During the years, Barcelona has been chosen by different writers as set of their novels, inventing their own stories about the city and their own characters. All the characters that walked in its streets left their marks and are still talking to us whenever we pass by some of the spots they were in.

The detective Pepe Carvahlo is surely one of the most emblematic ones, created by Manuel Vázquez Montalbán who passed away in 2003. Through this character the writer described and sometimes criticised the social and political changes Barcelona went through the second end of the 20th century.
All the books are centred in the Raval and in the Ribera quarters, with particularly importance given to the Mercat de la Boquería (Boquería Market), where both the author and the detective used to spend a lot of time, expecially in the bar Pinocho. This is actually a very good place also for backpackers, to have a look at a very eclectic Spanish market, where you can find popular and exotic products at a time.
Others sets of these books are Plaça Reial (down la Rambla), and the Rivera quarter, where you will find Carvahlo’s favourite restaurant: Casa Leopoldo, in C/Sant Rafael, 23.

La Rambla divides the centre of Barcelona in two halves. On one side there is the Gothic area and on the other side there is the Raval.
This quarter wasn’t very populated originally and most of the area was covered by fields. By the half of the XIX century, it became the industrial centre of the city, thanks to the development the Barcelona went through in those years. However this urbanisation made the quarter more and more degraded with very low hygienical conditions.

Just before the 1992 Olympics Games, the whole city got completely renewed and the Raval has completely changed its appearance. New builds have replaced the old ones and many artists, craftsmen started opening little art galleries. Because of the low prices, in this quarter there are also many immigrants, especially from Pakistan, Philippines and Maghreb.
In 1999 a few blocks have been demolished to build La Rambla del Raval, a very nice avenue, whit a lot of bars and restaurants which cheer up the atmosphere. The whole area has become very popular to go out at night, with a very big variety of places.

HERE YOU WILL FIND A FEW SUGGESTIONS FOR A GOOD NIGHT OUT:

Casa Almirall –
C/Joaquin Costa, 33
Jazz, blues, flamenco

Lletraferit –
C/Joaquin Costa, 43

It Café –
C/Joaquin Costa, 4
Electronic Music, Chill-out

Oddland –
C/Joaquin Costa, 52
Vocal jazz, downbeat, indie pop, English rock, electronic, house

Iposa –
C/ Floristes de la Rambla, 14

Marsella –
C/ Sant Pau, 65

Ambar –
C/ Sant Pau, 77
Groove music of the 70s, bossa nova, samba and funky

London Bar –
C/ Nou de la Rambla, 34
Life music, blues, jazz, rock
Dostrece –
C/ Carme, 40

Manchester –
C/ Valldonzella, 40
BritPop

L’Ovella Negra –
C/ Carrer de les Sitges, 5

The Gothic Quarter is the heart of the historical part of Barcelona, located between La Rambla and Via Laietana and between Plaça Catalunya and the seafront. In its labyrinth of narrow streets, most of them closed to regular traffic, you will see many Medieval buildings and some Roman ones. Before starting make sure to get a map so you won’t get lost.