Gràcia
Gràcia is a district of Barcelona and is the most distinctively Catalan neighbourhood within easy walking distance of the city centre. It was an independent town before it joined the city in the 20th century. Its narrow streets and young atmosphere gives Gràcia more of a local than a cosmopolitan feel. The district's many public squares are lively with people, and the wonderful Park Güell's Gaudi flair and panoramic views of the city delight.
Get in
[edit]
The most convenient way to get to Gràcia is Metro line L3 . Fontana is close to the restaurants and squares; Lesseps and Vallcarca provide access to Park Güell. From the stations, the heart of Gràcia will be to the NNE (this may appear as East or "to the right" on most, if not all, maps of Barcelona). The other possibility from the north side of Gràcia is to come in via the Joanic L4 metro station.
The Barcelona Bus Turístic has a stop in Gràcia, near Park Güell.
It's possible to walk to Gràcia from Eixample. From Plaça Catalunya, it's about 2 km (1.2 mi) up Passeig de Gràcia and Gran de Gràcia to Fontana Metro station.
See
[edit]Park Güell
[edit]
1 Park Güell (Parc Güell, Güell Park), Carrer D'Olot 5, ☏ +34 934 091 831, toll-free: +34 902 200 302, parkguell@bsmsa.cat. Oct 25-Mar: 08:30-18:15; Mar Sep7-Oct24: 08:00-20:00; May-Sep 6: 08:00-21:30; (last entry 30-45 min earlier). A large urban park heavily influenced by Antonio Gaudi. The area was originally meant to be a residential property development with Gaudi doing much of the planning and landscape design. Only two houses were built and the land was later sold to the city of Barcelona and turned into a park. There are two areas -- a relatively undeveloped (and un-crowded) natural area near the top of the hill and the more famous sculpture park below. The top of the park offers panoramic views of Barcelona, while the sculpture portion is full of walkways and other structures exhibiting the distinct and colourful style of Gaudi, including the famous terrace and fountains near the main entrance. You are strongly advised to buy tickets days in advance. Don't expect to be able to buy one on the day. Be patient when exploring the site, as once you enter the Natural Plaza where crowds gather, you are confined to a one-way path that you must traverse before backtracking if you want to return to higher ground. Park Güell is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the Works of Antonio Gaudi. €10; reduced €7.00, children until 6 - free ticket required. 
Popular sights and attractions within the park include:
- 2 Park Güell, the main entrance. Two Gaudi-style pavilions mark the entrance to the park and lead to the steps up to the Hipostila Room. In the middle of the steps is the dragon (or salamander) fountain that has become almost as much a symbol of Barcelona as the Sagrada Familia.
- 3 Hipostila Room and Grand Plaza (terrace). At the top of the stairs from the main entrance is the Hipostila Room with its 86 white columns supporting the plaza above. The ceiling has a number of colourful mosaics. Above the Hipostila Room is the main terrace, which was meant to be the main square of the development. It features a mosaic-tiled wall in the shape of an undulating sea serpent and provides excellent views of Barcelona.
- 4 Gaudi House Museum (Casa Museu Gaudi), Park Güell - Carretera del Carmel, 23A (Metro L3 Lesseps, then follow signs to Park Güell), ☏ +34 932 193 811, info@casamuseugaudi.org. From 1 January 2024, the Gaudí House Museum will be closed for maintenance and renovations.. Distinctive pink house that Gaudi lived in for nearly 20 years (although not designed by him). It features furniture designed by Gaudi and other objects relating to Gaudi's life. The gift shop has a large selection of Gaudi-themed souvenirs that are generally better quality than what's available in the normal tourist shops.
- 5 Turo de les tres creus (The Calvary). This is the highest point of the park and where Gaudi wanted to build a chapel. After the development failed, Gaudi built a monolith with three crosses like Calvary instead. Be sure to take in the panoramic views of Barcelona.
