is one of the city’s most culturally diverse areas Once known best as a good place to find a cheap drink it has recently undergone something of a renewal Here are our ten must-dos for the neighborhood funkyfrogstock / Shutterstock Arguably a must-see for the entirety of Barcelona, Caixa Forum maintains a top-notch program of art and culture – be it exhibitions Despite playing host to high-brow art installations it makes an effort to appeal to younger minds as well It’s recently shown an exhibition of Pixar’s creative process and ensures that plenty of interactive activities are placed around Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $800 on our unique trips See privacy policy Archaeology Museum of Catalonia Museum Stas Makes Content / Shutterstock Learn about Catalonian history at the Archaeology Museum of Catalonia. Another little known destination, this museum has managed to stay entirely off the beaten track. It’s on the way to the popular Castell de Montjuïc and the place to be largely empty – yet it’s a beautiful building with items that trace back to the history of Catalonia © Courtesy of Bar Rufián Barcelona Tours From the team that ran El Clandestino – itself a great live music spot – comes Bar Rufián If you come on the weekend you can expect an excellent line-up of bands and artists and come at good prices – expect them to be fuelling debate and discussion in this consistently lively hangout.Check out the best bookable tours trips and experiences in Barcelona below Poble Espanyol Museum © Kuttig - Travel / Alamy Stock Photo A small, artificial village in the middle of Barcelona, the Poble Espanyol is an attraction that aims to give its visitors a glimpse of Spain‘s history and architecture but inside you’ll find a range of medieval style buildings but be warned that they are very expensive This is a well-known and perennially popular tourist attraction in Barcelona import PrebidBidService from "/v1/js/PrebidBidService.js"; import AmazonBidService from "/v1/js/AmazonBidService.js"; window.addEventListener('intersecting',async (e) => { const element = document.querySelector('[data-id="in_article_4"]'); const slot = element.getAttribute('id'); if(e.detail.slotName !== slot) { return; } let promises = []; if(window.canRunPrebid) { const prebidService = new PrebidBidService(); promises.push(prebidService.requestPrebidBids(null [slot])); } if(window.canRunAmazon) { const amazonService = new AmazonBidService(); promises.push(amazonService.fetchBids(null [slot])); } if(promises?.length) { await Promise.all(promises).then(() => { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); }); } else { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); } }); El Molino Building © Courtesy of El Molino The most famous theatre in the area, El Molino is located on the equally famous Parallel Avenue Expect risqué yet largely tasteful cabaret and burlesque Showcasing wonderful hosts and performers at the venue the audiences are largely Spanish and as such this won’t make it any less enjoyable for tourists It’s a good idea to get there early if you want to ensure good seats and they normally have a few performers outside to entice people in If you’re in the mood for a quick break from Spanish cuisine, Xemei is the stand-out option and a truly incredible Venetian-inspired menu The simple yet exquisitely cooked Venetian haute cuisine means that the restaurant is normally full – it’s probably worth calling ahead if you intend on paying it a visit ismel leal pichs/Shutterstock Spain Trips & Tours Dreaming of a vacation Take a look at our specially curated vacation packages in Spain and marvel at the Alhambra Palace in Granada or see Gaudi’s finest work at the La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona Guides & Tips How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Santander See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in October Guides & Tips How to Attend a Bullfight in Spain See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Summer Sports The Most Epic Hiking Trails in Spain's Sierra Nevada See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in September See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Autumn Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in December Food & Drink The 5 Best Food Markets in Madrid Architecture Spain’s Most Impressive Bullrings Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in November See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in July US: +1 (678) 967 4965 | UK: +44 (0)1630 35000 tripssupport@theculturetrip.com © Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd Abutting the towering Montjuïc hill, this district’s steep, sloping streets teem with lively, locally owned bars and restaurants — and blessedly few tourists. Brittany-born actress Rachel Lascar who has worked alongside Sean Penn in The Gunman and is starring in the newly released Spanish film Miss Dalí has called Poble Sec her home for nearly a decade “I love Poble Sec for its cultural diversity and for the numerous artists living or working here,” she says here’s how Lascar spends a day in her beloved adopted neighborhood an Argentinean eatery in the middle of Plaça dels Ocellets and I have a hard time deciding between the ricotta cake or pancakes with dulce de leche; they also make very nice empanadas if you prefer to start with something savory an open-air theater that puts on plays during the summer Another enjoyable walk is though Laribal Gardens, where it feels like you’re in Italy with the trees and fountains. Stop at La Font del Gat for a coffee on its lovely terrace. A more secret spot, Jardins de Joan Maragall The manicured gardens with their fountains and statues have a royal elegance especially with the backdrop of the Palacio Albéniz you can take a class and leave with your own ceramic creation It’s cozy and friendly; I like the high tables and the excellent The menu is constantly changing but they usually have delicious ham and homemade purees If you like live theater, Poble Sec has many places. I often visit Teatre Lliure, which hosts local and international productions; some nights there are English subtitles. You can see dance performances next door at Mercat de les Flors. La Soleá, for years one of the nicest bars of Poble Sec, has reopened here as La Soleá del Mercat de les Flors; it’s got good food and great service — the perfect spot for a drink and patatas bravas before going to the theater For a late-night drink, I like Malevo, a rustic-style bar with vintage furniture and a cool jazz soundtrack. They also have a big selection of nicely priced Argentinian tapas. Redrum is another option just up the street; it’s got a brightly colored Mexican theme If I’m in the mood for dancing, I go to Sala Apolo. It’s been around since the 1940s and was once a ballroom; now there are two spaces with different music and DJs. Just across the Avenue Parallel, Barts [Barcelona Arts on Stage] often has live funk and jazz concerts; it’s some of the best programming in town Password must be at least 8 characters and contain: you’ll receive occasional updates and offers from New York It will probably not have passed you by that “Barna” has a complicated history with overtourism with protesters targeting visitors and a plan to eliminate tourist rentals by 2028 remains to be seen — but with this in mind you might consider lesser-known neighbourhoods and visiting outside of the peak months of July and August "},"children":[]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Our list doesn’t include any places to stay in the ever-popular Gothic Quarter choosing instead to highlight special spots in buzzy Eixample Vrbo and more,"},"children":[]},{"name":"paywall","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":" as well as Airbnb ranging from lavish private villas to apartments with envy-inducing views "},"children":[]}]}]},{"name":"paywall","children":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"This article contains affiliate links which may earn us revenue"}}]}]},{"name":"heading2","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"1 it expertly combines modern and old with original frescoes wood-beamed ceilings and antique wooden doors complementing an open-plan kitchen modern appliances and three lustrous bathrooms Step outside your front door and you’ll find yourself in El Raval the grungy neighbourhood to the west of Rambla vintage clothing stores and multicultural vibe The Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA) and La Boqueria Barcelona’s historic covered market are just a couple of minutes away Diagonal Mar "}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"£££ | POOL | "}},{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Sleeps"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" 8 "}}]},{"name":"image","attributes":{"id":"7368125d-ec60-45cd-a701-05b5da7c9e23","display":"fullwidth","caption":null,"title":"Penthouse with city and sea views Diagonal Mar - one of the best Airbnbs in Barcelona","credits":"Airbnb","url":"https://www.thetimes.com/imageserver/image/%2F0b73649a-45db-42d1-8072-0eb2343e11b9.jpeg?crop=5472%2C3648%2C0%2C0","ratio":"5472:3648","relativeHorizontalOffset":0,"relativeVerticalOffset":0,"relativeWidth":1,"relativeHeight":1},"children":[]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows on all sides this sleek four-bedroom duplex offers sprawling views across the city and up to the mountains from one end and out across the Mediterranean Sea on the other but also an easy 20-minute metro ride into the historic centre and a short walk into hip Poblenou with many bars and restaurants The apartment has three private terraces from which to enjoy those spectacular views you also have use of a shared private pool in the building and a concierge service Gracia"}}]},{"name":"image","attributes":{"id":"12299457-7363-4514-95f0-6d7b564f7b93","display":"fullwidth","caption":null,"title":"Traditional-style decor in the Architect’s Sanctuary on the edge of the trendy neighbourhood of Gracia and dating back to 1906 Having featured in Pedro Almodóvar’s famous film "}},{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"All About My Mother"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" from ornate ceiling mouldings and cornices to gilt-edged mirrors elegant archways and colourful modernista tiles There’s also a shaded flower-filled garden with a relaxing swimming pool to escape to in the heat of the day Gracia’s independent shops and excellent array of bars and restaurants are just a few minutes’ walk away and it’s just a 15-minute walk from Gaudí’s fairytale-like Park Guell Eixample"}}]},{"name":"image","attributes":{"id":"7a9eb541-902d-4c68-9325-75c27b56d8dc","display":"fullwidth","caption":null,"title":"Modern furnishings in the living space at Up close and personal with the Sagrada Familia the Sagrada Familia won’t give you the close-up view of its façade quite like those from the covered balcony of this two-bedroom apartment The balcony looks directly onto the basilica which fills the entire view from the lounge area Enjoy your morning coffee while being able to study Gaudí’s fascinating designs from carvings of lizards and snails to coloured balls that resemble baskets of fruit or ice cream scoops The rest of the apartment carries on the Gaudí theme in the mosaic-pictures on the walls and the mirrored montage headboards Eixample"}}]},{"name":"image","attributes":{"id":"1a9935ae-fd69-4133-92e2-2f004f5f28b6","display":"fullwidth","caption":null,"title":"A vaulted brick ceiling in Gaudí’s Telescope surrounded by modernista masterpieces and designer boutiques this large deluxe apartment sits directly opposite some of the most celebrated buildings in the city: Gaudí’s Casa Batllo with its shimmering dragon-like scales But it’s not just the location and the views that make this place stand out the apartment has five bedrooms and retains traditional Catalan detailing such as bare-brick arched ceilings and metal beams Vilapicina "}}]},{"name":"image","attributes":{"id":"49a071b1-8005-448b-8c5d-9025205adb3f","display":"fullwidth","caption":null,"title":"Blue and yellow furnishings in the bedroom of a neoclassical mansion The lemon-yellow neoclassical mansion sleeps up to 16 people and boasts a games room featuring ping-pong and foosball tables The inside is decorated in a mix of antique and avant-garde pieces from huge oriental vases to golden statues and even a replica of Salvador Dalí’s lips sofa If you can tear yourself away long enough from all the facilities this place offers then it’s just under a 30-minute metro ride right into the centre of the city ","label":"In your inbox","date-to":"2025-04-24","headline":"Travel newsletter","imageUri":"https://www.thetimes.com/imageserver/image/methode%2Ftimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2F78677f6f-e092-4e65-a858-70b1c78fc048.jpg?resize=800","date-from":"2025-04-24"}}},"children":[]},{"name":"heading2","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"7 Horta-Guinardo"}}]},{"name":"image","attributes":{"id":"c0edf319-00ec-4cea-8ea9-85e566ff5d6e","display":"fullwidth","caption":null,"title":"Loungers in the garden of Modernista Villa located in the northern district of Horta-Guinardo just before the green hills of the Collserola Natural Park The exterior of the property is just as spectacular as the inside covered in delicate detailing and lined with colourful tiles the four-bedrooms and common spaces are decorated with grand chandeliers sophisticated stained-glass doors and original hydraulic-tiled