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.

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