Where to stay in Barcelona? You have plenty of gorgeous options! The enchanting city of Barcelona is our favorite city in Europe to explore, and we love indulging in its unique culture. We’re not alone — tourists around the globe flock to this coastal Mediterranean city year-round, seeking out beautiful beaches, a vibrant culinary scene, and lively nightlife. This post was updated in November 2019. Top image by Pixabay. Barcelona is part of the region of Catalonia in northeast Spain, and the independence flag hanging off balconies reminds us that they are Catalan, not Spanish. The Catalan residents are proud of their city, their culture, their heritage, and of course their fútbol team, FC Barcelona! Their spirit of independence is contagious and gives the city so much character. But choosing where to stay in Barcelona can be overwhelming, as it’s a large city broken into many different neighborhoods. Each neighborhood has its own distinct feel, charm, and loyal locals. How do you find the best places to stay in Barcelona? That’s where we come in! This post was written by Ashley and Alex from the blog In Pursuit of Adventure, While I’ve been to Barcelona a few times, I’m no expert — so I hired two Barcelona experts to write the best, most detailed Barcelona accommodation guide possible. They did a great job and I hope this post helps you find the best Barcelona neighborhood for you.And for the record — my personal favorite Barcelona neighborhood to stay in is Gràcia! We know each of these Barcelona neighborhoods like we know the stamps in our passports. So here are our favorite neighborhoods to make your trip memorable. Just remember, no matter where you end up staying in Barcelona, be sure to venture out and sample the charms of each neighborhood from the touristy yet hipster neighborhood of El Born to the gritty and diverse El Raval. And keep in mind that every traveler is different — the best areas to stay in Barcelona for one person might be the worst for another! Table of Contents Best Areas to Stay in BarcelonaEl BornBarceloneta El RavalPoble SecGràciaSant Antoni Best Places to Stay in BarcelonaBest Luxury Hotel in Barcelona: W BarcelonaBest Mid-Range Hotel in Barcelona: Barceló RavalBest Hostel in Barcelona: Generator BarcelonaBarcelona Travel TipsBarcelona Travel Insurance Barcelona’s Arc de Triomf — image via Pixabay. Best Areas to Stay in Barcelona Where are the best areas to stay in Barcelona? Honestly, it depends on what kind of traveler you are. Some Barcelona travelers want to be right on the beach. Others want to be close to as much Gaudi architecture as possible. And others prefer being in a calmer, small-town-like neighborhood. Here is what made the cut: What’s the best neighborhood to stay in Barcelona? El Born is our pick for the best Barcelona neighborhood, thanks to its hip shops and restaurants and central location near Barcelona hotspots and the beach. What’s the best place to stay in Barcelona on a budget? We recommend staying in Sant Antoni for quality Barcelona accommodation on a budget. It’s a fun neighborhood, a bit rough around the edges, and a new hotspot for tourists. What is the most romantic place to stay in Barcelona? The Gràcia neighborhood is very romantic — it feels like a small village in the middle of the big city! What is the best place to stay in Barcelona for tapas and nightlife? Definitely El Raval! This Barcelona neighborhood has outstanding tapas bars and great nightlife with an interesting cultural mix and cutting-edge hip spots. El Born is a solid, more classic choice. Barceloneta is the best neighborhood in Barcelona for beach lovers, as this neighborhood is nestled against the city’s best beach. Poble Sec is the neighborhood for foodies who want to be as close to the best restaurants as possible. Barcelona image via Pixabay. El Born El Born is our pick for the best neighborhood in Barcelona. It’s THE neighborhood to stay in if you are looking to be in the heart of the old city with fantastic artisan shops and hip restaurants. While it can be touristy, El Born is one of the best places to stay in Barcelona. El Born is also perfect for anyone looking to be in the heart of Barcelona, as it’s walking distance to Barceloneta, the beach, the Gothic Quarter, and several metro stops that can connect you to all the different major sites in the city. This neighborhood is perfect for exploring little local shops full of amazing products from handmade ceramics to custom leather aprons (which every trendy restaurant seems to have their waiters wear!) to art galleries. If you plan on buying souvenirs, this is definitely one of the best areas to stay in Barcelona! The alleyways are filled with street art, especially la bomba (the bomb), which represents Barcelona’s anarchist spirit, and flags and buntings for the perfect photo opportunities. Be sure to pop into the Picasso Museum, which showcases the artist’s work from an early age to some of his most famous paintings. Try to visit on the first Sunday of the month when it’s free! Then grab a coffee or a vermouth at one of the many outdoor patios and soak in the relaxed lifestyle here. Lower El Born is the more touristy side of the neighborhood with the church of Santa Maria Del Mar dominating the area and a large pedestrian area lined with hip restaurants, cocktails bars that go all night and boutique shops. Upper El Born is quieter, filled with more residential apartments, local bar, and the famous Mercat Santa Caterina where you can go for the best local menú del día, or lunch special, at Bar Joan, which we think is the best lunch deal in town. Where to Stay in El Born: Luxury: Mercer Hotel Barcelona Mid-range: K&K Hotel Picasso El Born Budget: Chic and Basic Born Boutique Hotel Check out the best hotel deals in El Born here. Barceloneta Barceloneta is arguably the proudest Catalan neighborhood in Barcelona, where you’re never further than five minutes from the beach. The independence flag of Catalonia flies proudly from almost every…
Via: Where to Stay in Barcelona — Best Neighborhoods and Accommodation
