Neighborhood Guide: El Born, Barcelona

NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE

EL BORN, BARCELONA

Barcelona’s past, present, and future collide in its most fashionable and culturally innovative district

curated by

Pau Guardans of Grand Hotel Central

Barcelona’s past, present, and future collide in its most fashionable and culturally innovative district: El Born. Its abundance of offerings ranges from the exquisite 13th-century Church of Santa Maria del Mar to hip boutiques like Maje and Custo Barcelona. “Try to imagine a medieval New York’s SoHo spilling over with the most avant-garde establishments,” says Pau. “That’s the Born!” Here are his top picks:

SHOPPING
DEMASIÉ

"On the winding Carrer de la Princesa you’ll find Demasié, a delicious cookie shop run by the same family for over 150 years." +34 93 3104 295
Carrer de la Princesa 28
DEMASIE
DINING
CAL PEP

"The area is peppered with outstanding tapas bars, but Cal Pep is ahead of the pack, serving up interesting, light takes on traditional Spanish small plates, like squid with artichoke and mint or chard-wrapped hake." Plaça de les Olles 8
+34 93 3192 102

CAL PEP
DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE
MERCAT DE SANTA CATERINA

"Designed by Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue, it is well worth going in for a stroll around the stands to experience the sensations of color and light diffused through its unusual roof." +34 932 689 918
C/ Francesc Cambo 16
MERCAT DE SANTA CATERINA
ART & CULTURE
EL REY DE LA MAGIA

"One of the city’s most charming shops, El Rey de la Magia has offered inspiration to generations of magicians (way before Harry Potter began at Hogwarts)." Calle Jonqueres 15
+34 93 3197 393

EL REY DE LA MAGIA
ART & CULTURE
PICASSO MUSEUM

"An absolute must: the museum contains some of Picasso’s earliest works, including some from his ‘Blue’ and ‘Rose’ periods, together with his famous interpretation of ‘Las Meninas’." Carrer de Montcada 15-19
+34 93 2563 000

PICASSO MUSEUM
DINING
COMERÇ, 24

"The area is bursting with great, chic restaurants, but we particularly recommend Michellin-starred Comerç, 24, where Carlos Abellan serves unusual fare using molecular and other avant-garde techniques. It’s a sophisticated cuisine that combines imagination and talent." Comerç, 24
+34 93 319 21 02

COMERQ, 24