Neighborhood Guide: Where To Stay In Barcelona

 

Culture, art, architecture, food, Barcelona, a passionate capital of Catalonia needs no introduction.

If you are heading to Barcelona for the first time, perhaps looking for where to stay in Barcelona with family or the best areas to stay in Barcelona for nightlife? This is the post for you!

I will guide you through where to stay in Barcelona, including hotels for all budgets and the best places to stay whether you are a tourist visiting for a short or long period or where to stay before a cruise leaving from Barcelona.

So if you are wondering where is the best neighborhood to stay in Barcelona, however many days in Barcelona you plan to stay, I will hopefully be able to answer that for you.

 

Also See:

• • Barcelona Outfit Ideas For Your City Adventure
  • Where To Stay In London
  • The Perfect One Day London Itinerary
  • A Guide To Visit Sintra’s Pena Palace
  • How To Visit Russia Without A Visa

 

 

Barcelona In Two Minutes

 

 

The Best Areas To Stay In Barcelona

Spain is one of Europe’s most visited countries, between with the likes of Madrid, San Sabastian, Andalucian towns and the beautiful coastal cities this is one beautiful country to explore. 

Barcelona, Spain’s capital and Catalonia region, is known for its art and architecture. The fantastical Sagrada Família church and other modernist landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí dot the city. Museu Picasso and Fundació Joan Miró feature modern art by their namesakes.

So with so much to see and do in Barcelona, just how does one figure out what neighborhood to stay in Barcelona? Well below is a guide for the best areas to take the mystery out of figuring out where to stay in Barca.

For apartments,  hotels and hostels in Barcelona city centre click here. If you need additional inspiration for places to check out in Spain, I have also blogged about our visit to El Caminito Del Rey, which is perfect for adventure lovers as this used to be one of the world’s most dangerous hikes.

If you are a food lover then don’t leave Andalucia without check out El Mirador restaurant and for Barcelona’s must experience and rather taste tapa’s restaurant, then don’t miss out on Barcelona Tickets restaurant. If you are a lover of wine then make sure you leave room in your itinerary for wineries near Barcelona.

 

 

Staying In El Born – Perfect Place To Stay As A Tourist

 

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in the heart of the city, then El Born is a favorite amongst tourists to Barcelona.

This is one of the best areas to stay in Barcelona as a tourist because despite being touristy, it still offers a chance to explore Barcelona’s unique history while having fun.

Once a seaside property for the medieval aristocracy, El Born is now a booming community of creatives with an abundance of museums and galleries, including revered attractions such as El Born. For deals on hotels and hostels in El Born click here.

 

 

Staying In La Sagrada Familia – Perfect For Families and Mingling With Locals

This is among many places in Barcelona with Instagrammable spots. Tree-lined avenues with sweeping views of the awe-inspiring edifice of Gaudí’s unfinished cathedral.

Although a fairly quiet residential area formed by geometric grids, though it’s true you’ll see some tourists around, especially near the Sagrada Familia.   

A very tranquil but popular district where you can find your typical Catalan tapas bars, cafes and souvenir shops and the all famous Sagrada Familia which as the main reference point in navigating this grid-like arrangement of the neighbourhood.

Its away from excessively touristy areas of Barcelona allowing for a peaceful stay in the city. Nearby you still have the colourful offerings of Clot’s local food markets and fashionable Gracia nearby.

This where the majority of locals live its not as ethnically diverse as the other areas of Barcelona. This neighbourhood is also where a large group of the older generation live. For the best hotels and hostel deals in Sagrada Familia click here.

 

 

 

 

Staying In Barceloneta  – Perfect Place To Stay In Barcelona For The Beach

For where to stay in Barcelona for beach lovers, its got to be Barceloneta, a neighborhood in the Ciutat Vella district of Barcelona for beach lovers.

As one of the more famous neighborhoods in Barcelona, the Barceloneta Beach is one of the most favored by locals and visitors alike.

If you have the perfect weekend in Barcelona planned and looking for somewhere to chill and enjoy the sun then this place is it. 

This triangular piece of land cuts into the sea in the old harbor making it one of the best places to stay in Barcelona before cruise.