floors But the highlight has to be the shady garden where lemon trees and lily-pad-filled fountains surround a swimming pool and alfresco dining spots this six-bedroom apartment feels more like a mansion from the inside it features traditional elements such as high ceilings and lovely patterned floor tiles the apartment has oodles of space and all the latest mod cons this one-bedroom duplex penthouse is ideal for anyone who wants their own little secluded haven in the city But it’s the outdoor spaces that really set this place apart From one side are views of the Sagrada Familia from the balcony Enjoy alfresco breakfasts looking out towards the mountains and cosy candlelit drinks in the evenings Stay in"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":160})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Spend a weekend in Portugal’s capital and I guarantee you’ll have at least one idle daydream about relocating and becoming a Lisboeta Stay in one of the city’s"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":175})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Spend a weekend in Portugal’s capital and I guarantee you’ll have at least one idle daydream about relocating and becoming a Lisboeta Stay in one of the city’s many and"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":225})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Spend a weekend in Portugal’s capital and I guarantee you’ll have at least one idle daydream about relocating and becoming a Lisboeta it’s worth stepping out of the hotel scene and living like a local"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":125})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"In a big it’s worth stepping out of the hotel scene and living like a local courtesy of a fabulous"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":145})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"In a big courtesy of a fabulous apartment rental"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":160})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"In a big Not only will you"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":175})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"In a big Not only will you find more"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":225})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"In a big virtuoso design — you’ll find something to suit in our pick of the best apartments and flats to rent in Paris.","slug":"best-airbnbs-in-paris","categoryPath":"/travel/destinations/europe-travel/france/paris/best-airbnbs-in-paris-vcwghf5kn","__typename":"Article","summary({\"maxCharCount\":105})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"You can’t please everybody — certainly not in Paris bohemians"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":125})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"You can’t please everybody — certainly not in Paris bohemians and a few in between"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":145})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"You can’t please everybody — certainly not in Paris the city’s"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":160})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"You can’t please everybody — certainly not in Paris the city’s home-sharing"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":175})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"You can’t please everybody — certainly not in Paris the city’s home-sharing game has become"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":225})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"You can’t please everybody — certainly not in Paris these are the best places for group getaways in the Catalan capitalA bohemian penthouse with mountain views in El Poble-SecAIRBNBEsme FoxFriday April 25 2025 The TimesThe way you look for the perfect Airbnb in a city like Barcelona is a little different to other places Our list doesn’t include any places to stay in the ever-popular Gothic Quarter Step back in time during a stay at this fabulous historic three-bed apartment just off the bustling La Rambla • Discover our full guide to Barcelona AIRBNBSurrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows on all sides • Best family hotels in Barcelona This gorgeous two-bed apartment offers guests the chance to stay in the historic Casa Ramos Having featured in Pedro Almodóvar’s famous film All About My Mother • Great hotels in Barcelona Even entrance to Gaudí’s prized masterpiece • Best boutique hotels in Barcelona Situated on the elegant Passeig de Gracia boulevard Peacock and flamingo motifs add a bit of flair and glamour to the charcoal grey colour scheme • What to do in Barcelona Villa holidays are more associated with beach resorts and island getaways than city breaks and there aren’t many options if you want to rent one in Barcelona itself • Our pick of affordable hotels in Barcelona Horta-GuinardoBOOKING.COM££ | POOL | Sleeps 7 Another rare villa-style find within Barcelona city is this Catalan modernista property • Best restaurants in Barcelona for 2025 Ideal for large groups of friends with something special to celebrate • Best luxury hotels in Barcelona Close to the slopes of the leafy Montjuic hill • Best holiday villas in Spain• Best villas with pools in Spain Registered in England No. 894646. Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, SE1 9GF. Authorities have unveiled plans for the redevelopment of the Fira Montjuïc area of Barcelona, including three large architectural projects for different pavilions all in the framework of celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 1929 International Exposition in the Catalan capital.  The project will see the Fira Montjuïc congress halls and surrounding areas be completely redeveloped, including the creation of a new neighbourhood which Barcelona mayor Jaume Collboni called Nou Poble Sec, which will feature 500 rent-controlled homes. The works will be undertaken in two distinct phases, the first leading up to the centenary of the 1929 event that so fundamentally changed the city of Barcelona through its many construction and development projects, and another that will see development continue between 2029 and 2035. Works will start at the end of this year with construction beginning in early 2026. While the first buildings of the Fira complex are being redeveloped, until 2029, Pavilions 1, 2, and 8 will still be able to be used for large-scale events as they currently are. Then upon completion, the others will be in use once more until construction concludes in 2035.   The planned budget for the works is €255 million, of which €215 million will be destined to the construction of the new pavilions Palau Multifuncional and Palau de Congressos, and €40 million will go to the works on Palau del Vestit.  The new designs aim to respect the original architecture of Josep Puig i Cadafalch while at the same time creating new spaces, including a Plaça de Carles Buïgas featuring a 6,670m2 garden-patio, an exhibition space spanning 3,132m2, an auditorium with capacity for 2,025 people, as well as many other multifunctional spaces and meeting rooms.   The Palau Multifuncional, which will be built where the current Palau de Congressos de Barcelona and Palau 4 are located, will be formed by one large two-story building that will feature a total of 20,500m2 of exhibition space and will be designed to accommodate all types of different events.  On Monday morning at a press conference in the Mies van der Rohe pavilion, right by the spaces that will be redeveloped, Collboni was joined by the president of the Fira Barcelona, Pau Relat, Director General of the Fira, Constantí Serrallonga, the head architect of the Barcelona city council, Maria Buhigas, Catalonia’s Economy Minister Alícia Romero, and the Spanish Industry and Tourism minister Jordi Hereu in explaining the new plans.  The projects also stand out for their sustainability, as the new buildings will be more energy-efficient through solar panel systems, as well as having a water tank to collect rainwater.  Get the day's biggest stories right to your phone people asked for the protection of a saint against any ill and that is why they were declared patron saints Barcelona had as many as three patron saints the Mare de Déu de la Mercè [Our Lady of the Mercè] and St The third patron saint used to be just as popular But she hasn’t been forgotten everywhere in the city There are two churches dedicated to her in Poble-sec and a festival is held for her in the spring her existence is thought to be more legendary than real there is no doubt about the great devotion the city felt for her compiled by the folklorist Joan Amades and others Madrona was born in a Roman village in the Montjuïc area Other versions say that she wasn’t an orphan and that she went to be a maid they say she died a martyr in Thessalonica some French merchants bought her body as a business venture and sent it by ship to Marseilles A bad storm forced them to seek shelter in the port of Barcelona It became clear that the saint wished to remain in her home city The saint’s body was deposited in the chapel of Sant Fruitós in Montjuïc there was a chapel in Montjuïc dating back to 1403 which passed through the hands of various religious orders: Capuchins Friars Minor Capuchins… Given that it was located near the castle in Montjuïc on more than one occasion it found itself on the front line of a battle which lent its name to one of the battles during the 1714 siege Only the old chapel dating back to 1754 remains The chapel’s location at such a strategic military point made it necessary to move the saint’s body on various occasions in the Capuchin convent that used to stand in the present day Plaça Reial and finally in the present day Santa Madrona Church The relics disappeared when the church was burnt down during the Tragic Week in 1909 a believer later donated a small relic of the saint to the church from the Poble Sec Historical Research Centre (CERHISEC) explains that St Madrona ‘provides protection against malign fevers she can bring rain and she solves difficult problems’ Her ability to provide rain may explain why many of the drier parts of Catalonia venerate her and why she was patron saint of the horticulturists at the altar of the Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi The scale of devotion to St Madrona is shown by the fact that and one year later she was declared co-patron saint by popular vote” The folklorist Joan Amades states that: ‘When the city suffered a drought a procession was organised from the Cathedral to the chapel The saint’s body was taken to the Cathedral under a canopy and then returned to her chapel.’ The folklorist also affirms that many women made a vow to dress as pilgrims on Santa Madrona’s Day and that ‘crowds of women were seen on the city’s streets dressed in long tunics with a pumpkin hanging from a long shepherd’s crook a long rope around their body and various scallop shells sewn on their clothing One of the city gates that was often used during processions also bore the name of the saint and that section of the city wall still exists at Drassanes Poble-sec celebrates the Santa Madrona festival religious ceremonies and a visit to the chapel dedicated to the saint Serrat has given few interviews over the course of his career and spoken little about his personal life.  He has made an exception on this occasion offering us a glimpse of his childhood experiences in Barcelona during the 1940's and '50s Memories as seen and interpreted through the eyes of a grown man: sensations Lively memories accompanied by the artist's own music Born into a family of modest means – his father a blue-collar worker and his mother a seamstress – Serra harks back to his life as a child: the games he played; his first teacher Conchita; his neighborhood with its lively outdoor cafes; the theater marquees; the crowded trams with people leaning out of them; the big cars Barquito de papel (Paper Boat) and Mediterraneo the Lad from Poble-sec" is a vision of Barcelona through the eyes of a highly regarded singer in the Spanish and Catalan languages illustrated with pictures from the singer's private archives the viewer can enjoy a trip down memory lane hand-in-hand with this talented singer-songwriter A documentary that provides a new perspective on Serrat's music and his personal memories When you are a child you fully absorb life It seeps into you through every orifice of your body of great impressions which leave their marks on our lives So it makes sense that people's roots are grounded in their childhood Located in a cozy corner of Barcelona’s Poble Sec neighborhood is La Porca a restaurant that has earned its place in the city’s gastronomic scene thanks to its specialty in hamburgers and its focus on dishes loaded with flavor and creativity has evolved to become one of the most recognized names for burger lovers in Barcelona This restaurant has proven to be a strong competitor in the world of burgers standing out not only for the quality of its ingredients but also for its focus on preparations that respect traditional processes with an innovative touch La Porca won the title of Best Burger in Barcelona thanks to its Double Bacon Cheese creation an achievement that cemented its reputation and made it a must-visit The famous Double Bacon Cheese is a culinary masterpiece: it combines two 90-gram smashed burgers with crispy bacon and smoked English cheddar cheese that melts even the most demanding