4 Gats (Els Quatre Gats), Barcelona

Els 4 Gats (or, "The Four Cats"), one of Barcelona's most historic bar-restaurants, opened its doors in 1897, originally encompassing a restaurant, pub, cabaret, and even a hostel. During the era of Catalan modernism at the turn of the century, it held the same significance for artists as iconic Parisian cafes like La Rotonde did in the 1920s, serving as a hub for art theories, lively debates over wine, and showcasing the works of emerging artists like Pablo Picasso. In fact, in 1900, this locale hosted Picasso's first solo exhibition, a momentous occasion in his career. The exhibition showcased over 50 portraits of his friends and family and another 60 or so drawings and paintings, at last earning him some critical attention.

Reopened at the same site in 1989, El 4 Gats is nowadays more of a meeting place for tourists than for artists and intellectuals, but still worth a stop to have a quick drink or a meal in downtown Barcelona. The interior d茅cor is straight out of the epoch and you may spot a waiter or two who look as if they belong to that bygone era, too! Treat yourself to a reasonably priced glass of wine, vermouth, or a "licor de hierbas" (pomace brandy) as you soak up the unique and historic ambiance of the bar.

The menu offers a well-cooked lobster paella and some rather sinful desserts such as the tantalizing "textures of chocolate" (a trio of different chocolate desserts in one) or the delicately smooth and not overly sweet "Crema Catalana" (Spain's version of cr猫me br没l茅e).

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Barcelona. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The 51爆料网 App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: 4 Gats (Els Quatre Gats)
Sight Location: Barcelona, Spain (See walking tours in Barcelona)
Sight Type: Food/Drink
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Barcelona, Spain

Create Your Own Walk in Barcelona

Creating your own self-guided walk in Barcelona is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

La Rambla Walking Tour

One of the main streets in central Barcelona, La Rambla is popular with tourists and locals alike. Connecting the city鈥檚 old port with Pla莽a de Catalunya, it is filled with cultural and historic landmarks, as well as many terraces, restaurants, shops and street artists. Spanish poet, Federico Garc铆a Lorca once said it was 鈥渢he only street in the world which I wish never ended.鈥�

Start... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

Gothic Quarter Walking Tour

A walk through the Gothic Quarter 鈥� Barcelona鈥檚 oldest part, dating from the Roman era 鈥� is like a journey through time. The typical Roman grid plan is still visible in the quarter's layout. Only a few roads are open for car traffic, so there is little in the way of enjoying the narrow, atmospheric streets filled with high-quality architecture, numerous boutiques, and coffee shops.... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles

Barcelona Shopping Walk

A long-time prime cultural destination, Barcelona is also en route to becoming one of Europe's top shopping spots. Each new day, fashionable designer stores, from well-known international brands to local start-ups, are filling the city streets. If you're a fan of shopping, you're in for a treat when visiting this beautiful city. Here are some of the most popular shopping locations... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles

Barcelona Introduction Walking Tour

According to legend, Barcelona was founded by the mythological Greek hero Hercules on one of his expeditions, when a storm hit his boats. The first eight boats managed to escape without damage, but the ninth was lost at sea. Hercules found his lost friends some days later on the coast, all safe and sound. The boat's crew, taken by the beauty of the coastal landscape, decided to stay. On that... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.7 Km or 3.5 Miles

Montjuic Walking Tour

Montjuic is a hill in Barcelona which offers a variety of great attractions of historic, cultural, and architectural value. Here, you can watch a spectacular water show at the Magic Fountain of Montjuic, visit the place where matadors faced the bulls in the past, and explore the ancient Montjuic Castle with its breathtaking views.

A convenient start point, Placa d'Espanya is the second... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.0 Km or 3.1 Miles

Antoni Gaud铆's Masterpieces Walking Tour

Antoni Gaudi, a seminal figure in the Catalan Modernism movement, is one of the top architects of the 20th century. The unique technique and use of natural forms in his works stand out from the pack and have left an indelible mark on the face of Barcelona.

Our journey through Gaudi's Barcelona begins at the G眉ell Palace, by far the most budget-friendly of his projects. Located near La... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles

View all walking tours in Barcelona, Spain

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

Top 10 Spanish Foods and Drinks to Try in Barcelona

In the countries like Spain, food is a national heritage and cultural attraction in its own right. The latter is even more true of Catalonia in general and Barcelona in particular. Presented here are the 10 staples of Catalan food tradition, missing which would be a gastronomical...

Barcelona Souvenir Shopping: 17 Uniquely Spanish Things to Buy

Spain, in general, and Barcelona, in particular, are a treasure trove of all things exciting. Set your foot in Barcelona and you'll be spoiled for the choice of things worth trying and taking home. Before your head starts spinning, check this guide out to put yourself in the right...

10 Sightseeing Walks During Covid-19

Borders closed, flights canceled. As countries across the globe scrambling to curb the spread of coronavirus, it is nearly impossible to travel these days. For those with wanderlust at heart, living without exploring is a really tough challenge. But even in times of hardship like this, one should...