The Top 10 Things To Do And See In El Born

El Born is an old craftsmen area that is nowadays one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Barcelona. The area has a unique feeling to it. There are tons of hip bars and concept stores to be found in the narrow streets and beautiful small plazas. Located in between the park of Ciutadella and Gothic quarter, and relatively close to the beach, El Born is in the heart of the city.

Palau de la Música Catalana

Walking in the upper part of El Born, this is a building that you cannot miss. The amazing architecture of Palau with all the colors and details will surely catch your eye. Viewing the outside of the building is an experience in its own right, but the guided tours give a better understanding of the history of Palau de la Música as well as to the details of the concert hall. Note: the most authentic experience is to buy a ticket and go to see one of the concerts. En aparté © Mirva Kemppainen

En aparté

This beautiful French café, En aparté, located at the Placa de Sant Pere offers brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 am to 16:30 pm. The place itself is already worth seeing with old sewing machines as tables, mismatched chairs and a warm atmosphere. The staff is also really friendly. Apart from the brunch, the delicious cheese plate is extremely recommended.

Paella Showroom

Shops like this are a great example of the style in El Born. This showroom sells many local designers as well as some vintage products, and they also have a small art gallery space in the back with changing featured artists. By entering this shop you will surely have a rush of inspiration and amazement for all the talented designers. There are also smaller things on sale from notebooks to coffee mugs. Excellent souvenirs with plenty of personality for your friends.

La Santa del Born

Apartment

For all the burger fans in Barcelona, this is the place to go. La Santa del Born prepares burgers with quality meat and incredible flavor combinations. This space is cozy and intimate, perfect for spending an evening with friends over good food. The prices are moderate, too, so don’t hesitate to head to La Santa to taste some of their delicious burgers. Borne Centre Cultural © OK Apartment/Flickr

El Born Centre Cultural

Market

The old market of Born turned into a cultural center, which is situated near Passeig del Born, in the middle of a beautiful plaça. Inside this impressive building, you will find old remains of Barcelona from the 18th century. They also have exhibitions, the permanent collection focused on Barcelona around the same time as the remains that were found in the building. The cultural center organizes different kinds of events, too. A visit to this venue is certainly an impactful way of gaining a deeper appreciation for the city.

Arxiu Fotogràfic de Barcelona

Located in the same building as the Chocolate Museum, this venue is also worth a visit if culture and photography interest you. The photography archive presents pictures mostly from Barcelona, ranging from the early days of photography to the more current ones. The exhibition space is not huge but provides a fascinating sight into old Barcelona. Visual Poetry © Mirva Kemppainen

Visual Poetry Barcelona

Merely by entering Visual Poetry, 100% made in Barcelona, you can fully experience the concept behind the store. This space exists in perfect harmony with the clothes that they sell. Designs are original and there is something for everybody. Selections for women, men, as well as children. The two guys who own the shop deserve praise for always being friendly and helpful. Don’t forget to visit Visual Poetry Barcelona while taking a walk in El Born. © markheybo/Flickr

Espai Mescladís

This café, in a lovely courtyard, offers ecological food with an ideology behind it. Espai Mescladís is a social project to help immigrants and populations at risk of marginalization to integrate into society. By visiting, you also support a good cause. There is no better place to have fresh ginger juice and a homemade-style meal on a hot day, enjoying the surroundings at a reasonable price. Visit the café with friends or by yourself in the company of a good book.

Museu Europeu d’Art Modern

Museum

The Modern Art Museum is easily overshadowed by the Picasso Museum located on a nearby street, but this is undeserved. This museum offers changing exhibitions, fresh artists and thought-provoking pieces of art. Their collection includes figurative art instead of abstract, which makes the museum stand out from other contemporary art museums. A must-see for anybody who likes contemporary art and would like to gain a new perspective on the subject. © Radiuk/Wikicommons

Mercat de Santa Caterina

Market

The Market of Santa Caterina is housed in a colorful building full of fresh fruits, seafood, and other seasonal goods. The range of colors on the roof is almost as varied as the different products the market offers for purchasing. This market is a great place to stop by to admire the architecture, buy a little something to eat and sit down for a while for some people-watching. If you want to see the market busy, make sure to visit in the morning instead of afternoon. By Mirva Kemppainen

About the author

Mirva Kemppainen

An art lover living in Barcelona, 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.