The Gothic Quarter is the heart of old Barcelona, a medieval city built upon Roman foundations which has to be the first place to explore once you´ve discovered the adjacent Ramblas.

This historic hotchpotch of narrow and, in many cases, pedestrianised streets and squares is full of character and charm and home to hundreds of shops, bars and restaurants.
The gothic quarter nestles between Barcelona´s famous boulevard Las Ramblas and Via Laietana, with Plaza Catalunya at the top and the port at the bottom.
Portal de L'Angel, a modern pedestrianised shopping street which starts in Plaza Catalunya, leads to the traffic-free square dominated by the Cathedral and to the Roman walls that once encased the city. From here all of the major attractions are easily accessible, including the Roman remains beneath the City History Museum.

On the south side of the Gothic Quarter is the Plaza Real, a palm-lined square just off Las Ramblas whose bars and restaurants around each side are a relaxing place to stop and watch life during the day and at night when the square becomes a hive of activity.