palates The key to this burger is its “smashed” preparation a traditional American technique that consists of smashing the meat directly on the griddle achieving a browned exterior and a juicy interior together with a special mayonnaise made with the meat juices and a touch of pickle relish results in a bite full of deep flavors and perfect textures La Porca also has its letter of introduction: the Aguacate Frito Burger an innovative proposal that combines fried avocado in beer tempura and Kellogg’s This option demonstrates the restaurant’s commitment to offer alternatives that not only respect the tastes of those who avoid meat but also highlight the culinary ingenuity of its creations one cannot fail to mention the house specialty in patatas bravas This classic of Spanish gastronomy receives a special twist at La Porca: they are prepared with Galician sour potato accompanied by a roasted porchetta and a homemade smoked tomato sauce The finishing touch is given by a mild garlic mayonnaise and fresh chives It is an explosion of flavors that elevates patatas bravas to another level The most popular is the pork cheek croquette prepared with meat cooked in a mustard and black wine stew until it becomes a mellow and tasty filling The preparation is completed with a béchamel sauce that integrates mushrooms providing smoothness and a perfect contrast with the intense flavor of the cheeks they are a bite that demonstrates the restaurant’s ability to give prominence to pork in its menu it is almost mandatory to try La Porca’s homemade desserts a classic option but with a special touch that makes it the perfect ending to a meal full of flavor a delicious butter cookie with chocolate chips and a touch of Maldon salt caramelized cookie pieces and salted caramel sauce a combination that surprises and delights those looking for a dessert out of the ordinary La Porca is characterized for being an intimate and cozy space ideal for those looking for a relaxed and authentic atmosphere in which to enjoy delicious food without pretensions The simplicity of its environment allows the flavors to speak for themselves highlighting a cuisine that bets on quality ingredients and a deep respect for the elaboration processes The restaurant offers several options to enjoy their food: customers can choose to eat on site With a schedule that includes lunch service on weekends La Porca ensures that each customer receives his or her order following all the necessary safety measures adapting to current needs without losing its essence La Porca has managed to position itself as one of the references in burgers and pork dishes in Barcelona For those looking for a culinary experience that goes beyond the conventional This restaurant invites you to try hamburgers and specialties such as cheeks croquettes or patatas bravas in an atmosphere that makes every customer feel at home Every dish at La Porca has a touch of authenticity that highlights the team’s passion for good food With meticulous attention to detail and a constant commitment to creativity La Porca has established itself as a place that is not only enjoyed Carrer de Mata, 16, Sants-Montjuïc, 08004 Barcelona 931795175 WEB:laporca.com Stock images by Depositphotos La venta de la nuda propiedad Copyright © 2022 Salirporbarcelona , All rights Reserved. Created by JEZZ Media Barcelona is preparing for one of the biggest urban transformations of the last decades with the remodeling of the urban space in Montjuïc and the extension of the metro line 2 Or at least that is the grand plan that the mayor of Barcelona more public transport and a complete remodeling of the urban space The project is based on four fundamental pillars: housing with the construction of more than 12,000 homes in the Marina del Prat Vermell and 500 new homes in the area between Paral-lel and Avinguda de Rius i Taulet; the extension of metro L2; the reconfiguration of the 92 Olympic Ring; and the recovery of green spaces and gardens in the mountain area all the projects that the Barcelona City Council has planned for the next 10 years in Montjuïc: with the aim of connecting the fountain with the rest of the area by means of a pedestrian access from the renovation of the pavilions to the creation of a new Palau de Congressos and the conversion of Avinguda Maria Cristina into a pedestrian walkway a municipal sports center and a new primary health care center (CAP) will be built in the area between Paral-lel and Rius i Taulet will have an investment of 370 million euros over the next five years to expand the Sant Jordi Club hall for concerts for up to 8,000 spectators modernize the Palau Sant Jordi and redesign the Olympic Stadium The stadium esplanade will be transformed into a civic space with more trees will be restored with an investment of 8.8 million euros the phreatic water network will be expanded with an investment of 7 million euros allowing significant savings in drinking water in the city The 4-kilometer-long Morrot area will also be revamped to improve the relationship between the city and the port with the creation of new roads for public transport The first phase will be completed in 2027 with a budget of 10 million euros and in 2035 the Litoral ring road will be extended with an investment of 98 million euros transforming it into a pedestrian and bicycle promenade The extension of Metro Line 2 to Montjuïc will connect the city center with the Anella Olímpica and will make it possible to connect with Line 9 to the airport bus transport will be reinforced with the new line X3 and the renovation of line 150 which will be called “Montjuïc Bus” The Marina del Prat Vermell neighborhood will be expanded to 12,000 with the construction of 12,000 housing units 338 million euros will be earmarked over the next 10 years for its development investment will be made in the renovation of the Zona Franca promenade with a total investment of more than 75 million euros Already a member? 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Sign up Explore our Food Tours → “I missed the traditional foods I grew up with in Cádiz,” said Natalia García bright red lipstick and a smattering of tattoos across her upper arm so I was always around food,” she tells us “Whenever I told people [in Barcelona] I was from Cádiz After living in Barcelona for just one year in the heart of the non-touristy neighborhood of Poble Sec instead of the classic flamenco music and antique feeling found in many traditional bars of this kind in her hometown García merged her favorite tapas gaditanas (tapas from Cádiz) with classic rock ’n’ roll culture urban feel to my bar,” she explained to us “Chana is a word we used in Spain in the 1980s to say something was cool Later we realized that Chana was also the name of a famous Catalan flamenco dancer and we hung her picture on the wall.” She gestured to the quirky collection of framed photos that offer a playful nod to the classic kitschy decor of many a bar andaluz García described how her bar has become somewhat of a meeting point – a gastronomic community center of sorts – for other gaditanos and sevillanos living in Barcelona who long for a taste of authentic southern specialties She and her small staff serve up dishes rarely found in this part of Spain sausages and cured meats from Spain’s southwest an acknowledgement of the fact that few people think of the south as a red wine region due to the warm climate and the fame of sweet and fortified wines like the vinos de Jerez (sherry) The wine selection includes reds from Córdoba Sanlúcar de Barrameda and fino sherry from Jerez de la Frontera “We also have a great vermouth from the Andalusian town of Montilla,” García said as she pulled a slender bottle down from atop the age-worn oak barrel With a pleasantly surprising bitterness that balanced the naturally sweet and syrupy blend and its powerful ripe cherry flavor this intriguing vermouth was like nothing we had sampled from Catalan producers we launched into our meal with a cold glass of deliciously crisp and light manzanilla fortified wine from the yeast-filled cellars of Sanlúcar de Barrameda a seaside town whose salty air permeates everything manzanilla is one of the most popular aperitivo wines of the region La Chana’s truly special offering is its list of imported products from the South In Andalusia – and most other parts of Spain – fried food is a way of life so we began in typical fashion with an assortment of crispy bites of seafood cazón en adobo (fried dogfish marinated in vinegar) and ortiguillas (sea anemone) were all fresh and tasty served on small plates with a little pile of breadsticks as accompaniment a fishing village located an hour south of Cádiz at the mouth of the Strait of Gibraltar The fishermen of Barbate have been catching Atlantic bluefin using a technique known as almadraba since the time of the Phoenicians Almadraba (a word derived from the Arabic for “to strike”) is a method in which a complex maze of nets is placed in the tunas’ migratory path as they swim into the Mediterranean in the spring laden with plenty of insulating fat and ready to spawn The giant tuna swim through the nets until they reach a central area where the fishermen’s boats are ready and waiting Because the fishermen have the tuna trapped they can lift the nets and choose to catch only the largest fish setting the rest free and keeping the fishery sustainable While most of the tuna caught in Barbate is exported to Japan the domestic consumption is quite large and comes mainly in the form of salt-cured tuna Good mojama isn’t dry and tough like jerky Sliced thin and dressed with olive oil (and perhaps scattered with a few marcona almonds as garnish) we passed around a dish of hueva de maruca the bright orange salted and pressed roe sack of the ling fish We absolutely loved the chicharrones de Chiclana rich pork belly that had been slowly cooked in pork fat and spices then sliced thin and served at room temperature with a sprinkling of black pepper the chicharrones are different than other parts of Spain,” García explained “In Chiclana they use the pork belly and confit it while elsewhere they are deep-fried and have skin on them as well.” In addition to the regular tapas offerings La Chana has off-menu items all year round We had the pleasure of trying García’s atún anchoado then marinated in olive oil and spices before being eaten the kitchen also had corazón de atún en salazón (salt-cured tuna heart) “We change the menu items with the seasons,” García said thick purée similar to gazpacho – “which we serve all year which always awaken our senses and send us back to Barcelona This story was originally published on July 20 loading map - 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Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! facebooktwitterspotifytiktokAbout us Contact us Time Out Worldwide world-renowned restaurants come alive as tapas and bubbling cava give rise to terrace soirées The design can be described as Scandi minimalism meets a Mediterranean pool party—brutalism softened by tropical plants and polished with made-to-measure carpentry designed by Australian duo Blankslate and restaurant have since become favourites among locals While bohemia continues to thrive in the music bars and cabaret clubs on Paral·lel Avenue development has ushered in a new air of sophistication “Poble-sec is still very authentic and I hope it stays like this for a long time What’s changing is the variety of really amazing restaurants The famed Adrià brothers chose Poble-sec to create a new series of restaurants,” says Schallert which has been serving its traditional fare for over 100 years It’s taken over a century for Poble-sec to fully transcend its gritty reputation its storied streets lead to contemporary cultural hubs creating a notable juxtaposition between history and modernity Never miss a story. Sign up for NUVO’s weekly newsletter Denassus can be found in a narrow space on Blai Street in Barcelona’s Poble Sec neighborhood we are greeted by the jubilant god of wine himself: the giant face of Bacchus relaxed atmosphere in which to enjoy natural wines and thoughtful dishes It’s not easy to find a place that blends quality and fair prices you can find the typical tapas patatas bravas as well as some international basics like ceviche steak tartar or aromatic grilled leeks marinated with citrus and agave There are also heavier Catalan and Spanish traditional dishes like fricandó (beef filets with saint George mushrooms) calamares with delicate stir fried Santa Pau beans there is a grilled txuletón (Basque-style rib-eye steak matured 45 days and weighing in at about one kilo) or a magnificent selection of grilled fish another fantastic gourmand tapas bar in the city “We learned a lot from owners of Bar del Pla,” Sergi tells us on our last visit to Denassus.  