The famous poet Emily Dickinson once said “To travel far, there is no better ship than a book”, and at Biosphere, we want to make this quote a reality.
Today, we present to you an alternative to the repetitive and sometimes monotonous tourist offerings of Barcelona: explore the City of Counts by engaging in literary tourism, a more sustainable and responsible way to travel.
How to experience literary tourism in Barcelona?
If you are considering this alternative of more sustainable and responsible tourism for your future visit to the Catalan capital, think of enjoying the city like a true character from a famous period. Today, we bring you 3 literary routes that will allow you to discover Barcelona through the lens of its history, following in the footsteps of renowned writers and their unforgettable characters. Immerse yourself in the charming streets and spectacular landscapes of the city, and discover a responsible way to explore the cultural richness of Barcelona. Shall we begin?
1. The Shadow of the Wind Route in Barcelona
Our first route takes you on a mysterious and magical journey through the Barcelona of "The Shadow of the Wind", the celebrated novel by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. Wander through the intricate streets of the Gothic Quarter, where secrets are hidden in every corner and medieval squares whisper stories of the past.
Enjoy various spots that retain their traditional charm, such as Plaza Real and Paseo de Gracia, which come to life as you follow the steps of Daniel Sempere and Fermín Romero de Torres. Discover a Barcelona filled with mysteries and hidden beauty, a city that invites you to get lost and find magic in the unexpected. Below, you’ll find our itinerary proposal to experience the Shadow of the Wind route in Barcelona:
1. Visit the inspiration for the Cemetery of Forgotten Books
At Arc del Teatre, near number 27 of La Rambla de Santa Mónica, the protagonist of this story, Daniel Sempere, discovers the book that would change his destiny. This mysterious place, full of forgotten volumes, is the heart of the plot of The Shadow of the Wind.
In reality, the Cemetery of Forgotten Books exists only in the author's mind, but he himself states that the enigmatic library is located behind a wooden door in this narrow passage. Could it be that the Cemetery of Forgotten Books hides within the ancient walls of this street?
2. Stroll through Plaza Real
Just a straight walk away, delve into this square where Gustavo Barceló and his niece Clara, Daniel Sempere's platonic love, resided. Here, the protagonist meets his faithful companion, Fermín Romero de Torres, after being injured in a confrontation with Adrián Neri, Clara's boyfriend. A well-known square for its lively atmosphere and beautiful architecture.
3. Sempere Bookstore
Just a 10-minute walk from Plaza Real in Barcelona, you’ll find this bookstore with a modernist display window next to the Santa Anna cloister. This business has been operating since 1931, although the address mentioned by the author in his work is at number 27 of Calle Santa Anna. Observing this shop, it is clear why the author chose this location.
4. Els Quatre Gats
A short 5-minute walk from the bookstore will bring you to Calle Montsió 3 to find this iconic modernist café, frequented by artists such as Picasso and Federico García Lorca among others; a cultural meeting point in the city and the scene of significant encounters in this novel.
5. The Cathedral Cloister
A significant place for Clara and her parents, offering an oasis of peace in the midst of the city's bustle. This is a gothic cloister of introspection and connection with history, which you can easily reach on foot from Els Quatre Gats. If you have trouble finding it, look for Garriga i Bachs square. From here, you can take Montjuïc del Bisbe street until you reach San Felipe Neri square, where a tragedy from the Civil War occurred in 1938. Although it seems so peaceful today, this square still bears the marks of the bomb that exploded there.
In this historic corner of the city is the house of Nuria Montfort, daughter of Isaac, the guardian of the Cemetery of Forgotten Books. Can you imagine Nuria and Daniel sitting on a bench, talking about the stories of Julián Carax?
6. El Born and Santa María del Mar
About seven hundred meters from San Felipe Neri square, you can delve into El Born by crossing Calle Princesa until you reach Calle Montcada. On this street, one of the oldest in Barcelona dating back to the 12th century, among the dark palaces, you’ll find the Santa Lucia asylum, home of Jacinta Coronado, the maid of Penélope and Jorge Aldaya.
From here, don't forget to finish the tour at Santa María del Mar church, less than two minutes away. This majestic gothic construction, a symbol of the people's resilience and faith, is where Bernarda, the maid of the Barcelós, prayed.
7. Make your Shadow of the Wind route in Barcelona more sustainable with Biosphere
More and more companies are demonstrating their good sustainable practices and efforts with our certification, so don't forget that you can make more responsible decisions in your consumption by choosing Biosphere Certified companies.
