One of Barcelona’s biggest assets is its variety. It seems like several cities in one. Additionally, the city has top notch infrastructure, thus everything is easily accessible. The metro is impressive, reaching almost every single Barcelona neighborhood. However, the city is ideal for walking and biking.
Local people are very polite, there are miles of bike lanes everywhere and if you get lost someone will always be more than happy to help you. As you can see, it shouldn’t be difficult to choose where to stay in Barcelona.
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Barcelona is a Cosmopolitan City
Tolerance is another huge thing in Barcelona. Maybe my American friends will understand. Unlike in the US where each community has its own neighborhood, in Barcelona we all mix! For instance, L’Eixample may be the gay quarters but we LGBT+ can be seen everywhere and there is not a single bar in the city where we can’t have fun together with everyone.
The same thing applies to looks and origins. Again, the Old Town most likely has the biggest percentage of foreigners but we migrants live all over the city and we move around without a single glitch. No segregation here!
Barcelona is Much More Than its Neighborhoods
Finally, and allow me to boost about my city, the offer of restaurants, bars, bookstores, coffee houses and shops is simply astonishing. I can assure you that here you will find whatever kicks yours fancy. Even more, you will for sure find someone to share your interests with.
The following are the Barcelona neighborhoods we like the most. All of them are well connected, easily accessible by metro or bike, have fantastic architecture and loads of things to do. This post will also help you decide where to stay in Barcelona.
Where to Stay in Barcelona: the Best Neighborhoods
Poble Sec
Perhaps Poble Sec represents Barcelona the most. All different kinds of Barcelonans live here: Spanish, Catalan, Pakistani, Filipino, Dominican, Serbian, Argentinean, Italian and a very long etc. The neighborhood has an astonishing number of bars, restaurants and places to be discovered. The pedestrian Blai Street is at the centre of all the action, lined with tapas bars. Poble Sec is where most theatres, clubs and concert venues are. And the best is yet to come: Montjuic Hill and the port!
Montjuic Hill is Eitan’s favorite place in the city. It’s huge, with iconic buildings such as the Miró Museum and the National Stadium, a Botanical Garden, a very old cemetery and of top of it all, a Castle. This oasis can be visited at any time since it’s very safe. You can move around the hill by bus, cable car, biking or walking. The views to the entire city, the port, and the sea are stunning.
Great Hotels in Poble Sec
Hotel Miramar Barcelona GL
Our favorite hotel in Barcelona is on top of Montjuic Hill. The Miramar overlooks the sea and the city. No other hotel in Barcelona has such views. Besides, you can go down and enjoy the center. The funicular next door takes you directly to the Barceloneta. The rooms are super comfortable.
Hotel Brummell
Hotel Brummell overlooks Montjuic Hill. It’s one block from Blai Street and walking distance to the coast and the Old Town. The metro connecting you to the entire city is two blocks away. It’s a typical Spanish building completely refurbished to include modern-day conveniences. Locals visit the onsite bar and restaurant.
Raval
During the day El Raval never stops. Several communities have been working and living here for ages in perfect harmony. It is such a pleasure to walk about its narrow streets and hear so many different languages. Additionally, here you will find the Barcelona Contemporary Museum MACBA and its Cultural Centre CCCB, both with a world class cultural agenda.
I believe the best place to party at night is El Raval. There are hundreds of bars, all very different and fun. The idea here is to hop from bar to bar, meeting people. I suggest beginning in the pedestrian Street Joaquin Costa and to continue walking all the way to the Rambla del Raval, where Botero’s famous cat is. My favorite bars are Madame Jasmine and El Cangrejo.
Our Recommendations for Raval
Hotel Casa Camper
Casa Camper is in the heart of Raval. The hotel excels in design. The rooms are huge and have a seating area. We like the ones with a hammock! It’s got a gym, a fancy restaurant, and a complimentary buffet. Choose what you want, and go up to the terrace to enjoy superb views.
Eco Boutique Hostal Grau
If you want to take care of our environment, book a room at Eco Boutique Hostal Grau. The hotel has won countless prizes for its green policies. It’s steps from the Ramblas. The rooms are big and comfy. The service is warm and very Spanish. Try the OFF lounge to chill.
Barri Gòtic
World famous Rambla divide El Raval from Gótic, the epicenter of tourism. The neighborhood is home to a plethora of shops, bars and restaurants. Additionally, this small place has an impressive number of architectural masterpieces, including the Gothic Cathedral, the Plaça Reial and the Plaça San Jaume, where the city’s municipality and Catalan government are.
