	Barcelona Activities 2010: "Hop on Hop Off" Sightseeing Bus, Flamenco Show, FC Stadium Tour

Barcelona Area Guide:
The Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic)

Painters Pi in the Barri Gotic Area The beautiful neighbourhood known as the Gothic Quarter is so called because it used to be the Roman village and thus has some remnants of its glorious past. These days because of the constant modernization it is very possible to spot an ancient building right next to one built in the 90s. It is this mix of old and new that brings people from all over the world to stay in the Gothic Quarter.

The narrow, winding streets create quite a labyrinth and means that it may take a while to get your bearings. I recommend that you should always look up and around you or you may miss some of the best bits.

Old Mixed With The New: Modern Shopping Area in Barri Gotic The Gothic quarter has many peaceful squares (placas) where you can relax and enjoy your surroundings. However one of the main attractions, right in the heart of the district is the huge Cathedral which has a stunning courtyard full of plants and oddly, geese.

You will be spoilt for choice of restaurants and bars, especially around Placa Reial which is always full day and night. The night-life in the Gothic Quarter is lively to say the least and you will always find somewhere to have a drink or a dance. Calle Ferran, which is just to one side of Placa Reial and leads up to Placa Sant Jaume with its imposing government buildings is also good for bars and cafes.

Shopping is also amazing in the Gothic Quarter, from the more commercial area of Calle Portal de L´Angel to all the little boutiques on Calle Avinyo. Make sure you walk around to experience all you can, the Gothic Quarter is perfect for that afternoon stroll.

Placa Reial in the Barri Gotic Quarter There are metro stops on both sides of the Gothic Quarter, there are 3 on Las Ramblas which runs up one side of the area, and on the other is
Jaume 1. However you are in the centre of the city and many of the city’s attractions are a walk away.

At the top of Las Ramblas is Placa Catalunya from where you can go onto Passeig de Gracia if your shopping tastes are slightly more designer orientated, or if you want to see Gaudi´s buildings.

El Raval is another interesting area worth a visit, you can get there by crossing Las Ramblas.

The Barri Gotic area is the first choice for many visitors to Barcelona. It is the cultural hub of the city and great for any type of traveller.