, restaurants, and night spots.
Especially in the upper Raval, in recent years many late-night bars, galleries and restaurants have opened and the addition of some 4 stars hotels has placed the area in one of the most desirable.
The Macba Museum Square and the street Ferlandina had been chose by Woody Allen for the location of several scenes of his movie Vicky Christina Barcelona.
And more than to be a Cultural Center with the University, the CCCB, and the Macba Museum is also a reference for the squatters from all around the world.
We highly recommend our apartments for rent Barcelona in Raval if you want to be close Ramblas, very central and in a full of life neighborough. (a cambiar)
All our apartment for rent in Barcelona Raval are good located and their central location in the city offers …..
4- The Barceloneta
 Since the Olympic games of 1992, Barcelona is a city by the sea!
La Barceloneta was a fishermen’s quarter, since 1992 it had been renovated and refurbished. In particular today you will find there a beautiful beach promenade.
Mediterranean colours and delicious seafood restaurants are also in the menu. You'll find lots of good fish restaurants in Barceloneta. At the southern end with you will come with the cable car through the port on the Montjuïc.Especially the Mediterranean flair of Barceloneta makes this district. Take a look at the goings in the centrally located market hall (Mercat Barceloneta), the street life is colourful and gregarious, through the tense streets clothesline remind one a little of Italy.
If you want to relax yourself being in the city, definitively choose an apartment for rent in Barcelona Beach or a studio for rent in Barceloneta. We really recommend this area, especially for sure for its “vacation atmosphere”!!! And also because it’s still very central.
5- The Eixample
 The Eixample, Catalan for “extension” is a district of Barcelona between the old city and what were once surrounding small towns (Sants, Gràcia, Sant Andreu, etc.). Work on l´Eixample began in 1869 to a design by architect Ildefons Cerdà, which particulary large avenues and wide boulevards.
Fortunately, the period of construction coincided with Barcelona´s golden age of architecture and the works of architectes like Antonio Gaudì, Puig I Cadafalch or Domènech i Montaner. Not be missed is the famous known as Manzana de la Discòrdia along Paseo de Gracia which features three uniquely different modernism buildings, Casa Lleo Morera, Casa Batllo, Casa Amatller.
Further along, can be found two additional Gaudi landmarks, the Casa Mila (La Pedrera) and the spectacular cathedral, Sagrada Familia. The lovely square fronting the Sagrada Familia is a great spot to enjoy some refreshment and rest your feet.
This Eixample is also known for its fashionable, high-end shopping areas, especially along the Passeig de Gràcia and Rambla Catalunya.
In this area, we specially recommend the apartment for rent Barcelona Enrique Granados. Enrique Granados street is one of the most beautiful streets of the Eixample and Barcelona without any doubt. The Enrique Granados street is semi-pedestrian, beautiful, peaceful, which a lot of nice restaurants and terraces to enjoy the good weather of Barcelona.
And if you want to stay in the heart of the Example, you should come in our Rambla Catalunya apartment for rent, it´s located just one block from Paseo de Gracia , so really central.
SOME PLACES OF BARCELONA NOT TO BE MISSED:
- Gràcia : about 1 km north of the center of Barcelona at the north end of the Passeig de Gràcia, is the most distinctively Catalan neighborhood to be found in easy walking distance of the center. A prosperous neighborhood, Gràcia nonetheless has more a local than a cosmopolitan feel to it, with much of life lived on the many public squares. If you come in August in Barcelona, don´t miss the Festa Major de Gràcia is a week long festival that displays the best of Catalan with a mass celebration in the streets. One of the most popular events is the 'Best decorated street', where residents from 23 neighboring streets use anything and everything to decorate their street in a theme and vie for the prize.
- Park Güell : It´s a strange and enchanting place where Gaudi´s fascination with natural forms found full expression in the Park Güell. It´s located north of Gràcia.
Metro Lesseps.
- Montjuic : the hills of Montjuïc offer a precious escape from the stresses of urban life, with pleasure gardens, spectacular views and several museums.
We recommend especially the Fundacion Joan Miro, and the cultural center CaixaForum (free access).
Metro : Plaza España o Funicular de Montjuïc.
- Camp Nou : built in 1957 and enlarged for the 1982 World Cup, is one of the world´s biggest stadiums, holding 100 000 people. You can visit the Futbol Club Barcelona museum but the best definitively, if you are a football fan, is to go to see a match.
Metro Collblanc
- Plaza Catanuya : is a large square surrounded by monumental buildings, is Barcelona´s busiest square. It´s located between the old city and the Eixample district. You will find around it, the famous Corte Ingles,spain´s largest department store chain, don´t miss its supermarket full of the best products, the tourist office, the departure for the airbus… and we recommend to make the experience of the Café Zurich terrace.
SOME CULINARY RECOMMENDATIONS OF BARCELONA
 - Cerveceria Catalana : the best Meditarean Tapas in Barcelona, the place is always crowded but it´s worth! Calle Mallorca 236, between Rambla Catalunya and Balmes, Eixample district. 5 minutes walking from Rambla Catalunya apartment and Paseo de Gracia apartment.
- Cal Pep is a must if you are looking for a tapas restaurant that serves an outstanding food experience. The most wanted in Barcelona. Cal Pep is always crowded so arrive early (there is always a lineup and they do not take reservations) and opt for the counter seats so you can watch the team work their magic. Leave the menu selection to the knowledgeable staff to surprise you - you won't be disappointed.
Plaza Olles, 8, Borne district. Beside Borne apartment.
- La Boqueria : Located on La Rambla, the boqueria has to be one of Barcelona's quintessential gastronomic highlights for any foodie. It is one of the famous food markets of the world with gleaming expensive hams, aromatic fresh and dry fruits, all the fish of the Mediterranean, olives and more. It's a great place to stop for fresh fish (plate of the day) for lunch prepared right in front of you at one of the many food counters. 5 minutes walking from Avinyo apartment.
- Restaurant Agua : Restaurante located by the sea, at the Villa Olimpica Of Barcelona with fantastic views over the Mediterraneo. Paseo Maritimo de La Barceloneta 30.
- Bar Flamant : Enrique Granados 23 for a good coffee and a croisant or some evening tapas. Beside our beautiful E. Granados apartment.
- Bar La Rosa : at the end of Paseo el Borne . Best terraces in Borne area. For tapas, bocadillos (sandwiches) and a cold beer. Downstairs Borne studio apartment.
- Bar Borneo : at carrer Rec 49. For some drinks in Borne. 2 minutes walking from Loft Borne apartment.
- Bar Ginger : at carrer Lledo number 2. For drinks at Gothic area in an old fashion desing bar a classic in Barcelona. 5 minutes from Avinyo apartment.
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