The neighbourhood:Gracia

The neighbourhood of Gracia is just one stop up from the top of Passeig de Gracia but it feels like a whole different world.  Gracia was an independent town until the late 19th century and even now the community is small and tight. The people are exceedingly proud of their roots, they don’t say they come from Barcelona, they say Gracia. 

The area is popular with artists and a generally bohemian crowd, it also has a high ethnic population and the highest concentration of foreign restaurants in Barcelona.  Placa de Sol is the most renowned area of the neighbourhood, it’s lined with terrace cafes and at night this is where the people convene to drink and be merry.  However despite the trendy nature of Gracia it is also a very traditional barrio with a large elderly population which makes for an amusing and odd mix - and very entertaining people-watching!

Gracia is also well-known for it’s festival which is held for 5 days in August and sees the locals competing in street decoration (they take it very seriously!).  The results are usually spectacular, and at night the festival comes alive with drinks stalls and stages of live music of every variety.

Fontana is the metro stop, and from there you can get into the centre of the city, Placa Catalunya in less than 10 minutes.  Also near the metro stop is a cinema that plays films in their original language (version original).

Gracia is totally self-sufficient.  That is to say you could stay in Gracia and never have to leave, there are good amenities of every sort, great bars, cosy cafes, a real Mediterranean lifestyle.  Whilst everything like the buildings, streets and placas are in much smaller scale than those in the centre of town there is some striking art nouveau architecture to be seen. Whilst I suppose one could find some of the trendy population quite intimidating, the area is quite safe and away from the main squares where people drink outside until the early hours it is also quiet. 

The area is perfect for those who want something a little bit different, those who perhaps have been to Barcelona before and want a different tourist experience.  Although really because central Barcelona is so easily accessible from Gracia it is suitable for everyone.  One of the best features of Gracia is that there are not so many tourists so you feel like you’ve discovered something a bit new and diverse. Shopping is also good in Gracia, where new, arty boutiques stand next to traditional Spanish stores.

About Barcelona

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain, It is located on the Mediterranean coast, with one of Europe's principal ports, and its airport is the second largest in Spain. Founded as a Roman city, Barcelona is today an important cultural centre and became a major tourist destination after the 1992 World Olimpics. Particularly renowned are architectural works of Antoni Gaudí that have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

 

Finding Accommodation

Bcnloft.com Apartments Barcelona offers online bookings for short term holiday rentals at top locations all around the city center. You can book private rooms and small apartments for groups from €18 per person. BCN loft provides an affordable option compared to expensive hotels, hostels and B&B so that you can have a pleasant stay in Barcelona. Contact: www.bcnloft.com Email: info@bcnloft.comIf you are looking for affordable accommodation you can always contact BCNloft.com Apartments Barcelona and you will find rooms, apartments and vacation rentals in the city center next to la Rambla. www.bcnloft.com

 

Bar MARSELLA
Aperto nel 1820, il Bar Marsella è probabilmente stato il primo bar a Barcellona. Già Dali, Picasso, Gaudí e Hemingway sono venuti qua per prendere un aperitivo, il absinthe, una bebida francese molto forte.
Oggi si trova là gente locale ,giovani artisti e francesi.

C/ Sant Pau, 65
08001 Barcelona (Zona El Raval)
Metro: L3 (Liceu o Paral.lel), e L2 (Paral.lel)
Aperto tutte le sere dalle 6.00 alle 2.00


Bar "El 13"
Un bar piccolissimo e un pò nascosto, però molto simpatico :) 
I cocktail squisiti (con abbastanza alcol), che si può ordinare anche cocktail analcolici. Ogni cocktail costa € 6,- e vale assolutamente i soldi!

Orario
Domenica - Giovedì: 20.30 - 2.30
Venerdì e Sabato: 20.30 - 3.00
Mercoledì CHIUSO

Carrer de la Lleona 13
08002 Barcelona


QBAR
Situato vicino Plaza Reial nel centro di Barcellona dove si incontra turisti e gente del posto. Il bar offre una cucina internazionale con piatti da Perù a Giappone e da Mexico a Catalonia.
Cocktail night ogni mercoledì e giovedì!!

