In which area of Barcelona is it better for tourists to stay? An overview of the neighborhoods and recommendations for the best hotels and apartments in the Eixample, Gracia, La Ribera, Barceloneta, Poblenou, Gothic Quarter and Sagrada Familia districts.
How to have a good time in Barcelona and not be disappointed in this city? You need to prepare for the trip. And it is important to choose the hotel and the neighborhood where you will stay for a few days. If you make the right choice, you’ll have a great trip, but if you let things go to waste, you’ll be disappointed.
To begin with, specify your criteria, why are you going to Barcelona? Then you will get the right answer.
Questions before choosing a hotel in Barcelona:
- I’m traveling for the first time, I want to see the city and its main attractions.
- I want to lie on the beach and sometimes walk in the center of Barcelona.
- We have already seen everything and not just once, so we want to stay for a couple of days and then go on to explore Catalonia and other parts of Spain.
- I go to hang out in bars and nightclubs, and where I live is not very important. The main thing is to be in the center of the party.
- Shopping – interested in the proximity of shops.
I recommend reading: Barcelona in three days – what to see in the capital of Catalonia
Gothic Quarter (Bari Gothic)
Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter is perhaps the most popular neighborhood in the city center, which is why there are so many tourists here. It is close to the main central attractions of Barcelona. There are many great restaurants here – another reason why people like this neighborhood. Bari Gòtica is adjacent to La Rambla, a massive pedestrian street with shops and restaurants, behind which the multicultural El Raval neighborhood begins.
A stroll through the medieval streets and beautiful squares of the Gothic Quarter will be the best introduction to Barcelona and a starting point for those who are new to the city. To experience its more grandiose architecture, head to São Jaume Square, which is surrounded by two government buildings: the Renaissance Generalitat Palace and the neoclassical facade of the Aguntamento. And right around the corner you will see the Gothic architecture of the Plaza del Rey, the Cathedral and the magnificent Royal Square.
During the day, Barri Gòtic is busy with local businesses and shops. And at night it’s a little quieter than in the neighboring district across Via Layetana, the El Raval neighborhood. And yet, the Gothic Quarter has many lively restaurants, cafes, and bars, which is why housing prices are higher than in other areas of Barcelona, but cheaper than in Paris and New York.
The best sights in Bari Gothic:
- La Rambla
- Barcelona Cathedral
- Picasso Museum
- Citadel Park
- Placa Reial Square
The best hotels in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter:
- Hotel Serhs Rivoli Rambla≫ – the hotel is located directly on La Rambla.
- Oriente Atiram≫ – is a cozy hotel with good breakfasts.
- Ciutat de Barcelona≫ – a beautiful rooftop pool and excellent prices for accommodation in the city center.
- Grand Hotel Central, Small Luxury Hotels≫ – 5 stars and a rooftop pool, beautiful views of Barcelona harbor.
El Raval
El Raval is a multicultural neighborhood where different nationalities live. You’ll quickly notice this when you smell Indian or Pakistani cuisine, with a bunch of shops selling oriental goods and spices. The international community has lived here since the Roman Empire. Just like Bari Gothic, this neighborhood is in the thick of things. Great for young travelers, couples and adventurers. If you like parties, bars, restaurants, and nightclubs, and you don’t mind the noise, this is definitely the place for you.
It’s not a given that your hotel will have good soundproofing, so it’s best to read reviews before booking. The neighborhood is not always noisy, but you can never be sure. And if you want to quickly get to the beach in the morning after a night out, you can walk to Barceloneta Beach.
For families with children, hotels in the Echamplais area are more suitable. And it’s better to come to El Raval for a walk and sightseeing. But if you’re traveling with friends, and you like noisy parties, nightlife and shopping, El Raval will be at the top of your list. But be careful in the evening and at night – not only tourists, but also local thieves are out here, so avoid theft.
The best sights of El Rawal:
- La Rambla
- Huge cat statue of El Gatto de Bottaro
- La Boqueria market
- Marsella Bar (Hemingway and Picasso loved this bar, which has been open since 1820)
The best hotels in the El Raval neighborhood in Barcelona:
- Hotel Bagués – Good price and location for 5 stars.
- Hotel Catalonia Ramblas – Spacious rooms and rooftop pools.
- Hotel Barceló Raval – Good prices for 4 stars and a rooftop pool.
Barcelonetta
Many people advertise Barceloneta for its proximity to beaches, and it is true. But in the same area there is a port and a yacht harbor, where it is very pleasant to walk in the morning, afternoon and evening. Barceloneta offers magnificent views of the Barcelona coastline.
But there are also disadvantages here: a huge number of restaurants and clubs have turned Barcelonetta from a quiet place into a noisy neighborhood in the evenings and a dirty one in the mornings. If you still want to be close to the city center and get to the beach quickly, Barcelonetta is a great option for you.
The best sights in Barceloneta:
- Beach.
- Statue of Christopher Columbus
- Port and marina
The best hotels in Barceloneta:
- W Barcelona – The famous sail-shaped hotel located on the beach in Barcelona.
