Plaça de Sol

Gràcia, Barcelona –

Much of the life in the trendy residential district of Gràcia revolves around the many squares nestled among the area’s narrow streets. The most famous of these charming squares is Plaça de Sol, located in the heart of the district and surrounded on all sides by bars and restaurants.

At its liveliest on warm spring and summer nights, Plaça de Sol welcomes hordes of local residents who descend on the space with their kids, dogs, bikes, and skateboards and either pull up a seat at one of the outdoor cafés or simply plop down on any available surface for an evening of low-key socializing.

Everyone from dreadlocked loafers in tatty vests to cocktail-sipping señoritas in chic summer dresses enjoys passing time with friends here, as attested to by the hundreds of conversations that echo off the façades of the aging buildings.

A good way to spend any night on the square is to savor some vegetarian tapas at Sol Soler (Plaça de Sol, 21) followed by drinks at Café del Sol (Plaça de Sol, 16) – a favorite with students – and then a jaunt to the fun-loving Eldorado dance bar, the perfect place to carry on the party after the local police arrive in Plaça de Sol to gently usher folks to bed.