Raval means Barcelona in a nutshell
To say that the downtown neighbourhood is controversial is an understatement; it’s the epitome of the whole Barcelona experience.
The good and the bad
Barcelona is made of many cities inside the same city; you won’t believe you’re in the same location if you have a stroll and start in Les Corts, follow to Eixample and end up in Raval after walking around Sant Antoni.
However, Raval Barcelona might be an ideal place to have a sample (sometimes a somewhat bitter one) of what Barcelona is: here you can find the hypest bars, best restaurants, unique buildings, historical sites, avenues and tiny streets, museums and hidden spots, and also hoards of tourists, loud and tasteless souvenir shops, questionable bright orange paellas at 8 pm (we never eat paella at night. Never), cheap drinking places a local would never step in, pickpockets and all sorts of not very recommended (and sometimes illegal) activities. It is definitely an experience.
Good news, though: there are only certain streets to avoid if you’re finding the perfect flat in Raval Barcelona.
Discover long-term rentals in Raval
However, Raval Barcelona might be an ideal place to have a sample (sometimes a somewhat bitter one) of what Barcelona is: here you can find the hypest bars, best restaurants, unique buildings, historical sites, avenues and tiny streets, museums and hidden spots, and also hoards of tourists, loud and tasteless souvenir shops, questionable bright orange paellas at 8 pm (we never eat paella at night. Never), cheap drinking places a local would never step in, pickpockets and all sorts of not very recommended (and sometimes illegal) activities. It is definitely an experience.
Good news, though: there are only certain streets to avoid if you’re finding the perfect flat in Raval Barcelona.
Blending in as a local
And it’s not really a matter of avoiding, but more like being aware that discovering Barcelona as a local requires paying attention to blending in as one; Raval is not the best place to make it super clear you are a tourist flashing your phone out or being too loud, as many times people are.
This inside knowledge might give you a way to find spots that will turn out to be your favourites, like the Pesca Salada or Boadas cocktail bars, El Toro and El Pollo eating and drinking hype spots, or La Rouge in the heart of the Rambla del Raval. Also, watch out for La Gringa and Pachuca Mexican restaurants; prepare to try the best nachos and micheladas. Because living in Raval can give you an authentic flavour of all the cultures that have arrived, stayed and flourished in Barcelona; this is a great neighbourhood to find world food shops and stores, especially Moroccan ingredients.
Raval is an acquired taste for many and love at first sight for others; it will cause an impression on you.
Find your home in Raval
This inside knowledge might give you a way to find spots that will turn out to be your favourites, like the Pesca Salada or Boadas cocktail bars, El Toro and El Pollo eating and drinking hype spots, or La Rouge in the heart of the Rambla del Raval. Also, watch out for La Gringa and Pachuca Mexican restaurants; prepare to try the best nachos and micheladas. Because living in Raval can give you an authentic flavour of all the cultures that have arrived, stayed and flourished in Barcelona; this is a great neighbourhood to find world food shops and stores, especially Moroccan ingredients.
Raval is an acquired taste for many and love at first sight for others; it will cause an impression on you.
Information is power
This is why taking a guided tour around Raval, even if you’re going to stay in the city for a while, you’re renting a flat long-term in Barcelona Raval or looking for ex-pat housing in Barcelona Raval, is always a good idea and a perfect way to learn to love the neighbourhood as it is, a reflection of the growth of an ancient city, an organism by itself, with all layers of society pictured there.
Find furnished apartments in Raval
To say that the downtown neighbourhood is controversial is an understatement; it’s the epitome of the whole Barcelona experience.
The good and the bad
Barcelona is made of many cities inside the same city; you won’t believe you’re in the same location if you have a stroll and start in Les Corts, follow to Eixample and end up in Raval after walking around Sant Antoni.
However, Raval Barcelona might be an ideal place to have a sample (sometimes a somewhat bitter one) of what Barcelona is: here you can find the hypest bars, best restaurants, unique buildings, historical sites, avenues and tiny streets, museums and hidden spots, and also hoards of tourists, loud and tasteless souvenir shops, questionable bright orange paellas at 8 pm (we never eat paella at night. Never), cheap drinking places a local would never step in, pickpockets and all sorts of not very recommended (and sometimes illegal) activities. It is definitely an experience.
Good news, though: there are only certain streets to avoid if you’re finding the perfect flat in Raval Barcelona.
Discover long-term rentals in Raval
However, Raval Barcelona might be an ideal place to have a sample (sometimes a somewhat bitter one) of what Barcelona is: here you can find the hypest bars, best restaurants, unique buildings, historical sites, avenues and tiny streets, museums and hidden spots, and also hoards of tourists, loud and tasteless souvenir shops, questionable bright orange paellas at 8 pm (we never eat paella at night. Never), cheap drinking places a local would never step in, pickpockets and all sorts of not very recommended (and sometimes illegal) activities. It is definitely an experience.
Good news, though: there are only certain streets to avoid if you’re finding the perfect flat in Raval Barcelona.
Blending in as a local
And it’s not really a matter of avoiding, but more like being aware that discovering Barcelona as a local requires paying attention to blending in as one; Raval is not the best place to make it super clear you are a tourist flashing your phone out or being too loud, as many times people are.
This inside knowledge might give you a way to find spots that will turn out to be your favourites, like the Pesca Salada or Boadas cocktail bars, El Toro and El Pollo eating and drinking hype spots, or La Rouge in the heart of the Rambla del Raval. Also, watch out for La Gringa and Pachuca Mexican restaurants; prepare to try the best nachos and micheladas. Because living in Raval can give you an authentic flavour of all the cultures that have arrived, stayed and flourished in Barcelona; this is a great neighbourhood to find world food shops and stores, especially Moroccan ingredients.
Raval is an acquired taste for many and love at first sight for others; it will cause an impression on you.
Find your home in Raval
This inside knowledge might give you a way to find spots that will turn out to be your favourites, like the Pesca Salada or Boadas cocktail bars, El Toro and El Pollo eating and drinking hype spots, or La Rouge in the heart of the Rambla del Raval. Also, watch out for La Gringa and Pachuca Mexican restaurants; prepare to try the best nachos and micheladas. Because living in Raval can give you an authentic flavour of all the cultures that have arrived, stayed and flourished in Barcelona; this is a great neighbourhood to find world food shops and stores, especially Moroccan ingredients.
Raval is an acquired taste for many and love at first sight for others; it will cause an impression on you.
Information is power
This is why taking a guided tour around Raval, even if you’re going to stay in the city for a while, you’re renting a flat long-term in Barcelona Raval or looking for ex-pat housing in Barcelona Raval, is always a good idea and a perfect way to learn to love the neighbourhood as it is, a reflection of the growth of an ancient city, an organism by itself, with all layers of society pictured there.
Find furnished apartments in Raval
