Things to do in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona

The Gothic Quarter is the heart of the city and one of the essential places on any route around Barcelona. It is the most bohemian part of the city, full of interesting bars and a wide range of food outlets. Surrounded by Las Ramblas, Vía Laietana, Paseo de Colón and Plaza de Cataluña, this is the most central part of Barcelona’s old town. Discover the lively and vibrant essence of Barcelona through the bars, restaurants and shops of the Gothic Quarter.

Organise your travel itinerary with Passporter, completely free to use, easy and practical. Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers and choose the places that interest you most by adding them to your route map.

History of the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona

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The Gothic Quarter is the oldest part of the city and its historic centre. The structure of the neighbourhood remained almost intact until the 19th century, when the old medieval walls were demolished and the parish cemeteries were transformed into public squares.

Historian Agustín Cócola Gant unveiled this great mystery about Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter in 2011 with his work El Barrio Gótico de Barcelona. The streets of this peculiar Barcelona neighbourhood are sure to amaze you, full of good restaurants, shops and spectacular architecture. However it must be said that its name, as such, is a lie.

The Gothic Quarter, ironically, is not Gothic, but rather it is the result of the imagination of the Catalan medieval past during the 19th century. Most of the buildings are actually no more than 100 years old.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

Things to see in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter

Barcelona Cathedral

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The Cathedral is certainly a must-see on a route through Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. Dominating the Pla de la Seu, the Cathedral of Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia has an impressive Gothic façade reminiscent of the great French cathedrals. It is 93 metres long by 40 metres wide, and has a 53-metre-high bell tower and a 70 metre-tall main tower.

It is worth stopping to look at the painstaking carving of the choir stalls. Opposite, a staircase leads to the crypt, which has an alabaster sarcophagus with the remains of Saint Eulalia, co-patron saint of Barcelona. Above the crypt, the altar rests on two sturdy Visigothic capitals that have survived from the original church.

On Sunday mornings, an antiques market, popularly known as the Gothic market, takes place in front of the cathedral.

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Plaza del Rey

From the early Middle Ages, the Plaça del Rei was home to the Royal Palace, one of the main residences of the Counts of Barcelona. It is another spot you should see on your stroll through Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. The original structure, built on top of the Roman walls, was similar to that of a fortress, but over the centuries buildings were added. Almost everything we can see today dates from the 14th and 15th centuries, and together with the archaeological remains in the basement, it makes up the City History Museum. Visit it to take a journey through the first 1500 years of Barcelona’s life.

Museum of the History of Barcelona – MUHBA

The Museum of the History of Barcelona (MUHBA) preserves, studies, documents, disseminates and exhibits the historical heritage and history of Barcelona from its origins to the present day. It brings together various heritage points relevant to the history of the city, distributed throughout its neighbourhoods and districts. Its headquarters are in Casa Padellàs, one of the buildings that make up the monumental complex in Plaça del Rei.

Plaça del Pi

The confluence of the Plaça del Pi, located near the Ramblas, is one of Barcelona’s best-known spots for artists and bohemians. The area is also dominated by the Church of Santa Maria del Pi with its large colourful rose window. Art and craft fairs are frequently held in the square, as well as sales of natural foods such as honey and “mató”.

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Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi

It was built in the 14th century and is one of the most characteristic examples of Catalan Gothic religious architecture. The building was built between 1306 and 1391. The altar of Sant Miquel and the stained glass windows, by Antoni Viladomat (18th century), are among the works of art it houses. 

Plaza de San Jaime

Today it is the seat of the Barcelona City Council and the government of the Generalitat de Catalunya. It was the Forum or public and political centre in Roman times and, of course, in medieval times.

The Palace of the Generalitat was built in Gothic style, although the main façade overlooking the square dates from the Renaissance period and was designed by the Catalan master builder Pere Blai.

The Gothic façade can be seen on the aforementioned Carrer del Bisbe. Just opposite, you will see the neoclassical façade of the Ajuntament (Town Hall), a 19th-century work by Josep Mas i Vila. Of course, it also has the original Gothic façade on one of its sides.

Carrer de Petritxol

Strolling through the Gothic Quarter you can find anything, but make sure to stop in one of the most beloved streets if you have a sweet-tooth. This is none other than the charming Calle Petritxol, also known by many as the chocolate street.

So, for chocolate lovers, and anyone strolling through Barcelona on a winter’s day, one essential thing to do is have a hot chocolate! Petritxol street is the best known for the traditional chocolate, and also the most historic place to have it.

Pont de Bisbe

The Pont del Bisbe may be one of the most recognisable sights of Barcelona and of course, the Gothic Quarter. It is an elevated bridge that connects the palace of the Generalitat de Catalunya with the Casa dels Canons. Built in 1928 by Joan Rubió, a student of Gaudí.

Where to eat in the Gothic Quarter?

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The Gothic Quarter has a wide gastronomic offer and some of the most renowned restaurants in the city. So here is a small selection of the best restaurants in the neighbourhood.

• La Lubina
• Viana
• Brugarol Barcelona
• Paz 19 by Sensi Tapas Bar
• Pizzeria Da Nanni Barcelona

How to organise what to see in the Gothic Quarter?

• Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
• Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
• Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited to the app so you can inspire other users.

If you have any doubts about how to plan your itinerary, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

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