The park is popular with tourists and locals alike and can be very busy on afternoons and weekends, particularly in the summer (but the queue to the Gaudi House Museum can be long even outside of the summer). Open daily 10:00-21:00 (May-Aug), 10:00-20:00 (Apr & Sept), 10:00-19:00 (Mar & Oct), 10:00-18:00 (Nov - Feb).
There's a limit of 400 visitors entering in each 30-min. time slot, though once you enter, you can stay as long as you want (but you can't leave and re-enter).
Directions: Bus 24, D40 & H6 stop Trav de Dalt - Torrent de les Flors. From there walk uphill on Carrer de Larrard to the park. 
Lesseps L3 Exit the station and follow the arrows that are every 300 m. It is a steep climb!
Vallcarca L3 As of Feb 2024, escalators are out of service. Exit the station and head down Av de Vallcarca to Baixada de la Gloria and follow the signs to the park. It is also a steep climb but there are a number of escalators along the way. This route enters the park near the Turo de les tres creus rather than the main entrance.
Other attractions
[edit]Check out any plaza and it will most likely be humming with life and vibrancy.
- Prosperous private villas can be found above the Guell Park.
- 6 Casa Vicens, C/de les Carolines 24 (
Fontana L3 buses 22, 24, 27, 87, D40). M 10:00-15:00, last admission 13:40, Tu-Su 10:00-19:00, last admission 17:40. The first building Gaudi built in Barcelona. It has been opened as a museum. It's possible to walk the whole monumental enclosure, including the garden and the interior of the building. In UNESCO World Heritage Sites list since 2005.
Do
[edit]One of Barcelona's most lively festivals, the Festa Major de Gracia, is a week long festival that displays the best of Catalan with a mass celebration in the streets. One of the most popular events is the 'Best decorated street', where residents from 23 neighbouring streets use anything and everything to decorate their street in a theme and vie for the prize.
- 1 Bosque Multicines, Rambla del Prat, 16, ☏ +34 902 42 42 43. The cinema has 9 screens.
- 2 Cines Verdi, Verdi, 32 (Fontana), ☏ +34 93 238 79 90. The cinema screens a diverse programme of independent, mainly European and Asian films. All films are shown in their original version.
- 3 Teatre Lliure, Carrer del Montseny, 47, ☏ +34 932 38 76 25, info@teatrelliure.com. This alternative theatre offers high quality plays. €13-30.
- 4 Centre Artesà Tradicionarius, Travessia de Sant Antoni, 6 (Fontana L3 ). Folk & world music
Buy
[edit]Gràcia offers many different small bohemian design or second hand book shops. Many shops sell organic and local products.
Clothes
[edit]- 1 Boo, C/ BONAVISTA, 2 (Metro Diagonal), ☏ +34 933 681 458, info@boobcn.com. M-Sa 11:00-15:00, 16:00-20:30. Besides clothing and accessories for men and women from interesting brands, the shop sells books and perfumes.
- 2 GreenLifeStyle, Torrent de l'Olla, 95 (Metro Fontana), ☏ +34 931 862 010, gls.greenlifestyle@gmail.com. M-Sa 11:00-21:00. The shops philosophy is based on principles of sustainability, recycling and fair trade, which all sold items adhere. One finds cute designer dresses for a fair price.
- Pinc Store, Carrer de l'Encarnació, 24, ☏ +34 93 200 97 71. Anna Tichy sells her design clothes, including dresses and swim wear.
- 3 graciadorada, Carrer d'Asturies, 23 (Metro Fontana), ☏ +34 93 237 8448. M-F 10:30-21:30, Sa 11:00-21:30. The shop sells women fashion including dresses, skirts and jewelery.
Food
[edit]- 4 Mercat de l’Abaceria (mercatabaceria@mercatsbcn.cat), Trav. de Gràcia, 186, ☏ +34 932 136 286. M-Sa 07:00-14:30, 17:30-20:00. Built in 1892 the market sells local vegetables, fruits, fish, meat, cheeses and herbs. The market has three bars, all of which sell food prepared with ingredients from the market.
