logo
ic_menu

El Raval neighbourhood, Barcelona

Rambla del Raval, Barcelona, Catalunya

Description

El Raval is one of the original two neighbourhoods of the old city of Barcelona, the other one being the Barri Gòtic, directly across Las Ramblas. It was historically infamous for its nightlife, prostitution and crime but has undergone a significant gentrification. Today it is home to a diverse immigrant community and is still popular for its bars, restaurants and clubs - crime (theft and drug) remain a significant issue unfortunately. The main highlights of the neighbourhood are La Boqueria Market, MACBA, the Maritime Museum, the Monastery of Sant Pau del Camp and the Paulau Güell from Gaudí.

Access & Transport

In clockwise order, the district is surrounded by the following metro stations: Catalunya (L1, L3, L6, L7, S7), Liceu (L3), Drassanes (L3), Paral·lel (L2, L2, FM), Sant Antoni (L2), Urgell (L1) and Universitat (L1, L2). To say that it is central and well connected is therefore an understatement

Instructions & Recommendations

Our main recommendation is to always keep an eye on your belongings and not to hang around alone at night. We do not wish to scare people away though as this is an extremely interesting neighbourhood with plenty to see and do. Mornings is probably the best time to go for families.

Meta review

El Raval gets 3 types of reviews: those who think there is nothing special about it, those who strongly suggest giving it a miss on safety grounds, and those who really enjoyed the vibe and restaurants there. Those views are obviously hard to reconcile...

Environmental & Social

Urban area with little green spaces. Safety, drug and prostitution is a real issue for the community there.

Conclusion

El Raval probably is not a must-visit neighbourhood for those on a first trip to the city but, if you have spare time or are on repeat visit, it is certainly worth adding to your itinerary. For families and solo travellers, best to avoid going in the evenings / at night.

Key positive

Cultural diversity of the neighbourhood

Plenty of good restaurants

Key negative

Safety concerns and drug issues

Suitability

Suitable for all ages but best for adults in the evening and at night. Accessible for visitors with reduced mobility

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

May 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit

av. transport time:0h 25m

est. visit time:1h 45m

Sunlight based

Sunrise / early morningNo

MorningOk

Lunch timeOk

AfternoonOk

Sunset / eveningOk

Night – bef. midnightOk

Night – aft. midnightNo

Pricing
Free

We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience. For a complete overview of all cookies used, please see MORE INFORMATION.