Best Places in Barcelona to Stay—Best Neighborhoods & Accommodations
Heading to Spain and looking for the best places in Barcelona to stay? This guide has all the best neighborhoods and hotels to choose from!
Barcelona was my first trip abroad when I was just 18 years old. I fell in love with the city, the cuisine, and the architecture. My trip to Barcelona sparked my interest in international travel and is one of the main reasons why I am still traveling today.
As a teenager, I found Barcelona really large and intimidating, especially when it came to finding safe accommodation and within walking distance of all the main attractions.
That’s why I wrote this thorough guide so you can easily find the best accommodation for your needs.
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Barcelona Accommodation Quick Guide
Not sure where to stay in Barcelona, but want some quick recommendations? Here are the best four places to stay for all budgets!
Budget—Sea Hostel: If you want to stay by the beach and are budget-conscious, you can stay at Sea Hostel in one of their amazing dorm rooms. The street it’s on is also lined with cafes and stores, making it easy to get breakfast or anything else you might need.
Mid-Range—Sercotel Rosellon: This is a fantastic option for an affordable basic hotel near the Sagrada Familia. Travelers love the bright rooms, and they offer a huge free breakfast. They have a beautiful bar on-site with live music, which is the perfect way to end a busy day walking around the city.
Luxury—Hotel Royal Passeig de Gracia: Set in the neighborhood of Eixample, this luxury hotel is beautiful and has incredible city views. If you can, get a full suite with a private balcony to enjoy the city views. They also have a rooftop terrace where you can eat and drink.
El Born & Gothic
If you’re a first-time visitor, El Born & Gothic is one of Barcelona’s best places to stay. This part of the city is also known as “Old City.” When you imagine Barcelona, this is probably the area you think of, complete with cobblestone winding streets and old historic buildings.
In this neighborhood, you’ll find many main attractions, including The Picasso Museum and the Barcelona Cathedral. You also find the La Rambla here, which is a famous street hosting tons of restaurants, bars, and tons of other places.
El Born & Gothic is also one of the best areas to stay in Barcelona because it’s so well connected to all the other areas of the city by public transport.
Budget—Hostel Fernando: If you’re looking for a budget place to stay in this hustling and bustling part of the city, Hostel Fernando is a great place to book. The shared rooms are basic, but they are clean and have big bright windows. You can also store your things in a personal locker.
Mid-Range—Hotel Catalonia Born: This hotel is set in a beautiful 19th-century building and is just a 5-minute walk from the nearest metro station. They have rooms and suites available, all with beautiful wood flooring. Make time at the rooftop pool or visit the spa in your free time.
Luxury—The Barcelona Edition: Looking for a bit of luxury? This hotel has all the amenities and things you need. The rooms are stunning with big windows, so you can see the city and architecture below. It’s also the perfect hotel to be if you want to walk everywhere.
Barceloneta
Since Barcelona is known for having beautiful beaches, some people prefer to stay closer to the water instead of staying in the main city center. If you’re a beach bum and plan to spend more time in the water, Barceloneta is the best area to stay in Barcelona.
Even though Barcelona has warm weather most of the year, the beach is best enjoyed from spring until mid-autumn before it begins to get a little chilly.
The neighborhood of Barceloneta is small, with beautiful streets, and not far from El Born. You can stay at a hotel right on the beach but still head into the city for all the main attractions.
When the weather is nice, you’ll find tons of beach bars selling snacks and cold drinks. Cycling and roller skating are also popular in this area.
Budget—Hotel del Mar: This hotel is a little more pricey than other budget hotels, but it’s definitely worth it if you want a prime location and to be within walking distance of everything. The hotel is also nautical-themed, which is super cute since it’s right on the beach. They are pet friendly, and they offer an amazing breakfast for a small additional charge.
Mid-Range—Hotel 54 Barcelona: This charming little hotel is just an 8-minute walk from the metro station. They have a small bar and cafe on site. Breakfast is complimentary, and you can even enjoy it on the rooftop terrace.
Luxury—Eurostars Grand Marina: This luxury hotel is on the seafront and just a few minutes walk from the ferry station. The rooms have balconies, whirlpool tubs, and free Wi-Fi. You can also upgrade to a suite if you want a kitchenette. They offer breakfast for a small additional charge and have an on-site restaurant.
Sagrada Família
The Basilica de la Sagrada Familia is iconic to Barcelona, so you have to visit it while here. Unfortunately, it’s been under construction for many years, so some of your photos might have scaling or tarps in them.
However, even with construction, it’s a beautiful building full of culture and history. Staying near or right next to Sagrada Familia is popular for first-time visitors or those who want to spend the majority of their time gazing at this beautiful church.
Budget—Primavera Hostel: This hostel is a little further away from Sagrada Familia, but it’s still within walking distance. All the dorm rooms have free Wi-Fi, lockers, and balconies. They also have private rooms if you have the budget and prefer to sleep alone.
