A walking tour through the central Gothic Quarter of Barcelona or Barri Gotic will immerse you in the specific atmosphere of this old district with its lovely narrow streets where you feel the spirit of the city and pass by some of the main sights, such as the Cathedral and the medieval castle.

The imposing Gothic Cathedral (La Seu) was started in the late 13th century and not completed until the 19th century when were added the façade and steeples, built following the original plans from 1409. The cathedral is located on Carrer del Bisbe near the remains of an ancient Roman wall and on the site of several older structures which are not preserved until present-day: a Roman basilica, a mosque and an early medieval Romanesque church. Right next to the south side of the cathedral is the medieval Casa dels Canonges (House of Canons). Originally built in the late 13th-14th century, it has been later reconstructed and today represents a charming blend of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. The building is connected with the 15th-century Palau de la Generalitat (Government Palace) on the opposite side of Carrer del Bisbe via a wonderful Neo-gothic bridge over the narrow old street. This medieval palace hides a marvellous Gothic inner courtyard with the worth-seeing Chapel of St George.

Behind the Cathedral you will find the pleasant old square La Plaça del Rei or the King's Square, surrounded by splendid Gothic buildings, dominated by the tall 15th-century watchtower Torre Mirador del Rei Martí - a real "medieval skyscraper" from which you can enjoy superb views over the entire Barri Gotic. On the same square is Palau Reial Mayor. This is the former palace of the vice-kings of Catalonia, a remarkable mixture of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, containing the splendid banqueting hall of the local royalty - Saló Tinell. The other prominent monument on the square is the 14th-century single-naved Capella de Santa Agata. Built in a pure Gothic architecture on the site of an older Romanesque chapel and the remains of the ancient Roman walls, it was the royal chapel belonging to the Palau Reial Mayor.

On Plaça del Rei you will find one of the most important city's museums too - Museu d'Història de Barcelona. It displays a rich collection tracing the history of the city, including Arabic and Jewish art pieces, as well as a large underground section where you can see the remains of the Roman walls on their original place, remarkable ancient statues and other exhibits related to the time of the Roman Empire.

Another interesting museum is located at the nearby Plaça de Sant Lu - Museu Frederic Mares. It is housed in a nice Romanesque-Gothic palace and exhibits the former private collection of the famed sculptor Frederic Marès Deulovol, including works from the pre-Romanesque period until the 19th century. The entrance is from Carrer dels Comtes through a lovely inner courtyard.

A couple of steps north-east of Plaça del Rei is Plaça Ramon Berenguer El Gran - an impressive square named after the prominent Catalan ruler, whose equestrian statue stands on it, together with a ruined section of the medieval Royal Palace and remains from the ancient Roman walls.

A Baroque church built in the middle of the 18th century and dedicated to Sant Felip Neri can be seen on a small, quiet and romantic square with the same name, a short stroll west of the Cathedral. The church and the square were built on the site of an ancient Jewish cemetery. The façade of this Christian temple still has many bullet holes from the time of the Spanish Civil War, when a bomb fell and killed 20 children who were seeking shelter inside it. On the opposite side of Plaça Sant Felip Neri is found the strange Museu del Calçat or the Shoe Museum - tracing the history of the shoes from ancient Roman sandals to tottery platform boots from the 1970s.

A few steps south-east of Plaça Sant Felip Neri, along Carrer de la Palla and you will reach Plaça del Pi - a nice quaint square, a favourite place of art lovers and bohemians. It is surrounded by richly ornate historic 18th-century buildings and dominated by the Iglesia Santa María del Pi. This is a remarkable church dating back to the 14-15th century with an impressive multicoloured rose window.