Away from the tourist circuits of the city, among the districts and alleyways set back from the centre, some charming hidden gems of Barcelona are hidden away. These are often unknown places, even among locals of the city.
Along with many well-known sites, Barcelona also has its hidden gems which also impress visitors and locals alike.
A cosmopolitan city, Barcelona also has an aspect of simplicity which charms and enchants. That feeling compels people to explore and get to know the city through its new corners, where you can always go for a stroll or disconnect from the bustle of the rest of the city.
There are squares, passages and cloysters from another era. Passing through them, you will be able to imagine an entirely different city which no longer exists, but whose essence still lives on in that area of this historical city.
A pair of plazas near Las Glòries
In the Poblenou district, the Plaça de Prim stands out for its antique houses of a past marine heritage. These houses were once inhabited by fishermen, creating a straightforward but charming area with three magnificent trees, a fountain and a single restaurant which serves seafood. The peaceful streets which surround the square are also full of low-rise white houses in a real oasis of Barcelona.
In the heart of the Sagrera area, you will find a small square dating back to the late 19th century. That is the Plaça de Masadas, one of the few arcaded squares of Barcelona. This agora housed a covered market up until just under a century ago. At the start of the 90s, it was turned back into a popular market which, on the first Sunday of every month, holds a fair of antique toys and games.
Two churches with lots of activity
The old Convent de San Agustí (Carrer Comerç, 36), dating back to the 14th century, is now a civic centre open to the general public and home to great culture. The Gothic cloister has been preserved from the original structure, as has part of the building. Its demolition in 1714 caused it to become a military barracks. However, its restoration soon after made it a civic centre of inexhaustible activity. The convent’s bar and its charming terrace are an example of the new role of the Born district.
One of the historic buildings of the Eixample is the Basílica de la Purissima Concepció (Carrer d’Aragó, 299). The church was originally built in the 13th century on the Via Laietana, containing a monastery. However, the renovation work around the city in the 19th century forced both the church and its cloister to move. That change meant moving the building stone by stone to its current location. One of the hidden gems of Barcelona most worth visiting is its cloister. A 14th century courtyard on two floors and with terraces, as well as a peaceful garden.
A couple of charming squares in Sarria
The Plaça de Sant Gaietà is found in the Sarrià district and is one of the least frequented areas of the city. To find it, you have to go along the Calle Pare Miquel de Sarrià and follow a narrow dead-end alleyway. With all the appearance of a private courtyard, this small square maintains a romantic air and is extremely peace. No more than 10 people surround the square, among chairs, plenty of attractive potted plants and a beautiful bougainvillea plant.
The Placeta del Roser is also found in Sarrià, near the Church of Sant Vicenç and opposite the Rectory Office. Enchanting and peaceful, it has a small fountain which used to provide water to the Roser area and now fills the square with romanticism. This is a corner of Barcelona where children play away from the traffic, and adults enjoy the shade on hot summer days.
Before leaving, it is definitely worth looking at the Can Margenat. This is a three-floor stone building in a Gothic style at one end. It is most likely one of the oldest houses of Sarria.
The charm of Barcelona goes far beyond the tourist routes and the main attractions. The rest is found its its little, charming, most secret corners.
