Barcelona is just like New York City divided in different areas, barrios, that together create the diversity of Barcelona! I live in the Gothic quarters, Barrio Gótico, just between the old Cathedral Santa Eulalia and the Ramblas, in a small quiet pedestrian street (thank god), and when you cross the Ramblas on the other side you enter in Raval and into another world it feels like! It’s funny cos even if I live so close to Raval I tend to stay on my side of the Ramblas, but this sunny Saturday I made it across to the other side and spent half the day strolling about in the neighbourhood up-dating myself with new bars and coffeeshops. You have to know more or less what streets to walk and what alleys to avoid. There are som really autenthic places that I would bring friends and clients to, and there are some I would carefully make them avoid. But it is absolutely impressing to see how this”barrio” is evolving!
The multi-culti distric of Raval is located in the medieval city quarter of Barcelona, that was until recently one of the most densely populated urban areas in the world! Recent and ongoing regeneration schemes have dramatically altered the social, environmental and economic characteristics of some parts of the area. This is an upcoming area slowly transforming from slum and ghetto into a fashionable and more respectable area.. We do hope that it will not get too polished up in order to preserve some of its soul and nerve. Shafts of sunlight filtering into the narrow passage-ways give a sense of drama usually reserved for film sets! The main street of Rambla de Raval has become a popular meeting point where coffeeshops and restaurants are starting to pop up in a more well groomed way.
Rambla de Raval, the main street of the “barrio”
They have their own “barrio” bus!
Of course it is also the people of the barrio that add a certain spice to the neighbourhood, its colourful, its muli-culti – and NOT very catalan!
The cool thing about the blocks in Barcelona in general, and especially here, is that the old “cutre” (tacky) places are nextdoor to the new trendy ones which create an interesting touch to the city!
In the parade street, Rambla de Raval, the city contributed with a statue of the famous Spanish artist Botero which is climbed both by kids and grown ups crossing the Raval!
The inhabitants of the barrio demonstrate that they claim a decent and neat “barrio” filled with dignity!
Constructions are going on everywhere and you will be fascinated by the mix of buildings almost falling apart standing next to ultra modern buildings that are popping up in the blocks!
The first hotel chain who dared to make an imporant step (and investment) in the area is Barcelo Hoteles with its modern contribution to the Raval skyline – Barcelo Raval!
The first 4-star hotel of importance that really stands out in this area!
The cool lobby could be taken from the Meatpacking district of New York, but its not, its right here in Raval, Barcelona! And it is the only hotel with 360· view of Barcelona from the roof terrace, a cool hang out during hot summer nights! Rooms neat and trendy!
I ended my Saturday walk with a nice lunch in one of my all time favorite outdoor restaurants, the RA, just behind the colourful market place, La Boqueria! To my great satisfaction it is still difficult for many tourists to find this spot as it is awkwardly enough situated in a parking lot, but still one of the best terraces with sun all day! Years of good rumours and whispers has made RA into a super popular restaurant and hang out among the people living in Barcelona, so to get a table you have to be there early around 13.30 to snatch a seat as reservations cant be made in advance!
