
4 Gats (Els Quatre Gats), Barcelona
One of the most historic bar-restaurants in the city of Barcelona, Els 4 Gats (or, "The Four Cats") was opened in 1897, initially featuring a restaurant, a pub, a cabaret, as well as accommodation in the form of a hostel. It was for turn-of-the-century Catalan modernism what cafés like La Rotonde were for artists in 1920s Paris: a meeting place to trade theories of art, engage in wine-fueled debates and see exhibits of then-unknown artists like Pablo Picasso.
Reopened at the same site in 1989, El 4 Gats is nowadays more of a meeting place for tourists than for artists and intellectuals, but still worth a stop to have a quick drink or a meal in downtown Barcelona. The décor is straight out of the epoch and a couple of the waiters look like they're from the era, too! Order a fairly-priced glass of wine, vermouth, or a "licor de hierbas" (pomace brandy) and take the opportunity to soak up the bar's unique and historic atmosphere.
They also serve well-cooked lobster paella and some rather sinful desserts such as the "textures of chocolate" (i.e. three different types of chocolate desserts in one) or you could go for the delicately smooth and not overly sweet "crema catalana" (Spain's version of crème brûlée).
***PICASSO'S BARCELONA***
In 1900, the painter had his first one-man show here. The special exhibition of his artwork featured more than 50 portraits of friends and family and another 60 or so drawings and paintings, at last earning him some critical attention.
Opening Hours:
[Breakfast] 9–11:30am; [Gastrobar] 11:30am–12am; [Restaurant] 1–4pm / 7–12am
Reopened at the same site in 1989, El 4 Gats is nowadays more of a meeting place for tourists than for artists and intellectuals, but still worth a stop to have a quick drink or a meal in downtown Barcelona. The décor is straight out of the epoch and a couple of the waiters look like they're from the era, too! Order a fairly-priced glass of wine, vermouth, or a "licor de hierbas" (pomace brandy) and take the opportunity to soak up the bar's unique and historic atmosphere.
They also serve well-cooked lobster paella and some rather sinful desserts such as the "textures of chocolate" (i.e. three different types of chocolate desserts in one) or you could go for the delicately smooth and not overly sweet "crema catalana" (Spain's version of crème brûlée).
***PICASSO'S BARCELONA***
In 1900, the painter had his first one-man show here. The special exhibition of his artwork featured more than 50 portraits of friends and family and another 60 or so drawings and paintings, at last earning him some critical attention.
Opening Hours:
[Breakfast] 9–11:30am; [Gastrobar] 11:30am–12am; [Restaurant] 1–4pm / 7–12am
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Barcelona. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from iTunes App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
4 Gats (Els Quatre Gats) on Map
Sight Name: 4 Gats (Els Quatre Gats)
Sight Location: Barcelona, Spain (See walking tours in Barcelona)
Sight Type: Food/Drink
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Barcelona, Spain (See walking tours in Barcelona)
Sight Type: Food/Drink
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Barcelona, Spain
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Creating your own self-guided walk in Barcelona is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
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Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Antoni Gaudí's Masterpieces Walking Tour
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Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
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Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
La Rambla Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Start... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Barcelona Introduction Walking Tour
According to legend, Barcelona was founded by mythological Greek hero Hercules on one of his expeditions, when his boats were hit by a storm. The first 8 boats managed to escape without damage, but the 9th one was lost at sea. Hercules found his lost friends some days later on the coast, all safe and sound. The crew was taken by the beauty of the coastal landscape, and so they decided to stay. It... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.7 Km or 3.5 Miles
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Travel Distance: 5.7 Km or 3.5 Miles
Montjuic Walking Tour
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A convenient start point, Placa d'Espanya is the second... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.0 Km or 3.1 Miles
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Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.0 Km or 3.1 Miles
Picasso's Barcelona Walking Tour
Pablo Picasso – the great Spanish painter and sculptor – developed his style in Barcelona where he spent the formative years of his life, from the ages of 14 to 23. It is said that when the master spoke nostalgically of home, he actually meant the Catalonian capital, despite having been born in Malaga.
This self-guided walk will take you to the Picasso Museum, the bar-restaurant and the art... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
This self-guided walk will take you to the Picasso Museum, the bar-restaurant and the art... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
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