He and Alejo spent many hours together at Bar del Pla where they started to give shape to their current project “We used to say: let’s open the place where we would love to go on our free day you can also eat amazingly.” Sergi continues “It was not easy to find the right place,” he remembers but finally they found a classic Barcelona space – a long a very popular street full of bars with wine and tapas lovers passing by you will also find on the Denassus menu the famous white asparagus from Gavá with about 70 percent dedicated to biodynamic and natural wines But there’s always a constant flow here of new bottles to try: “We are very alert to new There are also bottles here that form a fundamental part of Denassus: the house wine is literally one they made themselves in collaboration with partner wineries around Catalunya To make their natural white and orange wines they work with Cal Xurriu in the El Penedés wine region a sweet white wine made from grape juice with added alcohol And the Denassus team are also working on their next surprise this time a red wine which will be made in the southern terroir of Montsant Sergi and Alejo look also in other directions and try to include some French wines in the menu too; at the end of the day France was one of the pioneers of modern natural wine in Europe With so many choices of excellent food and drink we know we are in good hands – Bacchus is here to watch over our conscience and make sure we choose the right wine to pair with our chosen dishes always available to give us a friendly nudge in the right direction or – as the restaurant’s name suggests – we can just follow our nose The city council and the Generalitat agree to recover the project to extend the L2 (lilac) to Zona Franca under Montjuïc A project of the Olympic Barcelona… that will see the light 30 years later The extension of L2 to connect the center with the Zona Franca will finally become a reality after the Generalitat de Catalunya and the Barcelona City Council have agreed this week to resume this ambitious project thanks to an investment of 1,000 million euros this ambitious project will make an old dream come true: the connection between Sant Antoni and the Parc Logístic de la Zona Franca through 6.3 kilometers of tunnel that will cross Montjuïc The extension plan remains the same as the one presented in 2009 although it will now face much higher costs: from the initial 500 million it is now estimated to cost around 1,000 million euros an update of the study has been commissioned which will take 2 years to arrive and will cost 4 million euros The city council has informed that these informative studies will be based on those already carried out in 2006 and 2007 during the mandate of José Montilla which already contemplated the connection with the Parc Logístic station of the L9 this infrastructure is essential to meet the growth of neighborhoods such as La Marina del Prat Vermell and strategic projects such as the renovation of the Fira de Montjuïc This extension will join others planned by the city which will redraw the face of transportation through Barcelona’s subsoil The new L2 with 6.3 kilometers of new route and 5 new stops: Poble Sec the tunnel runs under Manso street until it reaches the first station where there will be an interchange with line L3 the tunnel passes under the Poble Sec district and heads towards the Montjuïc fairgrounds The last section between Fira II and Parc Logístic (the last station of this extension) is designed in such a way that a technical connection between L2 and L9 is possible, allowing trains on line L2 to run along the route of line L9 and vice versa. This action would allow a direct and fast connection between the city center, the fairgrounds and the Barcelona-El Prat Airport through metro line L2. Gran Bodega Saltó is a small and quirky space stuffed animals and a plethora of antiques Their wine is so good that neighbors line up to fill their jugs from the barrels each evening They’ve also partnered with Cultmusic Cultural Association to collect bottles of oil to give to the neediest people in the neighborhood Interior of Bar Rufián | Courtesy of Bar Rufián Vintage interior | Courtesy of La Federica If you click on a link in this story All recommendations have been independently sourced by Culture Trip Read Next See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in July Because in Spain a 'taco' can also mean 'swear word' the names of the tacos for eating here are and so you know the folks behind Tacos Tacos have a dark sense of humour backed up by good food They claim it's the only place where 'gilipollas' (read: jerks 'Hijo de la chingada' and 'Pinche pendejo' “The future is the past,” says Salva Serra the latest in a long line of winemakers to run the famed Raventós i Blanc While his lineage might not be quite as storied Salva knows a thing or two about preserving the past – the Serra family has owned La Perla BCN a restaurant located in the upper Poble Sec neighborhood It’s the type of old traditional restaurant that you only learn about from word of mouth – a friend who only went there because another friend told him about it The wonderful area where La Perla BCN is situated with the Poble Sec residential neighborhood on one side and the nearby gardens of Montjuïc hill including the Grec Theater (built for the Universal Exhibition of 1920) the area was packed with the shanties of poor immigrants who came from different spots in Spain to work in the flourishing industry of Barcelona Everything changed very quickly over the next decade or so as the Franco dictatorship ended and the modernization process began – the shacks started to disappear and the area began to transform offering new opportunities for people of all backgrounds In addition to the usual neighborhood clientele there were now some artists who were working in the nearby theater as well as football players These new residents often came looking for more expensive and exclusive ingredients the restaurant was part of a local chain of bodegas called La Perla del Priorat that used to sell wine in bulk saw the new direction the neighborhood was going in and decided to change things up by offering food in addition to wine the current clientele is still the same combination of profiles from neighbors and artists on a budget to business people and serious lovers of traditional cuisine who are ready to spend more money for exceptional house-made specialties and products “Our clients are friends that come with their friends and fill the tables.” who has been the main driving force of the restaurant from the start and with his brother Salvador and their respective wives It’s a family-run business where everyone is so close that even the waiters became family over the years Over the years the bodega morphed into a tapas bar and later a tavern-restaurant that now “is a neighborhood tasca with ‘tire star’ products,” a jokey reference to the Michelin stars they work with suppliers from different markets all over the city and will even travel to the very edge of the Barcelona municipal area to find their favorite products which include the first-rate Maldonado brand of jamón ibérico de bellota (made from pigs raised on acorns) and Raventós i Blanc wines (although they are by no means the only wines on offer) Their cooking style follows ancient techniques: everything is done by hand and there are very few machines in the kitchen Rather than offer certain specials on certain days of the week they instead craft a new seasonal menu each day based on what’s available in the markets Customers and friends come to eat traditional Catalan and Spanish dishes made from scratch many of which are now at risk of disappearing – they still grace the menus of older restaurants but not so much at the new spots with more eclectic and globalized personalities rich and powerful cap i pota (beef head and leg stew) fricandó (thin beef filets with Saint George mushrooms very different to the French-Occitan fricandeau) or peus de porc (pig’s trotters) One of our favorites is their amazing cannelloni wealthy Barcelona families were in the habit of hiring Italian chefs for their homes which is how this pasta dish came to Catalonia Yet the local version was filled with roasted meat the same meat used to stuff roasted peppers as opposed to the classic cannelloni alla Bolognese La Perla BCN serves two versions (although both are not always available) the traditional Catalan dish and the foie gras cannelloni they prepare theirs with a sofrito and all the main ingredients instead of using fumet The result is a juicier paella where the rice absorbs the flavors directly from the main ingredients used (chicken The salted codfish dishes (another important tradition in countries with a Catholic background) are also excellent as they serve the morro “A cuisine like this is special – it has your own DNA offering both excellent Iberian ham or artisan cheese sandwiches and proper Catalan “fork breakfasts” – you can even order a glass of wine if you want to make it more like a brunch all the more reason to hurry on over to enjoy La Perla BCN in all its traditional glory The Poble-sec park has finished its refurbishment with the installation of a basketball court and more accessibility With the new renovation, the square wants to become a sporting focal point for the neighborhood and therefore the central space is occupied by a basketball court, which was a neighborhood demand, and has also installed an outdoor gym or calisthenics equipment that integrates exercises for all ages. The pinpong boards have been relocated with renewed elements and there are also a series of painted graphics that create circuits or sporting routes. All the urban furniture has also been renovated, benches, chairs and picnic tables have been placed, elements of stay with accessibility criteria and next to the children’s play area a beach bar has also been installed. The wall that represented a recognized space for urban art in Barcelona has been removed, because it represented a visual and passage barrier, and has been better relocated to the new square. The work has lasted six months. The intervention, aimed at revitalizing the space, integrating existing uses in the square and generating new positive and inclusive dynamics, covers some 10,290 m2 and has involved an investment of 367,000 euros. First published: November 17, 2023 01:34 PM 47% of Catalans consider the 'castellers' human tower tradition to be dangerous, while 52% find it safe, according to a survey by the Center for Opinion Studies (CEO). 44% of survey respondents find it only 'dangerous', while 3% called it 'very dangerous'.  The disparity of opinions is seen across the territory regardless of place of birth of the respondents. Foreign-born residents find the tradition most safe, with 56% of those surveyed answering that it is not dangerous, while 54% of Catalan-born respondents said the same.  A narrow majority, 51%, of those born in other parts of Spain find the practice dangerous. Regardless of safety, the majority of respondents find casteller events either positive (56%) or very positive (36%). Close to 90% have attended a live performance. Only 3% of respondents said they did not know what castellers are, including two out of every ten respondents who were born outside of Spain.  When asked to name a human towers group, 41% of respondents couldn't. v1.1.0. Copyright © 2025. Powered by EBANTIC. All rights reserved. Read our guide to the neighborhood’s best tapas bars and find out where to dine on your next visit to Poble-Sec © srgpicker/Flickr La Tasqueta is a charming location to have some pinchos in the heart of Poble Sec Eat as many as you like and pay according to the amount of toothpicks you have accumulated on your plate This restaurant has modest prices so it is easy to try combinations you wouldn’t normally dare to A cozy and relaxed atmosphere makes La Tasqueta de Blai an excellent place to have a few beers and something good to eat before heading to the next bar import PrebidBidService from "/v1/js/PrebidBidService.js"; import AmazonBidService from "/v1/js/AmazonBidService.js"; window.addEventListener('intersecting',async (e) => { const element = document.querySelector('[data-id="in_article_1"]'); const slot = element.getAttribute('id'); if(e.detail.slotName !== slot) { return; } let promises = []; if(window.canRunPrebid) { const prebidService = new PrebidBidService(); promises.push(prebidService.requestPrebidBids(null [slot])); } if(promises?.length) { await Promise.all(promises).then(() => { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); }); } else { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); } }); Quimet i Quimet Bar © Rowan Z/Flickr One of the most popular tapas places in town, Quimet i Quimet has an almost iconic reputation authentic bar offers tapas with a modern and innovative take Just be aware that Quimet i Quimet can be full due to its size and popularity so you might want to avoid the rush hours and stop in early The planning pays off because you will eat some wonderful food Courtesy of Bar Seco Located on the way to Montjuic, this bar is in a perfect spot, it is easy to stop by after a walk on the mountain to have some patatas bravas and vermut. The concept of Bar Seco is to offer healthy and ecological food that is locally sourced A refreshing option amongst other tapas bars if you want something a bit different and are a supporter of an eco- friendly ideology they have vegetarian and gluten-free dishes available import PrebidBidService from "/v1/js/PrebidBidService.js"; import AmazonBidService from "/v1/js/AmazonBidService.js"; window.addEventListener('intersecting',async (e) => { const element = document.querySelector('[data-id="in_article_2"]'); const slot = element.getAttribute('id'); if(e.detail.slotName !