landmark
La Boqueria Market
Vibrant public market off La Rambla in Barcelona bursting with colourful fresh produce, seafood, and Catalan delicacies.
0 km · about 5 min drive
EuropeSpainCatalonia
el Raval
Catalonia, Spain · Europe
About el Raval
el Raval works well as a base: 3km from Basílica de la Sagrada Família.
el Raval is in Catalonia, Spain, with about 46,000 people. You drive on the right here.
El Raval (Catalan pronunciation: [əl rəˈβal], Spanish pronunciation: [el raˈβal]) is a neighborhood in the Ciutat Vella district of Barcelona, the capital city of Catalonia. The neighborhood, especially the part closest to the old port, was formerly (informally) known as Barri Xinès or Barrio Chino, meaningRead more
"Chinatown". El Raval is one of the two historical neighborhoods that border La Rambla, the other being the Barri Gòtic; it contains some 50,000 people.
An area historically infamous for its nightlife and cabarets, as well as prostitution and crime, El Raval has changed significantly in recent years and due to its central location has become a minor attraction of Barcelona. It currently has a very diverse immigrant community (47.4% of its population was born abroad, ranging from Filipinos, South Americans, and Pakistanis, to a more recent Eastern European community, especially from Romania). It is home to many bars and restaurants, as well as community spaces and collectives.
Where to Stay in el Raval
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Filter presets
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in el Raval.
Explore the Area
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near el Raval.
Loading map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near el Raval?
Within an hour or so of el Raval: La Boqueria Market (0 km), Casa Batlló (1 km), Museu de la Moto Barcelona (1 km), Aquarium Barcelona (1 km).
Are there any good drives near el Raval?
The nearest famous roads are Costa Brava, Port d'Envalira and Coll d'Ordino.
Where is el Raval?
el Raval is in Catalonia, Spain.
Road trip
Drive to el Raval
Add it as a stop and the planner works out the driving, the nights and what's worth seeing on the way.
Start planningWhat's nearby?
Swipe through places to go
Places within a drive of el Raval. Keep the ones you like and add them to your trip.
Explore now
Quick Information
- Population
- 45,671
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Spain
- Region
- Catalonia
- Timezone
- Europe/Madrid
- Coordinates
- 41.3804, 2.1686
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 Raval
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
Casa Batlló
Gaudí's fantastical apartment building in Barcelona with a skeletal facade, coloured tiles, and a dragon-scale roof.
1 km · about 5 min drive
landmark
Museu de la Moto Barcelona
Barcelona's motorcycle museum showcasing the rich heritage of Spanish and international motorcycle manufacturing.
1 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.
1 km · about 5 min drive
cathedral
Basílica de la Sagrada Família
Gaudí's unfinished modernist basilica, Barcelona's most iconic landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
3 km · about 5 min drive
landmark
Park Güell
Gaudí's whimsical public park in Barcelona filled with colourful mosaic tilework and organic architectural forms.
4 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.
22 km · about 25 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.
36 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
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near el Raval.
Plan a trip around el Raval
Your trip starts here
Plan a road trip from el Raval.
Pick the days, drop in the stops, and share it with whoever's coming.