El Born was once the center of medieval Barcelona, studd4ed with merchant palaces, crisscrossed by cobbled streets and alleys, and celebrated for its sporting spectacles (in old Catalan, a born was a place of jousts). Today it has transformed into one of the trendiest districts in Barcelona, with a flavourful mix of modernity and tradition. Fueling its cosmopolitan atmosphere, art galleries and design stores rub shoulders with superb restaurants and open-air cafes. Two contrasting sites are the Picasso Museum, set in a 15th-century palace on Carrer de Montcada, and the soaring Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar, the city´s finest example of Gothic Catalan architecture.
Restaurants to consider include Sandwich & Friends (Passeig del Born), a trendy, yet informal lunch spot. In the evening, look out for Pic on Calle Ribera, which cleverly marries Oriental and Catalonian gastronomy, or Cal Pep (Placa de Les Olles) for local dishes. The mood of the district is captured in accommodations like the Hotel Banys Orientals (Calle Argenteria), a historic building furnished with a minimalist, contemporary flair.