The city of Barcelona is located in Catalonia along the eastern coast of Spain. It has long been a popular destination with tourists due to its sunny weather which is present throughout most of the year. There are also countless historic sites and a rich cultural heritage present throughout various monuments and attractions throughout the city. Whether you’re looking for delicious tapas, museums, charming sidewalk cafes, impressive architecture, or the opportunity to see a soccer game, Barcelona has it all.
If you’re planning a trip to this iconic city, you may find it overwhelming to decide where to stay. There are many incredible hotels in many incredible neighborhoods and each one has its own set of unique advantages and perks. While the decision ultimately boils down to you and what you might want to see on your trip, here are five of the best areas in Barcelona for you to stay in when you visit.
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1. Eixample
Eixample is likely Barcelona’s most iconic neighborhood, known for its grid-like layout. It’s also known for being the home of the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia. This minor basilica is notably not complete yet but the groundbreaking occurred in 1882. The construction is estimated to wrap up after the year 2026 but you can visit today and witness this fine example of Spanish architecture. It was designed by the famous Antoni Gaudi, who designed several other buildings in Barcelona.
Eixample is the heart and soul of the city as well as being a major economic hub. The blocks are unique – they are octagonal instead of the typical square shape you normally see. In the mid-nineteenth century, a Spanish civil engineer named Ildefons Cerdà designed the city to make the most of natural light and land. The eight-sided blocks each have their own courtyard and wide corners.
Where to Stay in Eixample:
Looking for some great places in the Eixample area to stay in? Here are our top favorite hotels in this neighborhood you might like:
For more hotel options available in the Eixample neighborhood, click here to see our full list of the best hotels in Eixample to stay in.
Need more things to do in Barcelona? Check out all the top attractions and things to do in Barcelona now.
2. Gothic Quarter
The winding narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona wind their way from the port of Barcelona to the historic city center. From its Roman roots to modern times, the history of Barcelona can be seen around every corner and filling the many plaças or squares. The beautiful waterfront area provides a welcome starting point for any visitors as the stunning harbor has plenty of pedestrian areas to explore along the Rambla de Mar.
Whether you’re a history buff whose ideal vacation includes exploring the medieval sights or a nature lover who wants to see the unique creatures that live at the Aquarium of Barcelona, this bustling neighborhood has something for everyone. It’s also a great place to stay for those who want a more lively experience. The Gothic Quarter is known to have vibrant nightlife and is as safe as anywhere else in the city as there are always people around. It’s quite a busy area and there is always something exciting to do when you’re staying here.
Where to Stay in the Gothic Quarter:
Looking for some great places in the Gothic Quarter area to stay in? Here are our top favorite hotels in this neighborhood you might like:
For more hotel options available in the Gothic Quarter neighborhood, click here to see our full list of the best hotels in the Gothic Quarter to stay in.
Need more things to do in Barcelona? Check out all the top attractions and things to do in Barcelona now.
3. Gracia
Gracia was an independent municipality until the turn of the 20th century and as such maintains a strong Catalan identity throughout. This quiet neighborhood on the edge of the city is a bit off the beaten path for tourists, but that makes it perfect for a traveler that is looking for a more low-key vacation. The streets are very walkable with many being pedestrian-only, so if you’re looking for a vacation where you can wander and experience the city at a slower pace. It’s also great for budget travelers as you can get around on foot instead of spending money on taxis or public transportation.
Gracia is also a fantastic place to stay as the accommodations here tend to be cheaper than other places in the city. If you’re passionate about art or architecture you’ll find plenty of buildings, galleries, and displays that will excite you. Gaudi’s iconic modernist architecture can be seen throughout the neighborhood. You can find some incredible restaurants that serve delicious local cuisine at affordable prices.
Where to Stay in Gracia:
Looking for some great places in the Gracia area to stay in? Here are our top favorite hotels in this neighborhood you might like:
For more hotel options available in the Gracia neighborhood, click here to see our full list of the best hotels in Gracia to stay in.
Need more things to do in Barcelona? Check out all the top attractions and things to do in Barcelona now.
4. El Raval
El Raval allows you a chance to travel the world while staying in Barcelona. With a large percentage of the local population being born overseas, there is no shortage of diverse cultural identities in this region. This area is recommended for seasoned urban travelers who are not put off by crowded tight streets and city noise everywhere. If you are comfortable with the dense city feel then let yourself get carried away by the sights and sounds of the old city. El Raval is alive through the night with bars and eateries operating late into the night. Art fans will enjoy a trip to the MACBA or Museum of Modern Art in Barcelona but it is easily accessible for those staying outside the neighborhood as well.
El Raval is also easily accessible by train and other forms of public transportation. The nearest stop is Las Ramblas, which is also the name of a famous boulevard that runs along one side of the neighborhood. There are plenty of historic sites and interesting shops and restaurants that line the boulevard that you can spend a day exploring during your trip to this interesting Barcelona neighborhood.
