Where To Stay In Barcelona First Time​: Best Areas & Accommodations

Spending your vacations in Barcelona sounds like a great time, but where are you going to stay? Keep reading if you want to learn about the best neighborhoods and areas.

Photo by Aleksandar Pasaric

 

Barcelona is a great city for vacationing. It’s one of the most important of all Spain, full of activities, cultural places, history, and great for day trips to other cities like Girona. However, your experience of the city can change drastically depending on which neighborhood you choose to stay in. That’s not to say that any of them are better than others, but they suit different kinds of travelers. If you are interested in the historic past of Barcelona, for example, you’ll have a greater time in the Gothic Quarter, and if you look for a relaxed and bohemian experience, then you’ll love the ambiance of Gracia.

If you want to learn a bit more about each neighborhood and what travelers like about them, as well as what activities you can do, the main landmarks, and what are the best accommodations, keep reading. This guide is also excellent if it’s your first time in Barcelona.

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Best Neighborhoods in Barcelona for Every Traveler

L’Eixample: Best neighborhood for first-time visitors

If you want to experience the heart of Barcelona, this is your neighborhood. Staying in L’Eixample you will be incredibly close to many attractions, so you will have an easy time visiting most of the places you’ll want in such a central area. But don’t worry, it’s not as overwhelming as other parts of the city, you’ll see once you take the bus down neighborhoods like the Gothic Quarters.

If you want to visit the main attractions of Barcelona, well, right in L’Eixample you can visit Casa Batllo and Passeig de Gracia. You have also La Sagrada Familia, the master opus of the architect Antonio Gaudi. It’s one of the best examples of the modernist movement in Barcelona and it has become a symbol for Spain. It still has some construction parts, but it’s expected to be the tallest cathedral in the world when it gets finished.

 

Where to Stay in L’Eiaxmple

• El Palace Barcelona: A great option if you’re looking for luxury. In this 5-star hotel you’ll get a great experience, after all, it’s one of the most opulent in the city.

• Hotel Barcelona Center: It’s a good option if you want a better balance between comfort and value. It’s a mid-range hotel located in the quieter part of the neighborhood, with a lovely top terrace and a great city view.

• Room Mate Carla: A good option if you’re trying to stay within a budget while you’re traveling. This hotel offers nice and stylish rooms and is located close to the shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions.

Photo by Mehmet Turgut Kirkgoz

 

Gothic Quarter: Best area for history lovers and nightlife

Welcome to the oldest neighborhood in Barcelona, where you can be sure you’ll get the most historical experience that you can have in the city. It is a great choice if you truly want to immerse yourself in the city’s past, as you can admire the medieval and Roman ruins scattered through the place, while you walk the narrow cobblestone streets.

From there you’ll have easy access to the Jewish Quarter and the Placa del Rei, if you want to see a bit more of the oldest part of the city. You also have the Picasso Museum, where some of his early works are. For shopping and trying local foods, you can head to La Rambla and Mercado de La Boqueria and for staying late, you can visit one of the many cozy bars or live music venues in the area, like Marula Cafe or Golden Rose Party.

 

Where to Stay in the Gothic Quarter

• Grand Hotel Central: A great option with all the modern amenities you deserve and great views of the Gothic Quarter. Enjoy the modern, sleek rooms and the infinity pool!

• Hotel Barcelona Cathedral: Maybe less luxurious than the previous one, but still a great option for families and couples wanting to stay close to the attractions. They have a rooftop terrace with panoramic views over the city as well.

• H10 Raco del Pi: A charming and affordable option located in the heart of the Gothic Quarters. The building used to be a medieval mansion, so it’s a great place to experience the full charm of the city.

Photo by AXP Photography

 

El Born: Best for trendy travelers & nightlife

If you not only want to visit Barcelona, but also share with the whole world that you visited Barcelona, this is the neighborhood for you. It offers a unique blend of artistic charm with the local culture. Just by walking by you can feel your inspiration and creativity grow, and even better, you have a lot of attractions and places to visit.

