Indian businesses and services in Barcelona, Spain

El Raval, the dense neighbourhood on the western side of La Rambla, is where Barcelona's South Asian life is most visible. Barcelona has Spain's largest Pakistani community, much of it rooted here for decades, and Punjabi Sikhs, Bangladeshis, Indians and Nepalis have followed. The Rambla del Raval and the streets around Carrer de l'Hospital and Carrer de Sant Pau are full of grocers, halal butchers, sweet shops, travel agencies and simple restaurants serving Pakistani and North Indian food. Liceu, on Metro line 3, is the closest stop.

Several gurdwaras serve the Sikh community in Barcelona and nearby towns such as Santa Coloma de Gramenet, and ISKCON has been established in the city since 1976. Vaisakhi, in spring, is the main festival at the gurdwaras. Diwali and Holi are celebrated through temple and association events, which are usually announced through community groups rather than advertised widely.

Outside El Raval, the picture changes. Indian professionals working in technology, logistics and design, and students at the city's universities and business schools, tend to live across Barcelona and in nearby towns rather than in one neighbourhood, and Indian grocers are scattered accordingly. For newcomers, the shops of the Raval remain the simplest place to stock a kitchen in a single trip. The area is crowded, particularly on weekend evenings, so keep an eye on your bags as you would anywhere in central Barcelona.