Streetlife: Carrer d'Elisabets

Originally published April 2017, updated April, 4 2022.

Located in the Raval, this tiny street of just four short blocks from Plaça del Bonsuccés to Plaça dels Àngels gets its name from the religious community that was founded there in 1554 in honor of Saint Elizabeth. Today many  of the streets’ ecclesiastical buildings remain, now housing a bookstore, a cafe and academic faculties surrounded by small shops and even a small hidden garden terrace.

• Typographia

  Often utilizing the works of local and independent artists, Typographia boasts a wide variety of t-shirt styles and designs that you won’t find anywhere else. With its unique offerings, Typographia gives excitement to the often-bland industry that is men’s fashion. The shirt designs are strongly influenced by Barcelona’s culture, while also presenting styles that are timeless and distinctive. When speaking on the store, Paul Bernhardt of USA Today wrote “Typographia appeals to the free spirited, those with originality running through their veins.” (2015)

• La Central de Raval

  Located in a building that was previously a chapel for the Casa de Misericordia de Barcelona, La Central de Raval provides a beautiful setting to to peruse its collection of over 80,000 books. The store takes great pride in being an agent for continuing to share and spread the cultural values of Catalunya. You could easily while away an entire afternoon delving into the surrounding culture’s past and present as you explore its diverse selection of works.

• Bar Central Raval

  Those looking for a peaceful place to read a newly purchased book will find it at Bar Central Raval. This tranquil garden cafe is tucked away in a hidden courtyard that can be accessed through the bookstore or by way of a small, unnamed alley off of Carrer d'Elisabets. It proposes an assortment of coffee, sandwiches, tapas, vermouth and local wines—and even Sunday brunch. You would never guess that this quiet little garden with a bubbling waterfall exists among the narrow, crowded streets of the Raval.

• Dos Palillos

  Dos Palillos has been serving its signature tapas-style Asian cuisine for almost a decade. The restaurant’s dual identity is cleverly reflected in everything from the decor to the name. Manager Adrià de Pablo said, “Palillo can be used to mean chopstick and toothpick, so the name plays on both our Asian and our Spanish philosophy.” At lunchtime, the à la carte menu is filled with crowd-pleasers like shrimp and pork belly dumplings. Come dinnertime, two creative tasting menus introduce diners to the best of Dos Palillos.

• Hotel Casa Camper

  What was once a 19th century tenement building has been converted into a charming boutique hotel; Hotel Casa Camper offers easy access to multiple museums, restaurants and tourist destinations throughout the city. Its Dos Billares Bar combines cocktails, jazz, cozy armchairs and two American-style pool tables to wind down after a long day. Or, to disconnect from the busy city streets, you can relax and recharge on the rooftop terrace while taking in the beautiful views.

• Herbolari Llansa

  Founded over one hundred years ago, Herbolari Llansa may well be the oldest establishment on Carrer d’Elisabets. The store offers a wide range of natural remedies, guided by the belief that they don’t have the negative side effects of standard pharmaceuticals. Following the same herbal recipes that her grandfather crafted when he opened the business in 1907, Francesca Ubach Llansa, who now runs the family store, produces formulas that treat conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and stress. “The herbs I use hail from places all over the world, from China to the Peruvian Andes, though I also use indigenous ones,” she explains.

• Vialis Barcelona

  Spain is well known for its beautifully handcrafted shoes and Vialis carries on this tradition proudly. Founded in 1996 in El Born, Vialis’ reputation for creating high-quality shoes and accessories using all-natural, unmodified leather has earned the brand a loyal following. Each shoe is meticulously handmade by specialized shoemakers who have been honing their craft for years. To go along with its carefully constructed shoes, Vialis has an elegant selection of leather  handbags and purses.