Eixample Neighborhood Guide & attractions

Description of La Eixampla

La Eixample, or extension, is a neighbourhood characterised by its grid street layout and was built from 1850 to 1900 to expand housing in Barcelona as a result of massive population growth in the city. La Eixampla surrounds the medieval centre of Barcelona comprising the neighbourhoods of Raval, gotico and El Born. La Eixampla is divided into two halves, left and right divided by the main street of passeig de Gracia from Plaza Catalunya.

La Eixampla is best described as a safe residential area with high class shopping areas and vibrant cafe culture. It is here that you will find some of the best, and most expensive, restaurants in town. The buildings in La Eixampla are of an art nouveau design with beautiful facades and balconies. It is also home to plenty of Catalan Modernism masterpieces by Antonio Gaudi, Lluis Domenech i Montaner and Josep Puig i Cadafalch. Examples include: Recinte modernista Sant Pau, Casa Batllo, Sagrada Familia and La Pedrera.

Passeig de Gracia, the wide throughfare dividing la Eixample into left and right neighbourhoods is Barcelona's premium designer and luxury shopping zone and historically was where Barcelona's wealthiest citizens had their palacial luxuary houses.

Transport wise, the blue and red metro lines pass through la Eixampla horizontally while the green line runs under Passeig de Gracia vertically and the FGC valles lines run under Rambla de Catalunya vertically.

Happy Exploring!