Barcelona/Ciutat Vella

Ciutat Vella (Catalan for Old city) is, as its name suggests, the oldest part of Barcelona. Centred along the Las Ramblas boulevard, it includes Barcelona's old port as well as parts built from the early Middle Ages to mid-19th century. Ciutat Vella is where the nightlife, as well as the tourist traffic in Barcelona is centred.

If you are looking for the famous Gaudi creations, they are not here - except for Palau Güell - head over to Eixample and Gracia to see them.



Understand
The district is divided in four quarters:


 * Barceloneta or Little Barcelona was built after King Felipe V ordered the construction of a new fortress (La Ciutadella, nowadays a park) in order to control and punish the city of Barcelona, that fought against him during the war of Spanish Succession. The fortress was planned very close to the city so that a tenth of it was demolished, and the people who lived in this part had no compensation and as a bigger punishment were obliged to demolish their own houses. The people from the demolished part of Barcelona had to move, so a new quarter was planned by the French military. Therefore, the streets are straight and with a square shape. There are still some houses from this period, easy to recognize because they are much lower than the others and have a simple neoclassical decoration.  Historically a fisherman's quarter, Barceloneta was traditionally a poor quarter, with dark and narrow streets, but since the 1992 Olympics significant gentrification has taken place. Most noticeably along the seafront. There are now delis serving upscale foodstuffs and high rise office buildings going up.
 * Barri Gòtic is the oldest part of the old town. It literally has its foundations in Roman times as it was built upon the old settlement of Barcino.  It's quite easy to see these portions of the Roman wall through this area and for those looking to see more, you can visit the City History museum which takes you below ground to tour the 2,000 year-old foundations.  Fully pedestrian, this area is quite popular for visitors to see the history of the city.  While not as active in boutique shops as La Ribera next door, it boasts its fair share of night life and shops.  Most people walk through here to view the quite stunning architecture with the ancient building leaning this way and that on their centuries-old foundations.  It is also the location of the Barcelona Cathedral which is a focal point of the city.
 * La Ribera is a large section of the old town that encompasses everything between Arc de Triomf and Via Laietana. It is often mistakenly called the El Born after the large, 19th-century market that sits in the area below Carrer de la Princesa.  In reality, Born is a sub neighborhood of La Ribera much like the area around the upper, Santa Catarina market.  Regardless of whether you go to the upper or lower sections, it is a very happening neighborhood with lots to do and see.  By day, there are many small shops and local designers.  By night, there is a thriving bar and restaurant scene.  It's easily reachable on foot and contains no end of old buildings, many of which date back to the 15th century.  It's easy to see the thriving, commercial past of the neighborhood with colourful names such as (in English): "the street of jars", "the street of the silver smiths", and so on.
 * El Raval is the neighborhood of the old town just to the west of Las Ramblas. Historically, it's had an incredibly seedy reputation, being a den of prostitution, drugs, and general crime.  This changed on a tremendous scale right before the 1992 Olympics when the city government demolished tremendous amounts of old buildings to construct new ones as well as to open up the neighborhood to more natural light given that historically, it was known to be quite dark.  This move was quite controversial as it displaced thousands of people, but for better or worse, it did change the neighborhood.  These days, it's a vibrant place for nightlife and while still very much an immigrant neighborhood, it's home to no end of bars and restaurants.  While not as historically significant as say, Barri Gòtic or La Ribera, but gradually more civic structures are sprouting in the area, such as the Filmoteca.

Get in
Since Ciutat Vella is also the city centre, nearly all public transportation leads you there. The transportation centre is, and is possible to arrive by train, subway and bus (many regular ones during day, all the night lines and Aerobus to the Airport).

There are also two other places very close to Plaça Catalunya where the subway and the buses stop, and.

To reach the other parts of the district, the maximum time to get to the furthest part of the city is twenty minutes.

