Top 5 best streets to see in Barcelona

Top 5 best streets to see in Barcelona

Whether you enjoy touristy places or quieter ones, this selection of top 5 best streets to see in Barcelona was carefully written for you! Hang out in the streets of Barcelona like locals do.

The medieval themed street: Passeig del Born

History is in the air at Passeig del Born! This Barcelona street is where tournaments took place. It is also where knights and gentlemen settled issues in duels. During the sixteenth century, victims of the Inquisition were executed in Passeig del Born. It was also the scene of the Siege of Barcelona in 1714 when Felipe V occupied the street with its troops. Nowadays, processions of the Holy Week and carnival parades continue to happen there every year.

The Passeig del Born preserves reminiscences of medieval times that can be seen on the trendy bars terraces. This street has managed to adapt itself to current times without turning its back on its past. The medieval themed street Passeig del Born in Barcelona is unique. People from all ages gather in Barcelona most modern bars. At night, Passeig del Born is the most popular and frequented place for leisure and nightlife. Passeig del Born in Barcelona is unique. You see people from nowadays time with their smartphones living and spending time in a medieval themed street. We feel like we’ve gone back in time!

Adjacent to it, you can find the ancient Born Market and the magnificent gothic church Santa Maria del Mar.

The spooky street: Carrer dels Mirallers

Near the gothic church Santa Maria del Mar, you can find a little street called Carrer dels Mirallers. It is definitely a hidden gem you will want to walk through and take back home in your memory. Carrer dels Mirallers in Barcelona is said to be haunted by demonic spirits. How come?

Jacint Verdaguer was a Spanish writer, considered one of the greatest poets of Catalan literature. Nevertheless, in 1870, Jacint became a priest. A few years later, he was in the midst of a deep personal crisis. He started hanging out with psychics and exorcist priests. Later on, Jacint Verdaguer started practicing exorcisms in his house in Carrer dels Mirallers in Barcelona. It is believed that demonic spirits still roam in Carrer dels Mirallers and that some of the street sculptures are damned.

While enjoying a nice creepy walk through Carrer dels Mirallers, you will actually find a lot of pretty cool hand crafts and artisanal shops. Also, at night I suggest you have a drink at Bodega (Carrer dels Mirallers, 15). The place is tiny, but you won’t find a more welcoming bar than this one. Prices are reasonable at Bodega. If you want to enjoy a drink and some olives just like locals do, this is the place to go.

You will love the eerie atmosphere of Carrer dels Mirallers! Just make sure to bring some protection herbs in your pocket to drive away evil spirits. One never knows… I’m joking!

Here’s a little bonus: I have a little game for you! In Carrer dels Mirallers, there’s an “erotic” sculpture many fail to notice. The sculpture of a woman’s face is carved in stone and her facial expression is supposed to represent a woman “having a lot of fun” if you know what I mean… Long ago, this sculpture was used to indicate visitors the nearby presence of a brothel. Will you find it? If you do, take a picture and tag our Instagram page @discoverwalks. That way we will know you’ve discovered one of Barcelona hidden gems!

The ancient Barcelona main street: Carrer de Montcada

Our top 5 best streets to see in Barcelona continues with Carrer de Montcada. This street is full of medieval palaces of Renaissance and Baroque style with their huge doorways leading to splendid courtyards. All those palaces have witnessed a wealthy and glorious past of this Barcelona medieval main street. Nobles and merchants, enriched by the maritime trade, built their big houses in Carrer de Montcada. Those medieval palaces passed the test of time. The most notable gothic palace is the Picasso Museum that you can find at Carrer de Montcada, 15-23.

The Palau Cervelló is a Renaissance style palace, right next to the Picasso Museum, at Carrer de Montcada, 25. This palace was acquired by the Fundació Gaspar and was turned into an art gallery, it is mostly dedicated to contemporary art. In a baroque architectural style, you can visit Palau Dalmases at Carrer de Montcada, 20. The palace is home to flamenco shows every day! It is a great opportunity to spend a night just like locals, to the rhythm of flamenco, feet kicking the ground, looks full of emotions, and powerful voices!

Carrer de Montcada is one of the best streets to see in Barcelona for its glorious atmosphere straight out of medieval times while visiting the most marvellous palaces, art galleries and museums. What else can we wish for?

The atmosphere and architecture of Carrer de Montcada in Barcelona is simply one-of-a-kind!

