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Exploring the Medieval El Born neighbourhood of Barcelona
Art Museums, a Cathedral, Designer boutique shops and tapas bars in a medieval quarter of downtown Barcelona of narrow winding streets
About El Born
El Born Neighbourhood is the most fashionable place in the city full of boutique clothes shops for that one-off piece, as well as chic cafes, bars and restaurants. El born also has a vibrant nightlife and the largest concentration of art museums in Barcelona such as The Picasso museum, MEAM and MOCO.
El Born has Medieval origins as a settlement built on top of an area used for jousting competitions and celebrations. El born was a part of Barcelona that became urbanised by tradesmen and merchants due to it's proximity to the sea and growing Barcelona docks. El Born Montcada street was where the wealthiest of Barcelona's merchants built their town houses. Today these houses (or minor palaces) are now home to the Picasso Museum and MOCO.
El born district has Santa Maria del Mar cathedral rivalling that of the Gothic quarter Cathedral which offers guided tours to the roof terrace and bell tower. It is in the streets around the cathedral where you will find the greatest concentration of boutique shops.
Linking Santa Maria del Mar cathedral/major basilica to the El Born market is Passeig del born, a broad tree lined boulevard with great restaurants and tapas bars. At the end of Passeig del born is a building that once housed Barcelona's Municipal food distribution market but this has since moved to Zona Franca and the building is now El Born Cultural Centre, An incredible museum space with the remains of medieval houses and streets.
At the top of El born in Carrer de Sant Pere Mes Alt which has a modernist masterpiece called Palau de la Música Catalana. It was built on the grounds of a former monastery to serve as a music hall for the choir. Palau de La Musica offers guided tours as well as a broad program of live music. Continuing down this street you will find Plaça de Sant Pere with a very beautiful fountain in the middle and the 10th century Romanesque Sant Pere de les Puelles church which offers guided tours.
Click on any of the images below to for detailed information about that tourist attraction in El Born.
Happy Exploring!
10 Things to do and see in El Born
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Basílica de Santa María del Mar - Born Cathedral
Gothic cathedral built 1383 at the peek of Catalonia's Maritime and mercantile prominence. Free entry but also offers a guided tour including visit to rooftop
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Mercat de Santa Caterina - Santa Caterina Market in El Born
Food market from 1848 with remodelled roof (2005) by Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue. contains a small display area preserving historic ruins
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Estació de França - Grand Train Station
Rebuilt for 1929 International Exhibition by architect Pedro Muguruza with grand concourse. Last remaining Mainline surface railway station in Barcelona
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Centre de Cultura i Memòria Born (CCM) - Born Cultural Centre
Spectacular exhibition space & archaeological ruins. Designed by Antoni Rovira i Trias as a food market for the wholesale of fruit & vegetables
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Plaça Del Fossar De Les Moreres Tribute to fallen soldiers
Former Santa María del Mar graveyard and burial site of the fallen from the 1714 siege of Barcelona. Today, a memorial square with eternal flame torch
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Museo Picasso Barcelona - Picasso Museum Barcelona
Opening hours, tickets & tips for visiting the Picasso Museum. 4000+ works on display within 5 medieval palaces in El Born District
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Sant Pere de les Puel·les Church Medieval monastery
10th Century Romanesque Benedictine monastery. What remains today is the 11th century ground floor church with cross floor plan
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Ethnological & World Cultures Museum Barcelona Montcada Site
The Ethnological Museum in Montcada street is a three-floor modern museum of cultural heritage from Africa, South America, India and pacific islands
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Passeig del Born Historic boulevard from cathedral to market
Medieval street with cannon ball and chest street art surrounded by fashion boutiques and art museums. Thriving nightlife cocktail bars and restaurants
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Map of El Born
Attractions
El Born Tickets and Tours
Experience Catalonian and Spanish culinary traditions with a guided stroll through the streets of Barcelona’s El Born district and Gothic Quarter. Gain an in-depth local culture and gastronomy with a visit to 4 local tapas bars with tastings and wine included. Your guide will escort you to some of the top tapas bars in the area, popular with the locals. Taste delicious food such as Iberian ham, various kinds of cheese from around Spain, the spicy patatas brava, octopus, and other tasty tapas accompanied by local wine.
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Savor the flavors of different wines from Spain and Catalonia at a wine tasting in the heart of Barcelona's Born District. Embark on a journey through the different wine regions to get a better understanding of their individual produce. Whether you consider yourself a wine connoisseur or a complete novice, the experience has something for you! Benefit from the services of an expert sommelier to learn the basics about Spanish wines and the different regions. Taste a selection of regional wines and hear about the different grape varieties. Get tips on wine tasting techniques and hear how to pair food with different wines.
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Located 100m from the Picasso museum is another great Art museum: Moco Museum Barcelona. Moco is bold, pink, disruptive and playful. Our evolving collection is a carefully curated balance between proven masters – such as Warhol, Basquiat and Banksy – and rising talent. From reality shifting light installations to contemporary Japanese sculpture, at Moco there’s a little something for every taste.
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located 50m from the Picasso Museum, MEAM is a must-see destination for lovers of contemporary figurative art. With a collection that highlights works by artists from around the world. MEAM offers a unique window into the creativity and artistic expression of the 21st century, from paintings to sculptures, the museum presents a wide variety of works that capture the beauty and complexity of figurative art today.
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Getting to El Born
Born has narow winding streets and is one of the oldest parts of Central downtown Barcelona and as such no metro lines run underneath but the neighbourhood is surounded by lines and stations which provide access.