If you want to embark on this wonderful literary route, we suggest staying in hotels close to the places you’ll visit on this tour, where when you book, you can have peace of mind knowing you are choosing establishments with clear sustainability commitments, such as the Grand Hotel Central or Chic&basic Habana Hoose.
And if you’re wondering where to eat and want your choice to support local and artisan entrepreneurship, don’t worry. A great choice is Restaurant Nuria, a place that has lived through the happy 1920s, post-war, the changing social realities of the 1970s, and even a fire that destroyed the restaurant in the 1980s!
Here, you can enjoy incredible dishes of local cuisine, like their homemade crema catalana. And for dessert, we recommend ARTiSA, a traditional Catalan pastry shop empowered by women! With products that stand out for their artisanal preparation, gluten-free, and very healthy options.
2. Sarrià Neighborhood Route
If you prefer to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city, we recommend this second route through the charming Sarrià neighborhood, in the upper part of Barcelona.
Here, you’ll find different shaded streets and squares that transport you to a time when life moved at a slower pace. This corner has been a source of inspiration for writers such as Josep Pla, Gabriel García Márquez, and Mario Vargas Llosa.
Following the Sarrià literary route, you’ll discover Parc de l’Oreneta and Plaça de Sarrià, feeling the same calm that inspired these great authors.
And, of course, don't forget to take a break and enjoy the delicious cuisine of Barcelona. For example, try the restaurant Mussol Pedralbes, just minutes from this neighborhood.
3. Don Quixote and Sancho Panza Route in the City of Counts
And if chivalric adventures are your thing, you can't miss reliving the Don Quixote and Sancho Panza route in the City of Counts. In the second part of "Don Quixote de la Mancha", Miguel de Cervantes brings his characters to Barcelona, where they experience some of their most memorable adventures.
The Quixotic route takes you from Barceloneta Beach, where the protagonists see the sea for the first time, to the imposing Catedral del Mar and El Born district. Here, history and fiction intertwine, allowing you to experience the city through the eyes of the knight of the sorrowful countenance.
Below, you’ll find our itinerary proposal to experience the Don Quixote and Sancho Panza route in Barcelona:
1. Barceloneta Beach
The first stop is undoubtedly the city’s coast. In the second volume of "Don Quixote de la Mancha", Cervantes sets the adventures of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza on Barceloneta Beach, where you can imagine the characters disembarking and the coastal life as described by Cervantes.
2. Catedral del Mar
Although Don Quixote does not directly mention Catedral del Mar, Cervantes' work and this church share the representation of the era.
Catedral del Mar is also the title of the famous novel by Ildefonso Falcones, which illustrates life in medieval Barcelona. This basilica, also connected to the Shadow of the Wind route, exemplifies Catalan Gothic, devotion, and the effort of the Ribera neighborhood that built it.
3. El Born district
Just a few meters from the basilica, you’ll find this area of the city that retains its medieval charm, similar to the environments Cervantes might have known. Its narrow streets and historic squares provide the perfect visual context to imagine Don Quixote's adventures in this vibrant neighborhood full of history, culture, and gastronomy, with points of interest like the Mercado del Born and Calle Montcada.
4. Calle Perot lo Lladre and Cervantes' House
In the second volume of Don Quixote, Cervantes mentions Calle de Perot lo Lladre, where the printing house that printed the false second part of this story, by Avellaneda, was located. A street with history, showcasing the importance of Barcelona as an editorial center in the Golden Age.
You can take a leisurely 20-minute walk from Mercado del Born to reach this spot. Additionally, less than 300 meters away, you can visit the house where, according to legend, Cervantes stayed during his visit to Barcelona in 1610, on Calle de la Hostería de San Francisco.
Your Don Quixote and Sancho Panza route in Barcelona more sustainably with Biosphere
Add a sustainable touch to your journey on the Don Quixote and Sancho Panza route in Barcelona by staying at the Hotel Duquesa de Cardona or the Barceloneta Suites apartments. As Biosphere Certified entities, you can check their good practices to support your more responsible decision-making.
And if you're wondering where to eat, take a look at Shôko Barcelona Restaurant & Lounge Club or TAPA TAPA Xiringuito, two venues ideally located so you don't stray too far from your literary route.
These routes through Barcelona are more than just a tourist itinerary; they are an invitation to experience the destination in a deep and authentic way. Through sustainable tourism, you can explore the city with respect and admiration for its cultural heritage.
Let yourself be inspired by the landscapes and characters of your favorite stories. Discover a Barcelona full of life, mystery, and beauty. Your literary adventure awaits!