Barri Gòtic

 * City hall: Visiting hours are every Sunday, from 10:00 to 14:00. The entrance is free. The Sal&oacute; de Cent, room where the artisans made the meetings is the most important part.
 * Palau de la Generalitat: The second and fourth Sunday every month from 10:00 to 14:00. Free entrance. The Pati dels Tarongers, a Patio with orange trees and the main room are the most famous parts.
 * In the left part of the City Hall there's a tourist information point.
 * Palau de la Generalitat: The second and fourth Sunday every month from 10:00 to 14:00. Free entrance. The Pati dels Tarongers, a Patio with orange trees and the main room are the most famous parts.
 * In the left part of the City Hall there's a tourist information point.





Barceloneta




Buy

 * La Central del Raval is a bookshop with a large selection of books on art, architecture and design. C/ Elisabets, 6 (between MACBA and La Ramblas).
 * There is a lovely shop in Carrer Bisbe selling crafts including miniature versions of the dracs (dragons) and gigants (giants) that feature in Catalan processions and fiestas.
 * El Ingenio, in Carrer Raurich, sells the real ones and is worth a visit just to look - you can also buy confetti, jokes, rubber snakes and other amusements.
 * There is an underground mall somewhere between Placa del Pi and Born area, with a good selection of child shops.
 * There is a lovely shop in Carrer Bisbe selling crafts including miniature versions of the dracs (dragons) and gigants (giants) that feature in Catalan processions and fiestas.
 * El Ingenio, in Carrer Raurich, sells the real ones and is worth a visit just to look - you can also buy confetti, jokes, rubber snakes and other amusements.
 * There is an underground mall somewhere between Placa del Pi and Born area, with a good selection of child shops.
 * There is a lovely shop in Carrer Bisbe selling crafts including miniature versions of the dracs (dragons) and gigants (giants) that feature in Catalan processions and fiestas.
 * El Ingenio, in Carrer Raurich, sells the real ones and is worth a visit just to look - you can also buy confetti, jokes, rubber snakes and other amusements.
 * There is an underground mall somewhere between Placa del Pi and Born area, with a good selection of child shops.
 * There is an underground mall somewhere between Placa del Pi and Born area, with a good selection of child shops.
 * There is an underground mall somewhere between Placa del Pi and Born area, with a good selection of child shops.



Food








Eat
You can eat for little money. Avoid La Rambla, since the prices there are much higher and the quality is lower.

Cafes

 * La Clandestina, C/Baixada de Viladecols 2bis (Behind the Post Office in Via Laietana). You can take tea, different fruit juices and vegetable sandwiches in a place that holds some cultural events and lends some books.
 * Otman, C/Cirera 4 (between C/Flassaders and C/Montcada). In the Born, very close to the Picasso museum, this Moroccan designer has a clothes shop where you can have a tea in a`relaxing ambient atmosphere. Medium prices.
 * Otman, C/Cirera 4 (between C/Flassaders and C/Montcada). In the Born, very close to the Picasso museum, this Moroccan designer has a clothes shop where you can have a tea in a`relaxing ambient atmosphere. Medium prices.
 * Otman, C/Cirera 4 (between C/Flassaders and C/Montcada). In the Born, very close to the Picasso museum, this Moroccan designer has a clothes shop where you can have a tea in a`relaxing ambient atmosphere. Medium prices.