== slot) { return; } let promises = []; if(window.canRunPrebid) { const prebidService = new PrebidBidService(); promises.push(prebidService.requestPrebidBids(null [slot])); } if(promises?.length) { await Promise.all(promises).then(() => { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); }); } else { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); } }); Blai 9 Blai 9 instantly impresses with a clean and modern interior design which openly displays their tapas and pinchos The prices are low considering the quality of the food so this place is certainly worth a visit even when you’re after more than just a few small portions They have a wide range of different flavors and many options for vegetarians Dishes are placed beautifully on the counter and are a visual treat but this also makes it difficult to choose; good luck © Fran Villena/Flickr Serving both pintxos at the bar and tapas available in the menu, Koska offers a good price-quality ratio and is a favorite amongst many locals in the area The service is quick and friendly and the dishes are tasty and prepared with quality ingredients import PrebidBidService from "/v1/js/PrebidBidService.js"; import AmazonBidService from "/v1/js/AmazonBidService.js"; window.addEventListener('intersecting',async (e) => { const element = document.querySelector('[data-id="in_article_3"]'); const slot = element.getAttribute('id'); if(e.detail.slotName !== slot) { return; } let promises = []; if(window.canRunPrebid) { const prebidService = new PrebidBidService(); promises.push(prebidService.requestPrebidBids(null [slot])); } if(promises?.length) { await Promise.all(promises).then(() => { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); }); } else { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); } }); Margarit 13 Bar Mirva is inspired every day by this extraordinary city In the future she wishes to fully concentrate on writing photography and dancing - three things that always bring smile to her face AdvertisementSKIP ADVERTISEMENTSlide 1 of 6,POBLE SEC wedged between Barcelona’s Broadway (called the Parallel) and Montjuïc the shallow hill where the Olympic Stadium stands is a maze of streets and plazas that many visitors usually ignore Daily life seems slower here than in adjoining neighborhoods but the owners of new places like the American sandwich shop Bread & Circuses are betting that the gastronomic options will be intriguing enough to persuade travelers to venture across the Parallel a pedestrian-only street filled with bars and restaurants when locals and tourists alike go from bar to bar tapeando for a fraction of the price it costs elsewhere is around the corner from one-year-old Koska (its name means “bite” in Euskara where the food is as unpretentious as the neighborhood Share full articleIn a Barcelona Neighborhood a revived historic theater and a renovated plaza "The Alberts" decided to make La Federica - one of the bars with the most emblematic atmospheres in the city - theirs Albert Villaplana is a graffic designer and Albert Macaya came from the world of safaris (no they snagged the bar as soon as it came on the market A bar as cool as La Federica deserves to be in able (and fashionable!) hands and those four hands definitely belong to the Alberts One-of-a-kind vintage furniture fills the space with a shameless one that Villaplana and Macaya complement with an ever-rotating of colorful patterned shirts and an attitude of undiluted fun.  Blai Street promises pedestrians a seemingly endless selection of bars cafés and restaurants to choose from and the Alberts aren't here to fight for business because they offer something different: a bar full of glamour and unpretentious debauchery where you can always count on a strong drink a yummy snack and themed parties two Saturdays a month The food at La Federica is all made with love and attention to detail You can try baiona - a cured pork delicacy - from Can Gori or Barrotxa a delicious tortilla de patatas or cheeses directly from the Pyranees Their intention is to serve excellent products that you wouldn't eat at home at reasonable prices interesting beers on draft and a full menu of wine and gin and tonics make this bar far more than a watering hole.  The Catalan police have evicted a mother and her three minor children who were living in an occupied flat in Parallel avenue, Barcelona. Riot officers and emergency services were involved in the operation, facing around 15 housing activists who were inside the building aiming to stop the eviction. The police removed each of the activists one by one, dragging them out of the bloc until they were able to reach the flat and evict the woman. According to the tenants' association Sindicat de Llogateres del Poble-sec, it was the third time the family had faced a police attempt to remove them from home—one on March 8 and a second one on April 25, which were both halted. Chanaz, the woman who was evicted, moved in in 2019, and since then, she has offered to pay rent multiple times and asked for social rent, which has not been replied to yet by the property owner. The real estate company called Divarian, part of the investment firm Cerberus, is the enterprise behind this flat. Housing activists consider Cerberus a vulture fund with several other properties in the Catalan capital and say the family in Parallel avenue has no alternative place to live. The tenant has been looking for different opportunities to rent, but even though she works, Chanaz cannot afford rent prices in Barcelona, and the owner has even offered to pay her money for her to leave the apartment. "Owners do not want to make any deal, they just want the flat," Chanaz said to media outlets after being evicted. Aside from Mossos d'Esquadra police, at the site, there was an emergency services unit, the jury in charge of the judicial process, and a team from Barcelona's city council housing unit to mediate. "This eviction is a flagrant violation of the social rent law," Sergi Barrios, from the Poble-Sec neighborhood syndicate, said to the Catalan News Agency (ACN), referring to the lack of social services around at the moment of the expulsion. After the process, Chanaz went to the neighborhood's social services to see her options. However, no alternative has been proposed, and even though she has been registered at the emergency housing unit since February, the process of getting a housing unit can take from three months to up to two years. "The problem this city has is that there are no flats for residents, only for tourists," Chanaz said. She works four hours a day as part of the cleaning team at a school and also receives a subsidy. Her children go to school in the neighborhood, which is why she does not consider leaving the city. "I had the faith and the desire that I would get the flat, as I have handed all the required documents to rent it, but the owners have not accepted them as they will earn more money with tourists," Chanaz said before explaining that she "is in shock, worried," and has plenty of questions. A second eviction was planned for Wednesday in the neighborhood but was postponed for June 8. In this case, the tenants are a vulnerable family with a child. In this case, the family moved into the flat paying, renting a room to someone who said everything was fine, but later the family received the eviction order. The family has also requested up to three times a social rent, but the owner, Living Center, a CaixaBank bank affiliate, has not yet replied. In the past few years, housing has become one of the biggest concerns among Barcelona residents, especially given the hikes in rents. Casa Orsola in Barcelona's Eixample neighborhood has become a symbol of the city's struggle with gentrification, as long-term renters find themselves priced out of their homes. Have a listen to our Filling the Sink podcast on the issue, published in November 2022. Filling the Sink also published a podcast on the soaring rents and the increasing number of evictions in June 2021. concerts and activities for everyone during their Festa Major A 25-year-old was stabbed to death in Barcelona in the early hours of September 25 in an incident that is not believed to be related to the looting and vandalism that took place nearby over an hour later.   In an interview with Catalunya Ràdio on Sunday morning mayor Ada Colau said the stabbing had nothing to do with the vandalism because of "the time and place" it occurred.  Initial reports stated that the 25-year-old had been killed in the Poble-sec neighborhood near Avinguda Paral·lel and Carrer de Lleida streets but Barcelona councilor for safety Albert Batlle confirmed that the person in question was found at 3:16 am beside the entrance to the Espanya metro stop beside the Venetian towers.  "A person was stabbed and then an hour and a half later there was rioting," Batlle said adding that the events had "nothing to do" with one another.  the Guàrdia Urbana officers notified the emergency medical services but were unable to do anything to save the 25-year-old The police investigation is ongoing.  The second night of Barcelona's annual La Mercè celebrations was also marred by looting and vandalism near Plaça Espanya square As police attempted to get revelers to start making their way home in the early hours of Sunday at around 4:40 some 500 people began to vandalize street furniture They also threw objects at officers and street cleaners.  Around 100 motorcycles were set on fire and a charcuterie store on Creu Coberta street was ransacked.  12 people were arrested by Guàrdia Urbana and Mossos d'Esquadra police officers Last year there were clashes between police and La Mercè revelers in the same area officers will be "paying special attention" to the Creu Coberta-Carretera de Sants street over the festivities.  Barcelona councilor for culture Jordi Martí "most La Mercè activities in the city took place with absolutely no incident." from concerts to human towers or dance performances will take place across the city until Monday.  Members of the opposition in the Barcelona council have called for further explanation of downplaying the incidents that took place in the early hours of Sunday morning "We need a thorough investigation to find the perpetrators and bring them to justice," Esquerra council member Jordi Coronas tweeted describing Colau and Batlle's comments as "insufficient." "We need a clear message from them and they shouldn't make excuses by minimizing what happened," he said.  said the incident was "extremely serious" and warned Barcelona is "turning into an unsafe city." He also criticized the fact that La Mercè celebrations went ahead "as if nothing had happened" 300 meters from where a 25-year-old was stabbed to death.  "Barcelona is Spain's most dangerous city as authorities look the other way and make excuses," Ciudadanos' Luz Guitarte complained the party founded by former French prime minister Manuel Valls sent out a press release in which they said "Barcelona has a serious safety issue" and called for the areas where concerts are held to be "redefined" in order to "ensure attendees' safety." Barcelona saw a 12% drop in criminal acts overall last summer compared to the summer of 2019, but arrests for sexual violence increased significantly.   Mau Mau Underground is a lounge club in an old warehouse space as well as whenever there's a football match on (so. and with its two giant screens it's a great place to watch the match with a group of friends Behind the bar they pour more than 35 types of gin and 20-some premium vodkas The Barcelona Institute of Sports (IBE) and the District of Sants-Montjuïc have already started the studies that will turn this trade fair site into a permanent sports centre with two multi-purpose courts of 44×23 metres The clubs currently using the Pavelló Itàlia will transfer their activity to the new sports hall as the current facility will be demolished Work will be carried out in stages to guarantee that sports organisations can make the move before the demolition process begins The project forms part of the municipal strategy to regenerate this area and adapt its use to meet the current needs of the neighbourhood and the city The goal is to open the space up to combine trade fair activity with new housing This transformation will also facilitate the spatial organisation of the area and improve the connection with nearby facilities such as the Escola Jacint Verdaguer This initiative represents a three-year advance in the creation of a new larger-capacity and more multi-purpose sports space planned 2029 in the residential area set to change through an amendment to the metropolitan general plan for the Fira Montjuïc area The move will pave the way for more public housing and new facilities for the neighbourhood to be constructed here Wondering about the best neighborhoods in Barcelona The answer is simple: it depends on your lifestyle By Megan Janicke When looking for a place to live in Barcelona you’ll have your list of priorities: cheap rent Your choice of the city’s neighborhoods depends on your lifestyle and the inconveniences you are willing to put up with Here’s where to find your dream home: Make your move to Spain seamless with BCN Life This team of American relocation experts can help you start your dream life in Spain with services including real estate purchases and rentals Get in touch with BCN Life for a stress-free move to Spain Constant renewal in most of Barcelona’s neighborhoods in the last 150 years has produced a real mix of accommodation from 18th-century townhouses to newly built apartments and gentrification projects boosted demand and prices in the city’s most central and attractive neighborhoods Local councils have attempted to pressure the government for rent controls to stop pricing out locals. Average rental prices in Barcelona reportedly rose almost 66% over just five years, from around €900 per month in 2012 up to some €1,500 in 2017. Barcelona had the highest rental increases in all of Spain, significantly ahead of Mallorca (40%) and Madrid (20%) While