Barcelona is a city that differs a lot depending on where you are, and although the areas where most of the hotels are concentrated have an undeniable charm, it is essential to choose a good area where to stay in Barcelona so that your visit is a unique experience
Barcelona is one of the most touristy cities in the world.In order to serve the huge amount of tourists it receives every year, it has one of the largest hotel facilities in Europe and there are options for all tastes and budgets.
At a price level, the accommodation in Barcelona is considerably cheaper than in other major European tourist cities such as Paris, London or Rome.Barcelona has hotels with an acceptable quality from 50 euros On the other hand the quality of its hotels is much higher than the main European tourist cities.
It should be noted that Barcelona receives a large number of tourists, especially in the months with better weather.
You should also bear in mind that the more you stay in the city centre, the more expensive your hotel will be.Barcelona has a great public transport system that connects the whole city perfectly.
For this reason, if you find a good offer, don’t hesitate to get away from the centre as long as you have an underground station close to the hotel.
The best areas to stay in Barcelona
1.Plaza Cataluña, the most central area to stay in Barcelona
Plaza Cataluña can be considered as the center of Barcelona.It is a very commercial area, with lots of movement of people, and is one of the best communicated points of the city.
– Hotels in the Plaza Cataluña
2.The Paseo de Gracia, the best area to sleep in Barcelona
If your pocket can afford the Paseo de Gracia is the best area to stay in Barcelona .This street extends from Plaza Catalunya to Avenida Diagonal and is the most luxurious and glamorous street in the city.
The Paseo de Gracia is a very elegant commercial avenue where many luxury shops, restaurants and cafes with a lot of class are concentrated.It also has the advantage of being very close to the old part of the city, which facilitates tourist visits.
– Hotels in Paseo de Gracia
3.Eixample, a very practical and comfortable option
The Eixample is the area of the city that was developed in the S.This neighbourhood has little to do with the maze of streets of the Ciutat Vella and is characterised by its grid pattern of urban planning, with large tree-lined avenues and its modernist architecture.You can move around the city quickly and comfortably by metro from this area.it is a district with many services, shops, restaurants, bars and even areas with a good nightlife.
– Hotels in the Eixample
4.Las Ramblas, ideal for sightseeing
Las Ramblas is a long, tree-lined, pedestrianised avenue in its central part that connects Plaza Cataluña with the port. It is a commercial street full of shops, boutiques, bars, restaurants, hotels and even several discotheques.
Each side of the Ramblas has two of the most emblematic neighborhoods of Barcelona: the Raval and the Gothic Quarter.
– Hotels in Las Ramblas
5.El Raval, an interesting and central alternative to stay in Barcelona
A few years ago it was a rather depressed and dangerous area, and not very recommendable for to sleep in Barcelona .
Today the level of security is acceptable and it is one of the areas of Barcelona that is clearly on the rise.The MACBA museum and the Boquería market are located in the Raval.
The area has a lot of nightlife, a good offer of restaurants, and is a little less expensive than the Barrio Gótico or the Plaza Cataluña.
– Hotels in the Raval
6The Gothic Quarter, the historical part with many tourist attractions
The Gothic Quarter of Barcelona is one of the largest and best preserved medieval city centres in Europe, and is the oldest part of the city, and a maze of narrow streets and squares.It is a wonder to get lost in it and visit the Cathedral, its churches and museums.
It is full of small craft shops, design boutiques, cafes, taverns, restaurants, and has lots and lots of nightlife.the Gothic Quarter is undoubtedly one of the most charming areas and one of the best areas to stay in Barcelona .
– Hotels in the Gothic Quarter
7.El Born, my favourite area
El Born is one of the most fashionable areas of the city where you will find design shops and good restaurants where can go out for dinner or a drink .
– Hotels in the Born
8.La Barceloneta, to be near the beach
Once a port and fishing district, and like the Raval a depressed and unattractive neighborhood, has undergone an intense process of urban transformation since the Olympic Games in Barcelona.
Today Barceloneta is an attractive district that has opened up the city to the sea and where many new cafes, bars and restaurants have been installed. is well covered and its beach is a fundamental point to take into consideration.
– Hotels in Barceloneta
9.The Olympic Village, beach, restaurants and nightlife
The Olympic Village was the great urban bet of Barcelona for its Olympic Games that allowed to open the city to the sea for the enjoyment of the people of Barcelona.
In the marina there are a lot of good restaurants and seafood restaurants, and it has become one of the points with the highest concentration of bars and places to go out in Barcelona.
