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Eixample Izquierda consists of the other half of the neighborhood Eixample, and is equally filled with chique buildings and exclusive shops. The well-known shopping street Paseo de Gracia is very glamorous, with its old buildings and expensive shops. Almost every well-known brand can be found here, such as Prada, Louis Vuiton, Burberry, Bulgari, Hugo Boss, etc... Beside these shopping paradises there are also some jewelers like Rabat and Suarez.

Further in this street there are a number of noteworthy works from the Modernista period, such as Casa Milà , Casa Batlló, both designed by Gaudi, Casa Amatller, and Casa Lleo Morera. These masterpieces are all worth visiting. In the summer there are lounge evenings on top of the roof of Casa Mila (La Pedrera), with champagne and music, but you will have to make an appointment to enter.

The Passeig de Gracia and l'Eixample Izquierda both stop at the junction with the Diagonal. At the junction there is an old church, called the Iglesia de I’Convent de Pompeia.

In l’Eixample Izquierda there also is a very beautiful large hospital, named Hospital Clinic Provincial. Besides the hospital lies a very large market, El Mercat del Ninot. In this covered market there is a large variety of meats, fish, vegetables, breads, nuts, as well as a few small stands selling different types of clothing. There are also a few bars serving a wide variety of beverages.

Plaza Dr. Letamendi is a large square which is split in half by a busy street. A small park is situated on one side of the street and features various types of playground equipment. It is ideal to go there with children, as long as they are careful of the busy street nearby.

Close to Paseo de Gracia lies the Fundació Antoni Tapies, another beautiful l’Eixample museum. An immense conglomeration of steel wires and pipes sits atop the building, Antoni Tapies, born in 1923, is the most famous artist of Barcelona who is still alive. Not all of his work is exhibited, but the foundation contains one of the most complete collections of his work. The materials he uses most are metal and concrete.

In l’Eixample Izquierda also lies the complex of the Universitat Industrial, with a chain of small parks dispersed between the buildings. A little further away lies the prison of Barcelona.

Right besides the Plaza Espanya, on the border with the district Sants-Montjuic, you can find the Parc Joan Miro, lined with a series of large palm trees. In the middle of the park there is a beautiful passage overgrown with ivy and lined with benches that allow you to sit and enjoy the surroundings. In the park there is also a large reflecting pool surrounding a large art work of Joan Miró from 1983, Woman & Bird.

The Universitat de Barcelona with its stately building is situated on the main street of Barcelona, called the Gran Via Corts Catalanes. Behind this university lies a magnificent garden with a large diversity of plants and trees. During the weekend the backdoor of this green oasis is open, so don’t hesitate to take a look around.

Gayxample

Barcelona is one of the most gay friendly cities in the world, and it is often referred to as being the new gay capital of Europe, taking the place from Amsterdam. Barcelona’s gay scene is vibrant; it is lively, stylish and there are many gay bars, gay restaurants, gay clubs, gay beaches and gay friendly shops.

The major gay district in Barcelona is a part of l’Eixample Izquierda, also called Gayxample. It is very central and only 5 minutes away from Plaza de Catalunya. The main part of the area can be found between the streets Gran Vía, Consell de Cent, Balmes and Urgell. L’Eixample is the heart of the gay scene although it is not exclusively a gay area.

Barcelona has a gay and lesbian library called Complices. Here you can find any type of books with homosexuality as a theme. For fashion, you can enjoy shopping in all the trendy streets. Barcelona has some of the best shops around, whether you are looking for expensive design clothes or trendy boutiques. Barcelona was also the first city that opened a large, gay exclusive hotel named Axel which is a very nice three star plus hotel right in the heart of the gay area.

Barcelona has no gay exclusive beaches but many gays and fashion people meet on the Marbella beach on the Forum area. For the real gay experience many gays also take a trip to Sitges which has for decades been gay paradise.

Around midnight, you can head to different gay bars such as Dietrich, Zeltas, Fenix and Sweet. While having a drink you can watch a drag queen show or listen to excellent electronic music. Because locals have dinner around 10 pm, the nightlife starts very late in the evening. Some popular nightclubs in Barcelona are Metro, Arena, Martin’s, Salvation and Gay Day at Space.

Another area that is very popular with the gay community is Sitges. Sitges is one of the most beautiful towns along the Barcelona coast. It has become a very popular gay beach resort. The gay beach is called Platja de la Bossa Rodona. Because of the growing popularity of Sitges as a gay town now all the beaches are tolerant and friendly.