You are interested in music from all regions, you can’t skip the Palau de la Musica Catalana, a Modernist concert hall that is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site. If you can’t assist at a live performance, at least take a tour. You can also visit El Born Cultural Centre, housed in a beautiful old market building, where there are frequent cultural exhibitions. If you want to enjoy the night time as well as the day time, visit Stereo 18 and Aldea Bar.

 

Where to Stay in El Born

• Mercer Hotel Barcelona: What would be more interesting than staying in a restored Romanesque building? That’s what you’ll get in this boutique hotel, complete with modern amenities, of course, including the rooftop terrace for the views.

• Hotel Ciutat de Barcelona: A good option if you don’t want to overspend but still want to be as comfortable as possible. It offers a central location, which means you’ll be close to the main attractions.

• Hostel One Ramblas: If you’re traveling on a tight budget and want to stay in a lively place, this hostel is for you. It’s pretty popular with backpackers so maybe you’ll make a friend or two.

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Gracia: Best area for a local experience

If you want to feel more like a local than a tourist, then maybe Gracia is the best neighborhood for you. You’ll find a more relaxed vibe, a less crowded and less commercial area with a bohemian vibe to it. If you prefer some peace, but you don’t want to stay too far away from the major attractions, you’ll want to learn more about this place.

To fully enjoy the ambiance of the area, visit the Park Guell, another public place designed by Antonio Gaudi. You can get lost in his weird imagination, while you admire his mosaics and whimsical buildings. Afterwards you can take a stroll down Passeig de Gracia, an avenue lined with modernist buildings, designer boutiques and art galleries. If you want to sit down for a while, you can end up in Placa del Sol, to eat at a tapas bar or a cafe.

 

Where to Stay in Gracia

• Casa Fuste Hotel: If you’ve seen Gaudi’s designs, you’ll love staying in a building designed by him. Inside you’ll find elegant rooms and an outdoor pool, perfect for those who want luxury and historical elegance.

• Hotel Ronda Lesseps: This lovely hotel is right in the middle of Gracia and L’Eixample, so you’ll have the best of both areas for a reasonable price. It’s great if you’re looking to save a bit of money but still want comfortable rooms.

• Residencia Universitaria Sant Jordi: Great if you’re trying to save as much as possible, and pretty popular with solo travelers and students. Don’t worry about how cheap it can be, it still offers clean and comfortable rooms in a central location.

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San Antoni: Best neighborhood for the foodies

If you want to experience a true Catalan neighborhood down to the food, then stay in San Antoni. It’s in a central part of Barcelona but it’s not as touristic as other areas like L’Eixample and the Gothic Quarter. It’s actually quite lovely, with its residential aesthetic and calm vibes, and the neighborhood is known for its great markets and restaurants. If you want to try and love every single dish, then this area is for you.

If you want to explore closer to your hotel, don’t skip the Sant Antoni Market. You’ll find great deals there, with fresh products and Catalan specialties. Take a long stroll down the streets of the city, and discover hidden cafes like Federal Cafe or Chok. Don’t worry, you won’t get lost. Unlike other parts of Barcelona, San Antoni’s streets are highly organized as a grid. If you want to visit a bar after night, you can drink a nice cold beer accompanied by Spanish tapas in Bar Tomas.

 

Where to Stay in San Antoni

• Room Mate Carla: A nice boutique hotel excellent for young travelers or couples looking for a quiet stay in a stylish hotel. It is conveniently located in the heart of San Antoni and is known for its cozy rooftop terrace.

• The Praktik Garden Hotel: If you want an elegant and comfortable stay, near the restaurants and cultural attractions, this hotel is for you. It’s ideal for families that want a traditional experience in a nice hotel.

• Hostal Operaramblas: If you’re traveling within a small budget, this is a great option as it’s quite popular with backpackers. It has a great location, being close to La Rambla and the Gothic Quarter.

