Questioning the place to remain in Barcelona? Whether or not you’re right here for one evening or for an entire month, this information will allow you to select the barrio that fits you finest!
Barcelona could be one of the crucial overwhelming cities in Spain if you happen to don’t know the place to go, what to do (and eat!), or the place to remain. The primary time I visited Barcelona again in 2007, I believed I’d made a secure guess by reserving a good lodge chain within the metropolis middle—solely to have a horrible expertise of sleepless nights because of partiers and road sweepers.
I discovered my lesson! And after dozens of stays in Barcelona over the previous a number of years (whereas engaged on my firm’s Devour Barcelona excursions), I now have a good suggestion of the place I like to remain in Barcelona and why!
Barcelona Neighborhood Information – The Fundamentals
Whereas there are 10 official districts in Barcelona, I’ve divided this information into 7 totally different neighborhoods—the way in which I check with them. I don’t stay in Barcelona, so please be happy to right me—however these are the areas I personally like to remain in, and the accommodations I’d suggest in every.
Fortunately, Barcelona has one thing for everybody: from the extensive, regal streets of L’Eixample and the bohemian Gracia neighborhood to the historic Previous City and the beachside Barceloneta.
See Additionally: The best way to Spend 3 Days in Barcelona
The place to Keep within the Gothic Quarter
Let’s begin in one of many metropolis’s oldest neighborhoods: the historic Gothic Quarter (El Gòtic). That is an apparent selection of the place to remain in Barcelona given its prime location, however there are some things to remember.
The Gothic Quarter is without doubt one of the metropolis’s most touristy areas. Throughout summer season the streets are sometimes crowded, and pickpockets are widespread. Since lots of the streets are slender, there isn’t at all times quite a lot of pure gentle in lodge rooms.
That mentioned, you may’t beat the placement of the Gothic Quarter and the texture of being on this extremely lovely neighborhood. There are world-class outlets and museums solely steps away. When it comes to meals, it’s not one of the best neighborhood (numerous vacationer traps, sadly) however there are some diamonds within the tough (see beneath)!
The place to Keep: The principle avenue of the Gothic Quarter known as Les Rambles (Las Ramblas), and it’s surrounded by luxurious accommodations and hostels alike. Actually, I wouldn’t skimp if you happen to determine to remain on this a part of city; you’ll get what you pay for. If you happen to’re making an attempt to save lots of, think about a visitor condo, which is a superb selection when touring as a household!
Really useful: Ohla Barcelona is hip and energetic, with a beautiful rooftop pool that is excellent for summer season stays! The Mercer Resort is a phenomenal boutique lodge with an exquisite breakfast unfold to get you prepared for the day.
For a prime luxurious expertise attempt The Wittmore, the place no request is just too small. And whereas I haven’t stayed right here myself, the placement of the historic Resort Neri is fairly unbelievable, in one in all Barcelona’s prettiest squares.
The place to Eat: The cornerstone of the Gothic Quarter’s meals scene is the Boqueria Market—Barcelona’s most well-known meals corridor. Whereas the market can get a bit crowded for my style, there are nonetheless quite a lot of scrumptious bites to find. (Take a look at among the different nice markets in Barcelona too!)
Proper down the road is without doubt one of the finest locations on the town for wealthy Spanish scorching chocolate, Granja Dulcinea. For extra ideas, try this information on the place to eat within the Gothic Quarter!
Insider Tip: To expertise Barcelona’s superb meals and vibrant historical past in a single particular expertise, attempt a Devour Barcelona Meals Tour!
The place to Drink: Through the day, hit up Devil’s Espresso Nook for among the finest espresso in Barcelona! Later, begin your night out in town with a vermouth on the conventional tapas bar La Plata.
The place to Keep in El Born
Positioned within the coronary heart of historic Barcelona (together with the Gothic Quarter), El Born is one in all my favourite neighborhoods. Its medieval streets and artisan outlets are a labyrinth of surprises, with loads of scrumptious bakeries, tapas bars, wine bars, and eating places the place you may relaxation your drained ft.
