As Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter continues its inexorable transformation from charming historic district to tourist central — Segway and bicycle tours clog its winding streets, and tacky souvenir shops abound — those looking for a more authentic experience have turned to neighboring El Born.

With independent boutiques owned by young creatives, trendy-yet-timeless restaurants and chic-yet-understated wine bars, this offbeat enclave is a favorite of locals. Here are our top picks.

Start with a stroll in the heart of the neighborhood, along the Passeig del Born; the wide avenue is anchored at one end by the Mercat del Born, a striking 19th-century glass and cast-iron structure that housed a market until the 1970s.

A 2013 renovation uncovered archaeological ruins from the 17th and 18th centuries; the subterranean discovery is free and open to public view, while the rest of the building is used as a cultural space. At the avenue’s other end is the magnificent Catalan Gothic basilica of Santa Maria del Mar, which dates back to the 1300s. A fire destroyed much of the church in 1936, but the walls, columns and some of the early stained glass windows were spared.

Entrance is free before noon; a guided tour, in English ($9), allows you to go up to the church roof for amazing city views. El Born’s biggest tourist attraction is the Museu Picasso, and you can expect long queues for the small collection, housed in a medieval palace.

But it’s worth it to see the prolific artist’s earliest work, including sketchbooks and very un-Picasso-like portraits of family members, as well as his series of paintings based on Velázquez’s “Las Meninas.”

Wander the maze of narrow, pedestrian-only streets and you’ll come across shop after shop of local designers — many of whom you can spot making their wares right on-site.

Jewelry designer Ana Hagopian doesn’t work with your typical metals and beads; rather, this Argentina-born artisan constructs colorful, fantastical necklaces, bracelets and earrings entirely of paper and displays them artfully in her year-old shop.

Chiaraluna stocks emerging local shoe designs, as well as those by small-scale manufacturers from Mediterranean countries; the chic kicks retail for around $200.

Find heels and flats at affordable prices at Juan Antonio Lopez; his bright leather sandals (from $55) and suede pumps ($78) are produced from start to finish right at the back of the shop.

Adorable, handmade soft toys — from rainbow-hued rag dolls to animal finger puppets to larger-than-life patchwork hippos and elephants — are tough to resist at Almacen Marabi. For gourmet treats to bring back home, stop by Casa Gispert, one of the oldest food shops in Barcelona. You can choose from spices, olive oil, chocolate and coffee, but it’s most famous for its nuts, which have been roasted in a woodburning oven at the back of the store for over 160 years.

You’d expect that a country that produces a third of the world’s wine would have some pretty amazing wine bars. And you’d be right — especially when it comes to ones pouring natural, organic and biodynamic selections.

Look for the red neon letters that spell out Bar Brutal; inside the roomy wine bar/tapas joint (which also goes by the name Can Cisa), you can sample a wide selection of natural pours along with tasty bites like duck egg with caramelized onion, potato cream and fried sage.

If the scene there is too boisterous, the cozy El Soplo (14 Carrer Mirallers) is a great alternative. Owner Nino (an Italian who speaks fluent English and Spanish) is on hand to share his remarkable knowledge of organic wines — super affordable at around $5/glass — and serve (free!) plates of locally produced cheese, charcuterie and olives. Be sure to reserve a table ahead of time at the popular Bodega La Puntual, a huge, lofty bi-level space with whitewashed walls and rust-colored floors.

The taverna excels at simple, traditional plates like pan con tomate, cod fritters and the famed bellota ham (from acorn-fed pigs). Like wine and vermouth, coffee is a favorite Spanish drink, and the brew at Nomad Coffee is so perfect that they don’t even serve sugar (but milk is an option).

The shop, open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., is tucked inside a semi-private passageway — one of several in this medieval-era barrio.

El Born’s first boutique hotel, Yurbban Trafalgar (from $135), opened last November and the 56-room has been a hit with millennials looking for a hip, affordable stay near all the action.

The rooms skew on the smaller side, but the common areas — a lobby lounge, ground-floor restaurant and terrace and a fantastic roof deck with a pool, bar and incredible city views — offer plenty of space to spread out.

Opt for one of the five rooms that boast large, private terraces. And a tasty Catalan breakfast is included in the rate; laundry service and bikes are also free.