Gràcia’s grid is the anti-Eixample: narrow streets, no chamfer corners, the buildings touching nearly overhead in places. The result is the most reliably shaded inner-Barcelona walk in summer. Plaça del Sol, Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia, and Plaça de la Virreina all link via two-meter lanes that hold building shadow from 11 AM until almost sunset.
These picks all stay inside the grid. Once you cross Gran de Gràcia into Eixample, the geometry changes entirely and you’re back to chamfer corners and superblock sun. Stay Cool keeps you on the right side of that line.