General Information
El Raval is one of the most crowded places in Barcelona. It is situated close to the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic) and Port Vell. The neighborhood is separated from the Gothic Quarter by the famous La Rambla street. There used to be a serious issue in the past concerning the criminality in this area, but nowadays the situation has cleared up and the area is deemed quite safe (for additional information – Safety on El Raval).
Although it is placed close to Barcelona’s city center, El Raval is not a very big tourist attraction. The area is recommended for those who would like to see and have a taste of the real face of the Catalan city. Since the area is close to the university and to the center, and because the rent here is quite cheap, it is inhabited mainly by two groups of people: students and immigrants from Africa and Asia.
Tourists who visit El Raval can find a lot of small restaurants and clubs and take a look at the alternative culture of Barcelona. There are also many music events targeted mainly for young people. Moreover, El Raval is full of typical Arab and African shops and restaurants and there are also some unique flea markets organized periodically.
El Raval is also a recommended place for those who love the modern art; there are numerous colorful graffiti and interesting statues to be admired. One of the most well-known such displays is a cat statue. Furthermore, MACBA (the Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona) is situated here as well.
Main Landmarks in El Raval
The Flea Market
The flea market in El Raval is a very special place with a quiet atmosphere which reminds everybody of India. People can buy there a lot of clothes and jewelries at low prices.
- Address: El Mercadillo, Carrer de la Portaferrissa, 17, 08002 Barcelona.
La Boqueria Market
La Boqueria market is Barcelona’s unique and world famous food market where tourists can choose from numerous fish dishes and other delicious food specialties. This site is very close to La Rambla, so those who visit the latter can also make a trip to the first one too.
Read more about La Boqueria Market
Palau Güell (Güell Palace)
The Palau Güell is recommended for those who love modern architecture. It is the first building of the famous modernist Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudí.
Read more about Palau Güell
Gran Teatre del Liceu
The Gran Teatre Del Liceu is one of the biggest opera houses in Europe. It was damaged two times in its history by fire, the first catastrophe took place in 1861 and the second one in 1994.
Read more about Gran Teatre Del Liceu
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Gran Teatre del Liceu (Opera House Liceu) is a theater in Barcelona, one of the largest opera houses in Europe
and was considered to be one of the most beautiful opera houses in the world. |
Church of Sant Pau del Camp
Sant Pau del Camp is the oldest church in Barcelona. It was built in the 14th century in Romanesque style and originally it was a monastery. It is recommended mainly for those who are influenced by Christian places or who want to spend a few moments in silence and peace.
Museu Maritim de Barcelona (Maritime Museum of Barcelona)
The Museu Maritim de Barcelona is situated between El Raval and Port Vell in the Drassanes Reials de Barcelona (Barcelona Royal Shipyard), which originally was a military building built in the Gothic style. Tourists can find here interesting information about the history of the Spanish Navy.
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona)
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona, or just simply MACBA, was opened in 1995 and it is a very famous art museum. The building of MACBA was built in the modernist style and it hosts numerous works which have a great significance to the contemporary art world.
Read more about MACBA
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| The Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art, abbreviated as MACBA, is one of the most famous museums in Barcelona. |
Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (The Contemporary Art Centre)
Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona, or simply CCCB, hosts many exhibitions, concerts, festivals and a lot of other cultural events. The main topic of these activities usually refers to the characteristics of the urban life.