Barcelona’s best: a neighbourhood guide to Gràcia

So… you’re off to Barcelona holidays and you’ve decided to stay in Gràcia (well you might not have decided yet, but let’s just pretend you have.) If that’s the case, then congratulations because you’ve absolutely nailed your next city break.

Why? Because Gràcia is unquestionably one of the best neighbourhoods in Barcelona, packed to the rafters with vibrant bars and restaurants yet distinctly more laid-back than much of central Barcelona. We can’t get enough of it, and we’re pretty sure you won’t be able to either.

Take a look at our recommendations for the best of this bohemian Barcelona neighbourhood. 

So why should you visit or stay in Gràcia over more popular neighbourhoods like Eixample or Barri Gòtic? Because it’s the place to go if you want to see the city through the eyes of a local rather than a tourist.  Like a few of Barcelona’s other neighbourhoods, Gràcia has a village-in-a-city feel, and for good reason. The barrio was an independent town until the 19th century, until it was swamped by the rapidly expanding city centre. In much the same way as this proudly Catalan city marches to the beat of a different drum from the rest of Spain, so too does Gràcia. Ask a Gràcia native where they’re from and you probably won’t hear “Barcelona” as a reply. Fortunately for us, the good people of Gràcia appear to live life at a different pace to the rest of the tourist-clogged city.  Many of Gràcia’s streets are pedestrianised, making it super-easy to explore the barrio’s many parks, markets and squares (the Plaza de la Vila de Gràcia is a highlight) on your own time, without having to endure busy roads and congested sidewalks. So if you like to walk, we reckon you’ll have a good time here. If you’re like walking and shopping at the same time – or if you’re accompanying someone who likes to do that – then you should probably spend some time on Carrer de Verdi. Independent shops of all shapes and sizes line this long, central street, proving there’s more to shopping in Barcelona than Las Ramblas. Oh, and there are plenty of bars and restaurants on hand for when all that retail therapy gets a bit much.