Wedged between Barcelona’s city centre and its Mediterranean beaches, El Poblenou is a bustling neighbourhood in the Catalan capital. During the 19th century, it was an important industrial hub, earning it the nickname: “Catalan Manchester”. Today, many of El Poblenou’s factories have been transformed into art galleries and boutiques.
Things to do in El Poblenou
Occupying a striking modern building on Plaça de les Glories Catalanes is the Design Museum of Barcelona, which explores the city’s links to fashion, interior and product design. Learn about the development of poster advertising throughout the 20th century and Catalonia’s role as a centre for fabric production, with textiles dating back to the Renaissance on display. Centuries-old ceramics, furniture and glass art are also exhibited.
Nearby is the 144-metre-high Torre Glories, an Expressionist-style building designed by the French architect Jean Nouvel. He was inspired by the mountain of Montserrat, with the design intended to resemble the shape of a geyser. The Torre Glories is covered in glass and is particularly impressive when illuminated at night.
In the warmer months, you can cool off with a swim at Platja de la Mar Bella or Platja del Bogatell, which hug the seafront of El Poblenou. Backing the beaches is an art-dotted green belt known as Parc del Poblenou, which is ideal for strolling in the evening. Nearby is the IDEAL Centre d'Arts Digitals de Barcelona, where you’ll find high-tech and virtual reality displays based on the artworks of Klimt and Monet.
Getting around El Poblenou
El Poblenou is around 10 minutes’ drive from the centre of Barcelona and 20 minutes from Barcelona–El Prat Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Subway services connect to the Poblenou and Llacuna stations while buses travel throughout the neighbourhood.