The street where you eat and drink with locals: Carrer dels Escudellers

Carrer dels Escudellers is one of the best streets to see because it is the place where locals drink and eat. If you want to experience Barcelona like a Barcelonian, go fill your belly and quench your thirst in Carrer dels Escudellers. The nightlife is pretty cool and you can easily find some nice bars and restaurants in the heart of the Old Town.

I can suggest some places for you to sit and relax while enjoying a cold drink or a snack. La Castanya is located at Carrer dels Escudellers, 30. They serve the best sangria and a great variety of exquisite tapas! The waiters are really friendly and the decoration is very original. Then, you have La Concha located at Carrer dels Escudellers, 40. If you’re looking for traditional dishes in the heart of the Old Town, this is the place! The daily special costs eleven euros and it includes the bread, the appetizer, the main dish and the wine.

Finally, whether you’re vegan or not, I have two suggestions for you. Gopal is located at Carrer Escudellers, 42 and it serves quick vegan bites. It’s like a vegan fast food! The hamburgers are simply delicious, you have to try it. Then, at Carrer dels Escudellers, 54, you will find Vegetalia where you will enjoy the tastiest vegan dishes ever. The nachos and guacamole are so good and the vegetarian fajitas are a must. Plus, it may be the only place you will be able to eat a vegan paella (yummy!).

The most popular street: Las Ramblas

Las Ramblas is one of the most well-known and visited streets of Barcelona. Full of life, Las Ramblas may be the most vibrant street of Barcelona. It is in the list of best streets to see in Barcelona for obvious reasons. It is the meeting point for everyone, from locals to tourists. Everyone meets there.

The large avenue is more than one kilometer long. It starts at Plaza de Catalunya and ends at Mirador de Colón, in front of the ancient harbour of Barcelona.

Las Ramblas was built in 1766 and its construction had to follow the line of the ancient medieval wall that was destroyed six years later. This avenue stands out because, as opposed to the old neighborhoods of Barcelona and its narrow streets, it is very large. It quickly became the meeting point for Barcelonians. Due to its increasing popularity, Las Ramblas went through some changes and constructions.

El Gran Teatro del Liceo, the oldest and the most prestigious theatre of Barcelona (La Rambla, 51-59), opened its doors in 1847. Then, the Fuente de Canaletas is very famous for two main reasons. It is where you want to be in case a soccer game is happening, you will party and celebrate with the locals! The other reason is that it is said that anyone who hopes to come back to Barcelona has to drink water from the fountain! On Las Ramblas avenue, the Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria (La Boqueria) can be found. It is a public market and one of the most important landmarks in Barcelona for tourists.

You can’t miss Las Ramblas! Throughout the years, trees have been planted all along the avenue, which makes the walks even nicer, especially during spring and summer! Many cafés, restaurants, flower shops, souvenir shops can be found. And if by any chance, you happen to be in Barcelona on the 23rd of April, you cannot miss Sant Jordi’s Day!

Bonus: Passeig de Gràcia

Passeig de Gràcia in Barcelona is basically the same as the Champs-Élysées in Paris, so you probably already heard of it! Also because it is where you will find Casa Batlló, Casa Milà and Casa Calvet. Those famous were designed by Antoni Gaudí, a modernism architect, also known for the design of the Parc Güell.

It is a very charming and pleasant street to take a walk while window-shopping! You will find many stores: from luxurious one, like Louis Vuitton and Gucci, to popular ones, like H&M and Mango.

If you get to the end of Passeig de Gràcia, you will make it to Plaza de Catalunya which leads to Las Ramblas!

I hope you enjoyed our top 5 best streets to see in Barcelona! As a tourist, one usually goes to the crowded and touristy streets. But thanks to this list, you will actually wander in the same streets as locals do and discover the places they like. Away from the fuss of the touristy streets, you will see hidden gems and feel like you’ve time traveled, in the heart of the Old Town and its medieval scenery.

I can mention other streets you may enjoy such as Carrer del Brisbe, el Portal de l’Angel, Calle Tallers, Rambla del Raval, Carrer Petrixtol, Carrer Torrijos, Carrer de Blai, and many more! If you want more details and advice during your stay in Barcelona, join one of our tours. Our guide will be more than pleased to talk to you about Barcelona best streets and all its hidden gems! You will know Barcelona better than the locals!

Contact us for further information, we will make sure you spend the best time of your life in Barcelona! Fins després!