Chronicles from Barcelona | El Borne

Besides Barri Gòtic, the Old Town of Barcelona also includes El Borne district, and if you want to get out of the more beaten track wile still keeping close to the charm of the narrow streets and old buildings, this more artistic and fashionable neighborhood is the place to go.

Here you can find less conventional stores, nice cafe terraces and some of the most interesting attractions of the city. The  Picasso Museum, the Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar, El Borne Centre Cultural i de Memòria and the Ciutadella Park (also home to Barcelona Zoo) are some of the places that you can't miss in the visit.

In the heart of the district is the  tree-lined Passeig del Born, once the site of medieval jousting competitions. Today with its numerous restaurants and bars is a place to go eat and drink, both day or night.

At one end of the Passeig Del Born rises the magnificent Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar, a church recognisable by its octagonal towers and large rose-shaped stained glass window. Santa Maria del Mar overlooks a small and graceful square, lined with restaurants and wine bars. Maybe its not easy to get a seat at one of this must requested places, but if you can, this picturesque square is a great place to have lunch wile you visit El Borne.

Walking Passeig del Born to the other end you'll get close to the new  El Borne Centre Cultural i de Memòria, built in an old market place. There are visible the results of the excavations of the 18th century Barcelona and temporary exhibitions about relevant moments for the memory of the city. The cultural offer is complemented with a cafe and a bookstore.

In the east side of the district one can find the beautiful Parc de la Ciutadella with its large lawns and monumental fountains. There is the place for the Barcelona Zoo and close by is the iconic Arc de Triomf  de Barcelona with its promenade full of people and animation.

You can get to El Borne walking from Barri Gòtic or Barceloneta or you can choose to go by the subway with the stations Jaume I, Barceloneta and Arc de Triomf as your best options for this district, depending were you want to start. For further information and planning you can look at El Borne map bellow.