Mid-Range—Hotel Ibis Barcelona Centre: Just a 6-minute walk from the Sagrada Familia, this hotel has all the basic amenities you need, with beautiful rooms and free Wi-Fi. They also have a huge breakfast buffet that you can enjoy before going out and exploring for the day.
Luxury—Radisson Blu 1882 Hotel: This luxury hotel is in the Eixample district, near the Sagrada Familia. It is also just a few minutes walk to the metro station. They have a gym and a rooftop pool. All the rooms are beautifully decorated and have free Wi-Fi and big TVs.
Where Not to Stay in Barcelona
One of the only things I didn’t like about Barcelona was that it felt like petty crime was much more common compared to other major European cities. Some places felt sketchy, and I often heard stories of people getting pickpocketed or scammed for money.
Ravel is located on the western side of La Rambla and is one of the most common places for pickpocketing. There are some fun restaurants and bars, so you can always check them out but then head home before it gets dark.
Sants Mont Juic is another area that I wouldn’t recommend unless you need quick accommodation near the airport. Many tourists stay here because it’s cheaper, but you have to take the metro everywhere.
This can slow you down when touring the best sites. It can also cost you a lot of money compared to staying somewhere you could walk everywhere.
Top Things to Do in Barcelona
Now that your accommodation is booked, it’s time to go sightseeing. Here are the top things to add to your Barcelona itinerary.
- Tour the Barrio Gotic. Also known as the Gothic Quarter, this is the historic part of the city and is a must-see. Do a walking tour to learn more about this region’s history, buildings, and culture.
- Walk La Rambla. This is a huge pedestrian boulevard in Barcelona. It starts at Port Bell with the famous Christopher Columbus statue. It’s a great place to buy souvenirs, eat a meal, or have a few drinks.
- Go to a tapas bar or two. Eating tapas is a must while in Barcelona. They are small plates usually shared with friends, but feel free to eat them solo if you are traveling alone. You can find tapas at many different restaurants around the city. The menu is usually written on a chalkboard outside.
- See Gaudi architecture. Gaudi was a famous Spanish architect, and his sites can be seen all over the city, including the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, and Casa Mila.
- Go inside the Barcelona Cathedral. Visiting this church is a must. It was built during the 13 and 15 centuries, but the outside was redone in the 19th and 20th centuries. It was built and dedicated to a 13-year-old martyred Roman Catholic girl.
- Enjoy a Flamenco performance. This is a famous dance in Spain, and enjoying a performance is a must while here. Most show tickets include a drink, and some of the fancier places even include a full meal.
How to Get to Barcelona
Barcelona has a large airport (BCN) with international flights and flights from all over Europe. Depending on what city you’re coming from in the USA, you might have a direct flight, or you might have a couple of layovers.
From other large cities in Europe, you can easily get a cheap and direct flight to Barcelona.
There are also opportunities to get to Barcelona by train and bus from elsewhere in Europe.
How to Get Around Barcelona
Like most European cities, there are many transportation options for getting around Barcelona. Most people use the metro and tram as they come very regularly and make stops all around the city.
If your hotel is near many restaurants and attractions, you can rent a bike and tour the city while cycling around.
When to Visit Barcelona
I went to Barcelona during the summer. The weather was pretty humid, and some of the attractions were overly crowded, but I still had a great time.
For better weather, make sure to visit Barcelona in the spring or fall. There should also be fewer crowds, which means you can get some better photos.
What is the most walkable area to stay in Barcelona?
If you want to walk everywhere or if you want to avoid taking the metro as much as possible, you should stay near La Rambla, in the Gothic Quarter, or in Gracia.
These places are full of restaurants, cafes, and bars, so you can easily access food and nightlife. The areas are also safe, so you can walk around day and night without feeling like you need to be overly cautious.
What is the best area to stay in Barcelona?
This depends on why you’re coming to Barcelona and what you want to see! Most first-time visitors like to stay in El Born & Gothic because it allows you to immerse yourself fully in the city’s culture and attractions.
However, there are plenty of beach neighborhoods and quieter places for those coming to Barcelona with families or those who have visited Barcelona before and want a different atmosphere.
How many days is good in Barcelona?
For Barcelona, you need at least three days, and that’s the minimum. Ideally, adding on a fourth or fifth day will allow you to see more of the city.
Barcelona is pretty big, with tons of things to see and do, so you want to ensure you can do everything on your bucket list without feeling too rushed.
The Best Places in Barcelona to Stay Are Waiting For You!
Ready to catch your flight to Spain? The best places in Barcelona to stay range from hostels to small boutique hotels to luxury beach resorts. Barcelona has accommodation and choices for everyone.
No matter where you choose to stay, you’ll dread the day you have to leave this beautiful city.
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