El Born in Barcelona is one of the busiest and most famous neighbourhoods in the Catalan capital. In this renowned area of Barcelona you will find numerous little streets with a great atmosphere, as well as bars and restaurants for all tastes, little boutiques and craft shops.
Discover the unique combination of its most historic area, which is home to some Roman ruins, and its more modern areas where fashion, art and gastronomy take centre stage. Don’t hesitate to discover the streets and unique style of one of the city’s most symbolic places. You’ll love it!
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History of El Born in Barcelona
It is believed that this famous neighbourhood dates back to Roman times, so it has a long and important history. This fact can be deduced from archaeological remains, which you can now visit in the Born Market.
It is believed that, in the past, the Born was a necropolis located on the outskirts of the city of Barcino. It used to be inhabited mainly by sailors and craftsmen, which is why many of the city’s streets have names related to these trades.
Over time, the neighbourhood became the centre of commercial activity in Barcelona throughout the Modern Age. Many events used to take place there, from popular festivals to bullfights, and today it has become one of the most visited neighbourhoods in the city.
One of the features that alludes to the humble past of this neighbourhood is the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Mar, one of its most symbolic landmarks. If you want to get to know the history of this neighbourhood, don’t hesitate to walk through all its streets – you’ll discover a secret around every corner!
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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.
What to see in the El Born district of Barcelona?
Passeig del Born
The Passeig del Born is a small route that links two of the most important parts of the neighbourhood: the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar and the Born Market. This street is, without a doubt, the liveliest area in the whole neighbourhood, where you can find many shops, bars and cafés.
In the past, this promenade was the meeting point of Barcelona. Along the street you’ll find a series of sculptures by the artist Jaume Plensa. It’s the ideal place to take a break and have a drink or a bite to eat in an idyllic setting. You’ll love it!
Arco del Triunfo
The Arc de Triomf is in the heart of the Born district and is a very important symbol of the city. It was originally the entrance to the Universal Exhibition of 1888, and its style was more artistic and scientific rather than serving a military purpose.
This arch is the work of the architect Josep Vilaseca, giving way to the beautiful avenue that leads to the famous Ciutadella Park. This impressive arch is 30 metres tall, and its stunning design is inspired by Mudejar art. Fall in love with the majesty and detail of the arch, as well as its surroundings. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
Old Market of El Born
The Old Market of El Born is one of the most renowned places to visit in the neighbourhood, especially due to its antiquity and history. It used to be a market, although it closed in 1971, and is now home to a small museum known as the Centre of Culture and Memory. Here you can find out what houses were like in Barcelona in the past.
The most notable fact about this building is that it was the first building in Barcelona to be made of iron. As well as the exhibition of the city’s archaeological remains, it also hosts many musical, theatrical and literary activities. It’s the perfect plan for the weekend!
- A ticket to the permanent exhibition costs €4,40.
- Opening hours are Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00.
Palau de la Música Catalana
The Palau de la Música Catalana is one of the most interesting and iconic places to visit in Barcelona’s Born district. A work by the famous architect Lluís Domenèch i Montaner, in the Palau you can enjoy various musical performances, or simply go and visit inside to admire its beautiful ornamentation.
This place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most visited places in Barcelona. During your visit, you’ll be able to see its different rooms and get a closer look at its cultural importance. Find out more details in our post about the Palau de la Música Catalana.
- A ticket to the Palau de la Música Catalana costs around €18 (€10 for residents of Catalonia).
- Opening hours are from 9:30 to 21:00 every day, except Sundays when it is open from 10:00 to 15:00.
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Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar
The Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar is, without a doubt, one of the first places you must see during in El Born in Barcelona. This impressive religious structure was inaugurated in 1384 and is one of the most iconic religious temples of the Catalan Gothic style.
Also known as the Cathedral of the Sea, you can enjoy its spectacular façade and architectural beauty, as well as discovering its secrets inside. It is the central axis of the Born neighbourhood, with numerous shops and businesses you can stroll around nearby. You can’t miss it!
- You can visit the church completely free of charge, although there are paid tours on offer. One tour goes around the tribunes, the crypt, the towers and the terraces for €10, while another tour does all this but with the sunset illumination on top, which costs €17.50.
Picasso Museum
Among all the museums in El Born, the one that stands out the most is the Picasso Museum. Whether you’re an art lover or not, inside you can enjoy more than 4,250 works by the famous Spanish artist.
It is the ideal place to visit to learn more about the artist’s career, which includes a series of 39 Meninas (Maids of Honour), as well as the different influences he gained from different places.
- The price to visit the Picasso Museum varies according to the type of ticket. If you want to visit the permanent collection, the ticket costs €12. If you decide to visit the temporary exhibition, the ticket costs €6.50. You can also buy a combined ticket for just €14. You can visit the museum for free on the first Sunday of every month, or on Thursday evenings from 18:00 to 21:30.
- The opening hours are Mondays from 10:00 to 17:00 and Tuesdays to Sundays from 9:00 to 20:30.
Ciutadella Park
The Ciutadella Park is one of the most famous spots in Barcelona, and is located in the heart of the Born district. This beautiful natural space is a haven from the hectic pace of Barcelona.
As well as being able to enjoy a walk in a spectacular natural setting, in this park you’ll discover a series of sculptures of great cultural and historical importance. It’s also the ideal place to visit if you’re travelling with children, as you’ll be able to enjoy many outdoor activities for the whole family. Read our post about the Ciutadella Park to find out all the details about this place!
Where to eat in Barcelona’s El Born district?
In the El Born neighbourhood you’ll find many spots for lunch and dinner to suit all tastes, types of cuisine and budgets. Here are some of our favourites:
– First of all, we suggest La Gambeta, a place where you can enjoy some of the best Catalan dishes. As its name suggests, here you can choose from different fish and seafood recipes of exceptional quality. Don’t miss out!
– Secondly, you can try out healthy recipes at Bohl, where they have many dishes and different combinations that you can make to your taste. And it is excellent value for money.
– Another of our recommendations is Calabrasa restaurant, where they serve some of the best rice dishes and grilled meat in the city. An authentic experience for the palate in one of the liveliest areas of El Born.
– Finally, we recommend trying the Salero restaurant. Here you can enjoy dishes made with fresh and organic products, giving them a unique flavour and quality. You will definitely want to go back!
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How to plan your visit to El Born in Barcelona?
Download the Passporter app:
- Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
- Save important information about the destinations you want to visit that you have found on the internet. Just install the Chrome extension and save everything useful for your trip.
- Save your tickets and reservations.
- Organise your route on Google maps with your accommodation as the starting point or any other that you indicate.
- Find out the best travel option for each place.
- Save and publish your own photos and experiences as you go along, so that when someone asks you “How was your trip to El Born in Barcelona?” you can reply “Visit my traveller profile on Passporter!”
If you want to learn more about how to get the most out of the Passporter app, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
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