landmark
Park Güell
Gaudí's whimsical public park in Barcelona filled with colourful mosaic tilework and organic architectural forms.
1 km · about 5 min drive
EuropeSpainCatalonia
El Carmel
Catalonia, Spain · Europe
About El Carmel
El Carmel works well as a base: 2km from Basílica de la Sagrada Família.
El Carmel is in Catalonia, Spain, with about 31,000 people. You drive on the right here.
El Carmel (Catalan pronunciation: [əl kəɾˈmɛl], in Spanish: El Carmelo Spanish pronunciation: [el kaɾˈmelo]), is a neighbourhood in the district of Horta-Guinardó, in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
Carmel is in the municipal district of Horta-Guinardó. The area was developed mainly in the 1960s and 1970s when immigrantRead more
workers, encouraged to move to Barcelona by the government of Francoist Spain, built housing for themselves. Initially isolated on the rural hillside of what is now Parc dels Tres Turons ("Three Hills Park"), the combination of structures put up without building permits alongside more planned urban development has given the area its modern appearance of buildings piled higgledy-piggledy on the hillside.
It extends across the hill of the same name, part of the foothills of the Collserola mountain range, with rugged terrain and numerous slopes, resulting in steep inclines on many of the neighborhood's streets.
Carmel became infamous in 2005 for a major accident during the construction of a tunnel. It brought to a halt the expansion works on line 5 of the Barcelona Metro and led to the evacuation of dozens of buildings in the area. Local residents protested and most of those evacuated to other areas were eventually rehoused and a new school opened. Barcelona City Council has pledged more investment in the area to improve transport, accessibility and services.
Where to Stay in El Carmel
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near El Carmel?
Within an hour or so of El Carmel: Park Güell (1 km), Basílica de la Sagrada Família (2 km), Casa Batlló (3 km), La Boqueria Market (4 km).
Are there any good drives near El Carmel?
The nearest famous roads are Costa Brava, Port d'Envalira and Coll d'Ordino.
Where is El Carmel?
El Carmel is in Catalonia, Spain.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 31,377
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Spain
- Region
- Catalonia
- Timezone
- Europe/Madrid
- Coordinates
- 41.4176, 2.1591
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Spain
Guardia Civil (traffic police): 062. Two warning triangles required in vehicles.
Full driving guide for SpainTags
Worth the detour from El Carmel
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
cathedral
Basílica de la Sagrada Família
Gaudí's unfinished modernist basilica, Barcelona's most iconic landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
2 km · about 5 min drive
landmark
Casa Batlló
Gaudí's fantastical apartment building in Barcelona with a skeletal facade, coloured tiles, and a dragon-scale roof.
3 km · about 5 min drive
landmark
La Boqueria Market
Vibrant public market off La Rambla in Barcelona bursting with colourful fresh produce, seafood, and Catalan delicacies.
4 km · about 10 min drive
landmark
Museu de la Moto Barcelona
Barcelona's motorcycle museum showcasing the rich heritage of Spanish and international motorcycle manufacturing.
4 km · about 5 min drive
landmark
Aquarium Barcelona
Port Vell aquarium with the world's largest Mediterranean-themed exhibit and an 80-metre underwater glass tunnel.
5 km · about 10 min drive
racetrack
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Home of the Spanish Grand Prix at Montmeló near Barcelona; its blend of fast sweeps and slow corners made it Formula 1's favourite pre-season testing venue.
19 km · about 20 min drive
landmark
Montserrat Monastery
A Benedictine abbey nestled among surreal serrated rock pinnacles, home to the revered Black Madonna and a renowned boys' choir.
33 km · about 40 min drive
Driving in Spain
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.55/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€4.00/100km
When to drive here
April to October
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