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In the Eixample you’ll find shops of every sort lining the street; above are
apartments. The breadshop, the grocer’s, and the chemist ... these all rub shoulders with
smart designer stores selling clothes or furniture. The Eixample has this buzz to it -not
surprising considering it has some 9,000 shops and hundreds of eateries and bars.
Two
streets stand out in the Eixample, although all have their own charm: Passeig de Gràcia
and Rambla de Catalunya. The first is Barcelona’s most prestigious boulevard, a sort of
Champs Elysees with all the most exclusive brand names and smart restaurants; Rambla
de Catalunya has a much more intimate feel to it. Here, fancy Shops, especially
jewellers, line this street, although you can also find gems like the grocery stores
Colmado Quilez (Rambla de Catalunya, 63) with its old-style personalised service and
blue-aproned shop assistants. In the summer the cafés set up tables and chairs so visitors
and locals can enjoy the cool of the evening.
Look up the street and standing high you’ll see the sparkling lights of Tibidabo fair shinning out. And you know you’re really in Barcelona. In the Eixample there’s lots of culture too, with some great museums and galleries. Tourists just love this mix because it is a unique experience, the Eixample experience. Museums in the Eixample The Eixample is great for museums. Two of the most popular in Barcelona are found here, namely the Fundació Caixa de Catalunya in the Pedrera and the Fundació Tapies. But don’t miss out on the Egyptian Museum or the collection of the highly respected Fundació Godia.
An Eixample for art lovers
The Eixample groups together the city’s main art galleries, with 20 or so
clustered around a two-block stretch of Consell de Cent, between Balmes and Pg. de
Gràcia. It was in the 1960s when the first galleries began to appear here. The Sala
Dalmau, at the corner of Consell de Cent and Pg. de Gràcia, is a major player showing
contemporary artists and works from Spanish painters who emigrated to Paris before
and during the Civil War. Nearby you’ll find Galerias Senda, Carles Taché, Toni
Tàpies, and too many others to mention. Joan Prats’ galleries on Balmes and Rambla
Catalunya feature top Catalan and international artists.
Inner courtyards and gardens
The Eixample of Ildefons Cerdà was hijacked by speculators and property
developers. The spaces at the centre of the grid system of roads were occupied and built
on throughout most of the 20th century. But over the last few years the council has been
buying back the land to make gardens and public plazas. They plan to restore some 10%
of the 420 blocks over the next few years. Some of the best are: Torre de les Aigües,
Casa Elizalde and Palau Robert.
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Comprehensive Travel Guide to Barcelona, Las Ramblas, Exaimple |
