A bibliophile’s treasure trove, La Central del Raval has handy bragging rights as perhaps Barcelona’s sexiest bookstore, cafe and shamefully-good event lineup, with cream-of-the-crop, humanities-based lectures and workshops several times a week.

Consider it a non-negotiable commitment to your inner lay-scholar. From highest-caliber graphic novels and coffee-table art books, to scholar-philosophers Foucault and Said, La Central offers hit-after-literary-hit. Its adorable, adjoining cafe is a handy pit stop for enjoying high-noon tea and cake.