The Olympic Village has very modern hotels, with larger and more comfortable rooms than other areas of the city, and many of them have a swimming pool.This part of the city is a safe bet for to stay in Barcelona especially in the summer months.
– Hotels in the Olympic Village
In addition to this article on the best areas to stay in Barcelona we recommend the following: Where to stay in Madrid, where to stay in Seville, where to stay in Andorra, where to stay in Costa Brava, where to stay in Valencia, where to stay in Ibiza
Barcelona is a growing city, but its city centre is compact and walkable. Many of the best things to do in Barcelona are centrally located, but there are some that require a short metro ride, so your choice of neighbourhoods will make a difference to what you see and how you get there.
Most of the best hotels in Barcelona and the best family hotels in Barcelona are spread around the exclusive Eixample district, although the centre of Barri Gòtic and El Born also have their share of 4 and 5 star accommodation.Gràcia and Poblenou have a good range of family accommodation, although the two neighbourhoods are further away from most of Barcelona’s attractions. Poble Sec, Sant Antoni, El Raval and Barceloneta offer reasonably central, mid-range and affordable accommodation.
The best places to sleep in Barcelona
The best luxury hotels in BarcelonaHotel Cotton House – Mandarin Oriental Barcelona – Majestic Hotel
The best boutique hotels in BarcelonaMercer Hotel Barcelona – Hotel Neri – Ohla Barcelona
The best cheap hotels in BarcelonaChic & Basic Born – Itaca Hostel – Hostal Oliva
The best areas to stay in Barcelona
Barri Gòtic is the historical and geographical center of Barcelona.A tangle of medieval streets and squares, this part of the city has been inhabited since Roman times and is home to the city’s Gothic cathedral. Barri Gòtic is a 20 minute walk from many places of interest and most other neighbourhoods.This part of the city attracts crowds of tourists, and with good reason: it is a spacious place, with excellent restaurants, shops and numerous places to stay.
The most famous pedestrian street in Barcelona, La Rambla, separates Barri Gòtic from the avant-garde and artistic Raval district.Previously one of the most difficult parts of the city, El Raval has eliminated most of its negative image through gradual gentrification, although its independent character is still on display, along with extravagant shops, independent boutiques and bars.
On the other side of Barri Gòtic is El Born , another maze of medieval streets with popular attractions, ranging from the Picasso Museum to the Chocolate Museum, ideal for families.There are plenty of tapas bars and boutiques in this area, as well as a vast park that separates the Born from the trendy Poblenou district.
Bordering the Old Town to the northwest is Eixample : the extensive and exclusive neighbourhood whose bright, tree-lined avenues contrast completely with the dark, narrow streets of Ciutat Vella.Here you will find most of Barcelona’s impressive modernist buildings, including Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia, as well as the most exclusive shops and plenty of excellent restaurants.
Further northwest, between the Eixample and the hills, is Gràcia, a village within a city, a mostly residential neighbourhood populated by young families and art types, is home to Gaudí’s popular Parc Güell.
Pressed between the Eixample, Poble Sec and El Raval, Sant Antoni, triangular in shape, is a gastronomic enclave, with contemporary tapas bars, fusion restaurants and a lively nightlife.
The modern neighbourhood of Poble Sec is located next to El Raval along the Avenida del Paral-lel, surrounded by numerous luxury restaurants and lively bars, and extends along the base of the hill of Montjuïc.The Poble Sec itself has no attractions, other than a street full of tapas bars, but is an ideal base for exploring Montjuïc’s stellar art museums and the hilltop fortress via the cable car and on foot.
A second cable car runs through the Barcelona marina, connecting Poble Sec and Montjuïc with the old Barceloneta , an old fishing village, known for its tapas bars and seafood restaurants, as well as for the liveliest beach in Barcelona.The Barceloneta is also a short walk from El Born and Barri Gòtic, making it easy to combine tourism in the centre of Barcelona with a day at the beach.
Further north east, towards the coast and close to Barceloneta, is Poblenou , all avant-garde architecture, nightlife and beaches.(It has five.) Poblenou is quite far from the main attractions of the city, but is ideal if you are looking for a beach holiday combined with intensive clubs.
The best neighbourhoods in Barcelona for tourism:Barri Gòtic, Eixample, Poble Sec, Sant AntoniIf you are looking to get lost among the medieval roads and admire the oldest architecture in the city, Barri Gòtic is the place for you.If you’re more interested in Barcelona’s modernist masterpieces, such as the Sagrada Familia, then Eixample should be your destination.