Where to Stay in El Raval:
Looking for some great places in the El Raval area to stay in? Here are our top favorite hotels in this neighborhood you might like:
For more hotel options available in the El Raval neighborhood, click here to see our full list of the best hotels in El Raval to stay in.
Need more things to do in Barcelona? Check out all the top attractions and things to do in Barcelona now.
5. El Born
If you’re a foodie, El Born is the perfect place for you! It’s part of a larger neighborhood known as La Ribera and includes an abundance of tapas bars and bistros. Go to sample the food and let yourself get swept away by the buzzing atmosphere in the trendy areas in the city. Anyone seeking out the unique architecture then starts at the Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria, the architectural museum which itself is in a beautiful 19th-century market, then a short walk away is the stunning Palau de la Música Catalana opera house.
For those wanting a truly luxurious experience, El Born is home to the Grand Central hotel for all the amenities you would imagine housed in a historic building right in the heart of the city. The views from the skybar are worth the 16 euro price of admission even for those not staying at the hotel
Where to Stay in El Born:
Looking for some great places in the El Born area to stay in? Here are our top favorite hotels in this neighborhood you might like:
For more hotel options available in the El Born neighborhood, click here to see our full list of the best hotels in El Born to stay in.
Need more things to do in Barcelona? Check out all the top attractions and things to do in Barcelona now.
6. Barceloneta
La Barceloneta is a popular Barcelona neighborhood and is considered more modern than other areas. La Barceloneta is renowned for its sandy beach and the scent of the ocean that lingers in the fresh salty air. The beach also includes a boardwalk that is lined with a variety of shops, nightclubs, and restaurants. While there are plenty of different options for cuisine to try when you’re in this neighborhood, it’s often regarded as an exceptionally good place to order paella or fresh fish!
Where to Stay in Barceloneta:
Looking for some great places in the Barceloneta area to stay in? Here are our top favorite hotels in this neighborhood you might like:
For more hotel options available in the Barceloneta neighborhood, click here to see our full list of the best hotels in Barceloneta to stay in.
Need more things to do in Barcelona? Check out all the top attractions and things to do in Barcelona now.
Video Guide: 6 Best Neighborhoods and Areas to Stay in Barcelona
Travel resources for planning a trip to Barcelona
To make planning a trip to Barcelona easier, we included some of our recommended travel resources below. You can search and find the best flights, transportation options, hotels to stay in, tours/activities, and things you can do in each destination during your trip to Barcelona.
Flights:
Agoda: Search thousands of destinations around the world & quickly compare prices to find amazing deals on the best flights.
CheapOAir: You can find airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, and vacation packages all on one site!
Kiwi.com: What we like about Kiwi is the fact that they are able to create combinations of flight, train, and bus tickets and offer them in a single itinerary. Also, Kiwi has what they called “Nomad” which helps you find the best way of visiting multiple destinations, saving you time and money.
JetRadar: You can search and compare airfares from 726 airlines and dozens of travel agencies and systems.
Hotels:
Agoda: Agoda is one of the world’s largest online travel accommodation platforms with a network of over 2,000,000 vacation rentals and hotels worldwide.
Hotellook: They have more than 250,000 hotels in 205 countries, working with data from more than 10 online booking systems, such as Booking.com, Agoda.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, and others.
Transportations:
Airport Transfers: KiwiTaxi, Viator
Train: EuRail, Trainline or RailEurope
Bus: Flixbus: Very affordable (as low as $6) and convenient way to transfer between cities in Europe.
Car Rentals: AutoEurope, EconomyBookings, or GetTransfer (transfers & car rentals with a personal driver)
Bike Rental: BikesBooking (Bikes & scooter rentals)
Transportation Comparison: Omio (search, compare, and book tickets for buses, trains, and flights all in one site)
Tours & Activities:
TakeWalks (WalkofItaly): This is our favorite site for walking tours & day trips.
Tiqets: Great site for entrance tickets. It offers directly bookable, instantly available, and completely mobile tickets for museums, shows, and attractions all over the world.
Musement: They have good activities and tours in Italy and Spain, also many great day trips you can choose from.
GetYourGuide: A large number of tours, excursions, and other travel activities
Viator: The largest one. It has everything from tours, attractions, shore excursions, and private guides in over 2,700 destinations worldwide. It also has many transportations and transfers options and some unique experiences we didn’t find anywhere else.
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Need help planning a trip to Barcelona?
Want to plan a trip to Barcelona and other cities in Europe but don’t know where to begin? If you find this type of multi-city trip planning to be too complicated to plan on your own, we’re here to help!
At MultiCityTrips, multi-destination travel and complicated itineraries such as a trip that include visiting multiple cities, countries throughout Europe are our specialties. Contact us today to learn more about how one of our experienced travel experts/destination specialists can personalize your multi-city European trip and craft your European vacation package at the best price.
Don’t want to start from scratch and need some trip inspiration? Check out our marketplace for customizable pre-designed packages available right now for many amazing destinations in Europe.
To learn more about how our process of trip planning works in detail, please see our “How It Works” page or check out our video on “How to Plan a Multi-City Trip to Europe in 5 Easy Steps” here.
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