El Raval in Barcelona

El Raval is a diverse, upbeat neighbourhood in the Ciutat Vella district of Barcelona that teems with hip shops and bars and vibrant works of art. The neighbourhood is known for its huge statue of a cat created by Fernando Botero. By the street Carrer de Joaquin Costa, there’s a compelling mixture of relaxation and intense nightlife. El Raval is also known for producing artists such as Peret, Andreu Jacob, Terenci Moix, Maruja Torres and Manuel Vazquez Montalban.

El Raval is home to a great number of significant institutions, such as the grand Maritime Museum with its Royal Gallery and the art nouveau-styled Palau Guell by the legendary designer Antoni Gaudi. Medieval Roman walls still stand in the area, making for impressive and interesting architectural scenery. With so many places that emphasise culture, art and fashion, there’s no shortage of things to do and sights to see in El Raval.

El Raval in Barcelona - one of the highlights of 11 Most Popular Neighbourhoods in Barcelona (Read all about Barcelona here)

What are the highlights of El Raval in Barcelona?

Vintage stores and unique fashion boutiques line the streets of El Raval. The much-frequented, cosy La Variete offers handcrafted baubles, while the well-known Lullaby Vintage Boutique offers quality vintage second-hand jewellery, clothing and accessories. The bookshop Laie resides in the famed MACBA Museum, providing contemporary art handbooks, essays and magazines alongside intriguing souvenirs, toys and gifts.

With the MACBA Museum, you can also visit the nearby CCCB Cultural Centre, contemporary in both its design and focus. The centre hosts exhibitions that switch out every 3 to 6 months, so there’s something new to inspire the local and international community each season. Sculptures, paintings and films are often showcased at the buildings. Regular events include audio-visual performances, modern debates, art conferences and creative workshops. For ancient art history, the prestigious opera house the Gran Teatre del Liceu is nearby.

Where to eat and drink in El Raval in Barcelona?

Some of the best Italian cuisine in the city is in El Raval, including pizza at the Pizzeria Da Nanni Tallers, Mediterranean and European dishes at Rao and vegetarian-friendly dishes and desserts at Officina Gelato Gusto Italiano, or OGGI. Bun Bo Vietnam features traditional Asian food with affordable cocktails, while Kino Cafe is best for larger groups of people dining outdoors in the spring or summer, with tapas, hamburgers and nachos. Nomad Coffee is great for fans of speciality coffees, offering an array of options and even instructional training courses on brewing to suit your taste.

The bars in El Raval offer a soothing, open atmosphere with a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The district's fresh produce market, La Boqueria, is known for its high-quality meats, fish, fruit, vegetables and pressed juices, having such a variety that there’s something for everyone's preferences.

What else is good to know about El Raval in Barcelona?

El Raval is a 4-minute walk from Catalunya and a 6-minute walk from Liceu. Another easy option is to walk along La Rambla toward Barceloneta and take line 3 of the Liceu metro station. Additional options include line 3 of Drassanes, line 2 or 3 of Paral·lel or line 2 of Sant Antoni. Being populated and spread out, the area is safest to meander about during the day.

El Raval is near several other attractions you may want to visit while you're in the area, including the Mercado de Santa Caterina, the Museo de Historia de Barcelona, the Museo del Chocolate, the Museo Erotico de Barcelona, the Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar, La Rambla, the Gothic Quarter, Sant Antoni, El Poble Sec, La Barceloneta, El Born and Eixample.

Location: Barcelona, Spain

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