The place to Keep: This historic a part of city is full of boutique accommodations. I particularly like to remain inside a brief stroll of the historic Santa Caterina Market—higher than the Boqueria if you happen to ask me!
Really useful: The beautiful Ok+Ok Resort Picasso is a beautiful area, simply steps away from the stunning Ciutadella Park.
The place to Eat: El Born has much more to supply the foodie traveler than the Gothic Quarter (in my view), however you continue to need to do your analysis and know the place to eat.
I extremely suggest a glass of wine on the tiny La Vinya del Senyor, situated proper throughout from the unbelievable Santa María del Mar basilica. For conventional Catalan tapas with a twist, attempt Bar del Pla.
We go to the Born neighborhood on our Barcelona Tapas, Taverns & Historical past Tour—the right approach to study the world’s fascinating historical past with an area foodie information. And for extra implausible suggestions, try this information to the place to eat in El Born.
The place to Drink: Dive into Barcelona’s pure wine scene at Can Cisa/Bar Brutal, or go for a cocktail on the quirky Collage Barcelona. For a hip model of town’s traditional vermouth, attempt Bormuth (nice for tapas too).
The place to Keep in L’Eixample
L’Eixample is big; it was first constructed as an growth of the crowded Previous City, and owes its progressive “tremendous block” design to among the finest metropolis planners on the planet. Right now it consists of two sections: Esquerra and Dreta (left and proper).
Each are nice locations to remain in Barcelona, lined with the world’s signature huge avenues, scrumptious eating places, and boutique outlets. If I had to decide on between the 2, I’d suggest L’Eixample Esquerra (the left aspect) as a result of there’s so much occurring within the evenings.
The place to Keep: As a result of it’s so massive, the Eixample neighborhood is ideal for high-quality funds accommodations and rental residences, in addition to among the finest luxurious accommodations in Barcelona.
This space positively has probably the most on supply and is often the place I find yourself staying in Barcelona. I don’t miss the crowded streets and nighttime noise of town middle, and I’m solely a brief stroll away.
Really useful: A few of the hottest luxurious accommodations within the Eixample are El Palace, Sir Victor, Olivia Balmes (with its dreamy rooftop pool), and the ultra-luxe Mandarin Oriental.
However it is a neighborhood with numerous choices. On the mid-range stage, I like the Praktik accommodations, particularly the Praktik Vinoteca and Praktik Bakery (so scrumptious), that are each situated on this a part of city.
For excellent funds finds within the neighborhood, I usually pop over to reserving.com, the place one thing good is at all times on sale. I’ve had nice luck reserving on the final minute with this web site.
The place to Eat: So many locations! My favourite Japanese restaurant in Spain is right here (Wakasa); Bar Mut at all times will get rave opinions; Ciudad Condal and Cervecería Catalana are recognized for conventional tapas; and for Chinese language delicacies attempt among the eateries in Barcelona’s unofficial Chinatown, equivalent to Qi Xin Mian Guan.
The place to Drink: Head to Carrer d’Enric Granados for hip cocktail bars and stylish eating places. For wine lovers, the world-famous Món Vínic is a can’t-miss.
The place to Keep in Gracia
The “Village of Gracia” was certainly a separate village from Barcelona solely slightly greater than 100 years in the past. When the Eixample was constructed, the village was annexed to Barcelona—however the locals nonetheless think about themselves loyal to Gracia over the massive metropolis.
This bohemian neighborhood is a paradox for me; on the one hand, you see lots of the indicators of conventional Catalan village life, and alternatively you have got the natural bakeries, juice bars, and worldwide eating places you’d discover solely in an enormous metropolis.
It’s an exquisite place to remain, nonetheless solely a 30- to 40-minute stroll (or brief metro/taxi experience) from the Previous City. I’ve a tender spot for Gracia as a result of it’s the place we deliberate our first Barcelona meals tour, and I lived there for a few months in a rental condo throughout the course of.
The place to Keep: Gracia has some nice boutique hostels, in addition to great accommodations and rental residences.
