Menu Hamburger Logo Menu close Logo
Barcelona Travel Hacks home logo

Barcelona Gothic Quarter 2024 Guide & Attractions

Medieval & Roman walled heart of Barcelona. Narrow winding streets, old buildings, boutique shops, restaurants & squares. Discover 12 things to do and see

Updated: Jul 5, 2024 by: Barcelona Travel Hacks Views: 3.7k

About Barcelona Gothic Centre

The Barcelona Gothic Quarter, El Gòtico or Barri Gòtic, is the medieval part of the old walled city of Barcelona and is the oldest part of the city dating to Roman and Medieval times. Barri Gòtic is full of gothic architecture. Along with El raval and El born it makes up a zone called cuitat Vella or Vella District. It is characterised by a labyrinth of narrow winding streets with atmospheric basement bars, great restaurants and shops and is a great place for walking tours. You can find many guided walking tours in this part of town or use my recommended route found below.

The centre piece of the Barcelona Barri Gòtic is the beautiful 13th Century gothic Cathedral of Barcelona, located in Pla de la Seu. Surrounding the cathedral are the Frederic Mares museum and the Barcelona Dioceses Museum. Plaça de la Seu contains sections of the Roman city wall with Casa de la Ardiaca, the Archdeacons house, today is the city historic archives and is built into the old roman city wall. This was one of four main portal gates into the roman city centre. Remains of the Roman water aqueduct can be found here also. Note that the aqueduct remains are a reproduction and not the original from Roman times. Nearby is

Plaça de Sant Felip Neri, a medieval square with civil war bomb scars and behind the cathedral in the old Jewish quarter of medieval Barcelona are four Roman columns of temple de Augusti from the Roman Forum that are over 2000 years old.

Traveling through Barri Gòtic towards the coast and port Vell, the next large public space is Plaça Sant Juame which houses governmental palaces of Palau de la Generalitat de Catalunya and Ajuntament de Barcelona, casa de la cuitat, or city hall. Inside It has some medival rooms with stained glass windows. Near to this square is the famous Plaça del Rei who's surrounding buildings form part of the Barcelona City History Museum, the basement is a museum space of the preserved Roman city ruins.

From Plaça Sant Jaume to The Barcelona cathedral is perhaps one of Barcelona's most iconic streets, Calle del Bisbe which has a gothic bridge over the street, Pont del Bisbe, connecting Casa dels Canonges (Oficial residentcy of the President of Catalunya) to the Palau de la Generalitat (government palace building).

The next focal area in Barri Gòtic is Plaça del Pi and Plaza del Josep Oriel which surround the Santa Maria del Pi Basilica that offers complete tourist visits to the bell tower roof. Plaça del Pi hosts an artisan food market and Plaça del Josep Oriel is where the portrait artists congregate. In this square are multiple restaurants in medieval buildings with great outside teraza dining.

In Plaça Ramon Berenguer III you will find more of the Roman city wall which can be followed down towards the port which has another of the main gate houses, portal del mar and the Roman baths ruins in Carrer del Regomir.

Barri Gòtic is a good place to go shopping with Avenida Portal del Angel having the major global high street brands such as Zara, H&M, Massimo Dutti, Pull&Bear and many more. Within the many narrow streets of Barri Gòtic are small boutiques for hand crafted items and some high end antiques shops in the jewish quarter behind the Cathedral.


For a detailed breakdown of the tourist attractions in Barri Gòtic, click on any of the images below.

Happy Exploring!

12 Things to do and see in Barcelona Gothic Centre

Map of Barcelona Gothic Centre

Attractions

Latitute: 41.4 Longitude: 2.2 Zoom Level: 11

Events in Barcelona Gothic Centre

Barcelona Gothic Centre Tickets and Tours

To discover the gothic quarter, you can follow my walking route below. Alternatively for a more interactive experience consider one of the selected guided tours below.

Trace Barcelona's development from Roman times on a free 2.5-hour walking tour of its Gothic Quarter with a friendly and professional guide. Learn about the time of the Roman settlement of Barcino to the Mediterranean powerhouse that Barcelona became in the Middle Ages. During the tour, you'll see the stunning Gothic churches as well as the narrow alleys and romantic squares that add to the area's atmosphere. Get an insight into Catalan traditions and festivals during your guided walk and experience life in the city today, ensuring the best possible introduction to Barcelona. Donation to the guide at the end of the tour based on satisfaction.

Powered by GetYourGuide

Discover dark and horrific horrifying stories of Barcelona's past as you wander the cobbled streets of the Gothic Quarter on an evening walking tour. Experience a different side of the city away from its major attractions as you explore at night.

Powered by GetYourGuide

Discover dark and horrific horrifying stories of Barcelona's past as you wander the cobbled streets of the Gothic Quarter on an evening walking tour. Experience a different side of the city away from its major attractions as you explore at night.

Powered by GetYourGuide

Learn the story of the Jewish community in Barcelona from the 3rd century to 1391 on a guided walking tour of the Gothic Quarter. The importance of the Jewish people to the development of Barcelona through the centuries. Spain's oldest synagogue, stroll down narrow alleys that date back to the Middle Ages. How the Jewish population grew steadily in Barcelona, becoming more and more important politically and spiritually. Soak up the art and architecture of the ruins of a house owned by a Jewish alchemist, and see the unique Mikve from medieval times. Go to the ruins of the Old Synagogue (Shlomo Ben Adret), and explore the small Jewish Quarter around the Roman walls.

