La Sagrada Família watches over as upmarket Eixample sets a high standard for fashion, style and panache

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The upmarket, trendy neighbourhood of Eixample is a place to be. The grid-like expansion district, which sprung up as Barcelona tore down its medieval walls, is a playground for the wealthy and well-to-do. It's also a major tourist area, home to the La Sagrada Família cathedral, the dominant Arc de Triomf and Passeig de Gràcia – Barcelona’s most exclusive shopping street. Clean, cosmopolitan and well-designed, the area known as 'the widening' is blessed with art nouveau architecture, Michelin-starred restaurants, designer outlets and hip cocktail bars.

Our essential guide to the Eixample district of Barcelona

How to get there and move around

Train / Metro

Mainline rail services run from Barcelona-El Prat Airport Terminal 2 to Passeig de Gràcia station on the south-western border of Eixample. If you're staying in the north side, change for L3 on the Metro.

Train: Passeig de Gràcia, Diagonal (L3)

Bus

The Aerobus shuttle service runs from both airport terminals to Plaça de Catalunya, just a short stroll from Eixample. Various local bus services operate along Passeig de Gràcia.

Bus: Aerobus to Plaça de Catalunya, change for 22, 24 or V15

Taxi

A taxi from Barcelona-El Prat to Eixample from takes around half an hour at off-peak times. This driver-friendly neighbourhood is easy to navigate by car, but the traffic can sometimes cause delays.

Taxi: Termini 1 & 2 taxi ranks

On foot / bicycle

With Eixample covering such a large area, you'll need energy to explore the whole neighbourhood on foot or by bicycle. The barrio's block system is well-provisioned with pavements and cycle lanes, and you'll find a cafe on the corner of most blocks.

Where to stay

Eixample has some of the most exclusive hotels in town, but you’ll also find a nice place to stay if you’re on a tighter budget.

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Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona

The only danger with the five-star Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona is that you'll spend your entire stay here. This palatial masterpiece on Passeig de Gràcia has two restaurants and a piano bar, spa and rooftop terrace with great views.

Passeig de Gràcia, 68, 08007

Watch the sunset over the city from the beautiful rooftop terrace at the Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona

El Palace Barcelona

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Stay at the prestigious El Palace Barcelona, and you’ll be treated to large, ornate rooms with separate living areas. If you're lucky, you may get a whirlpool tub, too. The intimate Winter Garden Restaurant serves haute cuisine.

Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 668, 08010

Gran Hotel Havana

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Behind the 19th-century exterior facade, you'll find an avant-garde four-star at the Gran Hotel Havana. It backs up a superb location with plush rooms, tasty Mediterranean cuisine and a stylish terrace.

Gran Vía de Les Corts Catalanes, 647, 08010

Anakena House Modernist B&B

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With its high ceilings and mosaic tiling, this cute bed and breakfast makes the most of its restored Modernist features. Each of Anakena's eight en-suite rooms is comfortable, well-furnished and equipped with satellite TV.

Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 668, 08010

Yeah Barcelona Hostel

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Yeah Barcelona Hostel can't offer the luxury features of its Eixample contemporaries, but it's clean, well-located and has tasty group meals served in the evening if you want to join in. The hostel has a lively bar area and a comfortable lounge for socialising.

Carrer Girona, 176, 08037

Experience the modern buzzy atmosphere in Eixample

What to see and do

Eixample is renowned for its fine architecture and museums, galleries and high-end shopping.

Explore the incredible La Sagrada Família

Barcelona's most iconic landmark is La Sagrada Família – Antoni Gaudí's Modernist masterpiece. The awe-inspiring cathedral, which has been in the works since 1882, dominates the Eixample skyline. You can fully appreciate the scale and originality of design from the outside, but you should see the basilica from the inside, too. So, get tickets online and arrive early or join one of the tours. Check out its website for opening times, as these vary seasonally.

Carrer de Mallorca, 401, 08013

Seek retail therapy on Passeig de Gràcia

Eixample is Barcelona's luxury retail district. The wealthy Passeig de Gràcia is a hub for the leading designers and jewellery merchants – you'll find the likes of Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana and Tiffany's here among the flagship stores. Just off the main drag, side roads including Carrer de València and Carrer de Mallorca also house big-brand outlets. When you're done shopping, you can head to an outdoor cafe or swanky bar to relax. 

Explore Gaudí's Casa Batlló and Casa Milà

Two stunning examples of Gaudí house design are among Eixample's architectural riches. The curved, unconventional Casa Milà – known as the stone quarry – and the creatively renovated Casa Batlló – the house of bones – are fascinating buildings despite their nicknames. They form part of the wider UNESCO World Heritage site created in 1984 to protect Gaudí's legacy in Barcelona.

Casa Milà: Provença, 261–265, 08008; Casa Batlló: Passeig de Gràcia, 43, 08007

Open daily 0900–2030 and 2100–2300 (Casa Milà), and daily 0900–2100 (Casa Batlló)

Visit an Eixample museum or art gallery

Eixample’s grid system gives the district plenty of space, which has encouraged various Barcelona museums and galleries to set up here. With a high concentration of Modernist buildings, 'the widening' is the ideal location for the Museum of Catalan Art Nouveau; the same principle applies to the Perfume Museum's positioning on the fashionable Passeig de Gràcia. The Fundació Antoni Tàpies – a gallery dedicated to the late artist and sculptor – and the Egyptian Museum are also found in Eixample.

Take your camera to Arc de Triomf

The dramatic Arc de Triomf, built as the gateway to the 1888 Barcelona World Fair in Parc de la Ciutadella, offers intrigue and great photo opportunities. At nearly 100-foot (30m) tall, Casanovas' grand monument dominates the Passeig de Lluís Companys promenade. It's worth checking out en route to the Catalan parliament buildings or Barcelona Zoo in the adjoining park.

Passeig de Lluís Companys, 08003

Arc de Triomf: Visit the smaller Spanish version of Paris' arch when in Barcelona

Where to eat and drink

Eixample has a thriving cafe and bar culture, and its trendy restaurants are loved by the critics.

Lasarte

The masterful creativity of chef Martín Berasategui has helped the elegantly-renovated Lasarte scoop three Michelin stars. Booking is essential for the definitive Barcelona fine-dining experience. It’s open Tuesday to Saturday, 1330–1530 and 2030–2300.

Carrer de Mallorca, 259, 08008

Cinc Sentits

The Catalan tasting menus at Cinc Sentits, another of Barcelona's starred restaurants, are widely acclaimed. Jordi Artal's haute cuisine does not come cheap, but his dishes are extraordinary. Reservations are required.

Carrer d'Aribau, 58, 08011

Open Tuesday–Saturday 1330–1430 and 2030–2200

El Nacional

At the inventive El Nacional, you can choose from four traditional restaurants all under one roof: La Brasería offers grilled meats, La Llotja serves fresh fish, La Tapería delivers traditional tapas and La Paradeta provides deli snacks. There's no need to book here – there's plenty of space, so just turn up!

Passeig de Gràcia, 24, 08007

Open daily 1200–0100

El Pot

For a healthy lunch with a difference, stop in at El Pot for a delicious salad in a Le Parfait jar. The boutique takeaway uses fresh organic ingredients to create attractive meals on the go.

Carrer de Córsega, 225, 08036

Open Monday–Friday 1200–1700