This Barcelona Neighborhood Is A Medieval Labyrinth Hiding Subterranean Roman Ruins And Old-World Magic

In Barcelona, tourists can stay very busy marveling at modernist masterpieces like Gaudí's Parc Güell and the soon-to-be-finished Sagrada Familia Basilica, but in the history of the Catalan capital, these are relatively new developments. If you want to get to the deepest layer of the city's history, you're going to have to go back over 2,000 years to the founding of Barcino, the original Roman settlement that started it all.

Protected by ancient walls, some of which are still standing, this city was much smaller than present-day Barcelona, and today it is better known as the Gothic Quarter, or in Catalan, "el Barri Gòtic." Over the centuries, the original settlement grew, and there are remnants of history from every chapter of the city's history still being discovered as recently as 2025. The streets are as narrow and atmospheric as they were in the Middle Ages, although some areas are more Neo-Gothic thanks to revitalizations in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Even after living in Barcelona for many years, the Gothic Quarter is still my favorite place to get lost in. Set aside at least half a day for exploring the many sights, or consider getting a hotel nearby to take advantage of the central location. Although you should avoid eating on Las Ramblas, there are actually many good restaurants in the Gothic Quarter where you can tuck in for some tapas or traditional Catalan fare. Here's a short guide to exploring this magical neighborhood.

Not far from the cathedral, you will find the gateway to the ancient Roman City at the MUHBA Plaça del Rei, where you can see the ancient stones that laid the foundation of the city all the way back in the 1st century B.C., as well as remnants from later years up to the 13th century. When you emerge back above ground, make sure you stop by the easy-to-miss Temple d'August between the back of the cathedral and Plaça Sant Jaume, where four columns from the 2,000-year-old temple still stand. Visit the remnants of the Roman aqueduct at the Casa l'Ardiaca, which is a small museum with rotating exhibits, and the old gate at Porta de Mar, which is only open on Saturdays.

If you're heading to Spain in the summer, be warned that this tends to be the hottest and most crowded time of the year, and in the narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter, elbow room is hard to come by. The best time to visit the Gothic Quarter is in the winter low season, since most of the archeological attractions are indoors anyway. Yet even Barcelona's cooler temperatures are sometimes warm enough for enjoying picturesque plazas and getting lost in El Call. This is the most labyrinthine part of the neighborhood, but don't be afraid to wander and let the streets unveil their secrets to you.

So much history will no doubt make you hungry and in need of a well-deserved siesta. However, there's no denying that this is one of the most touristy places in the city, and it can be difficult to look past the endless souvenir shops, cookie-cutter gelato places, and other inauthentic eateries waiting to overcharge you for a still-frozen-on-the-inside croquette. There are a few Michelin-rated gems like Caelis and historic bars such as Els 4 Gats that famously served Picasso and friends, but for an authentic sit-down Catalan meal, try Ca l'Agut. If you still can't find anything to suit your cravings, take a short walk to the waterfront TimeOut Market, which has a diverse array of dishes representing Barcelona's best restaurants.

If it's your first visit to Barcelona, the Gothic Quarter is a great neighborhood to stay in, especially if you only have a day or two to see the city. That said, it can get hectic on weekends in areas where there are more bars, so you want to choose your hotel carefully. For location, the Kimpton Vivadora is perfectly situated halfway between Las Ramblas and the Cathedral, on a quiet side street that gets a lot less traffic than you'd think. It also has a fantastic rooftop pool and bar with 360-degree views of the city.