Powered by GetYourGuide

Stroll through the Gothic Quarter, Barcelona's historic and political center. A fascinating walk through the streets, squares and hidden corners awaits you. Discover the charms of its splendid Middle Ages architecture. Immerse yourself in history and admire the remains of the old walled city of Barcelona, the columns of a Roman temple, the Cathedral, ancient palaces of kings and bishops. The historic center of the Gothic Quarter, containing a number of important monuments including the Saló del Tinell, the Capella de Santa Àgata and the Palau del Lloctinent: Gothic buildings which were an integral part of the Palau Major, the residence of the Catalan kings.

Powered by GetYourGuide

Explore the most magical corners of Barcelona's old town on a guided Gothic Quarter walking tour. Allow your local guide to lead you to all the best photo spots around this historic neighborhood that was founded by the Romans over two thousand years ago. Step back in time and be amazed by the majestic Plaça del Rei. Learn about the political center of the city and hear the tragic story behind the Plaza de San Felipe Neri. Unveil all the secrets of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, one of the oldest areas in all of Spain.

Powered by GetYourGuide

With the help of a local guide, you’ll discover the fascinating history of the city, spanning more than 2,000 years. Learn about the Roman colony of Barcino as it evolved through the ages and became the bustling Barcelona it is today. As you wander through the streets you'll see top-rated tourist attractions such as the Barcelona Cathedral and Placa Sant Felip Neri, and uncover the secrets of hidden gems along the way. Over two hours our guides will share unforgettable legends, stories, and anecdotes that will put Barcelona at the top of your list of favourite European cities.

Powered by GetYourGuide

Discover the sites of Roman settlement in Barcelona that date back 2,000 years. Let your imagination recreate the Roman Forum in the current Plaça de Sant Jaume, that even today after 20 centuries remains the political power of Catalonia. On this 2-hour guided tour you’ll continue with a walk along one of the world's best preserved Roman walls, and hear about the Roman baths of Pati Llimona. Admire the architecture and monumental buildings of the Gothic Quarter including Plaça del Rei with its Palace of the Viceroy and the beautiful Palau Reial. See the Barcelona Cathedral and Santa Maria del Mar basilica. visit la Boqueria market and la Rambla.

Powered by GetYourGuide

Getting to Barcelona Gothic Centre

Barri Gòtic is bordered on the left by Las Ramblas which has the green (L3) metro line running underneath with stops at Drassanes, Liceo and Plaza Catalunya.

Barri Gòtic is bordered on the right by Via Laietana which divides El Gotico with the El Born Neighbourhood. The Yellow metro line (L4) Runs under Via Leitana with the most convenient stop at Plaza Jaume I.

Barri Gòtic Ends at plaza Catalunya at the top which is the edge of La Eixampla Neighbourhood and served by Plaza Catalunya Metro, FGC and Renfe station.

The bottom of Barri Gòtic is bordered by Port vell Marina reached from Dransanes Metro (L3) or Barceloneta (L4).

Use a T-Casual or Hola-Barcelona travel card.

Where to Eat Barcelona Gothic Centre

Barri Gòtic has an abundance of restaurants so I am only going to list places that I have dined at and highly recommend.

Near Barcelona Cathedral

Near Basílica de Santa Maria del Pi

At winter time around the festive period it is tradition to eat Xurro (fried savory dough sprinkled with sugar) dipped in a thick chocolate drink and it is near to Basílica de Santa Maria del Pi where you will find the oldest Xocolateria Xurreria cafés.

Near Plaça de Sant Jaume

Documents for Barcelona Gothic Centre

Click on any one of the 5 PDFs to view in full screen and download.

Weather for Barcelona

What to take with you for Barcelona Gothic Centre

Wikiloc Trail for Barcelona Gothic Centre

BCN12 - Barcelona Gothic Quarter

A City walk around the gothic qurter of Barcelona via The cathedral, Frederic Mares Museum, Barcelona Histrory Museum, Roman wall Remains and Playing cards Museum.

Distance: 2.65 Km

Difficulty: Easy

Return Travel Fare: T-Casual Zone 1

Transport Network: Metro

Where to stay overnight in the Barcelona Gothic Quarter



How much does Barcelona Gothic Centre Day Trip Cost?

The Barri Gòtic is free to walk around in with the below museums, Cathedral and Basilica charging for visits and guided tours.

Description Adult Adult Discounts Child Child Discounts
Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia € 14.00 €7 Group and falily discounts FREE Free under 12 years
Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia + Diocese Museum combined ticket € 15.00 FREE Free under 12 years
Dicese Museum only € 8.00 FREE Free under 12 years
Frederic Mares Museum € 8.00 €4.20 16-29 years, Over 65 FREE Free under 16 years
Barcelona City History Museum MUHBA Plaça del Rei € 7.00 €5 16-29 years, Over 65 FREE Free under 16 years
Santa Maria del Pi Basilica Guided tour € 10.00 €8.00 students under 25, Over 65 FREE Free under 16 years
€ 62.00 Adult Total € 0.00 Child Total

Things to do near Barcelona Gothic Centre

Thanks for reading about Barcelona Gothic Quarter 2024 Guide & Attractions

Ask a question via Facebook

Please support me

Happy travels and exploring.