El Raval

The Barcelona district of El Raval (once the seedier side of Barcelona), is now home to many artists who have injected an aura of vitality and fun to the area.

Plaça Catalunya and Plaça Universitat are situated in the north of the district. If you're coming from Plaça Catalunya, Raval is on the right-hand side and nearby is the famous La Boqueria market.

The Museu D'Art Contemporani De Barcelona (MACBA) and the Centre of Contemporary Culture (CCCB) have helped to regenerate this run down part of the city which borders La Rambla.

Raval has a rich ethnic mix and the area to the south is often referred to as Barri Xino (Chinatown). The entire area is bordered by Ronda Sant Antoni, Ronda Sant Pau and Avinguda del Paral·lel in the south.

This is where the old 14th century walls stood and Portal de Santa Madrona (an old wall and gate) are remnants of the old wall and part of the Naval Museum.

New hotels, bars and restaurants such as Casa Camper are the result of the urban regeneration of the area.

The new arts cinema, Filmoteca de Catalunya is in Plaça de Salvador Seguí, close to Rambla del Raval.

The promenade is surrounded by kebab shops and Barcelona's first fish and chip shop opened in August 2007.