Santhu
Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in Europe which has been deep historical values, architectures and cultural backgrounds. If we looked at what are the most visited countries on earth, surely Spain will sit in the 2nd spot after France. Thanks to cities like Barcelona, where the country’s diversity, cuisine, unique Antoni Gaudi’s architecture and Mediterranean atmosphere welcomes backpackers from every corner of the world.
Exploring the city’s breathtaking beauty is only done through choosing the right neighbourhood/places to stay. Since Barcelona is vast, it makes your every walk more overwhelming. So, deciding where to go, where to stay and what to do here in Barcelona is a really confusing task especially if you’re a complete beginner to Barcelona.
To make your city trip more easy and convenient, we came with 7 best neighbourhood options to stay and help to cover the city’s major attractions and best hotels. In order to stay in any of these 7 options you can probably access the city’s prominent cultural, historical and architectural rich sites.
Where to Stay in Barcelona
When you step into the land of Barcelona especially as a first timer you’ll feel large, but the interesting factor is it can be manageable and can be a coverable (major attraction) within walking distance. But all you need to do is to stay in proper neighbourhoods. Let’s see one by one;
1. Stay at Gothic Quarter
Gothic Quarter or Barri Gotic renowned as the city’s oldest neighbourhoods located in the heart of the city. One of the prime advantages of staying at Gothic Quarter is to catch the city’s best major historic attractions and beautiful cathedrals.
Once you start walking its narrow mediaeval streets, slowly you’ll pass through Las Ramblas, Place del Rei, Barcelona Cathedral, Placa Catalunya and other city’s century old Roman ruins and museums.
Exploring ancient beauty near the Gothic Quarter is not just enough if’re coming to experience everything. However, visiting hotels or shopping complexes is another way to enjoy this district. Restaurants like Cab Cullerete or shopping complexes like Sombrereria Mil y Obach or vintage editions shops like La Veintinueve must explore places writhing Gothic neighbourhood.
Remember this neighbourhood is often filled with a lot of tourists and huge crowds during summer times, so always keep an eye on your belongings.
Best Hotels to Stay in Stay at Gothic Quarter
- For a Budget Friendly Stay at- Hotel Rialto (Price range between € 100 – €130 per night).
- For Mid- Range Options Stay at- Olivia Plaza Hotel (Price range between €180 – €250 per night).
- For Luxury Accommodations Stay at- Mercer Hotel Barcelona (Price range between €300- €400 per night).
2. L’Eixample
If you’re new to Barcelona and looking for the safest and more ideal location to make city expeditions then choose L’Eixample as an ideal choice to stay. However neighbourhood is even the first choice for those who wish to get the best sense of the city in a very short time. L’Eixample is super clean and extremely safe, where visitors witness less travel scams.
This neighbourhood often recognized as a Spirited section of city where more popular city’s distinctive grid layout section exist and even world famous Sagrada Familia also located within this district.
L’Eicample neighbourhood bifurcated into 2 sections; Esquerra- left side and Dreata- right side. The primary purpose of dividing into 2 sections is to ease the choice of cities’ historical and geographical sections. But what I was really impressed within despite its iconic Strada Familia is premier dining and shopping options.
Even today backpackers take a stroll amidst its shopping complex to find branded clothing, lifestyle stuffs and spot 100+ stores. Visit restaurants like Disfrustar, to try classic and Mediterranean dishes like Frozen Gazpacho Sandwich, Disfrutar Gilda and Caviar/sour cream. Visit Passeig de Gracia and Rambla de Catalunya even for more additional local cuisine options.
Best Hotels to Stay in Stay at L’Eixample
- For a Budget Friendly Stay at- Boutique Hostemplo Sagrada Familia (Price range between € 70 – €130 per night).
- For Mid- Range Options Stay at- Best Western Premier Hotel Dante (Price range between €140 – €250 per night).
- For Luxury Accommodations Stay at- Majestic Hotel and Spa Barcelona (Price range between €300- €400 per night).
3. Gracia
Once I went through many websites while searching where to stay in Barcelona, most website publishers insist on staying near Gracia and they mentioned Gracia as one of the perfect neighbourhoods to stay in. After understanding everything about Gracia, I found the most budget friendly neighbourhood in Barcelona to stay.
The district is filled with more beautiful Catalan villages which have more than 100+ years of history where visitors take a walk amidst narrow streets to find tight-knit community living.
While taking leisurely stroll within the neighbourhood, do not forget to appreciate its Plaza culture. Plaza or square such as Plaza del Sol, Plaza del Diamant or Placa de la Virreina are great stopping points to spend your time dining or drinking. Despite just a Catalan culture, Gracia is a great place to find renowned jazz bars like Bar Viu and Elephant Gin Bar, organic bakeries and international restaurants.
Buy Souvenirs to your family or friends from regions vintage stores and craft shops. Lively nightlife and occasional festivals are more common here, festivals like de Gracia make the street into a party vibe and beautiful decorations.
Best Hotels to Stay in Stay at Gracia
- For a Budget Friendly Stay at- Rocket Hostels Gracia (Price range between € 15 – €180 per night).
- For Mid- Range Options Stay at- Hotel Ronda Lesseps (Price range between €150 – €250 per night).
- For Luxury Accommodations Stay at- EI Palauet Luxury Suites (Price range between €800- €2000 per night).
4. EI Born
EI Born or La Ribera is the most artistic neighbourhood in the entire Barcelona covered by the cafes and lively boutiques. If you’re looking to spend time at night clubs or enjoy vibrant nightlife, then choose to stay at EI Born. Yen numbers of cocktail bars and Tapas bars including wine bars easily available within your walking distances.
