Carrer de Petritxol: discover the treasures of a sweet street in Barcelona

When exploring Barcelona's historic core old town and wander around La Rambla, you will probably come across a long alley with lots of small shops that it kind of stands out from everyone else around: that's exactly Carrer de Petritxol. 

You can easily get to the street by turning from the much busier Carrer de la Portaferrissa or from the picturesque Plaça del Pi with its beautiful historic church. 

Map: Where is Carrer de Petritxol located?

Why visit Carrer de Petritxol?

According to many, it is one of the most beautiful historical streets in Gothic quarter. On the narrow street you will find many shops, galleries, but above all cafes and bakeries handed down from generation to generation.

Especially in colder weather, I recommend going to one of the 'chocolate restaurants' here (granjas) and here you can order excellent hot chocolate, for example with crispy churros or Catalan cream (crema catalana) or any another Spanish delicacy.

My tips: what should you visit?

For myself, I will recommend two places that will appeal to all those who like sweets.

• La Pallaresa Xocolateria Xurreria – in house number 11 you will find one of the most famous local chocolate shops. Bite into crispy churros, have hot chocolate, taste traditional almond cream with cinnamon and lemon (menor blanc) and observe the historic interior.

• Granja dulcinea – the second place you must not miss is Granja Dulcinea in house number 2. This is a cafe over 200 years old, where you can also have a good chocolate drink and a small bite to eat. The interesting thing is that he used to visit this place Salvador Dalí and other personalities of artistic and cultural life.

What else interests you on the street?

• Its dimensions: Carrer de Petritxol is a street 130 meters long, but at its widest point it is no more than 3 meters. Thanks to this, you will still feel that there are a lot of people, even if everything will be given only by a small space.
• If you are observant, you will not miss the ceramic signs that are on many houses here.
• The street used to be home to many artisans who had a sign stating who they were and what services they provided. Signs are often pictorial and often have a graphic story on them.

What is the history of the street?

The origins of the street date back to the 14th century, when it still existed under the name Carreró dels Orfebres (Goldsmith's Alley). Only then a century later was it renamed and today's Carer de Petritxol.

There are several stories related to this:

• according to one theory, the street was named after a stone mill (petritxol), who stood in these places
• another story mentions Catalan words pedritxol (derived from the word pedrís, pebbles), which refers to the way the street is paved and also information for cab drivers not to use this narrow street
• and yet another mentions the word portitxol, which translates to a gate or portal that may have once stood here...

It's up to you what you believe...