Ciutat Vella
Ciutat Vella
4.5
About
This fascinating area is steeped in history, with city hall located in the same spot where kings once reigned. You'll find narrow streets and squares here, with Gothic mansions, museums, historic churches, bars and restaurants. The Placa del Rei is reputedly the place where King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella welcomed Columbus after his voyage to America.
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The area
Neighborhood: El Congrés i els Indians
How to get there
- Liceu • 2 min walk
- Drassanes • 6 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
9,631 within 3 miles
Attractions
1,596 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Kaye B1 contributionFantastic stayBrilliant hotel. Clean. Staff cleaned room each day. Very friendly. It had a jacuzzi on the rooftop with stunning views. Big shout out to Carlos who was just wonderful and so helpful. Definitely recommend this hotel.Visited March 2024Traveled with friendsWritten March 24, 2024
- Thomas VOakland, California17,830 contributionsOldest Neighborhood, Good Place to WanderThe oldest neighborhood in the city where there were settlements in Roman times. Many of the buildings here are from centuries before ours, lots of history, lots of narrow streets, and a good place to wander. You will enter some big open squares where there is more air and sun.Visited April 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten April 6, 2024
- Karen GLiverpool, United Kingdom34 contributionsExcellentWe stayed for 3 nights and could not fault this hotel. The staff were friendly & very helpful. The whole hotel was spotless. The breakfast selection was adequate. One thing that I feel the rooms could do with is a fridge. It was very warm when we were there but we had nowhere to keep our water cool.Visited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 6, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
3,176 reviews
Excellent
1,921
Very good
1,082
Average
139
Poor
20
Terrible
15
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Lea M
Santa Cristina Valgardena, Italy1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Family
CONCLUSION: No peace while eating, just stress from start to finish. My parents weren't allowed to sit down without us even though we arrived shortly after them and at the end we even had to get up from the table and make room for others even though we hadn't finished our drinks. The food isn't really the best either, more average. The staff is friendly, but doesn't really understand English, mainly Spanish.
Written October 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen G
Liverpool, UK34 contributions
Sep 2024 • Couples
We stayed for 3 nights and could not fault this hotel. The staff were friendly & very helpful. The whole hotel was spotless. The breakfast selection was adequate. One thing that I feel the rooms could do with is a fridge. It was very warm when we were there but we had nowhere to keep our water cool.
Written September 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RaĂşl N
Antequera, Spain2,266 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
The Old City is district number 1 of the 10 into which Barcelona is divided. It is made up of some of the most popular neighborhoods such as Gothic, Raval, Barceloneta, San Pedro, Santa Catalina and Rivera. It covers the core of the old municipality of Barcelona.
In this district there are many cultural and social contrasts.
In this district there are many cultural and social contrasts.
Written December 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BalkrishnaShroff
Mumbai, India26,045 contributions
Oct 2022
If you want to see the historic and cultural side of Barcelona, then this is the place. The narrow streets, Gothic mansions, market, bars, churches, small shops and restaurants are worth seeing in this part of town. It's totally different from what you see in modern Barcelona. The whole ambience here takes you back in history. it's better to explore some portion everyday.
Worth visiting...
Worth visiting...
Written November 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA17,830 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
The oldest neighborhood in the city where there were settlements in Roman times. Many of the buildings here are from centuries before ours, lots of history, lots of narrow streets, and a good place to wander. You will enter some big open squares where there is more air and sun.
Written April 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kaye B
1 contribution
Mar 2024 • Friends
Brilliant hotel. Clean. Staff cleaned room each day. Very friendly. It had a jacuzzi on the rooftop with stunning views. Big shout out to Carlos who was just wonderful and so helpful. Definitely recommend this hotel.
Written March 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NICHOLAS T
Dubai, United Arab Emirates10,374 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
There is lots to see and do in this part of the city.
We visited the busy market which was full of life and fantastic looking produce.
The surrounding streets were also full of interesting shops and eateries.
A beautiful area to while away a few hours.
We visited the busy market which was full of life and fantastic looking produce.
The surrounding streets were also full of interesting shops and eateries.
A beautiful area to while away a few hours.