C/ Quintana 6
08002 Barcelona (Barrio Gótico)
Orario: Dom - Gio dalle 19.00 alle 2.30 e Ven -  Sab dalle 19.00 alle 3.00
Metro: L3 (Liceu)


PRINCESA 23
Un bar nel centro di Barcellona e un secondo anche in spiaggia (playa de la Barceloneta). Nel listino si trova cocktail alcolici e analcolici, vini, cafè, panini, tapas...
Ogni 23 del mese c'è una festa speciale e ogni settimana si può disfruttare del cocktail della settimana a un prezzo speciale :)

C/ Princesa 23
08003 Barcelona
Metro: L4 (Jaume I)

Playa de la Barceloneta
Chirunguito 23
Metro: L4 (Barceloneta) oppure pullman n° 59 (fermata Almirall Cervera)
www.drinkfoodlife.com


Nubaa
Il bar è situato vicino il Port Vell (Porto Vecchio) e offre ai suoi clienti una offerta vasta da birra a cocktail, e anche snack. Tutto questo si può godere in una atmosfera rilassante e tranquilla e il personale parla tante lingue.

Passeig Colom 11
08002 Barcelona
Metro: L3 (Drassanes), L4 (Barceloneta, Jaume I)


L.P Bar
Un cocktail bar molto simpatico, atmosfera familiare, cocktail buoni e musica buona.

C/ Simò Oller 3 (C/ Avinyò verso il porto)
08002 Barcelona (Barrio Gotico)
Metro: L3 (Drassanes), L4 (Barceloneta, Jaume I)

IceBarcelona

Poco tempo fa è aperto il primo bar di ghiaccio di Barcellona! Dentro ci sono 8 gradi sotto zero e all’entrare vengono messo a disposizione ai ospiti giubotti e guanti. Tutto l’arredamento, anche i bicchieri e tutta la decorazione sono fatti da ghiaccio!

Paradossamente il bar è situato direttamente sulla spiaggia, dove si può godersi tapas e cocktail sulla terrazza, amirando il sole e il mare ;)

Ogni persona è permesso di entrare per 45 minuti, pagando € 15,- incluso giubotto, guanti e un cocktail a scelta.

 

Orario

Bar: Lun - Dom 12.00 - 2.30

Cucina: Lun - Dom 13 - 23.00

Ingresso: € 15,- (incl. un cocktail)

www.icebcn.com

 

Ramón Trias Fargas 2 (di fianco al ristorante/club Shôko, di fronte al’Hotel Arts)

Metro: L4 (Ciutadella - Vila Olimpica)

Bus: Linea 59, 64, N8

Margarita Blue

È un ristorante/bar tex-mex un pochino strano, però nel senso positivo. L’arredamento composto da sedie e tavolini degli anni 60/70 e tanti specchi appesi sulla parete.

Spettacoli magici ogni mercoledì e domenica con il Magico Nicolas e durante la settimana suonano diversi DJ.

Happy hour ogni sera fino alle 22.00

Il menú offre cocktail per ogni gusto e si può scegliere tra tapas e un menu.

 

C/ Joseph Anselm Clave 6

08002 Barcelona

Tel.: 934 125 489

Metro: L4 (Barceloneta)

www.margaritablue.com

Mesòn DAVID
Ristorante spagnolo con cucina tradizionale che esiste da 1920. Si trova nel quartiere Raval tra la Avenida del Parallel e la Rambla del Raval.

Carretas, 63
08001-Barcelona
Tel: (+34) 934415934
Aperto: Mar - Dom  12:30- 16:00 e 20:00 - 1:00
Lunedì riposo
Metro: L2, L3 (Paral-lel)
www.mesondavid.com

SAGARDI
Euskal Taberna
Una taverna vasca che offre una scelta vasta di vini e tapas tipici in un ambiente molto familiare.

Argenteria 62
08003 Barcelona
Tel.: 933 199 993 (prenotazioni: 902 520 522)
Metro: L4 (Jaume I, Barceloneta)
www.sagardi.com


ANTICA PIADA
Specialità Italiana a Barcellona
Calle de Meer 48 (Barceloneta)
Metro: L4 (Barceloneta)

e subito accanto
Pizza al taglio
sempre italiana


TAVERNA del BISBE
A fianco della Catedral de Barcelona, nel quartiere Barrio Gótico nel centro della città. È un ristorante più o meno turistico dove si mangia Tapas molto deliziosi!!! C'è anche la terrazza con vista sulla caterale e la piazza, però si paga un prezzo più alto... Il menù del giorno si riceve da € 10,00
Aperto tutta la settimana dalle 7.00 alle 1.00 (della notte!)

Avd. de la Catedral 6-8
08002 Barcelona
Tel.: 933191819
Metro: L4 (Jaume I)
Pullman: 17, 19, 40, 45, 120, N8


H3 Restaurante
Ristorante spagnolo non tanto turistico, dove si mangia buono a prezzi normali!

