Visit Gràcia district in Barcelona is a must if you're visiting the city.
One of the most beautiful spots in the Catalan capital, you'll find a rich history and plenty of shopping options.
Together, let's take a tour of this unique district of Barcelona.
Barcelona's Gracia district: article summary
Barcelona's Gràcia district: some historical facts
Until the end of the XIXᵉ century, Gràcia was a large village with its own identity. To get there, Barcelonians had to take a dirt road through the countryside. The city's relentless expansion meant that Gràcia was grafted onto Barcelona in 1897against a backdrop of strong protests from local residents.
Today, the original dirt road is unrecognizable. It has become the wide boulevard du Passeig de Gràciathe city's most prestigious address.
Stop off at a café and enjoy Gràcia's squares
Gràcia has several charming squares. Whether you feel like having an early morning cup of coffee and reading the paper or socializing into the wee hours over tapas, these squares have a certain appeal.
The main one is the Plaça Del Sol, a central point of the district, which starts to come alive at night as a popular meeting place for locals. As its name suggests, it's also a place where ideal for enjoying the Barcelona sunshine.
Another square well worth a visit is Plaça de Rius i Taulet, with its famous clock tower. There's always something interesting going on.
Barcelona's Gràcia district: a shopper's paradise
Alternative chic and vintage eccentricity are the neighborhood's forte. Gran de Gràcia is the "high street", but take your time wandering in and out of the many other narrow streets and you'll inadvertently find some real gems. Carrer de Verdi is the perfect place to shop for fashionable clothes.
Bookshops, art galleries, small art stores, old bakeries, Old-fashioned grocery stores and Middle Eastern cafés also abound in the area.
If you appreciate quality olive oil, then Oli Sal is the store for you. The place houses shelves of more types of olive oil than you'll ever see in your life. A perfect place to shop and a little curiosity in the neighborhood!
How do you get around?
The district's main street is Carrer Gran de Gràcia, where Passeig de Gràcia runs above Avenida Diagonal. This street also runs parallel to the green line (line 3) of the metrowith its Fontana, Lesseps and Vallcarca stops. There's also the Joanic metro station, part of the yellow line 4. This is the one to take if you're heading for the beach.
Walking around Gràcia is a pleasure. The neighborhood is safe and pleasant. Although some streets are narrow, they have been carefully laid out.
Towards the northern end of the district, the conventional street pattern begins to weaken, and the streets become more winding as they approach the mountains that border Barcelona.
Barcelona's Gràcia district: events to celebrate on site
The most eagerly awaited event in Barcelona's Gràcia district is the Festa Major de Gràcia. A week-long festival held around August 15 each year. The locals really put their hearts into it, and visitors are invited to stroll the streets to celebrate with the locals.
Residents of each street compete to see who can win the prize for the best decorations. Gradually, a carnival atmosphere takes over, with live music, correfoc (fire races), parades, dances and fireworks.
What tourist attractions are nearby?
The biggest attraction nearby is the whimsical Parc GüellOne of Antoni Gaudí's last projects, this 14-hectare park is like a scene from a children's fairy tale. It resembles the scene of a children's fairy tale, with its gingerbread houses, serpentine benches and mosaic salamander ready to greet you at the entrance. In addition to the Gaudí MuseumHere you can admire Gaudí's perfect blend of nature and architecture.
In Gràcia itself, there are some outstanding examples of Modernist architecture. The most emblematic is Casa Fuster, which looks a little like a castle in the city center and is now used as a 5-star hotel.
There's also Casa Vicens, nestled in Carrer de les Carolines. In fact, I recommend the article I dedicated to this subject to find out more about the place!
Barcelona's Gràcia district is a phenomenal place located just a short distance from Barcelona's most touristy areas. During your visit, I recommend that youand soak up the splendour of the place!
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