The best neighborhoods in Barcelona for nightlife: Poblenou, Barri Gòtic, El Raval, El Born, Eixample, Sant AntoniThere is no better area in Barcelona for nightlife; instead, several neighborhoods cater to the city’s night owls.If you like nightclubs, head out of the centre towards Poblenou and its superclubs by the beach to party until dawn. The Eixample is locally nicknamed ‘Beerxample’ for its proliferation of craft beer bars, and there are also many tapas bars and fancy cocktails.The Born, Sant Antoni, Barri Gòtic and El Raval have groups of lively tapas bars that cater for all tastes and stay open until the early hours of the morning, as well as cocktails.
The best neighbourhoods in Barcelona for food and restaurants: Poble Sec, Sant Antoni, Poblenou, El Raval, Barri Gòtic, El Born, Barceloneta, EixampleThere is excellent food all over Barcelona.the Eixample is particularly good for Michelin starred restaurants and haute cuisine restaurants.Poble Sec, Sant Antoni and Poblenou have gourmet, dense streets with tapas bars and restaurants.Barceloneta is the place to go for fish and seafood.Barri Gòtic and El Born have a good mix of lively tapas bars, both traditional and contemporary, as well as more exclusive fusion offerings, while El Raval has a number of trendy restaurants, including several vegetarian ones, as well as excellent tapas.bars.
The best neighbourhoods in Barcelona for families: Barri Gòtic, El Raval, Gràcia, BarcelonetaBarri Gòtic attracts families because it is very central, can be reached on foot and is close to many attractions.The Raval is similar in that respect, with the added advantage of having the Parc de la Ciutadella next door, the city zoo and open spaces for kids to run around. Barceloneta is great if you want to be close to the beach and attractions in the heart of Barcelona, while Gràcia is a quiet neighbourhood where you can mingle with local families in the small parks and squares, and its Parc Güell is particularly fun for kids.
The best neighbourhoods in Barcelona to stay in for the first time: Barri Gòtic, EixampleIf this is your first time in Barcelona, you’ll probably want to stay close to the heavyweight attractions. For modernist architecture, including the incomparable Sagrada Familia, the Eixample is your best option.To explore the heart of the city, Barri Gòtic is ideal, especially as it is just a short walk from El Born, El Raval and Eixample, and a short metro ride from the more distant attractions of Montjuïc and Gràcia.
Barcelona’s most romantic neighbourhood: Barri Gòtic There are several contenders in Barcelona for the most romantic neighbourhood in the city.Montjuïc is ideal if you’re looking for romantic seclusion, excellent views and hilly gardens to stroll along.Eixample, with its wide boulevards that can be moved around, bordered by beautiful modernist architecture and home to some of Barcelona’s most luxurious hotels, is another excellent option.but if you’re looking for small, atmospheric, dimly lit streets, beautiful squares to have a drink in, cozy boutique hotels and medieval splendour, Barri Gòtic is your best bet.
The best neighbourhood in Barcelona for a local atmosphere:The RavalDynamic, bohemian and ethnically diverse, El Raval is the counter-culture neighbourhood of Barcelona with a highly independent character.
Barcelona’s best beach districts: Barceloneta, PoblenouBarceloneta has the closest beach to the centre of Barcelona, within walking distance of La Rambla and is also the longest beach in Barcelona and popular with families.
Barcelona’s best neighbourhood for walking: Barri GòticThis maze of small streets and alleys, some of them closed to cars, is a real joy to explore on foot and get lost in, with much of Barcelona’s beautiful centuries-old architecture to discover along the way.
Safest areas of Barcelona:The safest areas of Barcelona are usually the wealthier neighbourhoods, such as Eixample, Poble Sec and Poblenou.although many of the neighbourhoods in Barcelona are generally safe to walk around in at any time of day, it is a good idea to watch out for pickpockets in particularly busy places.
Unsafe areas of Barcelona:The parts of El Raval and the Sants area around the train station, north of Montjuïc, can be a bit confusing at night.It is also best to avoid the small, deserted streets in Barri Gòtic and El Born late at night, and stick to well-lit streets with more people.opportunistic pickpockets operate along La Rambla and the La Boquería food market, and parts of Barri Gòtic, El Born and El Raval can get very lively at night with drunk singles and bachelorette parties.
Stay in Barri Gòtic & El Born
With its maze of narrow medieval streets, interspersed with small isolated squares, Barri Gòtic is the oldest and most central part of Barcelona, built on the ancient remains of the ancient Roman settlement.The beautiful architecture and the proliferation of bars, restaurants, shops make it the best introduction to the city.
