Situated in El Gótico, just a few minutes off and parallel to La Rambla, Carrer Petrixtol is 129 metres long and only three metres wide, making it one of the narrowest streets in all of Barcelona. Through this street’s mosaics we can see the history of what used to be the customs and trades of this street, and therefore Barcelona as a whole.
In 1959, Carrer Petrixtol became the first street in Barcelona to become completely pedestrianised. Art, bookshops and chocolatiers are what have made this street into one of the most popular and charming streets of the centre of Barcelona, with some of these vendors have become famous themselves.
La Sala Parés, the first shop (opened in 1840) to sell materials for painting, engraving, framing and laminating at a European level, is located on Carrer Petrixtol. In 1877, it turned into the first art gallery in all of Spain. The building in which it is located was constructed around 130 years ago and has two big spaces filled with light in order to properly exhibit works of art. The gallery has over 1 million pieces of art in its collection, and since 1993, it has collaborated with another gallery (Maragall Ediciones, Carrer Petrixtol 8) to sell graphics of original works of art.
And the chocolatiers…some of the best in the world! Just on the left at the beginning of Carrer Petixtol, we find La Granja Pallaresa (Carrer Petrixol 11). Since 1947 when it stopped being a dairy vendor and today, we can go there to try some of its sweet delights. Hot chocolate with churros, ensaimadas and their freshly made pastries and puddings, including flan, Catalan crème brulée and rice pudding.
This is the street where you can find arguably the best chocolate con churros in all of Barcelona. At La Granja Dulcinea (Carrer Petrixol 2), they have been serving this famous Spanish delicacy since 1930, when it ceased to be a drinking tavern. Famous faces such as Dalí and Guimerà spent much of their time on the wooden and brick seats. This spot may be small, yes, but it will take you to another planet!
This small and charismatic street is also home to Xocoa (Carrer Petrixtol 11), one of my favourite chocolatiers in all of Barcelona. This shop is made up of two little rooms with a massive variety of chocolate. One of the most interesting things which they make, and my personal choice, are the balls of biscuit covered with white chocolate, caramel or milk, for example – I really can’t recommend these enough!
However, if you prefer something more traditional then you cannot go wrong with their selection of cakes, from red velvet to lemon drizzle, which will have you pondering endlessly. With many more selections of biscuits, cakes, chocolates and drinks, this place will have a little piece of your heart when you finally leave. If it’s a nice hot day and you don’t want to stay in the shop then that’s not a problem, you can have your delicacies to take away, and can go sit by Plaça del Pi or by the Cathedral and watch the world go by.
When visiting Barcelona, this little and compelling street, filled with culture and tradition, is an absolute must, not just for the benefit of your taste buds, but also for your understanding of the history of Barcelona.
Opening hours:
Sala Parès: Monday 4pm – 8pm; Tuesday to Friday 10:30am – 2pm, 4:30pm – 8:30pm; Sundays from October to June 11:30am – 2pm
Maragell Ediciones: Monday 4pm – 8pm; Tuesday to Friday 10:30am – 2pm, 4pm – 8:30pm; Saturdays 10:30am – 2pm, 4:30pm – 8:30pm
La Granja Pallaresa: Monday to Saturday 9am – 1pm, 4pm – 9pm; Sundays 9am – 1pm, 5pm – 9pm
La Granja Dulcinea: Monday to Satuday 10am – 9pm
Xocoa: Monday to Sunday 9:30am – 9pm
