Barcelona is the destination of choice for countless visitors, and for good reason. With numerous cultural attractions, wonderful scenery and gorgeous architecture such as the Sagrada Familia, there is plenty to see and do!
ShBarcelona will walk you through the highlights of the Eixample district.
Eixample – meaning extension in Catalan – is one of the most well-known districts of Barcelona. It is, in fact, an extension of the city which began being built in 1850 and finished (although this is relative) during the 20th century. Its architecture is certainly to be noted, as it was planned in a very organized manner. Similar to the streets of New York, the streets in Barcelona are organized in grids. As a result, the buildings form squares with a patio in the centre.
Eixample is a residential but animated district where numerous restaurants, shops and cultural venues have opened their doors.
Related article: Do’s and Don’ts for visiting Barcelona
Table of Contents
Plaça de Catalunya
Photo by Oh-Barcelona.com via Visualhunt
This square is an unavoidable part of Eixample. Linking the diverse Las Ramblas with the high-end shops that line Passeig de Gràcia, this is the best example of how much there is on offer. To top everything off, the route houses two of Gaudi’s architectural creations: Casa Batlló and Casa Milà, commonly known as La Pedrera.
The Sagrada Familia
On the right side of Eixample, you will find the most renowned landmark of Barcelona: Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia. This Art Nouveau-inspired church started being built in 1882 and is still being built today, with an estimated finish date in 2028. When finished, its tallest tower will be 170 meters high. Despite still being under construction, the Sagrada Familia is open to visitors.
Related article: The Nativity Facade at the Sagrada Familia
Gayxample
Photo by Maufdi via Visualhunt
On the left side of Eixample, you will find one of the largest gay areas of Europe (known in Barcelona as Gayxample) and one which bursts with energy every year when Gay Pride is on. Not far from that, there is Plaça España, which borders the district of Sants-Montjuïc.
Relaxing in Eixample
Following the exploration of this district’s history, stop by one of the many venues where you can relax with a sangria while enjoying a traditional Spanish snack. We recommend a visit to Bohèmic – ticking all the boxes for ambiance, drink offers, and incredible (Catalan) food, this is an all round winner! Its reputation was built on word of mouth with no official website to be found. Keep it on the hush hush.
Address: Carrer de Manso, 42
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