rental controls are not yet in place Barcelona has begun closer restriction on tourism rentals; this has led to two house-sharing platforms being fined €600,000 for listing illegal rentals as well as a temporary cap on the number of new rental licenses issued All of this means that places to live in Barcelona are in high demand and pricey the best neighborhoods in Barcelona may come down to budget Most accommodations are apartments; you’ll have to look for a place to live outside Barcelona if you’d like a private garden Whether you’re looking for a property to buy or rent, real estate agents and other professionals can help you find somewhere to live. If you need guidance with the process, experts such as those at BCN Life can assist you one-bedroom apartments in this area average around €1,000 with two-bedroom apartments averaging from €1,300–2,500 The large Parc de la Ciutadella is popular with runners All the great history of Barcelona is right here complete with Roman ruins glassed off in the middle of markets or just incorporated into the stone of newer (though still old) buildings ancient streets are perfect to get lost in and lined with charming bakeries and cafes; this is where the tourists go to get lost in the European experience electing to move outside the city center after a year or two to get away from the noise of too-close neighbors and sometimes unpleasant smells of city living it remains charming and exceptionally convenient Also known as The Born to Barcelona’s expats El Borne is adjacent to Barrio Gotico and practically its twin neighborhood This is everyone’s second-favorite barrio because of its top restaurants many expats call this place home as it has generally larger and lacks the dirtiness of other city center barrios Barceloneta features homes that are simple as can be with very few balconies to be seen Plenty of expats and immigrants live in the tiny and the communal community plazas are generally respected and hang your laundry on the sidewalk to dry but it’s still safe; there are nearly no violent crimes in all of Barcelona Barceloneta is great for singles who want to be near the beach and this area is always buzzing with tourists A seedy but safe barrio in the shadow of Montjuïc Raval is packed with South Asian immigrants which consequently makes it the best place in Barcelona to find delicious Middle Eastern food as it is jampacked with tiny bars and music venues they make it seem as though you’ve discovered a new treasure when you wander in off the street This Barcelona neighborhood has years of history with gangs it’s still not an area that tourists frequent This neighborhood is called the Expansion of Barcelona known more commonly to the locals as L’Eixample in Catalan It is a massive suburb that expanded the city in the 1890s connecting the Gotic area to the nearby pueblo of Gràcia L’Eixample has a downtown metropolitan feel as opposed to the city center’s ancient Roman city Because it was designed during the Industrial Revolution to be a modern Barcelona neighborhood Art Nouveau and Gaudi façades can be found here It somewhat lacks the community feel of the more intimate and it doesn’t feature the same great plazas Eixample is divided into the izquierda (left) and derecha (right) often higher for attractive two-bedroom apartments Numerous bus and metro lines cross the area parking can be tricky; few buildings have dedicated parking spots Small shops are integrated in the residential streets with bigger stores on the larger boulevards Starting in the hilly area surrounding Gaudi’s Park Guell Gràcia stretches down to Eixample in the south Originally separate a city from Barcelona – until the Eixample connected the two – this ancient town has all the charm of the center without that distinctive city smell While you won’t find many an ascensor (lift/elevator) in any block of flats the buildings rarely rise above three stories and many of them have been renovated or made into lofts The green spaces and public transportation are a bonus The main street (Calle Verdi) hosts a version original cinema and the surrounding streets are full of quirky boutiques The only drawback is its distance from Barcelona’s beaches but the place is so charming you most likely won’t care you can ride a bike to the beach from the neighborhood Rent is between €900–1,500 per month for two bedrooms typically upward for larger and well-refurbished apartments Bus and metro routes connect to the center and there’s easy access to the motorway for cars Butting up against Montjuïc and partially up the mountain is the barrio of Poble Sec This is a well-connected area thanks to the metro and car-friendly roads There are now quite a few decent restaurants to be found particularly the pincho joints in Carrer Blai and in the adjacent hipster area of San Antoni It’s a quieter neighborhood than most city center barrios in Barcelona A single district by the port with several distinct personalities Montjuïc is a green oasis rising out of the sea and home to old fortifications and botanic gardens Sants is a popular residential neighborhood in Barcelona The extensive park and former Olympic sports facilities make this a great choice for those who love to exercise; Olympic Stadium often features fun events ranging from football to music There’s a large shopping center in a former bullfighting area plus one of the longest shopping streets in Europe Don’t look for a beach home here – the city’s busy container port takes up most of the space It gets more residential the closer you get to the city center It’s possible to find apartments with two to four bedrooms averaging €900–1,500 per month and upward for nicer properties Public transport tends to avoid Montjuïc hill but Sants is well-connected by bus and metro Narrow streets and little parking make cars more of a liability than an asset.Sants is a cheaper area that boasts just the main train station It’s also home to ugly buildings and lots of traffic – so it lacks a community feel – though the city seems to be dedicating more resources and effort to parks and community areas Les Corts has an astonishing choice of international schools which offers the Fira Convention Centre in Plaça Espanya Les Corts is home to Barcelona Football Club’s main stadium and features easy access to the hills and countryside at the edge of the city plus some exclusive boutique and designer stores It is primarily residential with a mix of apartment blocks Rent is typically €1,000–2,000 per month for apartments and upward of €2,500 for larger properties and attractive locations as is driving since dedicated parking is more common than in other areas Sarria and Sant Gervasi on the edge of Barcelona are the swanky wealthy barrios heading up the hill from Poble Sec sunny apartments with gardens begin at a million euros to purchase green parks and wide walking ramblas (the Spanish love their ramblas!) They are both as devoid of tourism as they are nice The Ferro Carrils are short-distance trains that go downtown and connect to the metros Housing costs €1,000–2,000 for a two-bedroom apartment; there’s also a good stock of large apartments for families with prices starting at €2,500 and upward Metro and bus routes connect to the center Drivers can find easy access to the motorway from many areas All the way on the other side of town is Poble Nou This is an old working-class district with brick warehouses and factories turning into trendy lofts or left crumbling into disrepair; this district has seen the most new construction of any barrio in Barcelona Many old factories are still waiting for reconstruction and plenty of gitanos (gypsies) make their homes in them there are plenty of vacant lots next to a beautiful new construction of desirable flats The barrio features a great main street that stops directly on the beach plenty of fantastic restaurants and little tourism Poble Nou has easy access to the Collserola nature area and there are many small bars and local restaurants tucked away in the neighborhood Each of the shopping streets acts as a hub for locals often boasting a good library and community or religious center averaging €700–1,000 for two-bedroom apartments Bus and metro links provide access to the city center and cars have easy access to the motorway Home to Barcelona’s Olympic village and with easy access to the beach Renovation for the 1992 Olympics gave the area new housing and new life but pockets of traditional architecture remain.One of the main attractions is its easy access to the beach and the city center The Rambla de Poblenou is full of bars and restaurants and traditional shopping streets and modern shopping centers both exist here although apartments tend to be large with several bedrooms; in some areas it’s possible to find smaller apartments around €800–1,200 Metro and bus lines cross the area and cycling and walking on the beach is popular Modern blocks are more likely to have dedicated parking Probably the greenest district in Barcelona Horta-Guinardó stretches from the center to the Collserola nature reserve though some are so steep that escalators have been installed The neighborhood’s inhabitants come from all over Spain and even around the world You’ll find numerous parks and gardens and plenty of small independent shops with supermarkets and larger stores clustered in the former village centers There’s a large stock of two-bedroom apartments around €600–900 although apartments are typically fewer than 80 square meters; larger nicer apartments start around €1,250 and upwards Metro and bus lines provide links to the center this former town retains much of its community and independent spirit with its beautiful old buildings and small-town atmosphere it’s easier to find a house with a garden here than in some other districts Cultural events occur regularly and there are many local restaurants Nus de la Trinitat and walks along the river provide a pleasant outdoor escape There is excellent shopping in the old town and the La Maquinista shopping centre others were cheap housing a century ago and remain a little rough Housing costs from €700–1,000 per month for a small and upward of €1,250 for nicer and larger properties The outskirts of Barcelona offers cities such as Sitges a favorite former fishing-village-turned-beach-town for retired gay couples and British families It became a trendy place to live when the Catalan bourgeoisie began building their summer homes in Sitges in the 19th century Back on the other side of Barcelona are Besos and further north This is where the Andalusian-Galician Spaniard immigrated in the 1960s and 70s: now it’s a mix of Latin American Chinese and Eastern European immigrants living alongside the aging children of the Southern Spanish immigrants You likely won’t be looking to live beyond the metropolitan area unless you want some land for animals or agriculture not the reason to move to Barcelona – though the quaint countryside may be where you end up years after living in Barcelona she’s a freelance writer specializing in B2B content for tech and tourism companies What better way to explore Spain than with your tastebuds Learn how to find love on Spain's dating scene where casual meet-ups can spark genuine romantic connections Want to send your child(ren) to an international school in Spain Find out everything you need to know about fees fun and festivities during Poble-sec's big neighbourhood party The barrio of Poble-sec, near Montjuïc, is known for having an open, for-the-people spirit. And what better way to show that off than to welcome locals and visitors to their annual Festa Major (basically, a big street party that goes on for days and days). They've got a packed programme of events and activities we've made a selection of our favourites broken down by days Get over there and enjoy the fun and festivities any or all of the ten days of the festival The programme of events starts off with a traditional parade that runs along the main streets of the neighbourhood starting at 8pm who also lives and is a cultural activist in Poble-sec will read the opening speech at 8pm in the Tres Xemeneies park The day's events finish off with a jam session from Escola Superior music school's Big Band ©Maria DiasPlaça del Sortidor will play host to most of Saturday's events starting from first thing in the morning. At 10am there's a market where you can exchange all manner of goods; at 11am look out for the workshops on offer; and at 2pm there's a neighbourhood paella meal. And at night, the pintxos dinner finishes up with concerts from Malasaña and Barcelona Gipsy Klezmer Orchestra You'll also hear music at the Ateneu Rebel offering with concerts from A4 Reggae Orchestra and High Times in Plaça Santa Madrona (11pm) In Plaça Navas you'll find 'castellers' (those brave souls who make human towers) at work (6pm) devils dancing around (11.30pm) and a Festa Major dance with the Sabor Sabor orchestra getting everyone moving into the wee hours tapas tastings from 'km0' and slow food restaurants a sardine fest courtesy of Bar Seco and Peix al Plat (9pm) If you want to put your baking or cooking skills to the test or just see how others' creations turn out head to the dessert competition in Plaça Santa Madrona or the tortilla (omelette) one organised by the Castellers de Poble-sec in Plaça del Sortidor check out the screening of 'Pride' in Plaça Santa Madrona 'Matuke interpreta Tetsuo' and 'El hombre de hierro' in the Espai Pedreres (Pedreres 30).Music is served up in C/Blai with the jazz-swing concert from C'est Si Bon as well as in the Albereda