The Las Ramblas pedestrian walkway marks the western border of Barri Gòtic, which houses Barcelona’s Cathedral and the Barcelona Historical Museum.To the east, along the busy Via Leiatana, is El Born, a site of jousting during medieval times and now one of the busiest nightlife spots in Barcelona.The neighbourhood’s main street, Passeign del Born, is dominated by a beautiful 19th century wrought iron market; other attractions include the Picasso Museum, the Museum of World Cultures, the splendid modernist Palau de la Música Catalana and the Chocolate Museum.
El Born shares an eastern border with the vast Parc de la Citadella.Accommodation in Barri Gòtic and El Born is an excellent combination of 5-star hotels and hostels and a boutique, and the gastronomic scene is second to none.
The best hotels in Barri Gòtic & El Born
Mercer Hotel Barcelona
Hotel DO Plaça Reial
Grand Hotel Central
Petit Palace Boquería Garden
Stay at L’Eixample
North of Barcelona’s historic centre, Beyond the large Plaça Catalunya, is L’Eixample, which literally means “Expansion” in Catalan.This large grid of streets, divided in two by the elegant Passeig de Gràcia, is a modernist showcase: some of Gaudí’s most famous buildings are here, such as La Pedrera and Casa Batlló, as well as Josep Puig i Cadafalch’s recently opened Casa de les Punxes.other attractions include the high-end fashion boutiques of Barcelona’s Egyptian Museum of local and international designers.many of Barcelona’s great 5-star hotels are here, as well as numerous luxury restaurants and bars.Barri Gòtic and Gràcia are within walking distance.
The best hotels in L’Eixample
Mandarin Oriental Barcelona
Cotton House Hotel
Claris Hotel & Spa GL
SIR VICTOR HOTEL
El palacio barcelona
Stay in El Raval
Once a forbidden area for tourists, The Raval used to be a working class neighborhood, famous for its prostitution and crime.Although parts of El Raval are still worth watching at night, it is fast becoming home to a vibrant immigrant population, which is reflected in the diverse culinary offerings in the area.Traditionally, El Raval has been home to a large community of artists, so it’s fitting that Barcelona’s Museum of Contemporary Art is one of the neighborhood’s attractions, along with Barcelona’s most famous food market, La Boqueria, one of Gaudi’s modernist buildings, and a couple of smaller museums.the dining scene is a varied mix of some of the best tapas bars and all-night kebab restaurants and restaurants, and accommodation consists of boutique hotels and inexpensive hostels.
The best hotels in El Raval
Bagués Hotel Barcelona
Ohla Barcelona
Barceló Raval
Hotel 1898
Hotel Midmost Barcelona
Stay in Gràcia
It used to be a small village on the outskirts of Barcelona, but Gràcia was linked to the historic centre of Barcelona by the building in the Eixample district, and still retains an intimate village atmosphere.With its many staircases, narrow pedestrian paths and family shops, Gràcia has a relatively young artistic population and is home to a number of excellent restaurants and some boutiques.Gaudi’s famous Parc Güell is located along its northern borders, while Barcelona’s most popular attraction, the Sagrada Familia church and the Modernist Hospital de Sant Pau are just a short distance to the east.There are few accommodation options here, beyond a 5 star hotel and various budget options, and good transport connections to the more central attractions.
Best hotels in Gràcia
Hotel Casa Fuster
El Palauet Living Barcelona
Catalonia La Pedrera
Hotel La Casa del Sol
Casa Bella Gracia
Stay at Montjuïc & Tibidabo
The hill of Montjuïc is located south of El Raval, through the main avenue of Paral-lel.Overlooking the Mediterranean, Montjuïc is one of the most picturesque places in Barcelona, notable for the views from the fortress at the top, its gardens and its heavyweight art museums: the Joan Miró Foundation and the National Museum of Catalan Art (MNAC).The foothills of Montjuïc are dominated by the imposing architecture of the 1920s, built for the 1929 Universal Exhibition and lining the large pedestrian boulevard.the Font Màgica is located here, with some restaurants and bars along the nearby streets.there are few accommodation options, except for a 5-star hotel on the slopes of Montjuïc.the hill is connected to Barceloneta by the Aeri del Port cable car and is just a few steps from the bars and restaurants of the Raval.Mount Tibidabo is on the northern most outskirts of Barcelona, with unrivalled views of the city from the Tibidabo fair at its summit. Its secluded location is both a blessing and a curse. There are a couple of 5 star hotels here, along with some cheaper options and several excellent restaurants, but most of Barcelona’s attractions are within easy walking distance.
