Perfect itinerary through Old Town Barcelona

The Medieval quarters of Barcelona are among the most charming of the city. However, the narrow and serpentine streets are an easy way to get lost and perhaps miss part of the fun! For this reason I have composed this route that you can easily follow in a day (or less) and that covers the most important parts of Old Town Barcelona.

If you want to skip all my excellent writing and insightful historic comments and go directly to the map of the route, click here.

Part 1. Barri Gòtic

Barri Gòtic (or “Gothic Quarter”) is the original walled city of Old Town Barcelona. The walled village was established by the Romans upon a previous Celtiber settlement, and most of the quarter’s plan dates from that and the Medieval times. However, it is important to notice that many of the buildings were restored in time for the 1929 International Exhibition in Barcelona with a neo-gothic style (hence the name). However, wandering around these streets really brings you back in time because of the good state of the buildings and the isolation you can get in the lesser known streets away from the main attractions. For this reason, I encourage you to follow this route, but at the same time don’t be afraid to move out of it!

1. Plaça Catalunya

The start of this route is Plaça de Catalunya, the very heart of Barcelona. In medieval times, the space where Plaça Catalunya is located was just outside of the gates of the walled city, and it was used as a market. With the demolition of the walls in the 19th century, the new design of the square was built. Right now, the square is a favourite meeting point in the city, since it is easily accessible from in and out of Barcelona.

2. Portal de l’Àngel and Cathedral of Barcelona

From Plaça Catalunya head to Portal de l’Àngel, one of the most important shopping streets in the city (pay attention to the beautiful building of the Royal Artistic Circle), and reach the Cathedral of Barcelona (Catedral de Santa Eulàlia i la Santa Creu). This emblematic building with its neo-gothic facade will set your mood for the rest of the route. It is worth entering the Cathedral to admire the beautiful architecture of the interior and the exotic cloister populated by geeze and palm trees.

There are many things you can do around the Cathedral, like visiting Casa de l’Ardiaca, where the Historical Archive of the city is located as well as the ruins of the Roman aqueduct, or the Frederic Marès Museum, a collector’s museum dedicated largely to religious sculpture among others and located in the old Palace of the Counts of Barcelona, a beautiful building with an even more beautiful yard (Verger). An Antiques Market takes place every Thursday from 10 am to 8 pm in Plaça Nova, in front of the Cathedral.

3. Small squares in the quarter

The next stop is the hidden square of Sant Felip Neri. This is for me one of the most beautiful places in Old Town Barcelona. It used to be a secret and it was practically empty, but now it’s getting some attention. The square is presided by a beautiful 18th century church (which gives name to the square) that has some marks from a bomb during the Spanish Civil War.

Continue towards Plaça del Pi, this time just outside of the first city wall. This beautiful square with a pine tree that gives name to it is located just in front of Santa Maria del Pi, a basilica dating back to the 10th century and rebuilt in the 14th. This church has an interesting story, being the center of the social life of the quarter and participating in sieges and wars. It is definitely worth visiting since the entrance is only 4€ and includes a guided tour and a visit to the tower, which has some amazing views of the city!

Check out my list of the best views of Barcelona:

→ Barcelona from above: 15 best views of Barcelona

Travel tip: this square hosts an artisan food market on the first and third weekend every month. Delicious!

4. Bonus stops

A bit outside of the route: from this square you can visit Carrer Petritxol, a street famous for its granges, which make the most amazing hot chocolate. Pay attention to the ceramic plaques on the street, depicting everyday situations and popular sayings, as well as one of the most famous Catalan theater plays L’Auca del Senyor Esteve.

This is a good spot to complement this route to our guide to Las Ramblas:

→ Guide to Las Ramblas in Barcelona

Travel tip: you can have the best pintxos in the city in IRATI Taverna Basca in the same street as the basilica’s main entrance.

5. Jewish Quarter

Next we move to El Call, the Jewish Quarter. Before the Jewish prossecution in 1492, Barcelona had a rich Jewish population and their daily life was focused in El Call and centered around Sinagoga Major, believed to be one of the oldest synagogues in Europe, with the oldest structures dating back to the 3rd or 4th century.

Travel tip: have a specialty coffee at Satan’s Coffee Corner, one of the best coffee bars in the city.

6. City Hall

The next stop is Plaça Sant Jaume, the administrative heart of the city. Two major buildings preside the square: the City Hall (south) and the Palace of Generalitat (the Catalan government, north). From the architecture of the square you can see that it is more recent than the rest of the quarter, dating from the 19th century.

Head back up through Carrer del Bisbe where you will find one of the most photographed spots in Old Town Barcelona: Pont del Bisbe. This neo-gothic bridge connects the Palace of Generalitat with Casa dels Canonges, where the presidents resided, to ease their passage to the Palace.

Ona side street you can find the ruins of the Temple of Augustus, a Roman temple that was located in the center of the Roman settlement. Only columns are left, but it is a nice way to see how this amazing city started.

7. Plaça del Rei (King’s Square)

Continue onto another of my favourite squares in the city, Plaça del Rei. This 14th century square was the center of the royal and count power of the city. The square is leaded by the Royal Palace of the counts of Barcelona and kings of Aragon in a gothic style. On the right, the Chapel of Saint Agatha and on the left, the Palace of the Liutenant. In front of the Palace you can find Casa Padellàs, the see of the Museum of History of Catalonia.

Travel tip: Int his area of the city, the streets are named according to the profession of the people of the street. One of the streets neerby is called Llibreteria (“library”), and you can find a wonderful shop called Papirum, a paper stationary store that will make you want to buy everything!