cultural centre with Do D'Acords (with an orchestra made up of kids from the neighbourhood) and in C/Blesa with a night of rumba from Tumbaos.Thursday 23Things gear up again on Thursday as another weekend is just around the corner One of the most curious performances is under the tent in Plaça del Sortidor as you're transported to the past to the traditional festivals of a rural village Under the name 'Re-ballem a la plaça' are performances of swing music from Storyville Jass Band who are passionate about music from the 1930s and a food stall from Oncle Frank & Co A touch of the East comes to the festival thanks to 'Orienta't al Seco' (from 7pm in Psg with a group of workshops on Bollywood dancing dinner with Nepalese 'tapas' and a DJ session with Eastern beats.Highlights among the concerts for the evening include Los Toros (10pm Puríssima Concepció); Jam Circus in C/El Kano with groups like Julian Thorne Paula O’Rourke & The Little Incidents and Los Apuñálales (6.30pm); and Los Primtivos (prog rock ©Asier BastidaIt's the first of the nights when the Castellers del Poble-sec organise the Sec a Sac the ladies come out to play in shows from Las Rubias Les Blasfemmes are playing their versions of big hits from over the years from 10pm Sala Apolo is also getting in on the act with a free concert in C/Vila i Vilà (from 7pm) with groups including Augie Burr & The Burrton and 13th Magic Skull.The old spirit of Poble-sec as a barrio adjacent to the theatre district is reborn with a performance from variety-show company Més enllà del Paral·lel: sevillanas (Seville-grown folk music and dancing) theatre shorts and even a mentalist (Albareda cultural centre For the little ones there are workshops in C/Roser (don't miss the group painting project in the street at 5.30pm) and a workshop on building cardboard race cars (Les Hortes so it's time to ramp up the activity and get as much in as possible so get yourself energized with some good food at the neighbourhood paella meal in C/Albareda or the other neighbourhood meal in C/Les Hortes.In the evening kids can participate in organised games and competitions in Sala Apolo (6pm-7pm) or the self-portrait workshop put on by the Fundació Miró (Concòrdia get dirty with Amasalamasa's games with mud in C/Roser.At night there's no shortage of concerts Sec a Sac (10pm) from the Castellers de Poble-sec organise concerts in the Tres Xemeneies park by Un Gos Trobat In Plaça Navas you can check out performances by Joan Petit (11pm) and rumba band Banana Beach Plaça Santa Madrona hosts music from the Orquestra Krater (11pm) and in C/Piquer it's the bands Traitors and Gamonides Sala Apolo's offerings include karaoke with the band Vàlius (10pm) and the hits of Mr ©Maria DiasOne of the most anticipated events of the Festa Major is on the final day with the fun cardboard car race (6pm) that starts from the crossroads of C/Fontrodona and C/Magalhaes you can bid adèu to the festival with vermouths in C/Puríssima Concepció (12.30pm) Plaça Santa Madrona (1pm) or C/Les Hortes the last which is accompanied by live music from Maria Arnal and Marca Bagés (1pm) get some exercise while you cool off at the water fight in C/Les Hortes or at the clean foam party (for the whole family The festival comes to a close with rock and reggae concerts in C/Ricard (from 6pm) others from Jam Cirkus in C/El Kano (6.30pm) and something a bit more laid-back with the habaneras from Mar i Vent where they'll also serve 'queimada' (a type of drunk punch that's also flavoured with herbs who have done nearly everything there is to do in the industry (promoters It's a favourite among those about to party at Sala Apolo after a few drinks they play all the good stuff: from Sly & the Family Stone to the Dead Boys and now it's Poble-sec's turn for its big neighbourhood party with things to do on every day from July 19 to 28 It's a special one this year for the 'barri' as it celebrates its 150th Festa Major So be sure to go along and join in the festivities It all kicks off on July 19 with the inaugural parade featuring characters from traditional Catalan culture and music to announce the beginning of the festival highlights include the inaugural dance with La Tropical the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Sol Picó dance company and the neighbourhood's feminist group with various activities in Plaça Navas throughout the day That same square is the scene of one of the most anticipated moments of the party after a week of intense fun with the 34th edition of the festival with the Poble-sec 'diablos' (devils) on Sat 27 Other highlights include outdoor film screenings in Plaça del Sortidor and go-karts flying down C/Fontrodona (Sun 28) Local attractions join in on the celebrations too and you'll find guided tours of the Botanical Garden (Sat 20) the Olympic Museum (Tue 23) and the Refugi 307 (Sat 27) and open doors in the Parc de Bombers fire station/museum Hints of postmodernism are mixed with local and bespoke touches throughout The latest student residence project is geared towards the co-living and co-working lifestyle The four-tiered 21,000 sq m space is home to 500 rooms and features an array of communal spaces including gaming areas and private lounges escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox First published: December 24, 2023 01:16 PM Two men were killed in separate incidents in the Barcelona area on Saturday night into Sunday. On the one hand, a 32-year-old was shot dead inside a bar in Blai street, in the Catalan capital's Poble-sec neighborhood. The incident happened at around 12.45am, according to the Mossos d'Esquadra police. Some officers, along with emergency services, were sent to the site, but no detentions have been made. Mossos d'Esquadra are investigating the events, as some witnesses in the area have said that the author or author of the murder fled with a motorbike. In parallel, a man was stabbed to death in Santa Coloma de Gramenet, just outside Barcelona's northern area. The event occurred on Saturday at 9.30pm in Passeig Llorenç Serra. In this case, the police did arrest the alleged author, a 47-year-old man, because he handed himself in to the police in Barcelona's Sant Andreu station. First published: February 10, 2024 03:44 PM “Vinyl is like sipping a nice rum from a little glass, choosing the record, taking it out, looking at the cover, putting it on the record player, and dropping the needle. It's a bit like a tea ceremony”, says David Ayllón, from the cultural association Salvadiscos, located in the Poble Sec. “It's not just about listening to music, but about the sense of calm it brings.”  The name of the association is a reference to the orange lifebuoys, called ‘salvavides’ in Catalan, and it began as a tiny shop on a quiet street in Poble Sec, when friends Salva and Jordi along with Ayllón, had the opportunity to buy - or “rescue”, as David says - a bunch of second-hand vinyl records, which they would then sell out of old fruit crates.  During the pandemic, however, Salvadiscos became an association that turned into a lifeline for Barcelona’s DJs, who couldn’t play their records, as nightlife was shut down.   At Salvadiscos, DJs and collectors would come together to share their music and records that they had bought abroad in Japan prior to the pandemic.   “It was like a little seed that was planted,” David explains, adding that after a few months, they had the opportunity to move to a larger space on the Santa Madrona Square in Poble Sec. There, they founded the cultural association.   After the lockdown ended, David says that people needed to get out of their homes and disconnect from what was going on. “People needed to have fun, to dance, and to listen to music.”   Since then, the seed has blossomed into an association with more than 8,000 members, that hosts DJ nights, concerts, workshops, book presentations and sells vinyls.  The growth of the vinyl community in Salvadiscos parallels the growing popularity of vinyl records in Barcelona and Catalonia in general.   The number of vinyl records sold in Catalonia has been growing steadily for years, and in 2023, close to 170,000 vinyl records were sold in Catalonia. At the same time, vinyl sales almost reached €5 million, surpassing CDs for the first time since the 1980s, according to the latest data from the Catalan Institute for Cultural Companies (ICEC).  As noted by the 2023 Global Music Report vinyl’s upward trajectory in sales has been "sustained for more than a decade - continued with growth of just over 17% in 2022," while CD sales saw a slight decline.   Back in Barcelona, David, who got his first record at 14 years old, is not surprised by the newfound popularity of vinyl records.  "They sold us the idea that CDs have much better sound quality, but it’s a lie," he says, arguing that when music is digitalized many frequencies disappear, making the sound lose “richness”.   In David’s opinion, listeners do not only lose out on better quality but also on a wider variety of music.  “The music we listen to on Spotify reaches us through algorithms,” he says. “And we also only get the music that the majority of people listen to, and what the big music companies choose to promote.” He is not against Spotify as a whole, though, and says it’s great to use when you’re on the go.   Still, the beauty of vinyl and places like Salvadiscos, according to David, is the experience of sharing music.  “A DJ comes in and plays a set chosen for the occasion and he takes you on a sound journey and introduces you to new music,” he says, adding that a DJ’s knowledge transmits the joy of the music to the listener.   “The DJ has purchased every record in his possession, and he knows who produced it, where it was bought and why, and all of this makes you appreciate and savor the music,” says David with a smile.   In Barcelona, record stores and listening bars are popping up everywhere, and according to David, Salvadiscos is partially responsible.   “Many DJs have played at Salvadiscos, some of them started here, and now they are doing gigs in Barcelona and all around Europe.”  Whether the revival will continue or not, the essence of records for David is sharing the love of music with others and the community it creates.   To learn more about Barcelona’s vinyl revival, listen to the latest episode of our podcast.   this famous theatre has been reborn from its ashes El Molino ('The Mill' – think Moulin Rouge) has regained the splendour of its glory days when it was the best-known theatre of the Paral·lel area irreverent and with its own way of poking fun at the censorhsip of the time El Molino continues its history of cabaret as well as theatre and flamenco performances Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker The Poble-sec neighborhood celebrates its Festa Major between July 14 and 23 More than a week of festive activities for all audiences focused on music we are again joining the extensive list of activities that will be offered to celebrate the Poble-sec Festival which will fill the streets of the neighborhood with life we will complement the extensive list of events that will take place throughout the festival A way to strengthen existing links with the neighborhood and generate synergies in relation to our immediate surroundings free guided tours will be offered in Catalan A way to discover the Castle and get to know the curiosities that hide its extensive years of history This activity offers the possibility of interacting with an environment that is part of the face of the mountain You can book your ticket by clicking on the following link. Montjuïc Castle: Carretera de Montjuïc 66, 08038 Barcelona | Phone: 932 564 440 | Mail: castell@bcn.cat | Information | Suggestions After a day spent exploring Montjuïc’s gardens and museums this cozy corner restaurant in nearby El Poble-Sec makes for an ideal dinner stop La Platilleria doesn’t have a fixed menu; rather the kitchen offers a daily selection of seasonal There are Spanish stalwarts like patatas bravas which might include a rich dish of braised oxtail atop polenta A small but well-curated selection of Spanish wine and craft beer is available—if you’re feeling daring (or thrifty) a penguin-shaped carafe of rustic local wine Information on this page, including website, location, and opening hours, is subject to have changed since this page was last published. If you would like to report anything that’s inaccurate, let us know at notification@afar.com. AFAR participates in affiliate marketing programs, which means we may earn a commission if you purchase an item featured on our site.© 2025 AFAR LLC SpainChevron CataloniaChevron BarcelonaChevron Courtesy of Quimet y Quimet (via facebook)Save this storySaveSave this storySaveAt 6:48 p.m. on a balmy Barcelona evening, a line of more than 15 people has formed outside an otherwise inconspicuous red doorway in the El Poble-sec district. A rectangular sign sways gently overhead, but its lettering is small enough to leave passersby squinting and wondering, slowing their gait and murmuring to each other, “¿Qué esta pasando aquí?"