Gracia, a cool neighborhood

Gràcia is a neighborhoods full of charm. It is one of the most emblematic, beautiful, and cosmopolitan districts of Barcelona. Day and night, there's always something to do. Have a coffee at Plaça de la Virreina, buy some tomatoes at Mercat de La Albaceria, watch a movie at Verdi cinemas, or dine at Amrit restaurant. Everything and everyone fits into this little piece of Barcelona!

A bit of history: Gràcia was an independent town from Barcelona until 1897 when it became part of Barcelona. Initially, it housed convents that couldn't fit within the city walls, as well as agricultural areas. Urbanization took shape in the 17th century: a square and four or five streets emanating from its center. By the mid-19th century, industries were located in the area, making Gràcia one of the most important working-class neighborhoods in Barcelona. Its republican and liberal ideology can be seen in the names of some of its streets, squares, and markets: "Llibertat" (Freedom), "Progrès" (Progress), "Revolució" (Revolution).

Here's our little selection to start discovering the neighborhood:

- Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia, the administrative center of Gràcia, with a 33-meter bell tower, is a must-see. It's beautiful!

- Plaça del Nord, one of the quietest and lesser-known squares with a special charm.

- Plaça de la Virreina, one of the most beautiful squares of Vil.la de Gràcia. The church of Sant Josep crowns it, there are trees, a fountain, and it's full of life.

- Plaça del Diamant, one of the most famous squares in Gràcia. Mercè Rodoreda wrote a famous novel with its name, and it has an air-raid shelter built during the Civil War that can be visited.

- Park Güell, one of the most visited places in the neighborhood, a work of Antoni Gaudí, with charming corners. However, the entire neighborhood is worth visiting to explore its squares and streets full of unique shops.

- Casa Vicens, one of Gaudí's early houses, one of the neighborhood's jewels.

- The Gràcia Festivities are the coolest and most beautiful in the city. From August 15th to 21st, the neighbors decorate the streets throughout Gràcia. Organizers gather for months and, with creativity and hard work, create wonders. Besides, during those days, there are different activities: parades, "gegants i capsgrossos" (giants and big heads), "diables" (devils), popular meals, groups of "castellers" (human towers), live music. You can walk through the decorated streets and be completely amazed, searching for the winner of the year, which is usually spectacular. The night is great, impossible to get bored.

- Verdi cinemas, one of the best places for original version movies.

- Chocolatería La Nena, Ramón y Cajal street 36, to enjoy a wonderful chocolate with churros, a cake, or whatever you fancy, everything is delicious.

- Mercat de la Llibertat, after the renovation, it's beautiful. Tomatoes, plums, nuts, chicken, fresh fish, flowers, all in a wonderful building.

And we recommend wandering through the streets. The whole neighborhood is worth visiting and exploring, its squares, its streets, its people.