When the Ciutat Vella became overpopulated in the 19th century, the people moved out to the north of Placa Catalunya to what is now known as the Eixample district, literally the extension. The Eixample developed in a grid of roads following a modern trend. Centrally located the Eixample offers easy access to Placa Catalunya and Las Ramblas, but also has plenty of attractions of its own. Passeig de Gracia with its famous string of designer shops and trendy bars, is a famous tree-lined road where attention to detail is evident on every corner from the pavement decorations to the sculptured streetlamps right up to the architecture of the stylish buildings. Walking along you’ll be stunned by the remarkable Casa Batllò by Gaudi. The district follows through with the many restaurants and terraced cafès and tapas bars, deeper into it you’ll find quaint little bars and sandwich shops especially around the University area where the district has maintained a sense of tranquillity within a metropolitan city. This district is characterised by the fine architecture of its building and is home to some of Gaudi’s most famous work such as La Sagrada Familia and La Pedrera. With such an inspiring surrounding, it is not unusual that many art galleries and modern art and design shops have opened up in the area.
The district is not only pleasing to the eye but is also a lively place for going out with some of the city’s best bars and restaurants located here.
Eixample