- 5 Mercat de la Libertat, Pl Llibertat, 27, ☏ +34 932170995. M-F 08:00-20:30, Sa 08:00-15:00. The market opened in 1888 and designed by architect Miquel Pasqual i Tintoré, it was modernised by a complete renovation. It sells poultry, game and eggs, Spanish hams and sausages, meat and offal, fruit and vegetables, pulses and cereals, farm produce, fresh fish and seafood, salted fish, preserves and provisions and bakery.
- 6 Mercat de Lesseps, C Verdi, 200. Inaugurated in 1974 it is an indoor market.
- 7 Planeta Te, Asturies, 50 (Metro Fontana), ☏ +34 932 10 39 22. The shop sells a big variety of different teas: green, black, oolong and infusions.
- 8 Verema i collita, Plaza Joanic 1, ☏ +34 932133891, pablo@veremaicollita.com. Sympatic cellar with good choices for local wines and cava.
Other
[edit]- 9 Hibernian (Secondhand English Bookshop), Carrer Verdi 66 (Metro Fontana), ☏ +34 932 174 796. 10:30-20:30. Good selection in many categories. Also has some new books, and a shelf of German and French titles. Most used paperbacks at €5.
- 10 Intersport, Carrer de Bonavista 37 (Metro Diagnonal). The shop sells all kind of back-packs and outdoor equipment including skis, snow-boards and climbing gear.
- 11 Nus (Esports de muntanya), Plaça del Diamant, 9 (Metro Fontana), ☏ +34 93 218 41 17, info@espeleonus.com. M-F 09:30-14:00, 16:30-20:00; Sa 10:00-14:00. Since more than 30 years this shops sells outdoor gear specialised for activity in the mountains including speleology. The owner knows the surroundings of Barcelona and can give you great tips for Pyrenees trips.
Eat
[edit]| This page uses the following price ranges for a typical meal for one, including soft drink: | |
| Budget | Up to €10 |
| Mid-range | €10 - €25 |
| Splurge | €25 and up |
Budget
[edit]In the south of the district
[edit]There are several budget friendly restaurants in the main area of Gràcia.
- 1 Frankfurt's Casa Valles, Gran de Gracia, 84. Sells hambugers and hot dogs at cheap prices, hence very popular for locals and young crowd in the evenings. €1-13.
- 2 La Caravana, Carrer de Mozart, 15. A Syrian restaurant
- 3 Pizzeria La Gavina, Carrer de Ros de Olano, 17.
- 4 Pizzeria Micaela, C/ d'Asturies, 20.
- 5 Gasterea, Carrer de Verdi, 39.
Around the Parc Güell
[edit]Around the metro station Joanic
[edit]- 11 Veg World - India, C/Bruniquer 26 (Take the left from Joanic Metro station and walk for 5 min. The restaurant is on the left side of the street.), ☏ +34 93 210 70 56, veg.world@hotmail.com. Tu-Sa 12:45-16:00, 20:00-23:00; Su 12:45-16:00; closed M. A restaurant that serves only vegetarian food - mainly Indian dishes. This may be the only place in Barcelona where you can get Masala Dosa. Beware that the size of the dishes is not that big. €5-15.
Mid-range
[edit]- 12 Can Xurrades, Carrer Gran de Gracia, 57 (Metro Diagonal), ☏ +34 93 217 30 97. M 13:00-16:15; Tu-Sa 13:00-16:15, 20:30-23:45. Probably one of the best Catalan restaurants in the neighbourhood, although their selection of other Spanish food is quite good. Particularly excels at meat dishes, cooked in traditional Catalan style. Dishes of note include the Ous Estrellats (Andalusian scrambled eggs with potato) as well as desserts such as strawberries with salt and pepper. Great wine selection with a number of Catalan varieties.
