Discover the best neighbourhoods to stay in Barcelona and make the most of your next trip to Spain.
Honestly, there isn’t really a bad place to stay in Barcelona. It just depends on how you want to enjoy your time. Get comfortable and allow us to walk you through the best neighbourhoods to stay in on your next trip to Barcelona.
The Best Neighbourhoods to Stay in Barcelona
The Gothic Quarter
The Gothic Quarter is located in Barcelona’s Old Town (Ciutat Vella). Famous for its narrow, cobbled streets, this is a great place to sit and admire the old buildings in the area, shop for art and souvenirs in local shops, and explore the many churches and Roman remains found nestled in its alleyways.
Key attractions found here include the Cathedral of Barcelona, Plaça Reial and Plaça Sant Jaume, where you will find the Palace of the Generalitat of Catalonia and the City Council of Barcelona. Owing to its popularity, the Gothic Quarter has undergone several makeovers over the years, so you will see a mix of the old with the new.
If you’re particularly interested in shopping, you may want to walk around Portal de L’Angel, a long street that is home to the most well-known clothing stores in Spain. For more unique pieces, try wandering down the nearby side streets and visiting some of the many local boutiques you’ll find there.
Another advantage of this area is how well-connected it is. Delimited by Plaça Catalunya, La Barceloneta, Via Laietana and Les Rambles, it is home to plenty of metro stops along several different lines, making it easy to travel around the city. The biggest downside to staying in the Gothic Quarter is its popularity. Since this area sits at the heart of the city, it is almost always busy. This can be overwhelming, especially if you are travelling with children.
Staying in the Gothic Quarter is ideal for travellers who want to be in the centre of the city, and don’t mind the fact that lots of other people have the same idea.
Travelling solo? Don’t miss our guide to the best things to do in Barcelona by yourself.
Plaça Catalunya
Right above the Gothic Quarter sits Plaça Catalunya. This iconic square is not technically a district in and of itself, but it’s undoubtedly one of the most well-known areas of the city. Home to plenty of accommodation options, it also has excellent transport connections, including a direct bus to the airport that leaves every five minutes.
The area is surrounded by stores and shopping centres, with Les Rambles and Portal de l’Angel on one side, and Passeig de Gracia on the other.
The biggest disadvantage of staying here is that it’s rarely quiet, no matter what time of day it is. There are always people in the streets and cars passing through the area so if you’re sensitive to noise, this might not be the best place for you. Additionally, hotels here tend to be on the more expensive side, so it may not be the best option if you’re travelling on a budget.
Gracia
Gracia is a big district that’s recently been gaining more attention from visitors. Staying here is a great way to experience a more authentic side to Barcelona – the area is full of local bars and restaurants just waiting to be discovered. While it might not be the closest neighbourhood to the key tourist attractions, this can be a selling point for travellers who are keen to avoid the crowds you’ll find in the city centre.
An area often described as ‘bohemian and artistic’, Gracia is one of the most vibrant districts in the city. Its architecture is also beautiful, with great modernist buildings like Gaudí’s Casa Vicens and Park Güell located here, as well as lots of green spaces where you can relax and enjoy a drink. It’s even better if you visit in mid-August, when you will be able to enjoy the Festa Major and explore the streets that have been decorated by local residents.
Gracia is perfect for people interested in the arts, for families looking to avoid the masses or for travellers hoping to enjoy a more relaxed trip to Barcelona.
Eixample
Eixample is a huge district, sometimes known as Eixample Dreta or Eixample Esquerra. The area was designed by Ildefonso Cerdà in a grid-like pattern to improve traffic and increase sunlight distribution.
This area is not full of tourist attractions – except for the iconic Sagrada Família – making it a good place to stay if you’re looking to relax. It is also well connected to lots of different areas of the city and is home to some beautiful modernist buildings such as Casa Batlló and Casa Milà.
Since this district is huge and difficult to navigate (the streets all bear a striking and highly inconvenient resemblance to each other), we recommend staying somewhere close to a metro station to avoid having to walk for a long time.
A great area in l’Eixample is Sant Antoni. This neighbourhood is located on the right side of Eixample, which is quieter but often more expensive. Here you can find some hidden gems such as the Joan Miró Park, La Modelo (an old prison) and the Mercat de Sant Antoni. Aside from its tourist attractions, Sant Antoni is a very trendy area with a lot of cool bars and restaurants. For more inspiration, check out our guide to unusual things to do in Barcelona.
This is the perfect area for travellers who have already visited Barcelona and are now to enjoy a slower-paced trip where they can really get beneath the skin of the city.
El Born
El Born is located between la Barceloneta and the Gothic Quarter. It has all the charm of the Gothic quarter, but with a modern twist. On the one hand, it’s a cultural hub home to highlights like the Picasso Museum (which houses more than 4000 pieces from the painter), the trendy Moco Museum, and the Palau de la Música Catalana. On the other, you have historical buildings like the Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar and the Cultural and Memorial Center of El Born. These two sides are joined by the Passeig del Born, which is a great place to go for a walk and try the different tapas bars in the area. While you’re at it, check out our guide to the best tapas bars in Seville.
If the hustle and bustle becomes too much, you can head to Ciutadella Park, a huge open space with lakes, fountains, waterfalls and green areas to picnic, read a book or take a nap.
The liveliness of the this area creates a sense of community between locals that makes it feel like you’re in a small town. However, the bars are open until late and there’s a lot of noise at night. If that’s something you’d rather avoid – or you’re travelling with small children – you may be better opting for a quieter neighbourhood.
La Barceloneta
If you’re travelling during the summer, chances are you’ll want to go for a swim. The best place to stay close to the sea is La Barceloneta. You will find a lot of tourists on the beach but the rest of the area is mostly quite calm as there aren’t a lot of tourist spots, beyond the nearby Barcelona Aquarium. The best thing to do here – other than enjoy the water – is sample the local cuisine. Don’t miss the seafood, the speciality of the area.
Although it’s kind of secluded from other neighbourhoods in the city – and it’s not particularly well-connected by public transport – it is still only a short walk to la Rambla.
La Barceloneta, while not necessarily the most interesting area in Barcelona, is a good choice for people who want to eat great seafood, for families who want to spend time on the beach and for travellers who want to enjoy the nightlife near the Port Olimpic.
Choosing Your Barcelona Accommodation
As long as your accommodation is close to a metro station, you will be able to get around very easily thanks to Barcelona’s excellent public transport system.
When choosing your accommodation, you should consider your priorities and budget. If you want to save money, apart-hotels where you can cook for yourself can be the most affordable options.
If your top priority is being close to the centre, you’ll need to remember that hotels in key tourist areas tend to be very expensive and must be booked in advance.
For a more immersive and authentic experience, consider looking for flats to rent in Barcelona instead. This option gives you privacy, flexibility and the opportunity to experience life as a local, even if just for a few days.
You should also take into account the safety of the area you choose to stay in.
Overall, Barcelona is a safe city, but looking too much like a tourist or walking on your own at night can make you an easy target for pickpockets. In general, the more tourists there are, the more pickpockets there are. If this is a concern for you, you’re better off staying a little outside of the city centre.
Choosing the Right Neighbourhood
The best way to decide where to stay on your trip to Barcelona is to think about what your priorities are. Are you happy to put up with the noise providing you’re somewhere central like the Gothic Quarter? Or would you rather have to travel further but be in a more relaxed area like Gracia? Are you keen to stay in a child-friendly district, or would you prefer somewhere with nightlife like El Born?
The great thing about Barcelona is that it’s relatively small, so no matter where you stay, you will still be surrounded by interesting places, fantastic restaurants and plenty of things to do.
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