Really useful: The Generator and Casa Gracia are nice for hostel-goers, and likewise for {couples} or households on a funds. If you happen to’re in search of luxurious, attempt Casa Fuster—and do not miss its broadly famend jazz bar.
That mentioned, I’d truthfully suggest a rental condo on this a part of city. That’s what I’ve at all times executed right here, and it means that you can actually really feel like a Gracia native.
The place to Eat: I am biased, however my greatest advice is to affix our Gracia Neighborhood Meals Tour! We’ll introduce you to eight+ native Gracia eateries and feed you scrumptious conventional meals. If you happen to’re in search of much more, listed below are among the finest eating places in Gracia.
The place to Drink: Gracia is understood for its down-to-earth nightlife scene. Attempt Chivuo’s for craft beer and sandwiches, Las Vermudas for an infinite collection of vermouth, or Elephanta for distinctive gin and tonics.
Learn Extra: For a full introduction to town’s meals scene, don’t miss my information to the place to eat in Barcelona!
The place to Keep in Sant Antoni, Paral·lel & Poble Sec
I’ve grouped these three neighborhoods collectively, since they border each other and are all nice locations to remain. This space is central, secure, and quiet—far sufficient from the vacationer path to really feel native, but shut sufficient to see and do all the things in your Barcelona record. Plus, the Poble Sec neighborhood borders the attractive Montjuïc!
All three are very previous and conventional barrios, and whereas they might not have many well-known monuments, they’re nice for people-watching and, most significantly, meals! These days these are additionally very multicultural areas, which implies there are many choices if you happen to’re bored with Catalan delicacies (although how might that occur?!).
On this a part of city you’ll discover all the things from town’s least expensive pintxo bars and vermouth bodegas to a few of its fanciest eating places. Theaters, markets, and cafés are additionally scattered all through the world, and Sant Antoni is residence to a new-ish wave of hipster cafés and eateries—together with my favourite doughnut store in Spain!
The place to Keep: These neighborhoods are a terrific place to start out trying if you happen to’re on a funds, as they’re residence to a few of Barcelona’s finest funds accommodations.
That is the place I’ve stayed right here when reserving last-minute throughout the excessive season, when discovering one thing cheap appeared unattainable! It’s additionally a terrific place to contemplate renting an condo, as that’s positively one of the best ways to really feel like an area right here.
Really useful: I have not stayed there personally (I opted for an condo rental on this neighborhood), however I’ve heard good issues about TWO Resort Barcelona and Resort Catalonia Gran Through BCN. For one thing barely extra boutique, I’m very curious concerning the extremely rated Resort Brummell.
The place to Eat: Too many to record! In Poble Sec, attempt Can Margarit for a really distinctive and genuine expertise. And though nearly all of Albert Adrià’s well-known fine-dining eating places closed in 2021, you may nonetheless attempt the seasonal tasting menu at Enigma—his solely remaining restaurant in Spain.
For superb doughnuts in Sant Antoni, don’t miss La Do. And for one more actually conventional Catalan restaurant (suppose snails) attempt Can Cargolet. For extra ideas, see this record of locations to eat in Poble Sec.
The place to Drink: Once more—so many decisions! In Sant Antoni, attempt Bar Calders for his or her do-it-yourself vermouth or Fàbrica Moritz for Barcelona’s signature beer. Going into Poble Sec you’ll discover Barcelona’s well-known “pintxos road,” beloved by broke college students in search of an affordable chew.
Low cost doesn’t imply unhealthy, although, and I extremely suggest La Tasqueta de Blai. One other well-known bar on this space is Quimet & Quimet—a tremendous place, however get there early!
The place to Keep in El Raval
Steps away from probably the most touristy stretch of Las Ramblas is the Raval neighborhood, one of many metropolis’s most conventional and multicultural locations to go to. Components of the neighborhood are just lately gentrified, with hipster espresso outlets and classic shops at each nook.
However there are additionally some tough patches, and it’s not a spot I’d (personally) stroll alone at evening. That mentioned, it’s one of the crucial attention-grabbing and enjoyable neighborhoods on the town, and positively a terrific place to remain—as central because it will get!