Barri Gòtic is ideal for shopping. Its streets are lined with shops. The Portal del Àngel begins in Plaça Catalunya and is for sure a shopper’s paradise. The Portal is a wide pedestrian street full of palaces converted into stores. Therefore, you shop while enjoying great architecture.
The Best Accommodation in Barri Gòtic
Mercer Hotel Barcelona
The 5 star Mercer Hotel is an incredible old palace completely refurbished. It’s got a fantastic rooftop pool and a lovely garden with orange trees. It’s in the heart of Barri Gòtic, yet so quiet. You can walk to the beach and Eixample. No detail overlooked!
Olivia Plaza Hotel
To be directly on Plaza Catalunya, book a room at the Olivia Plaza Hotel. You’ll be literally in the center of the city. The rooms have views of the Plaza and double glazed windows. Guests can access a fantastic gym nearby. There’s a bar up on the terrace with gorgeous views.
El Born
Gòtic and Born are divided by Vía Laietana, a wide avenue with tall buildings. Amongst Born’s treasures, the Santa María del Mar Church, the Picasso Museum and the old market turned into the Born Cultural Centre stand out. Of course there are all sorts of shops and restaurants. The neighborhood is perfect to get lost amongst its streets, since like in El Raval and Gòtic, most streets are pedestrian.
The neighborhood ends at the Ciutadella Park, the only big green area downtown. Other than loads of trees and plants, the park is home to a lagoon, a museum, and the majestic Monumental Fountain. The only thing we do not like about the park is the zoo. Caging animals for our entertainment isn’t fun!
Recommended Hotels in El Born
Catalonia Magdalenes
We like the Catalonia Magdalenes because it’s got two pools. One is on the terrace with direct views of the Cathedral. The other one is in the spa, next to the hot tub and the gym. All of the rooms come with an espresso machine. The hotel is perfect for couples.
Yurbban Trafalgar Hotel
The rooftop terrace at the Yurbban Trafalgar Hotel offers 360 views of the city. There’s a pool and lounges to relax. It’s a new building minutes walking from most attractions, including the Sagrada Familia Church. There’s a gym, a bar, and a restaurant. You can use the onsite laundry for free!
Barceloneta
Barceloneta is across the Passeig Marítim, where França Train Station is. Barcelona’s most famous beach is here. It used to be a fisherman borough so streets are narrow; it has a pretty market and a couple of interesting squares. Surprisingly enough and spite of the invasion of tourists the neighborhood still maintains its local atmosphere.
Indeed, Barceloneta is overcrowded during summer. Who wouldn’t want to visit this beautiful fun beach, located downtown? Actually, the neighborhood has two beaches. The closest to the old neighborhood is Barceloneta proper and the one closest to the W Hotel is Sant Sebastià.
In Barceloneta Stay in
H10 Port Vell
The H10 Port Vell hotel is in Barceloneta, directly across Borne. Thus, you get to explore both neighborhoods. It’s got a pool and a terrace with views of the port. Every room comes with an espresso machine. You can exercise in the gym and use the complimentary business center.
Hotel 54 Barceloneta
You can’t get closer to the beach than at Hotel 54 Barceloneta. It’s got the best ratio price-quality in the city. The lovely building is 2 minutes from the beach. The rooms are big, comfortable, and quiet. The views from the terrace will take your breath away.
L’Eixample
In the 19th Century, the old city walls were demolished to make room for the extension (Eixample) of the city. Therefore, L’Eixample is where Catalan Modernism reached its peak. The list of architectural jewls is endless. The most famous buildings are La Pedrera, Casa Batlló, and obviously La Sagrada Família, Gaudi’s surreal dream.
The centre of the neighborhood is Passeig de Gràcia, the city’s most sophisticated street. Pretty wide and dotted with glamorous shops and hotels the street begins in Plaça Catalunya. The Gayxample is to the east of Passeig the Gràcia. The city’s best restaurants, bars, and art galleries are around Enric Granados Street. The whole area is full of sidewalk terraces, perfect to sit down, relax and watch beautiful people walk by.
Great Hotels in L’Eixample
H10 Art Gallery
The H10 Art Gallery is on Enric Granados, the nicest pedestrian street in Eixample. You’ll be a couple of blocks from La Pedrera and the fancy shops of Passeig de Gràcia. The hotel is full of art. It has a rooftop terrace with a pool and the best garden in Eixample.