Photo by Enes on Unsplash

 

Poblenou: Best area for digital nomads

Another great place for travelers who prefer a simple stay in a more modest neighborhood. Poblenou has a certain charm, but don’t be fooled. You can see everywhere how this area is slowly growing in popularity, so why not contribute to this process? It’s a great place to stay for a while if you’re working on the go. You can see the rest of Barcelona on your free time and even visit the beach from there.

Poblenou has some of the best beaches in Barcelona, if you want to have a good time, just walk a bit and you’ll be there. You can go to Barcelona Beach if you want a lively atmosphere, full of people and fun, or Mar Bella for a more relaxing time. If you want to potentiate your creativity, you can visit the 22@ district, which was a bunch of industrial buildings, now transformed into startups, design studios, and creative spaces. For a more spontaneous and authentic art, you can just walk the streets, there are a ton of murals, graffiti, and installations scattered across the whole neighborhood.

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Where to Stay in Poblenou

• Hotel Diagonal Zero: A great modern hotel to match the modern vibe of the area. There you’ll be close to the beach and the 22@ district, and if that’s not enough you’ll have a great rooftop pool with panoramic view over the city.

• Acta Voraport Hotel: A nice 3-star hotel if you want to spend the necessary and not more in a room. After all, you probably prefer to be up and around, going to the beach and exploring Barcelona.

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Barceloneta: Best place for beach lovers

If you just want to be as close to the sea as possible, to spend all your day at the beach, then Barceloneta is the best neighborhood for you. Just keep in mind that it’s incredibly popular in summer, as lots of people travel to Barcelona to decompress for a few weeks. While you’re there, you can enjoy its historical charm and lots of fresh seafood.

If you’re staying there, you surely love the beach, and what better beach to visit than Barceloneta Beach? Rent a chair to sit for a while and read, or do some lapses in the Mediterranean Sea. If you’re a sporty person, you can even practice surfing or windsurfing! If you’re hungry afterwards, visit the Can Majo for some paella!

 

Where to Stay in Barceloneta

• Hotel Arts Barcelota: A luxurious stay at a luxurious hotel close to the beach. Perfect for couples celebrating a special occasion, eager to enjoy the spa and the upscale restaurants.

• Hotel Barceloneta: A good option for more modest travelers, still close to the beach and with modern facilities. It even offers a strong breakfast so you’ll have energy to start your adventures every day.

• Catalonia Barcelona 505: A nice option for conscious travelers that want access to both the beach and the city. Its prices are affordable and the rooms are comfortable and clean.

 

Final Tips for Choosing Your Perfect Stay

How to Stay Connected in Barcelona?

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Plus, use the code YOHO12 to get 12% off your eSIM plan. Just choose your plan, and you’ll be ready to stay connected throughout your trip!

 

Where to Stay in Barcelona with family?

All the neighborhoods in Barcelona have family-friendly accommodations as well as family-friendly attractions, and moving from one to the other is relatively easy. And still, neighborhoods like L’Eixample, Gracia and Poblenou will be more comfortable if you’re traveling with young kids, since they’re not the most touristic and are pretty safe.

Where to Stay in Barcelona for nightlife?

If you’re looking to party all the way till morning, then you’ll enjoy staying in neighborhoods like Barceloneta and El Born. In both of them you’ll find plenty of trendy bars, cocktail lounges and clubs, so you have many options to occupy your evening and nights.

Is Barcelona Safe?

Barcelona is considered a safe city for tourists. However, like many big cities, there is a problem with minor crimes like pickpocketing and street scams, especially in the most crowded areas. So just keep an eye on your stuff and try not to fall for obvious scams.

In general, neighborhoods like L’Eixample, Gracia, El Born and Poblenou are considered safe areas, especially for solo travelers and families. While other areas like the Gothic Quarter can be a bit more problematic, especially late at night, but again, violent crimes are extremely rare.