The Gothic Quarter in Barcelona is one of the most famous neighborhoods in the city, and the oldest part of the Catalan capital.
A walk through its alleys is exactly the thing if you want to wrap yourself in the atmosphere of the Middle Ages on one hand, and go shopping and sip espresso on the other.
The Gothic Quarter in central Barcelona, a few blocks northeast of Las Ramblas, is one of the oldest neighborhoods of the Catalan capital. Architecture lovers will feel at home here with Gothic medieval buildings and at their center the city cathedral that provides an impressive view during the daily mass.
If you really want to feel like in a medieval movie, try to imagine how people once walked here in long robes and with strict Catholic discipline.
Between the small and dark alleys and there are many, and they always look the same you will find ancient squares, cafes, tea shops, chocolate and special olive oil stores.
The most recommended thing to do is simply walk around and taste everything.
And most importantly do not forget to look up: in every alley you pass there are many more things to see stone decorations on the buildings, interesting old signs, developments, mosaics, and glass windows that survived hundreds of years, and who knows, maybe a branch of Mango you missed.
Good to know: the Gothic Quarter houses the city hall building and nearby the Catalan government palace, expressing modernist architecture.
Recommendation: the Picasso Museum, located already on the edge of the quarter, contains many works by the Spanish painter, especially from his early periods, including his years living in Barcelona and even doodles he drew for himself in his youth notebook or just on pieces of wood.
Also worth it: in the main square of the quarter Plaça de Sant Jaume the city market takes place, and once a week people dance the Sardana, the famous Catalan dance.