El Palace Barcelona
Since its opening in 1919, El Palace has always been the epitome of luxury in the city. It’s one of the grandest hotels in Spain and offers everything you ever dreamed of. The hotel is a couple of blocks from Plaça Catalunya. Their rooftop terrace and pool are the best in Barcelona.
Sant Antoni
Even though San Antoni is not officially a neighborhood, this section of L’Eixample has its own character. San Antoni lies within the triangle made by Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, Ronda San Antoni and Paral.lel Avenue. At its centre stands erect the splendid San Antoni Market. Closed for years for a full reconstruction, it opened recently to unanimous acclaim.
Due to the high real estate prices of L’Eixample a lot of young people moved to live and open shops here. Thus the neighborhood has changed notoriously. Parlament Street is full of bars and hipster shops. On the other hand, Avinguda Mistral is a long green avenue that ends at the imposing Plaça Espanya.
Our Recommendations for Sant Antoni
Catalonia Gran Via BCN
The Catalonia Gran Via BCN is where the airport shuttle bus (Aerobus) stops. The metro is a couple of blocks away. Thus, you’ll be within walking distance to the Old Town and Eixample and connected to the entire city. The rooms are comfy, and it has a pool and a gym.
Hotel Barcelona Universal
Dip in the pool and enjoy the views from the rooftop terrace at the Hotel Barcelona Universal. The hotel is in the center of Sant Antoni, within walking distance to Montjuic Hill, Eixample, and the Old Town. The perfectly isolated rooms are big. It has a gym.
Vila Olímpica
The neighborhood was built to host the athletes competing in the 1992 Olympic Games. Unlike other Olympic cities, Barcelona did a great job in converting the latter into apartments for its residents. Additionally, the two tallest buildings in Barcelona are here: Mapfre and Arts Hotel, which includes a casino. In front of the hotel stands the world famous Olympic Fish designed by Frank Gehry and made entirely of iron.
During the day, and especially in summer, Vila Olímpica bustles with beach goers and sports lovers. At night, party people invade the neighborhood to dance the night away in some of Barcelona’s biggest clubs. Thus, if you are into clubs like Pacha and Opium you will end up here. We love to bike around Vila Olímpica. A bike lane beginning in Ciutadella Park, continues around the zoo and ends in Av d’Icària, full of gigantic metal sculptures.
The Best Accommodation in Vila Olímpica
Hotel Arts Barcelona
The best hotel directly on the beach is Arts Barcelona. The tall tower is an icon in the city. It has two pools, a garden, and a full-service spa. The rooms are huge and luxurious. The best ones are on the higher floor and offer stunning views. You will be treated like royalty.
Hotel SB Icaria Barcelona
You can walk to one of the nicest beaches in Barcelona from the SB Icaria. It’s in a quiet area, perfect if you like to exercise by the beach. Its only two metro stops from the center. The hotel has a pool, sauna, and a terrace with a hot tub. Brilliant ratio price-quality.
Poble Nou
A bit far and yet so close, Poble Nou combines new technology, the old and the beach. It used to be an industrial area. As industries moved out, the neighborhood kind of drifted into neglect. However, it was totally revamped when both technology and design hubs moved in. Consequently, the scene is quite varied.
Several of Barcelona’s most iconic buildings are in Poble Nou, such as the Agbar Tower and the MediaTIC. Nevertheless, the neighborhood is relaxed and not as densely populated as the rest of Barcelona. Since the streets are not overridden by cars, neighbors are able to enjoy some peace. The Rambla de Poble Nou is the main commercial street. Lined with bars and shops it ends at MarBella Beach. This is the beach we go to, far less crowded than Barceloneta.
Recommended Hotels in Poble Nou
Capri by Fraser Barcelona
Just a 20-minute walk north to Sagrada Familia and a 15 minute south to the beach is Capri by Fraser. The metro station that takes you everywhere is a 5-minute walk. They offer well-appointed studios and apartments with a kitchenette. It’s got a gym and self-service laundry.
Golden Hotel Barcelona
The green certified Golden Hotel Barcelona is a 20-minute walk from the nicest beach in the city. You’ve got two metro stations 10 minutes away. It has a rooftop terrace with views, a pool, and a bar. The beds are great. Guests have access to an incredible SPA nearby.