Written March 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mrsmallinson1976
Yeovil, UK22 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
Lovely little hotel right in the heart of Barcelona. Friendly, knowledgeable and helpful staff. Rooms clean albeit basic. Continental breakfast with a good range of food on offer. Ideal base from which to explore the city.
Written February 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
🩶⚜️ 𝓝𝓪𝓽𝔂® ⚜️🩶
Moscow, Russia157,883 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
This is the oldest district and the historical center of Barcelona. The old town is characterized mainly by small squares and narrow streets with densely built-up buildings, including modern and historical buildings of different eras and styles.
Written December 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Parigina54
Paris, France3 contributions
May 2012 • Family
We were in Barcelona for 4 days. In that time, a gold necklace was ripped off my neck in the Old City and 2 men attempted to steal my husband's briefcase out of the car. My husband was going to park the car and one man opened his door to distract him while another man opened the passenger side door and took his briefcase. Fortunately, the doorman of the hotel saw what was happening and slammed the car door and the man dropped the bag. Two horrible events in a beautiful city.
Written July 12, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi
I am travelling to Barcelona with my husband and baby and planning on parking on Carrer de l’hospital carpark. After reading some scary reviews of Ciutat Vella/ el Raval, I was wondering if anyone has any experience with the area?
We are going to arrive very late (11.30pm-ish), so I need to know if we’ll be safe in the area walking to the hotel with our baby and cases?
Any advice/review of the area would be greatly appreciated.
Written March 30, 2019
We live in Spain and have spent a lot of time in Barcelona, but I need more info. Are you flying into Barcelona airport and renting a car there? Are you renting a car elsewhere in Spain before arriving in Barcelona? Do you live over here and are driving your own car? In any case, you don't want or need a car in Barcelona. Don't rent one at the airport if that's the plan...rentals cost more from the airport anyway. Take a cab from wherever you can. If landing at the airport, take a cab from there. If you have your own car (not a rental) I'd change hotel reservations and book a hotel with parking on site. You don't necessarily want a hotel in that part of town anyway...if you're worried about walking there at night, why stay there? You're going to want to walk around whatever area you stay in fairly late at night since Spain is known for being a late night country. Dinner is usually around 10 PM. Change hotels if you can't ditch the car.
Written March 31, 2019
What is the quaintest hotel on old Barcelona
Written February 21, 2019
I recommend Hotel Peninsular. It's within walking distance of everything in the Old City. The hotel was once a convent; clean rooms with private bath (no TV), free wi fi in the common areas, enhanced continental breakfast included. Located in a street that looks more like an alley; the opera house is on the corner.
Written February 22, 2019
Buonasera a tutti voi turisti... Chi mi sa indicare il percorso che devo fare x andare a visitare la fontana danzante? Sarò a barcellona il 1maggio... Grazie infinite x i suggerimenti. . b serata
Written February 26, 2018
Ci si arriva in metro L1 e L3 fermata Pl. Espanya, poi si percorre a piedi il viale Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina e sei alla fontana
Written February 27, 2018
Cindy V
Ile-de-France, France
Bonjour, les magasins sont-ils ouverts le dimanche ?
Written July 27, 2016
gatzoneta
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
10 contributions
Seulement ouvrir ceux pour les touristes: souvenirs, certains magasins de vĂŞtements et les magasins de chaussures, restaurants, bars, ...
Written August 5, 2016
Cuan baja es la temperatura en finales de diciembre -enero de 1-3, en Barcelona, el casco antiguo es seguro? Que lugares nos recomienda visitar en Barcelona, además de la Sagrada Familia, Barrio Gótico? Somos una familia de 4,el hotel PSeo de Gracia, es céntrico? Gracias
Written August 8, 2015
Hola amigos, la zona del paseo de Gracia es segura, sobretodo por la zona alta, es un buen lugar para estar hospedado. Tambien es bueno de visitar edificios o zonas GaudĂ por orden de preferencia mia son: Parc GĂĽell, La Pedrera... Tambien vale la pena ir a la catedral y al mismo tiempo pasear por el Born donde se encuentra la iglesia de Santa Maria del mar. Sin duda un paseo por la Barceloneta y sus alrededores en un dia soleado estĂ muy bien...
Written September 3, 2015
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