(BARCELONA) — El Born is a cool, quiet neighborhood away from the crazy crowds. Perfect for walking around, cool shops, mellow restaurants and beautiful streets.  There’s a great little square with four or five outdoor cafes, perfect to just sit and watch Barcelona go by.  Go here.

Here’s a good article from The Guardian.

El Born is a groovy little neighborhood to stop, sleep and shop. And there’s a gazillion AirBnBs.

Treelined, not as crowded as Las Ramblas. Great cafes and non-chain boutiques.

Almost looks like Roman decay.

Speaking of Romans, they were restoring this old market when they discover an amazing array of ancient ruins underneath, so they spent the last several years digging up this little village, now on display inside.

Hard to believe this was all here, hidden under the market for hundreds of years. Now perfectly protected.

I stopped and ate at this perfect cafe in the middle of the square in El Born. Great place to while away the day.

Winter or summer, this spot is perfect.

I believe this place was called Tapeo

This is an great street for shopping. Some really cool shops, just off the main square.

Loisada (pronounced Lower East Side) is the coolest shop.

Eat at Llamber on the terrace right behind the El Born big center

Louisada (Lower East Side) in El Born. Awesomely cool shop.

Last visited July 2015