(What’s happening here?) “What do you think is best here?” asks a man who has pushed himself to the bar. Quim pauses. “Everything.” Laughter scatters across the crowd, and Quim smiles. The man is still waiting. Quim leans forward and tries again. “Do you like mussels?” Courtesy of Quimet y Quimet (via facebook)There is a lull in ordering, and Quim wipes down the counter and peers over the bar and out the door. “Tenemos espacio adentro,” he gestures to the line of people who have curled around the building and crowded the doorway to watch and wait. “Move in,” he encourages. “There is space.” After a final montadito with sweet tomato and cured wisps of beef, it’s time for the tab. “Nothing else?” asks Quim. “No?” The bill is settled, and the chef bows his head slightly in thanks. With that, he returns to a ritual he performs hundreds of times a night: he grabs a plate, and begins to build. up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world ‘It’s more than just a bar for drinking or a bar counter to sit at,’ says Oswaldo Brito ‘Restaurant with bar’ is how they define it: I like the concept standing guard over the private room and the kitchen door Is it possible to know when a dish really matters There’s always one that stands out above the rest that you find yourself thinking about days after you devoured it Suquet – the classic Catalan fisherman’s  dish – but Thai Two serving dishes – one with coconut milk and the other a paella pan with a gift wrapped in Carta Fata paper: sea bass with a sofregit sauce the foundation of Mediterranean Catalan cuisine Each mouthful of fish and sofregit is to be dipped in the white Thai sauce They worked together in Lima and bring common sense and knowledge to fusion Good interior design that doesn’t overwhelm and move on to a smooth Mencia from Algueira The yucca and scamorza cheese croquettes could use a little more citric mayonnaise to lighten the texture The tracciatella burrata with a hazelnut praline and fried aubergines is a risky but successful combination Top marks for the corball ceviche – perfectly cut – with yellow chilli An impressive score for the tuna with a jus of lomo saltado (a Peruvian touch) – a sauce that would work with almost anything Then another knockout dish: thin strips of raw Iberian pork fillet white chocolate and Greek yoghurt with red fruits under its reigning monarch Albert Adrià Neighbors have been complaining for months about empty apartments being used to sell narcotics ACN | Barcelona Dozens of people were arrested on Monday morning in an anti-drug dealing operation carried out by Catalan police and local police mainly in Barcelona’s Raval neighborhood in the old town The Catalan police said that at least 47 people have been arrested after the operation.  The raids started in the early morning after a two-year investigation into the issue and after neighbors have been complaining for months about empty apartments being used to sell drugs a big part of the people arrested are Dominican nationals and the raids occurred not only in the Raval area but also in Poble-Sec and Nou Barris neighborhoods as well as several towns in the Barcelona metro area.  Some 700 police officers took part in the operation against these apartments that have become known as 'narcopisos' Some police sources also said that inside most of the flats there were a lot of people.  A local court in Barcelona is leading the investigation which was opened for crimes against public health and criminal organization This is the most personal project of the prolific Iglesias brothers, who also have a hand in nearby seafood temple Rías de Galicia, Casa de Tapes Cañota and Bellavista del Jardín del Norte this last one along with a certain footballer called Leo Messi they've literally gone back to basics with a menu that's focused mainly on raw food ('cru' means 'raw' in Catalan) It started as an expansion project into the upstairs part of Rías de Galicia and ended up as a place to sample some of the best seafood in Barcelona. As well as incredible products when the elements put together on the plate by chef Ever Cubilla – such as the salad of lobster and razor clams from the Cíes Islands with mustard and ginger vinagrette – invade your mouth the resulting emotion will feed both your stomach and your spirit.  There's a saying in Spanish that translates roughly to 'Small house and the owners of Casa Xica (which means Small House in Catalan) Marc and Raquel must have very big hearts indeed Following an intense period living in China and some delicious and difficult life experiences together the couple got married and set up this little jewel of an eatery with a bit of help from a third party a childhood friend and a professional in the world of good service.Marc and Raquel's long trips in search of flavours and palate pleasers you see on the menu in Casa Xica serve as a passport for your taste buds that you can use to explore without leaving your chair in Poble-sec The easiest way to describe what they do is to call it fusion cooking and in their case it's more of a compilation of tastes they've learned in faraway lands with their own touch added to tempt even the fussiest of diners made from local ingredients and enhanced with fish practically taken right from the sea – you can't go wrong but unfortunately they don't have it every day because some can find it quite heavy you can try the dish of the day along with a drink and dessert for less than €10 The menu invites you to study it and decide what you'll have this time and when you'll come back to try the next item that's caught your eye whether its origins are the shores of the Mekong or under the Japanese sun who suffered under a particularly finicky French chef in London has created a rabbit rillette: in addition to opening your gastronomic world up to this farm animal that's healthy to eat and priced right she's also managed to take this dish that's usually made with duck and is often on the heavy side and change it into something flavourful and satisfying You'll also find a salt-marinated mackerel with Japanese radish vinaigrette that's served with chopsticks so you can slow down and enjoy it there are also forks and knives on the table for anyone who thinks slow is one thing I'd love to see Casa Xica open up their wine list a bit since such a great menu deserves more of a choice of good wines to pair it with and promised to return because there are just so many gorgeous items left to try I won't say which – you'll just have to go and be temptingly surprised but it works!’ La Piña’s innovative take on grilled cheese is its go-to menu item British owners Jamie Garrett and Celine Gale opened the bar/restaurant last year in Poble-sec Garrett had previously been a pub manager in London and you can see a lifetime of bartender’s charm in him What the locals call a ‘bikini’ (or toasted ham and cheese sandwich) is ingrained in their fondest childhood memories a universal Sunday afternoon snack that’s also enjoyed in Garrett and Gale’s native UK La Piña decided to fuse it with other flavours where it’s called ‘a delicious American dream’ Macaroni with barbecue sauce and chives held together with a tantalizing mix of cheddar I guess it's called La Britney because it’s so over the top The other star of the menu is La Reina (The Queen) tetilla and ham with a crispy cheese crown La Piña has the feel of a local bar in El Raval where they also host clothing and language exchanges and offer an impressive selection of eco wines craft beer (try the IPA Ziggy!) and a small but satisfying cocktail menu and in each slice you can taste the baker's passion for creating the most organic and artisan product not least through Airbnb arrangements.Image: DW/S DerksEclectic and diverseOriginally Barcelona's El Poble-Sec area was a poor neighborhood where factory-workers from the power plant used to live local residents are being driven from their neighborhoods leaving locals with little sense of cohesion has been transformed into a hotspot for bars and cafes selling pinchos Rising rents are often directly linked to the presence of Airbnbs in the neighborhood Barcelona's city council has stopped issuing new short-term rental licences making Airbnb illegal for most of the landlords in the city Gentrification leads to speculation and as a result prices and rents for housing have increased exorbitantly Nowadays the average rent of an apartment is €950 euro ($1,056) their places are taken over by more affluent residents Catarina Jakovac has been living with her boyfriend in a El Poble-Sec apartment for six months Both work as researchers at European universities It's in the top 10 most visited destinations worldwide accounting for 30 million tourists annually neighbors joined forces and protested against the eviction of a man living here in the El Poble Sec neighborhood An investor bought the property to convert it into upmarket designer apartments After separating from his wife he rented a room in El Poble Sec lodgings in that neighborhood (and Barcelona in general) start at €300 Barcelona has suffered the consequences of mass tourism As a result more and more initiatives are popping up to confront gentrification an initiative called "Barcelona Manifesto: Cities against Gentrification" has been developed to highlight the housing problems here and elsewhere in cities where gentrification is becoming a serious problem All you need to make your day-to-day life in the city easier Find the best way to travel and get about in Barcelona All the activities and places that enable you to make the most of your city The Castellers del Poble Sec celebrate 25 years of building human towers "a la poblesequina" with a programme of special activities throughout the season in 2024 the human towers group from Poble-sec invites people from the neighbourhood and elsewhere to engage in ‘bandarrisme’ in other words building human towers and fostering community The four displays being organised by the Bandarra group will be very special this year: in terms of human towers there are some other attractive events for the group with the sky blue shirts: the 25th anniversary of the group includes two special dates on the calendar both as part of the Festa Major del Poble-sec with Clara Aler and Benet Íñigo representing the group by giving the opening speech The first is during the weekend of the Sec a Sac the music festival being held in the Parc de les Tres Xemeneies on 19 and 20 July The other is a day of family activities the following Thursday which coincides with the exact date of the group’s official presentation in 1999 The Castellers del Poble Sec are preparing a documentary and an exhibition on the path and the spirit of the group over these 25 years The ‘Bandarres’ have always been a singular group The very name of the group is a good example Created by people with little or no human towers knowledge the group have been irreverent and original from the start Their erotic calendar (2011) and audiovisual sculpture Castelloscopi (City of Barcelona Award 2015) are examples of this As an organisation they have always had a clear social vocation Notable examples in this respect include granting the use of their premises to various organisations during the pandemic as well as programmes for the integration of newly arrived people which has been going for more than a decade They also have their own style when it comes to building human towers This is why the slogan for their 15th anniversary is A la poblesequina! underlining the group’s own style in all areas The slogan was chosen by a large majority in a vote among the group’s members in February the winning entry in a competition with a prize of €300 Some people will never get over the fact that Barcelona has three cold days a year a dish of the house crinkly fried potatoes and imagine that you’re in the Canaries the black-and-white movie stills and the muted bar lights will multiply your nostalgia for palm trees tenfold Urban Planning and Mobility Area is responsible for providing municipal services linked to the public areas and city services which make life easier for people who live and work in the city.  The City Council seeks to ensure a quality public space a green and biodiverse city that is productive and resilient a city committed to active and sustainable mobility with public involvement and commitment Urban Planning and Mobility Area has different instruments as well as advisory and participatory bodies for effective involvement and collaboration in municipal projects with the general public The Council sees to the smooth running of the city services to ensure the daily wellbeing of the public and contribute towards the city's development Paral·lel is to be transformed to add new uses The reclassification of the site will allow the owners to create offices here the city will get contributions worth 11.2 million euros to cover the needs of local people The negotiation with the company Conren Tramway includes the future of two empty buildings offering more than 22,000 square metres of space The agreement unlocks the urban future of this area Until now the only companies which could set up here were those linked to essential services such as water The change in the urban plan will allow the owners to create a hub of offices with 20,300 square metres of space with the value of the land increasing from 13 to 35 million euros Steps taken by the company to help the increase in value bring benefits for the general public include: The financial contribution will allow new facilities and affordable housing to be created in the neighbourhood Greater security and more life in the square The transformation of the Tres Xemeneies site will start in the coming months with the administrative process for the new urban plan Approval will also be given to the projects for the new headquarters for the CECOR and the gardens in the square which will be provisionally remodelled this summer These temporary steps are intended to eliminate architectural barriers preserve identity elements and promote uses for local people