Bars
Craft Beer
 * El Bosc de les Fades, off La Rambla. Dubbed the "Tree Bar" by many English speaking tourists. This wax-museum bar features expert-crafted ambiance to look like a forest.
 * La Concha, La Concha, located off Carrer Nou de la Rambla on Carrer de Guàrdia, is a bohemian hole in the wall hookah bar. It has a Moroccan gay bar feel, but with a lively, mixed crowd of friendly 20- and 30-somethings drinking cocktails and smoking shisha. Definitely not touristy, and in a neighborhood that requires attention late at night, but friendly and fun for the traveller looking for a little local adventure.
 * Dusk, carrer Merce 23. Sexy bar and bistro inside centuries-old stone walls in Ciutat Vella/Barri Gotic. One block in from the Correos (Big Post Office at the end of Via Laietana), "Dusk" offers an upbeat bar and a more relaxed lounge in the back. It's a perfect place to get a delicious bite to eat to start the night off, or to finish the night with funky music and a Bailey's Martini. Overall, a perfect place to get a taste of both the old Gothic Quarter and the new, hip, contemporary Barcelona.
 * Harlem, C/Comptessa de Sobradiel (Behind the City Hall, ask there). Live music every night. You must buy at least one drink, but the entrance is usually free.
 * Jazz sí C/Requesens 2 (Near Ronda St. Antoni). Live music every day by the teachers and pupils of the music school next to it. Pop/Rock, Flamenco, Jazz, Latin music, etc., depending on the day. To get in, it costs €3 but you get a drink on arrival.
 * KULAS A cheaper alternative to Chupitos, they serve a selection of €1 shots and high quality cocktails in a cool chilled out cocktail bar. Passeig de Colom 7.
 * London Bar, London Bar is basically a pub, but a pub that has been open since 1910 and used to be frequented by the likes of Dali, Picasso and Hemingway. The atmosphere is lively and friendly, it's a great place to just pop into and the prices aren't that bad, bottle beer €3 and a spirit + mixer at €6. There is also absinthe for the foolhardy!
 * L'Ovella Negra, or the "Black Sheep" is a large dark tavern-like bar. Located in Carrer Sitges just off La Rambla. You can get cheap and delicious sangria for €10 before 23:00 and €13 after. Fun to sit around with friends or to partake in a game of futbolina (foosball).
 * Jazz sí C/Requesens 2 (Near Ronda St. Antoni). Live music every day by the teachers and pupils of the music school next to it. Pop/Rock, Flamenco, Jazz, Latin music, etc., depending on the day. To get in, it costs €3 but you get a drink on arrival.
 * KULAS A cheaper alternative to Chupitos, they serve a selection of €1 shots and high quality cocktails in a cool chilled out cocktail bar. Passeig de Colom 7.
 * London Bar, London Bar is basically a pub, but a pub that has been open since 1910 and used to be frequented by the likes of Dali, Picasso and Hemingway. The atmosphere is lively and friendly, it's a great place to just pop into and the prices aren't that bad, bottle beer €3 and a spirit + mixer at €6. There is also absinthe for the foolhardy!
 * L'Ovella Negra, or the "Black Sheep" is a large dark tavern-like bar. Located in Carrer Sitges just off La Rambla. You can get cheap and delicious sangria for €10 before 23:00 and €13 after. Fun to sit around with friends or to partake in a game of futbolina (foosball).
 * L'Ovella Negra, or the "Black Sheep" is a large dark tavern-like bar. Located in Carrer Sitges just off La Rambla. You can get cheap and delicious sangria for €10 before 23:00 and €13 after. Fun to sit around with friends or to partake in a game of futbolina (foosball).
 * L'Ovella Negra, or the "Black Sheep" is a large dark tavern-like bar. Located in Carrer Sitges just off La Rambla. You can get cheap and delicious sangria for €10 before 23:00 and €13 after. Fun to sit around with friends or to partake in a game of futbolina (foosball).

Sleep
There are a lot of hotels, hostals, and pensions in Ciutat Vella.

Avoid accommodation on/very close to Ramblas: it's not noisy only from 07:00 to 08:30, seven days a week. Compared to Rambla, Born seems much more relaxed and off-the-beaten path district for accommodation.

Hostels
There are youth hostels that offer budget accommodation in dormitories.



Stay safe
Watch out for purse snatchers along the seafront, and never leave anything valuable unattended while going for a swim. On busy days there will usually be patrolling police along the beach. Thieves tend to steal peoples bags on the beach (they even attempt to do so while you are there with your bag). La Rambla as well is a smorgasbord for pickpockets. See Barcelona for more info on pickpocket tactics and other scams.