What is personally liked under EI Born is the most interesting mediaeval old streets and line of artisan shops, located along with its Gothic quarters. Each time while walking its streets surely streets wine collections, bakeries and restaurants will make you wait and purchase.
Close access to Picasso Museum, known for its early portraits, collections of Cubism and Diego Velazquez’s Las Meninas. Don’t miss to take a walk to the nearest Santa Maria del Mar church which is very close to the Picasso Museum. Museum of Chocolate is another unique place to know the history of chocolate and medicinal and aphrodisiac properties.
Compared to the above neighbourhoods in Barcelona, Ei Born is the only district very close to nature centric Par de la Ciutadella. One of the artificial urban parks holds the city’s best green oasis and diverse array of plants and animals. Try Catalan style tapas, Patatas Bravas, Padron peppers and homemade tortilla at EI Born popular restaurants like Bar del Pla, Bormuth and Bar Celta Pulperia.
Best Hotels to Stay in Stay at EI Born
- For a Budget Friendly Stay at- Unite Hostel Barcelona (Price range between € 70 – €130 per night).
- For Mid- Range Options Stay at- Hotel Chic and Basic Born (Price range between €130 – €250 per night).
- For Luxury Accommodations Stay at- Grand Hotel Central (Price range between €250- €500 per night).
5. La Barecloneta
Another spectacular place to stay in Baareolana especially for those who like to stay right by the beach. Located on the seaside of the Mediterranean where visitors feel more safe and easy to find the city’s best beaches, eat seafood and explore historic landmarks. The place even offers a vast area of 2km of coastlines ranging from Platja de Sant Sebastia to Playa de La Bareloneta.
Since the region has a vast area of beach areas visitors could experience major water activities like surfing, kayaking, windsurfing and sand volleyball, yoga classes and shore cycling. What I really like here in La Barceloneta is plenty of beach side ‘Chiringuitos’, beach bars that welcome people to try locally inspired alcohol and evening cocktails.
La Barceloneta is a place that was once a hotspot of ancient fisherman’s houses, today we can see a mix of old and new architecture. While finding the best buildings do not miss to visit The Palau de Mar- cultural and warehouse centre and the Museu d’Historia de Catalunya- easy place to see Catalonia’s rich history through displays and exhibitions. Try to eat paella, suquet de peix and fideua at Can Ramonet and La Cova Fumada. If you’re a big fan of sea food visit Marina Bay.
Attend the Carnaval de Barcelona festival, a lively parade going through the streets of La Barceloneta. This festival is filled with music, dances and lively cultural exhibitions through art shows and costume performances.
Best Hotels to Stay in Stay at La Barecloneta
- For a Budget Friendly Stay at- Safestay Barcelona Sea Hotel (Price range between € 80 – €150 per night).
- For Mid- Range Options Stay at- Hotel Oasis (Price range between €150 – €300 per night).
- For Luxury Accommodations Stay at- Hotel Arts Barcelona (Price range between €300- €600 per night).
6. EI Raval
EI Raval is a culturally rich neighbourhood in Barcelona. Located next to Gothic quarter, EI Raval welcomes visitors from its beautiful art scenic, colorful residents and trendy cafe cultures. Especially its hipster coffee shops and vibrant vintage stores. Museum d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona is the most key attraction you can reach within a minute from its centre part.
The museum is well known for its exhibitions and displays of 5000 collections of contemporary paintings and art works from the 19th century including Minimalism, Conceptual Art and Pop arts.
Visit La Boqueria Market, another close attraction, where you can take a stroll amidst its colorful stalls of fresh products, tapas bars and restaurants. To experience neighbourhood food diversities visit La Bouqueria Market. The market opens up to visitors through its wide options of meats/seafoods and tapas bars. Visit EI Quim de la Boqueria and Bar Pinotxo for more culinary experiences.
Galleria Maxo is the district’s best place to find local artist works made by the local innovative workers, each one is well organised and sometimes these art works are shown through events too. Try to expand your journey to Marmelade and Xococake to try additional regions’ best cuisines, late night cocktails and chocolate pastries.
Best Hotels to Stay in Stay at EI Raval
- For a Budget Friendly Stay at- TOC Hostel Barcelona (Price range between € 60 -.€110 per night).
- For Mid- Range Options Stay at- Hotel Barcelona Universal (Price range between €120 – €220 per night).
- For Luxury Accommodations Stay at – Antigua Casa Buena vista (Price range between €250- €500 per night).
7. Poble Sec
Located near Montijuic and just outside of the Gothic quarter, Poble Sec is often the best stay place in Barcelona for its less travel crowds and central location. Most of the neighbourhoods you can reach within walking distance not more than 15 minutes.
Most backpackers wish to stay in Poble Sec to explore majestic Montjuic Mountain areas. Montjuic Mountain is a great place to catch an amazing view of the city and Mediterranean Sea, walking amidst nature, its gardens and parks.
Its traditional working class neighbourhood makes it easy for backpackers to find low cost restaurants, bars and coffee centres at Carrer del Blai. However, Poble Sec even has close access to Plaza d’Espanya, a large gateway point which helps backpackers connect residential neighbourhoods for shop, dine and find scenic viewpoints.
Don’t forget to visit restaurants like Rias de Galicia and Gran Bodega Salto to try authentic Galician seafood, sea dishes, salads, local vermouth and pinchos.
Best Hotels to Stay in Stay at Poble Sec
- For a Budget Friendly Stay at- Hostal Elkano (Price range between € 80 – €140 per night).
- For Mid- Range Options Stay at- Hotel Brumell (Price range between €140 – €220 per night).
- For Luxury Accommodations Stay at – Hotel Indigo Barcelona Plaza Espana (Price range between €220- €300 per night).