- 13 Karakala, Carrer del Torrent de l'Olla, 136, ☏ +34 931 06 40 19. M-Th Su 12:00–16:00, 20:00–24:00; F Sa 12:00–16:00, 20:00–00:30. The Lebanese restaurant has impeccable and friendly service. It serves authentic Lebanese food. €11-16 for main dish.
- 14 Kibuka, Calle Verdi, 64, ☏ +34 934 15 92 17. Daily 13:30-16:00, 20:30-00:30. The Japanese sushi bar serves in convivial atmosphere different sushi plates, Japanese beer, sake, cocktails and wines too.
- 15 La Rosa del Desierto, Plaça Narcís Oller, 7. The Moroccan food restaurant in Barcelona offering quality and generous portions, with a quite special decoration. About €18 each person.
- 16 Sol i Lluna, Calle Verdi, 50 (L3 Fontana), ☏ +34 93 237 10 52. M-F 19:30-00:30, Sa Su 13:00-01:00. This cosy restaurant serves good Mediterranean cuisine.
- 17 La Taberna del Cura (The tavern of the priest), Carrer Gran de Gracia, 83, ☏ +34 932 181 799. Known by locals as one of the better restaurants in town, the menu is mostly meat selections, but seafood can be ordered from its sister restaurant Botafumeiro next door. La Taberna is on the expensive side, but the food is excellent. 1st courses €4-12; main courses €12-20; salad, filet, small bottle wine, water, dessert, coffee - €50.
- 18 Taverna El Glop, Sant Lluís, 24 (Metro Joanic, walk to intersection of Sant LLuís/Montmany), ☏ +34 932 13 70 58. Daily 13:00-16:00, 20:00-01:00. Catalan meals. Allow about €20 per person, although you could get out of there for half of that if you let the price dictate your choice of dishes. See chain review in the Eat section of Barcelona.
Splurge
[edit]- 19 Alkimia, Carrer de la Indústria, 79 (Metro Joanic), ☏ +34 932 07 61 15, info@alkimia.cat. M-F 13:30-15:30, 20:30-22:30. One of Barcelona's most highly regarded restaurants, run by acclaimed restauranter Jordi Vilà. With a minimalist white interior that directs the attention to the inventive and indulgent foods on offer, Alkimia spearheads a new wave of new Catalan cooking that will delight and impress. It was awarded a Michelin Star. €130 taster menu, €68 traditions dinner menu, €39 midday menu.
- 20 Botafumeiro, Carrer Gran de Gracia, 81. Next door to La Taberna Del Cura, Botafumeiro specializes in seafood, while La Taberna handles the meats. High quality food with a price tag to match.
- 21 D.O. vins i platillos, ☏ +34 932 18 96 73. The wine bar offers exquisite tapas and many local wine choices.
- 22 Somodo, Carrer Ros de Olano, 11 (Metro Fontana), ☏ +34 934 156 548. Tu-F 13:30-15:15, 21:00-23:00. The small hidden gem has 19 tables, hence reservation is highly recommended. The chef Hojiro Ochi serves Mediterranean cuisine with Japanese influences. The degustation menu consists of 3 entrées, 2 main dishes (fish and meat) and 3 desserts. If you are vegetarian it is recommended to declare it in advance when booking the table. The ingredients are chosen carefully at the Boqueria market. The elaborate kitchen links traditional cuisine with modern styles. Basic Spanish speaking skills help for the ordering and presentation of the food. lunch menu €18.50, tasting dinner menu €25 (excluding taxes).
Drink
[edit]
Gracia is popular among students, and offers a lot of nice restaurants and bars for the student budget. The plazas in the area, as Plaça de Sol for instance, are filled with nightlife.
- 1 Bobby Gin S.L., Bobby Gin S.L., ☏ +34 933 68 18 92. This stylish cocktail bar offers many different Gin Tonic's. Expect to wait a little at the door.