Plaza Urquinaona angolo Carrer de Roger de Llúria
Metro: L1, L4 (Urquinaona)


MAOZ
Fast food vegetariano che piace anche a persone che normalmente mangiano carne. Ulteriori informazioni su www.maozveg.com
Situato direttamente sulla strada principale La Rambla, nella Carrer de Ferran e nella Calle de Jaume.
Metro: L3 (Liceu)


CAN PAIXANO o "LA CHAMPAGNERIA"
Un bar spettacolare!!!
Ti vendono "cava" (spumante spagnolo) da 36 centesimi (max. € 0,66) il bicchiere e la bottiglia da € 2,10 (max. € 3,90). Se ti viene un pò di fame puoi assagiare tapas e bocadillos (panini) economici (da € 1,35 a 3,30).
Aperto da lunedì a sabato: 9 - 22.30

Carrer de la Reina Christina, 7
Metro: Linea L4 (Barceloneta)
www.canpaixano.com


SINATRA
Un ristorante bellissimo vicino alla Rambla e Plaza Reial. Sembra chic, invece ha un ambiente rilassante e simpatico. Prezzi normali e piatti squisiti!!

Calle Heures 4 / 10
Tel.: 93 412 52 79
Riservazioni dalle ore 17.00



Fresc Co.
Aperto tutti i giorni, buffet a € 8,95 (fine settimana € 9,95) con una scelta vasta di insalate e piatti caldi. Puoi mangiare quanto vuoi ;)

C/ Carme, MareMagnum o Passeig de Gracia
www.frescco.es


Santa Marta

Il ristorante situato a Barceloneta, direttamente sulla spiaggia, offre ai sui ospiti cucina italiana, sia calda che fredda. Anche si può godersi lo “Spritz” tipico Veneziano!!!

 

Metro: L4 (Barceloneta)

Bus: 59, 64, N8

Sport and Barcelona

Barcelona has a sporting tradition, the habitants of Barcelona are the most sportive compared to the habitants of other big cities in Europe. The bike is used more and more ( still less then in Holland). And the climate is perfect for outside sporters. A soft climate without strong winters. The fact that Barcelona is located at the seaside makes that the beaches and parks are most of the time full with joggers, skaters and bikers.

 

Barcelona is the homebase of the famous Spanish football team: FC Barcelona or Barca, one of the biggest in Europe and twice winner of the UEFA Champions Leaque. The club has his own stadium called Camp Nou in the districs Les Corts. Members of the club are called socios. .  FC Barcelona has also teams in the Spanish basketball ACB league, the handball ASOBAL league and the roller hockey league. The club’s museum is the second most visited museum in Catalonia. The second football club of Barcelona is Espanyol, they used to have their own stadium but now they’re plaing there games in the Olympic stadium called Estadi Olìmpic Lluìs on the Montjuic which was build for the Summer Olympics.  The two football stadiums are both UEFA 5-star rated.

 

The city was chosen to organize the Summer Olympics in 1992. Barcelona also hosted the X FINA World Championships, twice the Eurobasket and the ATP Tour International Series Gold tennis tournament, Open Seat Godo which is held annually in the facilities of the Reial Club de Tenis Barcelona. Every year there is a Formula 1 race, Formula One Spanish Grand Prix, organized on the circuit de Catalunya in Montmelò, a town close to Barcelona. On this circuit is also the Catalan Motorcycle Gran Prix. There are marathons and other running competitions organized year-round. Every year at Christmas there is a swimming race across the port and there is a massive skate tournament. Skating has become really popular in Barcelona which has led to a anti-skateboarding law.

 

In 1992 the Summer Olympics were held in Barcelona.

Barcelona is the hometown of IOC-president Juan Antonio Samaranch. Barcelona was selected over Amsterdam, Belgrado, Birmingham, Brisbane, Paris and Lausanne. Safety was the top-priority, they were afraid for attacks of the ETA and demonstrations of the Catalan independence fighters, but neither of this happened. All of the IOC countries participated here for the first time since Munich 1972. South Africa was allowed again to participate after a 28 years suspension for its apartheid policy. The German Reunification of 1990 made germany participating with a single team since 1960. The Sovjet Union was dissolved in 1992 so the Baltic Nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania participated with their own teams for the first time since 1936. The other Sovjet republics took part in the Unified Team which was formed by twelve states. The break-up of Yugoslavia led to the debuts of Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia Herzegovina. Yugoslav athletes were not allowed to participate with their own team but could compete under the Olympic flag as Independent Olympic Participants. Also Cuba who had boycotted the Olympics a lot of year participated again. The Paralympic archer Antonio Rebollo lit the Olympic flame by firing a burning arrow towards the cauldron. In Basketball there was for the first time admittance of professional players, which made the competition a lot easier for the American Dream Team with players like Micheal Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. Slalom canoeing returned to the Games after a 20-year absence. Basque pelote, roller hockey, teakwondo and Valencian pilota were demo sports. The sporters were from all ages so won the 13 year old Fu Mingxia the high diving event and 32 year old Christie Linford won the 100m. The musical themes for the Games were “Barcelona” written by Freddie Mercury and sung with Montserrat Caballe. They were to have performed the song during the opening ceremony, but due to Mercury’s untimely death the year before the song was played over a travelogue of the city at the start of the opening ceremony. The other musical theme was ”Amigos Para Siempre”, which means Friend for Life. This was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black.

