The Best Things To See And Do In Sant Antoni Barcelona

The Sant Antoni neighborhood belongs to Barcelona’s central district of L’Eixample. It is limited by Ronda Universitat between Plaza Espanya and Plaza Universitat, by Ronda Sant Pau and by Avenida Paral·lel. This quiet area is not home to many historical monuments or grand museums, and is often omitted from the traditional list of must-see spots in Barcelona’s guide-books. Nevertheless, Sant Antoni has a charming atmosphere, its own hidden gems, and a variety of great bars to choose from when considering an apéritif. The Culture Trip invites you to discover some off-the-beaten-track spots of Barcelona in the area of Sant Antoni.

The Sant Antoni Market Of Antique Books

Bookstore

A huge market of second-hand books takes place right outside the exit of the metro Sant Antoni each Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Whether you are a true book fan or not, this event is so atmospheric that it definitely deserves a visit at least once. You’ll be able to immerse yourself in a lively bargain world of art collectors, touch some really exquisite volumes of books and albums, look at vintage posters and postcards or just occasionally find some really curious books at an affordable price to read on your next voyage. The sellers’ stands are set around the modernist historical building of Sant Antoni’s Market, which dates back to 1882. Interestingly, when the grand renovation works of this building started in 2009, the remains of Roman monuments were found unexpectedly below the construction. All of that seems to be a sign: the place around the market is filled, literally, with ancient history and antique legends and is unique in Barcelona.

The Moritz Bar And Design Store

Bar, Restaurant

The Moritz Bar is situated on Ronda Sant Antoni right in the brewery building, with its more than 150 years of history. Inside you can see a tiny exposition of professional beer-making equipment and a lot of retro posters on the walls. Its creative design and lively atmosphere attract a lot of progressive young people to this place. Master classes and presentations by famous local writers and showmen are held in this bar. If you are not really up for beer, Moritz offers a separate cozy restaurant section devoted to wine tasting. It also has its own souvenir shop, M-Store, where you can find witty t-shirts, utensils, accessories for your car or flat, extravagant books, and street art albums.

Art Gallery Escalera De Incendios

Bar, Market

Escalera de Incendios can be translated as ‘a fire escape ladder’ in English, so already by its name you might have an idea about the creative goals and nonconformist spirit of this place. It aims to provide a channel to the world of independent contemporary art and hosts a gallery, co-working space, and an art agency. Here you can visit various temporary exhibitions of young photographers and artists, meet them in person, buy their works, or participate in the regular artistic presentations, master classes, and underground art events, such as Young Gallery Weekend or Fire Market.

Vermouth Bars Of Sant Antoni

Sant Antoni is a number-one area to try apéritifs and, in particular, local vermouths. Explore the streets of Manso, Ronda Sant Pau, and Comte Borrell. Turn to Carrer del Parlament, where you’ll inevitably find a bunch of young and lively people in front of the bodega El Vinito and Bar Calders. Another starred place of homemade vermouth is Bar Olimpia, situated in Carrer de l’Aldea. It occupies the building of the former circus theater Olympia that was extremely popular during the years 1924-1947 and has been created as an homage to this legendary place and to the retro atmosphere of the 1940s.

Bar Calders, C/ Parlament 25, Barcelona, Spain + 34 933 299 349

Bar Olimpia, C/Aldea, 11 , Barcelona, Spain +34 606 20 08 00

Bodega Vinito, C/ Parlament 27, Barcelona, Spain + 34 934 429 657

Renoir Floridablanca Cinema With Movies In Original Language

The Renoir Floridablanca cinema is popular among the aficionados of cinematography since the films here are shown in their original language. Situated in the city center, between the metro stations of Sant Antoni and Universitat, this place hosts seven screens and has an up-to-date repertoire of world movie premieres. Spend a few hours relaxing hours here, as locals do, on one of the windy and rainy days of autumn.

Jardins De Candida Perez

If you are slightly tired of long walks, city noise, and summer heat, take a rest in the small interior garden at Carrer del Comte Borrell, 44. This idyllic and cozy oasis was inaugurated in 2009. It has a couple of benches under shaded trees, a playground for kids, and the Joan Oliver City Library right next door. The atmosphere of this hidden garden is, indeed, poetic; it’s not a surprise that it carries the name of Càndida Pérez, a famous Catalan couplet singer of the first part of the 20th century.

Shops And Showrooms of Sant Antoni

You will not find very many mass-market clothing or souvenir shops in Sant Antoni, but it is a good area to browse for affordable everyday stuff, software, equipment, or repair shops for everything on earth from shoes to furniture. Check the streets of Ronda Sant Antoni, Compte Urgell, and Compte Borrell. If you are not indifferent to antique furniture, head to Carrer de Viladomat and call at the Valnot studio, which is involved in recycling and restoration, or visit El Recibidor, a showroom of vintage furniture and a creative place for design catwalks, art exhibitions, and master classes.

Valnot Studio, C/Viladomat, 30, Barcelona, Spain, +34 935 31 41 79

El Recibidor, C/Viladomat, 9, Barcelona, Spain, +34 935 30 42 21
By Elena Isaeva

About the author

Elena Isaeva

I am a professional linguist and translator, but apart of languages, I have been always passionate about travel, urban art and cultural journalism. Barcelona, where I live since 2013, in this aspect, seems to be my eternal source of inspiration and I with great pleasure share my discoveries!