Placa Sant Felip Neri

Santa Philippe Nori Square is not big, nor is it a place where tourists are more concentrated. There are churches in the square, there are also many old houses, a quiet place, many people relaxing outdoor coffee.

This is a quiet little corner in the Gothic Quarter, look out for the baroque style church and it will lead you to this plaça. Undeniably peaceful and tranquil this is the perfect spot to escape the crowds during the summer. The labyrinth-like style of the Gothic Quarter means you may come across this unexpectedly like I did. Admire the beauty whilst listening to the trickling water from the fountain in the middle of the square. Also you might notice large craters in the side of the church, which are from dropped bombs that killed many children during the 1930s, once you know this the square takes on an eerie feel.

For escapism in the core of the city, my favorite place is Plaça de Sant Felip Neri in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. The square has a tragic history - it was hit by a bomb during the Civil War killing those hiding in the church which dominates it's side - but despite this it has an unequaled sense of peace. Take your book and lose a few hours here. Hotel Neri offers a fabulous lunch menu.

A small scenic spot not very easy to find. One of the filming venues for movie perfume is that Grey Noel killed the girl who fascinated him here. During the Spanish Civil War, many children took refuge in the church in the square.

This atmospheric little square at the heart of the Gothic quarter has a legacy that has left its mark in the most tangible way; the pock marks of shrapnel scarring the walls of the school which suffered a bombardment during the Spanish Civil War. Forty-two people lost their lives in the bombing, half of them children, after trying to take refuge in the baroque church next door. It’s an arresting history that lends the little square an almost magical, if tragic, allure. Aim to visit early morning when it’s at its most characterful.