Summary of Top Things to Do in El Raval, Barcelona
A cultural melting pot as well as one of Barcelona’s oldest districts, El Raval smells, tastes, looks, and feels different than other parts of Barcelona. Here you’ll find Asian restaurants rubbing shoulders with Art Deco cafes and medieval monuments, while the nightlife is as lively and varied as anything in the city. Read on to find out the Top Ten Things to Do In El Raval, Barcelona.
01. MACBA Museum
Follow any youth with a skateboard in El Raval, and chances are they’ll lead you to the MACBA Square, which is riddled with skaters and home to Barcelona’s cutting-edge Museum of Contemporary Art. Worthy of an afternoon of anyone’s time, it’s housed in a gorgeous white building designed by American architect Richard Meier.
Consequently, advance tickets to the museum are available online, allowing you to enjoy a guided tour of the area to soak up even more local culture.
02. Center of Contemporary Culture of Barcelona
The CCCB, which was formerly a medieval convent, now serves as one of Barcelona’s premier spots for cultural exhibitions and concerts. You should definitely visit the CCCB for its stupendous reflecting wall that provides breathtaking views over El Raval’s rooftops, extending all the way to Montjuïc.
Moreover, picking up a Barcelona Museum Card on your trip will grant entry to the CCCB as well as many other cultural attractions that the city has to offer.
03. Els Tres Tombs Bar
One of Barcelona’s most famous bars, Els Tres Tombs is situated by the Sant Antoni market, where Barcelona’s nightlife enthusiasts gather at dawn for one last beer and a tapa after a night out dancing.
04. Sesamo
Sesamo is a unique and trendy vegetarian restaurant in Barcelona, known for using the freshest organic produce in its innovative dishes.
05. Rambla del Raval
This once-neglected promenade is now the focal point of one of the city’s most vibrant areas, bordered by trendy bars and a selection of delicious kebab eateries. Be sure to spot Botero’s giant cat sculpture, which serves as a good meeting point with friends. Ambar, located at the southern end, is an excellent spot for beer and alternative music.
If you’re interested, consider participating in a walking food tour of the area, where you can savor delicious tapas while exploring Las Ramblas.
06. Bar Marsella
Bar Marsella captures a slice of French bohemia in the heart of Barcelona, characterized by its vintage decor, dusty cabinets filled with old bottles, and torn plaster. The drink of choice here is absinthe, served traditionally with a spoon, sugar cube, and lighter.
07. Sant Pau del Camp
Barcelona’s oldest church, this early Romanesque treat is quaintly tucked away in a corner of the Rambla del Raval, making it a charming visit for history lovers.
08. Retro Clothes Shops
El Raval is arguably the best area in Barcelona for retro fashion, with numerous boutiques dedicated to vintage clothing located in a small passage just off Rambla del Raval. It’s the perfect place to find an outfit for a night out in the stylish Raval neighborhood.
09. London Bar
The famed writer Hemingway, along with artists Picasso and Miró, have all frequented the London Bar, which retains an inviting, nostalgic atmosphere, often animated by live music nights featuring blues, jazz, and rock.
10. Bar Crawl on Carrer Joaquin Costa
From the Art Nouveau elegance of Casa Almirall to the relaxed, retro ’70s vibes of Benidorm and Lletraferit, which combines a cocktail bar with a library, Carrer Joaquin Costa boasts a series of intriguing bars that are worth exploring.