Gràcia
La Vila de Gràcia was a different town separate from Barcelona up until 1897. Maybe that’s why it is one of most traditional Barcelona neighborhoods. Gràcia houses numerous local cultural and political associations, workshops and all sorts of community groups. Therefore, Gràcia’s yearly local party is arguably the best in town. For two weeks in late August, neighbors artistically decorate their streets. At night everybody dances to live music on the street till pretty late.
Gracia’s most famous landmark is the Guëll Park, one of Gaudi’s peak creations and easily accessible by metro and even mechanic escalators. However, Gràcia’s best is its vibe. Neighbors here are not into crowds and showing off, offering a chance to discover the real Barcelona.
In Gràcia Stay in
Hotel Casa Fuster G.L Monumento
Stay at a fabulous modernist palace on Barcelona’s fanciest street. The same architect of UNESCO listed Palau de la Musica and Hospital Saint Paul did Hotel Casa Fuster. The amenities and service will blow you away. The rooms are splendid. Nowhere in the city will you find such class, comfort, and history.
Be Mate Paseo de Gracia
Be Mate Paseo de Gracia has the best apartments in the city. Though they also have rooms, we recommend their big one-bedroom apartments. You can’t beat the location, walking distance to everywhere and in the heart of the city. The rooftop terrace is beautiful. They rent bicycles.
Sants
Sants is home to the biggest train station in Cataluña, Sants Estació. Trains to the airport and to the entire country begin and end here. It seems contradictory, but the neighborhood is not overrun by tourists. I reckon that they arrive here but lodge somewhere else. Thus, neighbors know each other and move about at a different rhythm. Streets are narrow and though Sants’ bars may not be that elegant, they are for sure authentic. Creu Coberta, lined with all sorts of shops, is the centre of the neighborhood.
One of our favorite parks in the whole of Barcelona is here: Espanya Industrial. The park is huge, includes a lagoon and several big metal sculptures. Additionally, you can play ping pong and basketball in any of its several courts. A great place to chill and have a beer nearby is Plaça d’Osca.
Great Hotels in Sants
Barceló Sants
The Barceló Sants is on top of the train station. Therefore, you can be everywhere in a matter of minutes. Stay here if you plan on moving a lot around the city, the province, and Spain. It’s got a gym and 2 restaurants. The rooms, service, and views are fantastic.
Pestana Arena Barcelona
Just two blocks from the iconic Plaça Espanya is the Pestana Arena Hotel. The airport shuttle stops in Plaça Espanya, a major metro hub. Sants Train station is 8 minutes away. It’s got a sauna and a gym. Book the suite with a balcony, hot tub, and views.
Les Corts
Camp Nou, FC Barcelona’s football stadium, is here. The place is like a temple for all of those who love football. However, Les Corts has a lot to offer for those of us who couldn’t care less about the team. This Barcelona neighborhood is upper crust, full of parks and far less crowded than the rest of the city.
Av. Diagonal divides the neighborhood. To the south you will find the stadium, the polo courts and our favorite square in the whole of Barcelona: Plaça de la Concòrdia. North of the avenue lies Pedralbes Park, with the Royal Palace at its centre. Further north stands erect the world’s biggest gothic cloister: Pedralbes Monastery, a masterpiece fortunately a bit ignored by the masses of tourists. If you continue to the end of Av. Diagonal, you will reach the Cervantes Gardens, a park full of flowers with pretty cool views to the entire city and the sea.
Our Recommendations for Les Corts
Hotel Sofia Barcelona
To be in a quiet off the beaten track area but close to everything, book a room at Hotel Sofia. The luxurious Hyatt hotel is 2 minutes from the splendid Pedralbes Park and the University. You will love the neighborhood. It’s got an incredible full-service spa and an outdoor pool.
NH Collection Barcelona Constanza
If you are into shopping, book a room at NH Collection Barcelona Constanza. It’s across the city’s nicest shopping mall, in the heart of Les Corts. The metro is a couple of blocks away. Its got a pool and a spa with a wellness center. The rooms are big and come with an espresso machine.
Sarrià
Sarrià is Barcelona’s fanciest neighborhood. Football players, celebrities, millionaires, aristocrats, and your average white collar thief live here. Lavish mansions and private gardens pack the whole area to the northwest of Passeig de la Bonanova. Houses were built in several styles, such as neoclassical, modern and of course modernist. Likewise, the neighborhood has a couple of museums, plenty of private schools, hospitals and even some of Gaudi’s projects, such as the College of the Teresians and the Portal Miralles.
