Ilse from Barcelona
La Central Barcelona
Bookshop with hidden garden bar
I love books. I love to read, and I love the coffee table books with beautiful pictures and curious subjects. So a book shop with both literature and a big selection of the thick coffee table books in a wide range of subjects is like a candy store to me.
When I discovered La Central in Raval, I got lost in the store for an hour. It has a huge offer of books. Art, photography, cinema, music, food, traveling, literature, comics... Every subject seems to be covered. And what a collection! If you can't find a book you are looking for here, I wonder where you would. They have an English section as well, so no need to skip this shop with the excuse "I can't read Spanish".
La Central has several locations, but the one in Raval is the largest and my favourite. It has an English corner, a big children's section with both books and original toys and a little accessory section with diaries, posters and magazines.
The best kept secret of this bookshop is the little bar and stunning garden. It became my favourite hidden oasis of the busy city centre to have a coffee, sandwich (fab bikini!) or ice cream from Natas Heladas. It's like a little quiet paradise, full of plants and a small calming waterfall. By the way, the plants are for sale too! Isn't that great?
If you just bought a book....you could spend all day reading in this idyllic garden!
About this spot
Our Barcelona City Guide
Find your way with 178 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Join as a Spotter?
Loved this Spot? And love your city? Join your local team. Share your favs and become part of our international community!
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Barcelona
Las Vermudas
Get lost for a while!
"Las Vermudas" in Barcelona is one of my favorite places to enjoy vermut, or vermouth. The food is also must-try for sure!
by
Andia
Ago
Petit Montjuïc
Amazing Mediterranean-Arabic food
"Petit Montjuïc" in Barcelona offers a Mediterranean menu with Algerian specialties. Souhail cooks one of the best couscous I have tried in the city...
by
Gina
Xifra
Topik
Culinary Harmony in Barcelona
Topik blends Catalan cuisine with primarily Asian influences, offering traditional, slow-cooked dishes with intense flavors and perfect execution.
by
Cesar
Gonzalez
Reial Cercle Artistic
Cultural Melting Pot
Beyond its galleries and stages, you're invited to unleash your creativity through workshops, or immerse yourself in theater or film clubs.
by
Cesar
Gonzalez
Ca La Roseta
The search is over
The first time I had a coffee at "Ca La Roseta", I told the owner 'this is the best coffee I've had in Barcelona'; he calmly replied: 'of course it is!'
by
Andia
Ago
Collonut
Tapas, vermut, vermut & vermut
"Collonut" in Barcelona is a typical Catalunyan vermut and tapas bar, but they have managed to give it a nice young touch - and it's not a tourist trap!
by
Rafael
Maggion
Fishology
Fish like you've never seen before
"Fishology" in Barcelona makes some really cool things with fish. It has everything it takes to become an emblematic spot in town!
by
Rafael
Maggion
El Tigre
Bar with tropical vibes
"El Tigre" is a lovely terrace with tropical vibes in Barcelona! It got me hooked from the 1st time! My favorite here is the pomada, a refreshing gin-lemonade...
by
Ilse
de Ridder
Parallelo
Artisanal street gelato!
"Parallelo" gelato is my absolute favourite in Barcelona. Totally worth the 2.5-km walk there. My favorite is the cream-peanut-dulce de leche ice cream!
by
Ilse
de Ridder
Frankfurt Sant Jaume
The lovers’ sandwich
With a bar that comfortably fits only 2 people, it's the quintessential nook that beckons you to dive into the city's authenticity.
by
Cesar
Gonzalez
Paco Meralgo
Barcelona's Culinary Delight
While sticking to your favorite dishes is fine, the daily specials you can find here allow you to explore new flavors with seasonal products.
by
Cesar
Gonzalez
Heading to Barcelona?
178 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
Heading to Barcelona?
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 178 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Barcelona
Our team loves Barcelona
Get to know our other Spotters from Barcelona
As featured on:
