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Eixample district

Eixample

L'Eixample

The Eixample ("extension") was planned in the 19th century by Ildefons Cerdà as a grid of wide streets and octagonal blocks with chamfered corners. Wealthy families commissioned the city's best architects to build here, which is why it's packed with modernista masterpieces — including the Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló and La Pedrera. The left (Esquerra) and right (Dreta) sides of the Eixample each have their own character.

Vibe
ElegantCentralArchitecture
Best for
First-time visitors and long-term residents alike
Metro
Passeig de Gràcia (L2, L3, L4), Diagonal (L3, L5), Sagrada Família (L2, L5)
Eixample, Barcelona

Photo: Matti Blume · CC BY-SA 4.0

For visitors

Walk Passeig de Gràcia for Gaudí's houses and high-end shopping, then head to the Sagrada Família and Hospital de Sant Pau. The Esquerra de l'Eixample has a lively bar and restaurant scene, and is the heart of the city's LGBTQ+ nightlife ("Gaixample").

Living here

Central, well connected and full of grand old flats with high ceilings. Busy roads, but the new "superilla" green streets have made parts much calmer. Popular with professionals.

Highlights in Eixample

  1. 01

    Sagrada Família

    Gaudí's unfinished basilica.

  2. 02

    Casa Batlló & La Pedrera

    Two Gaudí houses on Passeig de Gràcia.

  3. 03

    Hospital de Sant Pau

    A modernista complex of tiled pavilions.

  4. 04

    Superilla streets

    Car-free green streets around Consell de Cent.

Directory

English-friendly places in Eixample

Full directory

Food & drink

GiGi von Tapas

Fort Pienc

Breakfast and brunch through to tapas, with a street terrace, a few minutes from the Sagrada Família.

  • Brunch
  • Tapas
  • Terrace

Bars & pubs

Scobie's Irish Pub

Eixample

A proper bar with matches on four big screens and a mix of locals and internationals. Drinks only.

  • Sport
  • Drinks only
Map

Bars & pubs

The Michael Collins

Sagrada Família

Open since 1997 beside the basilica, with a long-running Monday night trad session, live acts and big matches on the screens.

  • Trad session
  • Live music
  • Sport
Website Map

Hostels

Mediterranean Youth Hostel

Eixample

A family-feel hostel in a quiet part of the Eixample, with chef-cooked dinners (paella night is a favourite) and optional bar crawls.

  • Social
  • Dinners

Hostels

Rodamón Hostel

Eixample

Calm and modern in a grand 19th-century building near Diagonal, with a big living room, curtained beds and private rooms.

  • Quiet
  • Private rooms
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