To reach Sarrià’s cute old town cross busy Via Augusta. The whole place is peaceful and leafy, with a couple of nice squares, plenty of old houses, churches and the local city hall. Sarrià’s main drag is Carrer Major, where supposedly Barcelona’s best patatas bravas are served.
The Best Accommodation in Sarrià
ABaC Restaurant Hotel
The prestigious Michelin-starred restaurant is also a hotel. ABaC Restaurant Hotel features a pool, gym, a garden, a terrace, and a luxurious spa. Since it’s in the middle of a garden on Tibidabo Avenue, it’s very green and quiet. The Tibidabo FGC train station connecting you to the entire city is in front.
Upper Diagonal
Upper Diagonal is in the heart of Pedralbes. Local tourists from the rest of Spain favor the hotel. It has a gym and a concierge service that can arrange anything you want. The rooms are big, comfy, and come with an espresso machine. The best ones have a balcony.
El Clot
El Clot is amongst the city’s smallest neighborhoods. The central square has a market (Plaça del Mercat) from where pedestrian streets radiate in every direction. One of these takes you to a park with areas for all sorts of sports and an abandoned industrial complex.
The entire neighborhood is located at the intersection of several massive Barcelona neighborhoods like Eixample, Sant Martí and Sant Andreu. Thus, small El Clot feels like a town amidst giants. Yet, you are in the middle of everything. The city’s largest square-park Glòries is being built just a step away! Let’s hope they deliver something worth the trouble.
Recommended Hotels Around El Clot
Catalonia Albeniz
Just a 15 minute walk from Sagrada Familia and the Hospital de Sant Pau we find the Catalonia Albeniz. You’ve got 2 metro stations nearby. The hotel features a gym and a rooftop terrace with a pool and views. The perfectly isolated rooms have super comfy beds.
Leonardo Boutique Hotel
The Leonardo Boutique Hotel is a 15 minute walk to La Sagrada Familia and the Hospital de Sant Pau. The metro is across the hotel, so you won’t have trouble moving around. The rooftop terrace offers great views. There’s also a garden and onsite parking. The best rooms have a balcony with lounges.
Sant Andreu
The most peripheral of all Barcelona neighborhoods, Sant Andreu is quieter and far less touristic than anywhere else. If you love authentic neighborhoods and are still thinking where to stay in Barcelona, Sant Andreu is a great choice. The metro line 1 connects the neighborhood to the entire city, so you can get an insight of local Barcelona without missing any of the highlights.
Two closed squares resembling the famous Plaça Reial make San Adreu special: Plaça del Mercadal with its nice market (currently being refurbished) and equally charming Plaça de Masadas. These two plazas, together with numerous pedestrian streets and low rise buildings lend a village feel to Sant Andreu.
In Sant Andreu Stay in
NH Barcelona La Maquinista
NH Barcelona La Maquinista is next to the famous shopping mall with cinemas, bowling, and shops. The Maquinista Mall attracts a local and young crowd. Since they have onsite parking, stay here if you are driving. The roads to the beaches are nearby. The rooms are extra big.
Ibis Barcelona Meridiana
You have two metro stations 10 minutes walking from the Ibis Barcelona Meridiana. If you know the brand, you know what to expect: comfortable modern rooms in a quiet setting. Their family rooms are great value for money. The ones on the top floor offer amazing views.
Our Pick on Where to Stay in Barcelona
As you might have noticed, Barcelona is very rich and diverse. Our city literally offers something for every taste. Consequently, it’s really up to you to decide where to stay in Barcelona. Nevertheless, here are some insider tips:
If you are visiting for a few days, stay in Barcelona’s most central neighborhood Eixample.
Barri Gòtic, Raval and Born are perfect for those of you into historical places but who don’t mind the crowds. An additional perk of these neighborhoods is the lack of cars. Noisy they are, but almost entirely pedestrian!
To be close to the beach stay in Barceloneta or Vila Olímpica.
If you are into artsy alternative crowds stay in Gràcia.
To be surrounded by the young and hip stay in Poble Sec and Sant Antoni.
If you are a fan of urban chaos and modern architecture stay in Poble Nou, pretty close to the beach too.
For authenticity and fewer tourists, stay in Sants, Les Corts, Sant Andreu and El Clot.
Sarrià is the place to be for posh fancy travelers.
If you still haven’t decided where to stay in Barcelona contact us and we’ll help you.
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