You’ve booked your tickets and are looking for a suitable hotel or apartment in Barcelona. Which neighborhood is the best to stay in during your visit to Barcelona? In this post, I provide a list of the best neighborhoods to stay in Barcelona.
Barcelona is a diverse city. With its 73 different neighborhoods, there’s plenty to see and do, but which neighborhood is most suitable for a city trip to Barcelona? Where are the best places for restaurants, shops, and attractions? Read on for my tips.
My 5 Favorite Neighborhoods for Staying in Barcelona
Below, I have selected my 5 favorite neighborhoods for a stay in Barcelona that I always recommend. This way, you’ll know where the best places to stay in Barcelona are!
1. El Born
A great neighborhood in Barcelona to stay in is definitely El Born. This neighborhood is located in the old center of Barcelona and is one of the nicest and most beautiful areas to stay.
In El Born, you are close to countless attractions and within walking distance of many famous places such as the Gothic Quarter, Las Ramblas, the Boqueria Market, Parc de la Ciutadella, and the Cathedral of Barcelona.
With its large number of great shops, bars, and restaurants, and the lively atmosphere that prevails, you will never get bored.
2. L’Eixample
In my opinion, the best neighborhood to stay in Barcelona is L’Eixample. This is actually the largest district of Barcelona, very centrally located, and has all the amenities you need for a city trip: from nice shops and restaurants to cool nightlife spots and interesting attractions.
L’Eixample is characterized by its wide and straight streets and many blockhouses, mostly in the Modernist style.
This is also one of the best places to stay if you love architecture. You are then close to some of the biggest highlights in Barcelona, such as the Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, and Casa Milà.
A good tip is to take a hotel in the L’Eixample district, but still so close to the old center that you can do almost everything on foot. Favorite places for this are hotels near Plaça de Catalunya, Passeig de Gràcia, or the Sant Antoni market hall.
3. La Barceloneta
Beach lovers will be completely happy in La Barceloneta. This old fishing district is a popular place among tourists looking for sun, sea, and beach in Barcelona.
Because it is right next to the old center, La Barceloneta is also a very suitable base for those who want to combine a city trip with a beach holiday.
The only downside of La Barceloneta is that there are relatively few hotels and that it can become quite busy and noisy on the streets in the summer.
4. Gràcia
A very cozy neighborhood to sit among the locals is Gràcia. Especially when you come with kids, Gràcia is recommended.
Since this was once an independent village, you still see many small old houses and cozy squares here. In the car-free streets and squares, the children can play while the parents have something on the terrace. There are also many shops of local designers and you can dine deliciously.
Because not so many tourists come to Gràcia, there is still a wonderful village feeling and you can better experience the Barcelona of the locals.
Attractions such as Park Güell and Casa Vicens are also nearby.
You will not find large hotels in Gràcia. However, there are a number of holiday apartments and small-scale hotels such as Sonder La Casa del Sol and Casa Gràcia.
5. El Poble Sec
Finally, an upcoming neighborhood that is often overlooked by tourists but is worth considering. Especially if you love good food and want to go out a bit, El Poble Sec is an interesting place to stay.
El Poble Sec is sandwiched between El Raval and Montjuïc. As a result, you can easily reach some of the top attractions of Barcelona on foot, such as the Magic Fountain, Montjuïc Castle, Las Ramblas, or the port of Barcelona.
El Poble Sec is also known for its “pintxo street” (Carrer Blai, a street full of tapas bars) and because you can go out well in the evening, for example at one of the many discos and theaters along Avinguda del Paral.le
