El Raval

Barcelona’s most colourful district by a margin of at least several rainbows and one kaleidoscope. This is where it all happens, you’ll find many of Barcelona’s best bars, hippest restaurants, contemporary culture and never ending parade of weird and wonderful characters.

If the Gothic Quarter is Barcelona’s tourist star, El Raval is the slightly shadowy figure on the sidelines. The neighbourhood edgy mix of art, attitude, and street life attracts cosmopolitan crowds. Once famous for its debauched nightlife scene, El Raval is gradually being converted into a cultural hub as its cabaret houses transform into forward-thinking museums. El Raval’s character is constantly defined and redefined by the people who call it home, and its locals celebrate their neighbourhood’s against-the-grain nature.

El Raval is one of Barcelona’s most bustling tourism hubs, with a booming cultural and dining scene. As the area’s popularity has grown, so have its bars, which include everything from daytime tapas bars to dance-floor havens. Bars such as Bar Marsella is more popular with students, and boasts a lively and bubbly atmosphere. Manchester Bar Raval, Casa Almirall and El Armario are a number of other bars to name. In regards to restaurants there a number of restaurants such as Dostrece and L’Ovella Negra who accommodate both food and drinks.

This location is convenient for airport links and train station links. El Prat airport is 20 minutes by car without traffic or alternatively 50 minutes by public transit. Sants station is 20 minutes by public transit. Never the less Place Catalunya and Sagrada Familia are both 10/15 minutes by public transit. Public transit is a lot easier living in this area as parking and having a car in this area can be difficult.

The neighbourhood is a thriving cultural hub with a wide range of diverse restaurants. A favourite among local Catalans, Can Canete is an outstanding restaurant serving Catalan cuisine. Dos Palilos is a tapas restaurant with a twist, featuring Asian-inspired dishes. Caravelle, Ca L’lsidre, Los Toreros and Mam I teca are many alternative restaurants. There are a few local markets and shops such as J.K Asian Food which supply mainly Asian food as well as Carrefour Market and ARTiSA Barcelona where you can purchase your local groceries.