To the left of El born is Gothic Quarter with the dividing line between them being Via Leitana with the yellow Metro Line (L4) running underneath. The best metro stop for el Born is Jaume I.
To the right of El Born is Parc Cuitadella with the best stop being the metro Red line (L1) Arc De Triomf station. This station is also served by Renfe Rodalies commuter rail trains.
At the bottom of El born is the Barceloneta neighbourhood which is served by Estacio de Franca Renfe station providing Regional and Rodalies rail services. The Yellow Metro line (L4) also stops at Barceloneta.
At the top of El born the Eixample district borders El born in Plaça de Urquinaona served by the red Metro Line (L1).
Use a T-Casual or Hola-Barcelona travel card.
Car parking in El Born
- Parking Saba Bamsa Francesc Cambó: Near to Santa Catarina Market.
Av. de Francesc Cambó 10, 08003 Barcelona - Parking Saba Bamsa Lluís Companys - Ciutadella: Near to Parc Cuitadella and Sant Pere de les Puel·les Church. Passeig de Lluís Companys, 08003 Barcelona
- Parking PARKIA El Born. CCM Barcelona: Near to EL Born Cultural Centre & Santa Maria del Mar Cathedral. Plaça Comercial 10, 08003 Barcelona
Where to Eat El Born
El Born is the place to go for eating tapas and for restaurants and bars. Below is a list of thr top highly recommended restarants and Bars in El Born.
Near Palau de la Música & Sant Pere Church
- Tosca Tapas y Vino: 40 different vegetarian, meat and seafood Tapas. Authentic Traditional Spanish tapas or new modern day tapas. Enjoy a large range of wines, fresh fruity cocktails or local craft beers within a warm and friendly ambience.
Carrer de Sant Pere Més Alt 8, 08003 Barcelona - Flax & Kale: Innovative health food restaurant with a menu strongly based around vegetables and salads. Gluten Free Healthy Pizzas, Asian-Mediterranean Fusion Cuisine.
Carrer de Sant Pere Més Alt 31, 08003 Barcelona - Casa Lolea: Contemporary Spanish cuisine & sangria in a chic space with unique polka-dot decor.
Carrer de Sant Pere Més Alt 49, 08003 Barcelona - Candela: Peruvian & Mediterranean Fusion with terrace dining in Plaça de Sant Pere.
Plaça de Sant Pere 12, 08003 Barcelona - Le Cucine Mandarosso: Authentic Italian pasta, seasonal mains & desserts.
Calle de Verdaguer i Callís 4, 08003 Barcelona
Near Santa Maria del Mar basilica & Picasso Museum
- Honest Greens Born: Mostly plant based food with an international mix of dishes.
Pla de Palau 11, 08003 Barcelona - La Vinya del Senyor: Outdoor tables in front of Santa maria del Mar basilica offering an wine and tapas.
Plaça de Santa Maria 5, 08003 Barcelona - Restaurant Petra:Contemporary seasonal Catalan cooking in a restaurant with colorful tiles and stained-glass windows.
Carrer dels Sombrerers 13, 08003 Barcelona - La Font de les Muses: Traditional Catalan food and tapas as well as a three course lunch set menu for only €12.90.
Carrer dels Banys Vells 18, 08003 Barcelona - Estimar: Award winning Michelin Guide restaurant known for its seafood and grilled dishes.
Carrer de Sant Antoni dels Sombrerers 3, 08003 Barcelona - Nonna’s Brunch: Brunch Sandwichees, salads and cakes with tea nad coffee. Carrer de les Caputxes 4, 08003 Barcelona
- El Chigre 1769: Bar serving Artisan Catalonian and Asturian tapas dishes with cider, vermouth and local wines.
C/ dels Sombrerers 7, 08003 Barcelona - Las Fritas: The best takeaway or eat in french fries you will find. C. de l'Argenteria 70, 08003 Barcelona
- sagardi: Basque food of charcoal grilled meats and fish dishes with homemade deserts. C. de l'Argenteria 62, 08003 Barcelona
Documents for El Born
Click on any one of the 2 PDFs to view in full screen and download.
Weather for Barcelona
What to take with you for El Born
Where to stay overnight in the Barcelona El Born Neighbourhood
How much does El Born Day Trip Cost?
El Born is free to walk around in with the below museums and Basilica charging for visits and guided tours.
Description
Adult
Adult Discounts
Child
Child Discounts
Palau De La Música
€ 18.00
Students €11, Over 65 years €16
FREE
Free under 10 years
Santa María del Mar Basílica
€ 15.00
Students, Over 65 years €10.50
FREE
Free under 10 years
Picasso Museum
€ 14.00
Under 25, Seniors and students €7.50
FREE
Free under 18 years
Born Cultural Centre
€ 4.00
Unemployed, Seniors and students €2.80
FREE
Free under 8 years
€ 51.00
Adult Total
€ 0.00
Child Total
Things to do near El Born
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Barcelona Gothic Quarter 2024 Guide & Attractions
Medieval & Roman walled heart of Barcelona. Narrow winding streets, old buildings, boutique shops, restaurants & squares. Discover 12 things to do and see
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Guide of Port Vell Marina Area of Barcelona
Once a thriving trading port, today redeveloped tourist hot spot with boat tours, museums, sailing ships, old buildings & shopping complex
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Discover the Parc Cuitadella Area of Barcelona
Demolished Citadel fortress was extensively redeveloped into a park for the 1889 world exhibition. Remaining citadel buildings government or museum spaces
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