The last stop in Barri Gòtic is Plaça de Sant Just. This Medieval square was used as a market for Jews and Christians. The church in the square is Basilica dels Sants Just i Pastor, dating from the 13th century and standing on a 4th century basilica. This church was used as the seat of the archbishop until the Cathedral was built. Another interesting site in the square is Font de Sant Just, a water fountain from the 14th century that is said to be the oldest water source in the city.

8. Another bonus

Optional: you can visit one of the most charming squares (in my opinion) of the city if you continue towards the sea to Plaça dels Traginers, with the beatiful ramp of Baixada de Viladecols and some remains of the Roman walls and towers.

Part 2. Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i La Ribera

The second part of the Old Town Barcelona itinerary is “El Born” or Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i La Ribera. This is a strange neighborhood, because it is composed of three quarters: Sant Pere, Santa Caterina and La Ribera. The most popular one, La Ribera, was originally outside of the Roman walls. At that time, it was right next to the sea and it was made of rudimentary settlements over the river mouth. The quarter became a sailor neighborhood and took strength in the cities economy, being then included in the second city wall in the 13th century.

Born was a growing suburb outside of the city wall that was later included. It is centered around Passeig del Born, the main street of the neighborhood, which used to be the just yard. The neighborhood is home to the famous Church of Santa Maria del Mar and the Picasso Museum, as well as some of the most beautiful streets in the city (i.e. Carrer de Montcada).

1. Outside the walls

We start this part of the route close to where we left off in the previous one, in Plaça de Ramón Berenguer el Gran. This square takes is name from the Count of Barcelona whose equestrian statue dominates the centre of the square. In this square we are located just outside of the Roman walls. You can see the last remains of the wall just below the Chapel of Saint Agatha.

The square lies in Via Laietana, one of the most important streets in the city. If you have time, have a look at the beautiful buildings lining the street. They are of a Noucentista neo-classical style, very different to the rest of this area, but worth mentioning.

2. Santa Maria del Mar

Walking down through Carrer de l’Argenteria (“Silver street”), once the center of life in the city, we reach the heart of the neighborhood: Santa Maria del Mar. This church (my favourite church in Barcelona) dates from the 14th century and it is the best example of the Catalan Gothic style. I really recommend reading The Cathedral of the Sea by Ildefonso Falcones, which is based on the consstruction of this amazing church, before your trip to Barcelona.

On the side of the church you will find El Fossar de les Moreres. This memorial square lies on top of a cemetery for the defenders of the city during the Siege of Barcelona during the Spanish Succession War in 1714. A memorial torch of eternal flame presides the square.

3. Passeig del Born

Continue towards Passeig del Born, the heart of the neighborhood. This medieval street was used for tourneys and celebrations, and later on for executions for the Spanish Inquisition. Right now it is full of bars and restaurants and a great atmosphere. Make sure to check out Mercat del Born, the district market at the other side of the street, the Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria, an archeological site with remains from the Medieval Barcelona.

4. Carrer Montcada & Picasso Museum

Continue through Carrer de Montcada. This is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful streets in Barcelona. There are plenty of things you can do in this street, such as visiting the Picasso Museum. Not only it has some of the best works by the painter, but it is also located in a complex of 5 typical Catalan houses and palaces from the 13th and 14th centuries that are a great example of Catalan gothic architecture. You can combine the museum with a Picasso walking tour by purchasing your tickets here. You can check out other museums in the street such as the Barbier-Mueller Museum of Pre-Colombian Art, the Hub Disseny, a design museum and center or the Mammoth Museum, perfect for kids. The street is also full of small galleries and quirky shops, as well as some of the cities best tapas bars El Xampanyet and Bodega La Puntual, which is the last stop in our Barceloneta tapas route:

→ A 5-stop vermouth and tapas route in Barceloneta

Photo credit: Puigalder with CC BY-SA 3.0

5. Santa Caterina

If you continue upwards through Carrer de Montcada. At the top of the street you will find Capella d’en Marcús,  you will reach Mercat de Santa Caterina, a covered market that was the main food supplier to the outskirt towns of Barcelona during the Civil War. The market was refurbished in 2005 with a new ondulating roof. Have a look inside and buy some good quality produce.

Photo credit: Cecilia with CC BY 2.0

6. Sant Pere Quarter

Continue upwards and you will find Carrer de Sant Pere Més Baix, turn right and you will reach the square of Sant Pere with the monastery of Sant Pere de les Puelles, that gives name to the square, the quarter and some if its streets. I suggest a stroll through the three axes of the quarter: Sant Pere Més Alt, Sant Pere Mitjà and Sant Pere Més Baix. Look at the Medieval palaces and modernist buildings such as Palau dels Marquesos d’Alòs or the outstanding Palau de la Música Catalana, the Catalan Music Hall.

You can finish this route either at Plaça Urquinaona or Plaça de Catalunya where we started or end on the other side of the quarter at Arc de Triomf, the arch built for the World Fair of 1888 and pair it with a visit to Parc de la Ciutadella.

Map of the route

Closing statement

Barcelona’s old town has a charm that brings you back to old times, that makes you feel like you’re in a mysterious story from a dusty book and even in such a tourity area, has many unspoiled spots where you can feel isolated in the best of senses.

Discover more wonders of Barcelona in our general post:

→ Top 10 things to do in Barcelona

Make sure you don’t miss any experiences by buying the tickets for the attractions Barcelona at Tiqets.com and skipping the lines, or book tours and activities in GetYourGuide:

In particular I recommend purchasing the Barcelona Card. You’ll save a ton if you are interested in visiting some of the city’s museums and attractions. With this card you get free entrance to many museums and attractions as well as unlimited use to the public transport for an amount of time as well as transport from and to the airport. It also includes a discount coupon booklet that you can use for other attractions, tours and entertainment of the city.

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