About Barcelona

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain, It is located on the Mediterranean coast, with one of Europe's principal ports, and its airport is the second largest in Spain. Founded as a Roman city, Barcelona is today an important cultural centre and became a major tourist destination after the 1992 World Olimpics. Particularly renowned are architectural works of Antoni Gaudí that have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

 

This district is not really a touristy attraction, but it is a student- and multicultural neighbourhood where in the sphere of modern architecture are some things to see. 

For visitors going to the city Barcelona, Plaza Catalunya and Las Ramblas constitute the origin of the city. Millions of people walk every day along those two icons of the centre of Barcelona. The neighbourhood is between Paral.lel, la ronda de Sant Pau, la calle Pelayo and Las ramblas. It covers the west area of Las Ramblas.

 

El raval was historically the red-light zone and a slum of Old Barcelona. The area is quickly becoming the city’s new ‘in’ area. A lot of bars and clubs are frequently visited by young artists and bohemian types. They now fill formerly sketchy alleyways. El Raval is the alternative scene. The old reputation had been dispersed, thanks to its new and diverse developments especially on the cultural sight.

 

The representative of the Fundaciòn Tot Raval said: ’it is a completely different world’.  It is a mix of cultures is this neighbourhood. If you walk in the small busy streets you will find small Chinese shops where you can find everything you think off. There are bars and restaurants with food from all over the world. There live a lot of Moroccans, Filipinos, Indonesians, and people from the Dominican republic. It is a miscellany of cultures and nationalities living in this area. They all contribute in the neighbourhood with their own specialties. There are a lot of people looking for a job, they don’t get any help. Especially in the district Ciutat Vella and El Raval. The highest number of arrests are in El Raval and that’s why the Mossos d’Equadra have a big office in this neighbourhood. El Raval got safer every year, but you still have to watch your wallet if you walk around. There are 380 kids who are going to school in the neighbourhood El Raval and 80% of them are immigrants. They prefer working before education and they are really hard to motivate says a teacher of a school in El Raval. And offcourse it is hard to teach children with 23 nationalities using Catalan to communicate.

 

On the cultural sight there is a Centre de Cultura Contemporani on the Montalegre 5. Only the inner court is already impressive enough to visit, it is very accessible. If you go in on the back site you will see two beautiful modern buildings. One is the museum of contemporary arts called: MACBA. Close to the MACBA on placa salvador segui is a huge wall-painting of Keith Harring. Influenced by this and Catalunya’s beautiful National library, found here, the raval barrio flaunts bookstores including trendy art book ‘galleries’, cafes and bars. There are busy little streets are full of in-the-know music and record stores and it is also a favourite for vintage-style shopping. Besides the MACBA gallery there is Palau Güell. The multicultural neighbourhood and great setting off las ramblas makes El Raval perfect for everyone who wants a mix of excitement and art.

 

About Barcelona

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain, It is located on the Mediterranean coast, with one of Europe's principal ports, and its airport is the second largest in Spain. Founded as a Roman city, Barcelona is today an important cultural centre and became a major tourist destination after the 1992 World Olimpics. Particularly renowned are architectural works of Antoni Gaudí that have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

 

Finding Accommodation

Bcnloft.com Apartments Barcelona offers online bookings for short term holiday rentals at top locations all around the city center. You can book private rooms and small apartments for groups from €18 per person. BCN loft provides an affordable option compared to expensive hotels, hostels and B&B so that you can have a pleasant stay in Barcelona. Contact: www.bcnloft.com Email: info@bcnloft.comIf you are looking for affordable accommodation you can always contact BCNloft.com Apartments Barcelona and you will find rooms, apartments and vacation rentals in the city center next to la Rambla.