Axel Hotels hotels in Barcelona, Catalonia

Historic Barcelona Travel Guide

Barcelona is a fantastic city, known for its rich culture, captivating art scene and historical architecture. The history of the city spans over 2000 years with remains dating back to the Neolithic and early Chalcolithic periods. Take a stroll through the narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter and discover 14th-century cathedrals, towering temple columns and remnants of a bygone era.

Historic Hotels in Barcelona

From medieval churches to storefronts, history is more alive in Barcelona than anywhere else in Europe. Finding a historical hotel in Barcelona is an easy quest as most are just a stone’s throw away. Stay in the Gothic Quarter and wander through the areas ancient streets, with church spires and towering bridges forcing you to look up.

In Bohemian quarter of the city, guests can stay in an outlandish apartment, a quaint B&B or a cheap hotel. Enjoy breakfast with stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and soak up the Iberian sunshine over in the Barceloneta quarter, the beach haven of Barcelona. Or, head into the heart of the city for more historic hotels and luxurious apartments close to designer stores and the city’s finest restaurants.

Historical Activities in Barcelona

Crowned “the city of marvels”, Barcelona is packed with hundreds of historical landmarks waiting to be explored. One of the most famous is Antoni Gaudi’s incomplete church, The Basilica of the Sagrada Familia. This extraordinary gothic inspired church attracts thousands of tourists every year. Construction began in 1882, and when Gaudi passed away in 1926, the church was not quite complete, but a completion date has been set for 2026, the 100th Anniversary of the artist’s death.

The Catalonian capital inspired some of the greatest artists in human history: from Joan Miró to Pablo Picasso. Barcelona has even erected museums devoted to the artists. The Museu Picasso contains over 3,800 works belonging to the surreal cubism mastermind. His work hangs on walls inside five medieval palaces dotted in the La Ribera district.

When Barcelona’s Romanesque churches fell into ruin, The National Museum of Catalunya came to the rescue and gave the abandoned murals a safe home. The museum offers visitors a 360º experience and prides itself on being a museum for everyone. Discover medieval gothic art from the 13th to 15th centuries and a fine collection of Romanesque art and works by Golden Age Catalan artists such as Bernat Martorell and Fra Angelico.

Adventure 45km north of Barcelona and you’ll stumble across the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey. The historical abbey was founded in the 11th century and can be easily reached by train, cable car or road. Perched approximately 1,500m up a beautiful mountain, be prepared for awe-inspiring scenic views. Legend has it that the statue of the Virgin of Montserrat, which is the main focal point of the monastery, was created in 880.

Historic Places to Eat and Drink in Barcelona

If you’re looking for a fountain of flavours and delicious Catalan cuisine, there’s no better place for it than Barcelona. One of the city’s oldest restaurants can be found in a narrow street in the Ramblas boulevard in the historical centre of the Gothic Quarter. Los Caracoles embodies a warm and classic Spanish charm and has been visited by hundreds of famous people, whose photos hang proudly on the walls of the main restaurant.

Dine in Picasso’s favourite tavern, the Els Quatre Gats, a hotspot for artists and musicians towards the end of the 19th century. Enjoy your meal with elegant piano music and feast on classic Spanish cuisine. The restaurant enriched Picasso’s creative mind, inspiring him and other creative geniuses such as the poet Rubén Darío and playwright, Santiago Rusiñol.