{"id":31613,"date":"2024-07-29T18:15:03","date_gmt":"2024-07-29T18:15:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/?p=31613"},"modified":"2024-07-29T18:15:04","modified_gmt":"2024-07-29T18:15:04","slug":"15-things-to-do-in-raval-as-told-by-a-local","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/15-things-to-do-in-raval-as-told-by-a-local\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Things To Do in Raval as Told by a Local"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re planning a visit to Barcelona, I\u2019m sure Raval is not the first place you write in your must-visit list. This is totally understandable, since it\u2019s not typically considered a touristy place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But all the more reason to go! Raval is a neighborhood full of charm that has so much to give. As a local guide for tours of Barcelona<\/a>, I\u2019m excited to share with you the best experiences this neighborhood can offer you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.   Stroll down the Rambla of Raval<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Rambla
Photos by Cristina Carrisi<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Don\u2019t be fooled by the name. This is not the famous Rambla where so many tourists gather throughout the day. This is the most popular and largest street of Raval, designed in 1955 to give new life to this side of the neighborhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you decide to walk down this street, surrounded by palm trees, you\u2019ll probably end up eating in one of the several ethnic places opened by the many immigrants of this area. The best street food is there \u2014 don\u2019t miss it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2.   Have an authentic Catalan meal at La Masia<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"La<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Would you like to feel real Catalan vibes, while having the most traditional meal at a really good price? Then La Masia is the right place for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this small diner, you can taste authentic Catalan food \u2014 either tapas or full courses \u2014 while being surrounded by Catalan flags and several Barcelona football team posters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guide tip:<\/strong> Be ready to learn some basic Spanish or Catalan words, or you\u2019ll end up pointing with your finger to the food you want to order!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3.   Sip a coffee while reading a book at La Central<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"La<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

In one of the buildings that once belonged to the old orphanage of Barcelona, there is now a bookshop. One of its doors is open onto a small garden where you can have a coffee after ordering at the bookshop\u2019s bar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t worry about the language. You can find books either in Spanish or in English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4.   Look for the Orphan\u2019s Hole<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Orphan's<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

As I mentioned, in this area there was an orphanage. It was called the House of Mercy. There \u2014 until the end of the 19th century \u2014 nuns welcomed children who didn\u2019t have parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mothers used to leave the children they couldn\u2019t keep in a hole in the main building\u2019s door, now the office of the Old Town district. On the other side of the wall, there was a nun ready to take the child she was going to raise.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can you spot the Orphan\u2019s Hole in the picture above?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5.   Watch a show with the ghost of Romea Theater<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Romea<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Romea Theater is located in Carrer de l\u2019Hospital, between the former La Santa Creu Hospital and the church of Sant Agust\u00ed, and it has been working for 150 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than a century ago, the most famous actress of this theater, Margarita Xirgu, decided to move to South America due to the Spanish Civil War and the beginning of the dictatorship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since then, it is said that the actors still hear her voice in the dressing rooms while getting ready for the show. But don’t be scared! I watched a play at the Romea Theater <\/a>and no ghost came to say hello.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6.   Listen to the stories of Raval\u2019s gritty past<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Raval<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Would you like to hear more stories like this? Are you wondering what legends are hidden behind Raval buildings? Then take a walk with us to get to know these mysterious streets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t

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\n\t\t\t\"Raval\n\t\t\t\"Graffiti\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAn urban core with a dark side<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Raval Walking Tour: Barcelona's Gritty Past<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tLearn More\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

Our Raval Walking Tour of Barcelona\u2019s gritty past<\/a> starts in the Universitat Square, just outside the metro station. From there, we\u2019ll stroll along Raval from north to south until we reach the Old Harbour of Barcelona.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we tour this historical neighborhood, you\u2019ll hear the most unusual stories about Barcelona’s dark side, and you\u2019ll get to know some of the strange yet intriguing characters of this district.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7.   Have a drink with Picasso at the London Bar<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"London<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

This bar is located in Carrer Nou de la Rambla, in the same location since 1910. It\u2019s a historic bar with a touch of modernist style in its decorations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s said that Salvador Dal\u00ed, Pablo Picasso, and even Ernest Hemigway used to come here! That is why you can find cocktails named after them in the menu. Which artist would you dare to drink? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

8.   Go for vintage shopping in Carrer Tallers<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Vintage<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Would you like to feel some vintage vibes, usually typical of colder European cities, even when you\u2019re in the capital of the Mediterranean? Come along while discovering those vintage shops that always remind me of London’s famous market at Camden Town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Carrer Tallers, you\u2019ll find many of those places where you can buy vintage clothes at a great price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a short list with some of my favorites:<\/p>\n\n\n\n