Eixample Esquerra, Barcelona

The young, foppish types carrying books? Those are the students of the University, located here in this part of the Eixample Esquerra. Also, in super-central Universitat, you’ll see shoppers, workers and tourists.

Here, where the grid street plan begins, you’re a short walk from Plaza Catalunya. The impressive modernista architecture mostly contains the apartments of families who have lived here for decades. You’ll come across shops, trendy bars and an art gallery. And the rainbow flags? Well, that’s why some call this the “Gaixample”.