On one side is Barcelona’s Port Vell. On the other side is the lush sandy beaches that Barceloneta is known for. The neighborhood has narrow streets and a military grid-like structure coming from the days when it was developed to house former inhabitants of La Ribera who lost their homes for the construction of the citadel.

Once a fishing village, and though it still has a quaint small village feel in some areas, Barceloneta is now an intriguing town and a draw for tourists. For deals on hotels and hostels in El Barceloneta click here.

 

 

Staying In Museu Picasso – Perfect Place To Stay For The Gothic Quarter

If you are looking where to stay in Barcelona near beach this is another place to consider. It is within a short distance to the beach at Barceloneta and also the Gothic Quarter.

You get the best of both worlds, you can stay in Barcelona gothic quarter and still be close to the beach.

Explore the local shops stocked with handcrafted products from ceramics to custom leather aprons to art galleries. For deals on hotels and hostels in Museo Picasso click here.

 

 

Staying In El Raval  – Perfect Place To Stay For Culture

 

Once considered a seedy section of Barcelona, El Raval is today a charming and vibrant neighborhood known for its diversity.

Often referred to as Barri Xinès, or Chinatown, by the locals, it is home to many nationalities and a melting pot of cultures. It has a variety of restaurants to tantalize the taste buds and an array of museums to entice your fancy.

If you are looking for where to stay in Barcelona near nightlife but not stuck right in the middle of it this is another place to consider in addition to El Poble-sec. You can have a combination of exploring the museums in the day and explore the nightlife in one neighbourhood.

In El Raval, you will find the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art which features exciting exhibitions and the adjacent Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona.

The streets of El Raval are filled with bohemian bars, trendy design shops, and the street art. For deals on hotels and hostels in El Raval click here.

 

 

Staying In Las Ramblas – Perfect For First Time Visitors

 

The tree-lined street of Las Ramblas is the street that never sleeps as Las Ramblas is a famous and popular tourist destination. This offers a great place to stay in Barcelona as a tourist or first-time visitor to Barcelona as you are close to a bit of everything.

The nightlife, attractions and food spots. The street is lined with hotels and features a host of tapas bars and clubs and shops for souvenirs. If you have a room street side, be prepared for noise from early in the day.

But apart from that, staying at Las Ramblas is convenient because you are close to the airport. Plus, there are metro stops along the street including the famous Plaça Catalunya.

You will also find the Boqueria Market which is one of the best markets in Barcelona. For deals on hotels and hostels in Las Ramblas click here.

 

 

 

Staying In El Poble-sec – Best Place To Stay In By Barcelona For Nightlife

El Poble-sec is one of Barcelona’s liveliest and most culturally diverse neighborhoods. One of the best places to stay in Barcelona for nightlife.

Located in the Sants-Montjuïc district of Barcelona, it’s a neighborhood that comes alive at nights. With the city’s “cheapest” bars, it is a highly trafficked area enjoyed by both tourists and locals.

It is close to the heart of the city so you’re never too far away. But, it also boasts its own exciting nightlife with some of Barcelona’s best restaurants, tapas bars, and art institutions making their home in this neighborhood.

It forms an epic combination of the tranquility of the Montjuïc green spaces and the liveliness of the city. For deals on hotels and hostels in El Poble-sec click here.

 

 

 

Gràcia – Best Place Stay In Barcelona With family

Offering an authentic Catalan experience, the neighborhood of Gràcia is a small and attractive space in Barcelona outside of the old city.

If you enjoy experiencing the local vibe and want to experience a different take on Barcelona, then try Gràcia.

This is also where you will find Parc Güell, a public park composed of gardens and architectonic elements located on Carmel Hill of in Barcelona. For more tips on how to make the most of your visit, check out this 3 day Barcelona itinerary.

Gràcia is a pedestrian-only neighborhood devoid of the noise of a bustling nightlife so for those looking for where to stay in Barcelona with family, this offers the perfect location. For a low-key getaway this should be the place to stay in Barcelona.

It’s endless beautiful squares and the local flair makes it a true small-town feel and experience. Its bars and restaurants serve authentic Catalan dishes.

Its bohemian vibe is a draw for artists which has led to a wide selection of artsy boutiques, live music, and a great selection of art galleries. For deals on hotels and hostels in Gràcia click here.