- Hotel 54 Barceloneta – is a cozy and affordable hotel in Barceloneta.
- H10 Marina Barcelona – A beautiful and stylish hotel in Barceloneta.
Eixample – L’Eixample (Passeig De Gràcia)
If you’re going to Barcelona with your family, it’s best to stay in the Eixample neighborhood. According to the city’s development plan, Echamplais was designed as a huge district. It was divided into two parts: Dreta (right) and Esquerra (left). The latter was again divided into Novaya (new) and Antiga (old) parts. And all of this is one neighborhood – Echamplais.
Eskerra is not as noisy as Dreta with its modernist buildings. But no less interesting: on Escriba you will find Joan Miró Park , Novecentista Mercat del Nino, the gardens of the University of Barcelona (concerts and farmers’ markets are held here throughout the year). Eixample Esquerra in San Antonio is a thriving and trendy neighborhood with bars and restaurants that can be found every few meters.
The best sights in Echamps:
- Casa Milà
- Casa Batllò
- Cathedral of the Holy Family Sagrada Familia
The best hotels in Echamplais:
- Condes de Barcelona – The hotel has a modern, stylish décor.
- Axel Hotel Barcelona & Spa – Attention! this hotel is for adults only.
- Royal Passeig de Gracia – Great price for the location in Eixample!
Sagrada Familia
The Sagrada Familia neighbor hood is part of the Echamplé neighborhood. As you may have guessed, this part of Barcelona is named after Gaudi’s most famous building, the Sagrada Familia. The magnificent basilica is located to the west of the district. Nearby, the beautifully manicured Plaza de Gaudi is a pleasant place to relax. Given the popularity of the cathedral, there are often a lot of people here.
It’s as easy to navigate as the Echamps. The streets are arranged parallel and perpendicular to each other, like grid cells. Around the basilica you will find many chain restaurants, though their prices are designed for tourists. But if you move a few blocks away from the cathedral, you can find cheaper cafes with traditional cuisine. There are plenty of bars, shops and other entertainment options, many of which can be found on Gaudi Avenue.
The best sights in Sagrada Familia:
- Cathedral of the Holy Family Sagrada Familia
- Boulevard Pg. de Sant Joan
- Plaza de Gaudí
The best hotels in Sagrada Familia:
- Acta Antibes – good 2 stars, clean, inexpensive – stayed there on my last visit to Barcelona.
- Suite Place Barcelona Còrsega – cozy apartment with views of Sagrada Familia.
- Boutique Hostemplo Sagrada Familia – is a boutique hotel with affordable prices.
Poble Nou
I discovered this neighborhood on my last trip to Barcelona. At the end of the 19th century, it was the most industrialized area in the whole of Catalonia. Now there are many modern apartment buildings here. Among them you can find restored factory and brick pipe buildings that have been turned into workers’ creative studios. Now it is home to musicians, artists, publishers, programmers, and other creative people. They chose Poblenou to open a store, an office, and simply as a pleasant place to work remotely.
There are also many modern and cool hotels located near the beaches, near the Rambla del Poblenou. It is the center of the neighborhood, full of life, with many cool restaurants, traditional shops and bars. Pablenou hosts a monthly design and craft market, one of the most popular in the city. Another advantage of Poblenou is its proximity to the sea and some of the best beaches in the city.
The best sights in Poblenou:
- Rambla del Poblenou
- Bogatel and Mar Bella beaches
- Agbar Tower
The best hotels in Pablenou:
- Hotel Paxton Barcelona – great hotel with a rooftop pool – stayed here in October 2021.
- Acta Voraport – the neighboring hotel has very good 3 star reviews.
- Rambla Beach Barcelonastuff Apartments – apartments near the beach of San Marti.
Gracia
To the north of Eixample is the Gracia district. It was once an independent city that was absorbed during the expansion of Barcelona. But it has retained its individuality, becoming one of the most popular and vibrant areas of the city. Festa Major is a weekly street fair that takes place in the area every August. Garcia is decorated with flags, stalls are set up, and the festivities sometimes last until the morning.
Architectural monuments of Gracia: Fuster‘s modernist house. There’s also the quiet and cozy Virreina Square and the famous Guell Park, a little to the side.
The best sights in Gracia:
- Guel Park
- house of Vicente Gaudí
- Fuster House
The best hotels in Gracia:
- Barcelona Apartment Milà – is a wonderful loft-style apartment.
- Hotel Barcelona 1882 – is a hotel with a rooftop pool and stylish rooms at an affordable price.
- Hotel BESTPRICE Gracia – hotel near Guel Park.
Useful links:
Car rental – find cheap car rental options on Rentalcars.com
Hotels – I traditionally book on Booking.com
Travel Medical Insurance – online on the EKTA
What else to read:
- Barcelona – what to do in three days
- Things to do and see in Granada, Spain
- Perfect weekend in Seville – what to do in two days in the capital of Andalusia
- Hotels near airports – where to sleep before your flight