- 2 El Dorado, Plaça del Sol, 4, ☏ +34 932 38 97 67. With an ample dance floor, it also has a pool table, 'futbolín' and arcade games. The giant video screens and the monitors over the bar are other icons of this Music Bar. Drinks are catered for by staff that are professional, likeable and friendly.
- Bar Bambo LaForja, just off via Augusta. Small local bar with a clean, cozy atmosphere and a single dart board. Turntables behind the bar control the mix of music which is a variety of American and Spanish upbeat hits. Estrellas - €2.
- 3 La Cervesera Artesana, C/ de Sant Agustí, 14 (Diagnoal L3 L5 , bus 39;114 stop Torrent de l'Olla - Còrsega). Su-Th 17:00-0100; F-Sa 17:00-02:30. Barcelona's first brew-pub still going strong. Tasty snacks to go with the beer.
Places to seek more bars:
- Plaça del Sol Has a lot of bars, such as the Sol de Nit, the Café del Sol and the Eldorado. The place is a meeting point for many young people.
- 4 Café del Sol, Plaça del Sol, 16 (Metro: Fontana), ☏ +34 932 37 14 48. M-Th 10:00-02:00, F Sa 10:00-03:00, Su 10:00-01:00. An emblem, Cafè del Sol was one of the first bars to open in this famous and very popular Gràcia squares. There is a decent choice of tapas or sandwiches too. Inside has a marble bar, outside many chairs on the placa.
- Plaça Rius i Taulet This nice square with the old city hall and the clock tower in the middle has also many bars.
- Plaça de la Revolució Is not as crowded as the others, but has an Ice cream bar, owned by two Italian sisters, that serve the best ice creams in Barcelona. The problem is that you may have to wait a long time.
Ice cream
[edit]- 5 Bodevici, Torrijos, 21, info@bodevici.es. M-Th 16:00-21:00, F 16:00-24:00, Sa 12:00-24:00, Su 17:00–22:00. The organic ice cream shop uses organic milk and fruits for natural flavours. They have sorbets like mango or red fruits and chocolate ice creams. €4 for 3 flavours with big cornet.
- 6 [dead link] Ottimo Gelats, Plaça de la Vila, 15, ☏ +34 699 547 460. M-Th 14:00-23:00, F 14:00-24:00, Sa 12:00-24:00, Su 12:00-23:00. The ice-cream is hand made. The service is great and allows you different mixes. One of the best ice creams in town.
Sleep
[edit]Budget
[edit]- 1 Pensión Norma, C/ Gran de Gràcia, 87, ☏ +34 237 44 78. Modest rooms, some with bath, about a kilometre north of the centre of town. About €25 per night.
- 2 Sant Jordi Hostel Gracia, Carrer de Terol, 35, ☏ +34 933 42 41 61, gracia@santjordi.org. The hostel has mixed dorms for 4 to 8 people. It is open 24 hours a day. Fully equipped kitchen. Jan-Apr €12.90, May-Aug €26.90, Sep-Dec €14.90.
Mid-range
[edit]Splurge
[edit]- 3 Hotel Casa Fuster, Passeig de Gràcia, 132, ☏ +34 932 55 30 00, reservas@hotelcasafuster.com. Hotel Casa Fuster's Barcelona accommodation offers 105 rooms. The stunningly beautiful, iconic 19th-century building is at the head of the chic Passeig de Gracia Avenue. It has a roof terrace with a pool and excellent views. €276-2475.
- 4 El Palauet, Passeig de Gràcia 113, ☏ +34 93 218 00 50, info@elpalauet.com. El Palauet Living Barcelona boutique hotel, with 8 suites and a spa is found on the most exclusive boulevard, in a five-storey palatial mansion built in 1906, that is an extraordinary example of Modernisme (the sumptuous Catalan version of Art Nouveau). €450.