The place to Keep: There are many good accommodations in El Raval, and likewise numerous rental residences and funds choices. On this a part of city, it pays to do your analysis—each for location and high quality. There are quite a lot of dodgy low cost lodging masquerading as high quality properties.
Really useful: Barceló Raval and Resort 1898 are nice locations to remain, each conveniently situated close to among the metropolis’s finest sights.
The place to Eat: El Raval is residence to an enormous number of eating places. From conventional vermouth bars to all types of worldwide spots, you will not get bored right here! Attempt A Tu Bola for a style of Israeli road meals in Barcelona, or Suculent for artistic Catalan delicacies.
The place to Drink: Bar Cañete is a MUST for vermouth and tapas. Attempt Caravelle for craft beer or cocktails (it is also a beautiful brunch spot!).
The place to Keep in La Barceloneta
You would possibly anticipate Barcelona’s beachside neighborhood to be one in all its most luxurious areas—however this isn’t the case. The seaside Barceloneta quarter developed as a poor fishermen’s neighborhood and continues to be recognized for its small, worn condo buildings with the laundry frolicked to dry.
That mentioned, it’s one of the crucial genuine and community-oriented neighborhoods on the town (although more and more full of thoughtless vacationers bothering native residents). If you happen to keep right here, please be respectful of the neighbors, and don’t give them extra to complain about!
The place to Keep: I am not the most important fan of staying in La Barceloneta—particularly since it is so near among the metropolis’s different neighborhoods. That is an space the place vacationers have actually executed harm to town, and the locals are fairly upset.
If you happen to do keep right here, please be sure you hire a authorized rental condo (they need to have an official quantity on their itemizing) or e-book an area lodge.
Really useful: If I had been to remain on this space, I might like to attempt the luxurious W Barcelona, or the extremely really useful H10 Port Vell or Resort Oasis.
The place to Eat: This is without doubt one of the finest neighborhoods for (watch for it…) seafood! Massive shock, huh? It’s additionally residence to among the most charming and genuine bars and bodegas in Barcelona.
Be sure you attempt fideuá (the native model of paella) or an genuine Catalan rice dish—ideally on the well-known Can Solé, based in 1903. It’s additionally compulsory to attempt the bomba (a large meat-filled croquette) at La Cova Fumada or La Bombeta.
High Tip: Uncover the fascinating historical past and meals of this unbelievable neighborhood on our Tastes & Traditions of Barcelona Meals Tour: a 3.5-hour journey into the actual Barcelona!
See Additionally: The place to Eat Paella in Barcelona
The place to Drink: Consuming and ingesting go hand in hand on this neighborhood. A few of the musts are Bar Bodega Electricitat, Bodega Fermin, and El Xampanyet.
FAQs on The place to Keep in Barcelona
The Gothic Quarter and El Born are tremendous central and standard locations to remain in Barcelona. L’Eixample and Gracia are bigger and fewer touristy, with numerous lodging choices. And the normal neighborhoods of Sant Antoni, Poble Sec, Paral·lel, and El Raval are a bit extra off the crushed path. In different phrases, you have got numerous choices!
Barcelona is an enormous metropolis with countless issues to see and do, so I usually suggest spending at the very least 3–4 days right here—however ideally extra! You will want sufficient time to completely discover town’s totally different neighborhoods, and perhaps some further time for day journeys too. If you would like the entire expertise, I recommend a full week.
Sure—to an extent! Barcelona’s most historic and scenic neighborhoods are positively finest explored on foot, and you’ll attain a big a part of town by strolling. However Barcelona is fairly massive, so if you wish to see all of it you would possibly must go for public transportation or taxis at occasions.
Barcelona is gorgeous all 12 months spherical, however I’d recommend touring right here within the shoulder season—both proper earlier than or proper after the summer season rush. Visiting Barcelona in April, Might, September, or October signifies that the climate will nonetheless be good (however not too scorching) and the crowds can be significantly smaller!
Love Spanish meals? Join my free weekly e-newsletter and obtain a brand new Spanish recipe as soon as per week! Be a part of right this moment and get my FREE Spanish ingredient necessities information!
