Gracia & Park Guell

An independent town until 1897 when Barcelona annexed it, Gracia retains a fierce village identity distinct from the rest of the city. Its narrow streets and small plazas (Placa del Sol, Placa de la Vila de Gracia) are filled with independent shops, artisan workshops, and bohemian cafes. The neighborhood is famous for the Festa Major de Gracia every August, when residents spend months secretly decorating their streets in competitive themed displays. It's Barcelona's most countercultural barrio — historically working-class, anarchist, and proudly Catalan.

Placa del Sol is the social heart of Gracia, packed with locals every evening. The vermouth bars here are some of the best in the city.

Originally designed by Gaudi as a luxury housing estate for industrialist Eusebi Guell in 1900-1914, the project failed commercially — only two houses were built. The city purchased it as a public park in 1926. The monumental zone features the famous mosaic salamander (El Drac), a serpentine bench covered in trencadis mosaic offering panoramic views of Barcelona, and a hypostyle hall with 86 Doric columns. Gaudi lived in one of the park houses from 1906 until 1925, now the Gaudi House Museum.

The free zone outside the monumental area has great views too. Enter from the Carmel side to avoid the steeper climb from the main entrance.