El Raval Barcelona

El Raval (the former Barrio Chino) is a neighborhood that has been almost entirely transformed. Once a haven for artists, intellectuals, transvestites, and prostitutes. There’s still a bohemian vibe, but modernity has taken hold. Today, the Raval district is home to a major contemporary art museum, art galleries, trendy shops, and fashionable restaurants.

How to visit El Raval

El Raval is a neighborhood located in Ciutat Vella (the old town) in Barcelona, Spain. It is bordered by the Gothic Quarter, Sant Antoni, and Poble Sec. It is bounded to the east by La Rambla, to the north by Pelai Street, to the west by Ronda de Sant Pau, and to the south by Avinguda del Paral·lel, which marks the border with the Poble Sec district.

Different options to get to El Raval by public transport:

Metro: You can take metro lines L2 or L3 to Paral·lel station. From there, you can walk to El Raval.

Bus: Buses 20, 36, 57, 64, 91, and 120 also serve the El Raval neighborhood. You can take one of these buses and get off at the stop closest to your destination.

Tourist bus: the red line stops at Plaça de Catalunya, World Trade Center, or at the base of the Christopher Columbus Column. The closest stop to Raval on the blue line is Plaça de Catalunya.

El Raval Map

Our tip: Ideally located in the center of Barcelona, El Raval offers many hotel options:

>> Your hotel near the MACBA in El Raval

El Raval Tourist Circuit

>> Also check out our recommended restaurants and shops.

La Boqueria Market

The La Boqueria Market (Mercat de Sant Josep) is one of the most iconic markets in Barcelona. Located along La Rambla, it captivates visitors with its colorful stalls overflowing with fruits, vegetables, fish, cured meats, spices, and local treats. Founded in the 19th century, it remains a lively place where locals, chefs, and curious tourists mingle. You can enjoy fresh fruit juices, tapas, or typical Catalan products in a vibrant and authentic atmosphere.

La Rambla, 91, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
Free entry – covered market
Metro: L3 – Liceu Station

Palau Güell

The Palau Güell is one of the first masterpieces by Antoni Gaudí, built between 1886 and 1890 for the industrialist Eusebi Güell. Located steps away from La Rambla, this urban palace combines luxury, architectural innovation, and symbolism. Behind its austere stone façade lies a sumptuous interior with surprising volumes, creative lighting, wrought iron details, and a rooftop terrace populated with colorful chimneys that foreshadow Gaudí’s later works.

Carrer Nou de la Rambla, 3-5, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
Metro: L3 – Liceu Station

Sant Pau del Camp Monastery

The Sant Pau del Camp Monastery is one of the oldest religious buildings in Barcelona, quietly nestled in the Raval district. This former Benedictine monastery, founded in the 9th century, features a beautiful Romanesque church with simple lines and a peaceful cloister adorned with sculpted capitals. A place of silence and spirituality, it offers a striking contrast to the surrounding urban bustle and stands as a witness to the city’s medieval origins.

Carrer de Sant Pau, 101, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
Metro: L2 – Paral·lel Station

Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA)

The MACBA is Barcelona’s main contemporary art museum, housed in a bright, minimalist building designed by architect Richard Meier. It features an extensive collection of works from the second half of the 20th century, highlighting both Catalan and international art. Located in the heart of El Raval, MACBA is also a vibrant public space surrounded by skaters, young artists, and the urban energy that reflects the art inside.

Plaça dels Àngels, 1, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
Metro: L1, L2 – Universitat Station or L3 – Liceu Station

Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB)

The CCCB (Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona) is a dynamic cultural center dedicated to contemporary reflection in all its forms: exhibitions, conferences, festivals, cinema, interactive installations... Housed in a beautifully renovated former hospice, just steps from the MACBA, the CCCB explores the major issues of our time—urbanism, society, art, and technology—with an innovative and accessible approach. Its glass courtyard, open to the city, perfectly symbolizes the dialogue between past and future.

Carrer de Montalegre, 5, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
Metro: L1, L2 – Universitat Station or L3 – Liceu Station

El Gat de Botero

El Gat de Botero is a monumental bronze sculpture of a cat with playful, rounded shapes, created by Colombian artist Fernando Botero. Installed since 2003 on the Rambla del Raval, it has become one of the most beloved symbols of the neighborhood. With its calm expression and generous proportions, this “giant cat” invites playfulness, photos, and curiosity, appealing to both children and passersby.

Rambla del Raval, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
Metro: L3 – Liceu or Drassanes Station

History of El Raval through the centuries

In the Middle Ages, El Raval was located outside the city walls of Barcelona and was mostly inhabited by artisans and workers. During this time, the neighborhood experienced strong growth due to the arrival of new residents from surrounding rural areas.

In the 18th century, the area began to deteriorate due to increasing poverty. However, at the beginning of the 19th century, the construction of La Rambla brought new economic activity to El Raval, with the arrival of many shops and entertainment venues.

In the 20th century, El Raval saw a population boom due to immigration. However, the neighborhood also suffered from poverty, crime, and prostitution. In recent decades, the city of Barcelona has implemented several urban renewal projects to revitalize El Raval. These included the construction of new buildings, restoration of historic structures, and creation of public spaces.

Today, El Raval is a lively and cosmopolitan neighborhood appreciated by both locals and visitors for its cultural activities and welcoming atmosphere. It is considered one of the most multicultural districts of the Catalan capital.

El Raval, formerly known as Barrio Chino

The El Raval neighborhood was commonly called “Barrio Chino” (Chinatown) from the 1920s to the 1980s. This name had nothing to do with the Chinese community, which was then very small in Catalonia. In reality, the neighborhood was named this way because of its many establishments linked to prostitution, gambling, drugs, and organized crime.

At the time, it was considered a dangerous and disreputable area. In the 1980s, the term “Barrio Chino” became derogatory and was gradually replaced by “El Raval,” coinciding with major urban changes that transformed its appearance.

El Raval’s Bohemian Period

El Raval experienced several literary and bohemian periods throughout its history. One of the most famous was in the early 20th century, during the “Renaixença” period. Prominent writers from that era include Jacint Verdaguer, Mercè Rodoreda, and Josep Pla. In the 1960s and 1970s, El Raval became a hub of counterculture and bohemia. The neighborhood was home to many artists, musicians, and writers, including the poet Joan Brossa, musician and composer Carles Santos, and writers Manuel Vázquez Montalbán, Terenci Moix, and filmmaker Joaquim Jordà i Català.

More recently, El Raval has become a center for contemporary and alternative arts, housing many museums, art galleries, exhibition spaces, and hosting art and music festivals throughout the year.