Before traveling to Barcelona, we are pretty sure you have checked the must-visit spots in the city. But what about those hidden gems in Barcelona which are not included in your travel guide? If you have time, they are worth a visit also. Here we share some of our favorites:
Hidden square in Barcelona: Plaça Sant Felip Neri
Our favorite square in Barcelona. It is located near Catedral de Barcelona, and you will have to follow a narrow street to get there. You will suddenly encounter this magic place which hides one of the most tragic episodes in the History of the city. You can check out the article we wrote about Plaça de Sant Felip Neri. Definitely one of the best secret spots in Barcelona.
Hidden library in Barcelona: Biblioteca Arús
With the Statue of Liberty at the entrance, the atmosphere of this library will make you feel closer to the New York Public Library. If you are a library lover (as we are), we recommend you to visit this secret spot in Barcelona, Biblioteca Arús.
Speakeasy in Barcelona: Paradiso
There are some speakeasy bars in Barcelona. But as a consequence of their popularity, the concept of a “hidden bar in the city” is struggling to keep making sense: you might find some people in the entrance waiting to be seated.
One of these examples is the Paradiso bar, which appears in the recently released series of Isabel Coixet “Foodie love”. Also the bar Speakeasy is another of these hidden places in Barcelona which are becoming pretty popular lately.
Hidden gems in Barcelona, a bar: Antic Teatre
Our favorite outdoor bar in Barcelona, one the best hidden gems in Barcelona. A little door leads you to this beautiful open patio which will make you feel closer to nature while being in the center of the city. It also has an ancient theatre inside the bar (so when you go to order inside you will probably see the signal “silence” if they are in the middle of a play). Antic Teatre has become pretty popular lately, so if you visit this place in the evenings you will probably have to wait to be seated. But it is worth a visit!
Hidden gems in Barcelona, a station: Estació de França
Not a simple station. Estació de França also hides some History: it was the first station which connected the cities of Barcelona and Paris. It also has a beautiful hall and an impressive architecture you can’t miss. Check out this hidden place in Barcelona before your visit: Non touristy places in Barcelona, Estació de França.
Hidden gems in Barcelona, a street: Carrer Petritxol
A hidden street in Ciutat Vella district, which is one of the most iconic in Barcelona. If you are a chocolate lover, you will probably love this hidden street! Before walking in, we recommend you to read the article Iconic Barcelona streets: carrer Petritxol. One of the most historical hidden gems in Barcelona.
Hidden gems in Barcelona: air-raid shelters
If we talk about historical hidden spots in Barcelona, air-raid shelters would make it number one. At the beginning of this article we talked about those symbolic signals on the walls of Sant Felip Neri square, as a consequence of the Spanish Civil War.
But there are also other constructions from those times which have remained until today, like the air-raid shelters. You can visit them (through guided tours) to get to know better the History and how were the constructions that saved many lives during the Civil War. These are the ones that remain open to the public through guided visits: Refugi 307 in Poble Sec, Plaça del Diamant, Plaça de la Revolució and Palau de les Heures.
Hidden cafeteria in Barcelona: Can Déu
This is also one of our favorite Barcelona hidden gems. Can Déu is a beautiful community center in Barcelona, in Les Corts district. What makes it really special is its charming coffee shop with a unique atmosphere created by the light entering across the big stained glass. It also has a piano which is played sometimes by the clients, and the music is perfectly melt with the light creating a beautiful space.
Hidden Roman temple in Barcelona: Temple of Augustus
If you are a History lover, you will probably like this secret spot in Barcelona. A Roman temple built more than 2.000 years ago, dedicated to the cult of Augustus, and its four columns are still preserved. You will access to this hidden temple through the Paradiso street, in Ciutat Vella district.
How many of these hidden gems in Barcelona have you explored?
