Barcelona's Hidden Gems

Barcelona is one of the most cosmopolitan citiesthe crime and prostitution here. Now it's an area
in Europe. It's a city that virtually has everythingwhere artists like to live along with its high
due to its privileged location on Spain's north eastimmigrant population. You'll also find numerous hip
coast.bars and nightclubs along with some fine
When I say privileged I am speaking about therestaurants. El Raval has two noteworthy
fact that it has sun, mountainous regions, sea andlandmarks - one of which is a favourite of mine -
it's just up the road from Andorra and France.El Gat which is a large cat statue by Colombian
Someone once told me that if they had all thesculptor Fernando Botero and can be found on La
money in the world they'd choose Barcelona toRambla de Raval. The other attraction is La
live in because of all these points I have justBoqueria Market - one of the best markets in
mentioned above and I must say he certainly hasEurope not just Spain. It has the freshest of fish
a point. Barcelona has so much going for it.and seafood on offer along with fine fruit and
Getting to Barcelona these days has never beenvegetables. It's an experience in itself just to go
easier and the choice of transport is quite varied.into the market and have a look around. A word
There are two main low-cost airlines that fly hereof warning though: keep your valuables close, as
from most European cities and land at either Elit's usually full of pickpockets looking out for
Prat, which is just outside Barcelona, or Gironaunwary awestruck tourists!
airport, which is roughly an hour and a half awayThe last hidden gem I'll mention is another
from Barcelona's city centre.neighbourhood in the Ciutat Vella district called
So what are Barcelona's hidden gems apart fromBarceloneta. This area is known for its sandy
its location? For a start, a stroll around The Barriobeach and many pubs, bars and restaurants
Gótico or Gothic Quarter, which is in thedotted along the boardwalk. This area was
centre of the city, is amazing. Many of theoriginally constructed for the residents of another
buildings here date back from medieval times withneighbourhood called La Ribera who had been
some as far back as the Roman settlement here.displaced by the construction of the Ciudadela of
The Barrio Gótico retains its labyrinth-likeBarcelona by king Felipe V in 1714. One of the
maze of streets, which are usually closed off tobest places to go is without a doubt is a place
normal traffic just letting taxis and public servicecalled Can Paixano on Reina Cristina 7. It's one of
vehicles through. One of the most famousthe most amazing places to sample the cheapest
landmarks here is The Cathedral of Santa Eulalia,Cava in Barcelona along with an array of
which was constructed throughout the 13th andsandwiches you never knew existed! It's basically
15th centuries on top of a Visiogothic church. It isa rowdy cava bar where the most expensive
dedicated to Eulalia of Barcelona a co-patron saintCan Paixano bottle is a little over 5EUR. Don't
of the city. According to Catholic tradition Eulalia,expect a seat, as there aren't any! If you go at
who was a young virgin, suffered martydomlunchtime, you'll be able to find some space to
during the Roman settlement in Barcelona.enjoy your drink - but if you go at night, expect
The next hidden gem is another neighbourhoodthe place to be jam-packed! A firm favourite with
called El Raval, which belongs to the district ofthe many English teachers who either reside in
Ciutat Vella and next to the Gothic Quarter. ThisBarcelona on a permanent basis or who are just
area of the city has undergone a major scrub-uppassing through. Amazing.
campaign as it used to be quite infamous due to