6 essential places in El Raval

Once your tourist apartment in Barcelona is booked, it’s time to choose the places you want to visit during your stay in the city. Coming to Barcelona for a few days of leisure or work and staying in the best neighbourhoods has never been this easy, but choosing where to go when there are so many options can be pretty hard. Don’t worry though, that’s what we’re here for – to be your personal tour guide!

So, the next time you have some free vacation days, stay in one of our rental apartments in the centre of Barcelona and experience the best of El Raval, one of the city’s most lively and dynamic barrios. All you have to do is follow our list of 6 essential places in the neighbourhood.

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A quick history of El Raval

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El Raval is a legendary popular neighbourhood in the city of Barcelona, having always been known for its multiculturalism, which has to do with its proximity to both the port and La Rambla, a true symbol of the cosmopolitan city centre. Its development dates back to the Middle Ages, when the city needed to create more urban space for its inhabitants.

After a decline in the 60s and 80s of last century, the neighbourhood of El Raval is now again at its best – a vibrant home for art and culture, with aesthetically pleasing renovated buildings and some of the best and most eclectic restaurants in town.

Related article: My favorite plazas in El Raval

2 essential places to visit in El Raval

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When you’re ready to explore all that El Raval has to offer, we recommend that you start with MACBA, the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art. This is an essential stop not only because of the art on display, but also due to the exquisite modern architecture of the building. Our tip: Take your time exploring its rich library.

Address: Plaça dels Àngels, 1, 08001 Barcelona.

After the museum, head to the classic Boqueria market, a place full of life and colour where you’ll find refreshing juices and fruits to recharge your energies – you’ll need it, because there are still plenty of places left for you to visit in the neighbourhood!

Address: La Rambla, 91, 08001 Barcelona.

2 essential restaurants in El Raval

In Rambla del Raval and its surroundings, you’ll find the best food and evening entertainment in the neighborhood. To start your night with a great meal, we recommend:

Barceló Raval hotel – Going up to their terrace is a must if you are in El Raval. You’ll love their cocktails, champagne and exclusive 360º view of the city. Their cuisine, of course, is also of the highest quality, with dishes made with only the best and freshest local market ingredients.

Address: Rambla del Raval, 17-21, 08001 Barcelona.

La Verònica – If you’re in the mood for something more casual, but equally delicious, head to this mythical El Raval pizzeria. Whether you want to eat there or in the comforts of your tourist apartment, you won’t regret trying one of the best pizzas in Barcelona.

Address: Rambla del Raval, 2-4, 08001 Barcelona.

2 essential stores in El Raval

Are you a huge fan of shopping? Just looking to take advantage of El Raval’s wide offer of stores to take home some cool stuff? Either way, here is where you should go:

Camper – The Catalan footwear brand famous for the excellence of its designs has a small shop in Plaça dels Angels where you can find all of its seasonal collections. Nearby, you’ll also find Casa Camper, the brand’s own hotel, which is a true delight for any of its fans.

Address: Plaça dels Àngels, 4, 08001 Barcelona.

Photo by kodachrome65 via Visualhunt

Discos Castelló – A traditional record store with a wide offer of everything relating to music. A favourite amongst local music lovers, it has a friendly environment and there’s always someone there who’s ready to discuss your favourite bands with you. Our tip: Examine the shelves carefully and you might just find some rare vinyls!

Address: Carrer dels Tallers, 7, 08001, Barcelona.

Will you be staying in Barcelona soon? Which of these essential El Raval places are you going to visit first? Let us know using the comment box below!