What to See in Santa Coloma de Gramenet

Santa Coloma de Gramenet, also known simply as Santa Coloma, is a town located within the province of Barcelona about eight kilometers from the Barcelona city center. It’s easily accessible by both train and metro from the city and hosts its very own set of touristic sights and things to do. If you’re planning a visit to Santa Coloma de Gramenet, here’s what not to miss when you’re there.

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Puig Castellar

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Puig Castellar is the number one tourist attraction of Santa Coloma de Gramenet. This settlement atop the highest point in the city was built by the ancient Iberian tribe of Laietani people who first inhabited the area in the 6th century BC. The settlement was discovered in the early 20th century and, in 1917, was donated to the Institute of Catalan Studies. Excavation began and several important artifacts were found and preserved by the Archaeology Museum of Catalonia and the Torre Balldovina Museum in Santa Coloma de Gramenet.

Nowadays, you can visit Puig Castellar free of charge to learn more about the settlement and the archaeological importance of the area. The hilltop also offers outstanding views of Santa Coloma de Gramenet and Barcelona in the distance.

Related article: Discover Sabadell, a Municipality of Barcelona

Museo Torre Balldovina

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The Balldovina Tower Museum forms part of the Barcelona Provincial Council Local Museum Network and is one of the most important buildings in Santa Coloma de Gramenet. It’s a multidisciplinary museum aimed at preserving both the natural and cultural heritage of the surrounding area. The building itself used to be a defense tower in the 11th century and has gone through several different uses ever since. Inside the museum, you can see some of the most important archaeological findings from Puig Castellar, artifacts from Medieval times, and an important natural history collection.

La Rambleta

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La Rambleta is a central street running through Santa Coloma de Gramenet with some of the best tapas bars and restaurants in the city. Be sure to check out some of the most popular restaurants in the area such as Restaurante Don Martín, Casa Pepe tapas bar, and Restaurante Santa Lola. They’re all highly-rated local favorites on or within walking distance of La Rambleta.

If you’re interested in seeing a bit more of what Barcelona’s surroundings have to offer, neighboring Santa Coloma de Gramenet is a great option. From ancient settlements to impressive museums and some great places to try the local cuisine, this nearby city is the perfect place to spend the day getting to know a new area within the province of Barcelona.