The district of Ciutat Vella, which literally means Old City, includes Barri Gotic, Las Ramblas, Ravel, El Borne, Barceloneta and Port Vell. La Rambla Barcelona’s most famous thoroughfare runs from Placa Catalunya all the way down to the Columbus monument by the Port Vell promenade. To the east of La Rambla is the Gotic Quarter, one of the most popular areas with its narrow streets lined with restaurants and shops, historical buildings and museums. In the Gotic Quarter you will find the Cathedral, Placa de Sant Jaume, Palau Reial and the Picasso Museum. The Port Vell (old port) went through a facelift for the 1992 Olympic Games, and today of old this area only retains the name. A brand new wooden pedestrian bridge, the Rambla de Mar connects the Rambla with the Maremàgnum, a complex with shops, cinemas, bars and restaurants. Behind the Marèmagnum are an IMAX cinema and Barcelona's aquarium.
Fantastically positioned, right in the middle of the old city whilst being very close to the beach and the Parc de la Ciutatella, El Borne district is a trendy area thanks to a predominant young crowd with a multitude of hip clothing shops and alternative cafes and cocktail bars. However El Bourne is not only a hip place, but also a cultural hubbub where to visit the Palau de la Musica, the Picasso Museum and the Chocolate Museum. While strolling along the narrow streets you can come across classical musicians and opera singers that exhibit themselves on street corners and on the small squares where the architecture of buildings enhance the sound.
By the Mediterranean Barceloneta used to be the city’s fishing quarter, today whilst retaining the old charm with the little streets and the mixture of local and international communities the barrio is a smart area with a marina full of luxury yachts and a large selection of restaurants specialising in seafood and a multitude of cocktail bars. Barceloneta beach is the closest to the city and is fully equipped with facilities at hand for locals and tourists. The many bars on the beach stay open until morning making the area a lively spot to spend the evenings and nights in Barcelona.
The Parc de la Ciutadella is the perfect place to take a breather from the city traffic and from the art scene. Barcelona Zoo is located within the park as well as the Zoologic Museum, the Catalunyan Parliament and a large oval lake surrounded by landscaped gardens where it is possible to hire a rowing boat. The park is often the scene of music festival and cultural events.
Ciutat Vella
