Where to Stay in Barcelona (& Where NOT to)

Catalan delicacies, neo-Gothic structure, sandy seashores, rugged mountains, and a colourful historical past. Did we point out Catalan delicacies? Barcelona, Spain has each cause to be excessive on the record for journey bucket lists. 

Town is a mix of influences, there may be the general Spanish tradition however tucked alongside proud Catalan tradition. There’s a lengthy historical past of independence claims, civil struggle and unrest. Combine this in with an enormous migrant and expat neighborhood and also you discover a mix of cultures, cuisines, languages and types. 

Possibly you wish to keep within the coronary heart of the outdated city and Gothic structure, or do you wish to expertise the mix of metropolis and seashore in Barceloneta? It may very well be that you’re extra of an uptown kinda particular person and wish to keep within the coronary heart of Eixample, surrounded by towering buildings, infinite buying alternatives and Gaudi round what looks like virtually each nook.

Both approach, we’ve the perfect of the barrios (neighborhoods) laid out so that you can determine for your self!

This information was written by Sensible Wanderlust’s Head of E-mail and Affiliate Advertising Natalie Collins, Barcelona resident, avid metropolis explorer and fellow Cava lover. Take it away, Natalie!

Psst:  In search of extra issues to do in Barcelona throughout your journey? We’ve obtained a publish about our favourite food & wine tour in Barcelona, which we extremely suggest. We even have extra posts on travel in Europe.

Psst: Obtain the strolling tour to seek out all of the hidden spots from a Barcelona resident!

Barcelona Journey Suggestions

Earlier than we dive into the barrio round-up, listed below are a couple of ideas that will help you put together in your journey to Barcelona.

• Be conscious of the season: Barcelona splendidly experiences all 4 seasons, so don’t assume it’s heat year-round. Winter will get chilly and damp! One of the best months for vacationers are the Spring (late March to early June) and Autumn (late September to early November) months. Temperatures are snug, and the town parks and tree-lined avenues look stunning. Additionally means fewer thick winter layers to pack!
• Put together a couple of Spanish phrases: Barcelona is in Catalonia, a Spanish area with a historical past of independence claims from the Spanish state. True Barcelona locals are sometimes fiercely Catalan, with Catalan as their first language, Spanish second and English coming someplace after that if wanted. So you’ll do higher with both a fundamental grasp of Spanish and even some Catalan – don’t simply assume you will get away with English, though most vacationer locations do communicate English!
• Keep secure: Pickpockets are an enormous downside in Barcelona, and the locations I like to recommend avoiding are the worst locations you might be more likely to encounter thieves. Don’t depart your cellphone on a desk, hold your valuables in a cash belt, don’t journey sporting an expensive-looking watch and hold your bag both tied to your chair or in your knee. All the time be vigilant! 
• Eat all of the foods and drinks all of the cava: Catalan and Spanish delicacies is scrumptious, with plenty of recent hearty substances, good olive oils and little tapas plates. There may be additionally the Basque affect with some nice pintxo eating places, which is my favourite solution to eat! Cava can also be made within the area so respectable cava prices little or no. Take a food and wine tour should you can to expertise it multi function afternoon.
• Don’t name it Barca: Locals and long-term residents get actually sniffy about Barca/Barna. The right abbreviation is Barna; Barca is the soccer crew. I nonetheless really feel bizarre calling it Barna so simply persist with Barcelona.
• Carry snug strolling sneakers: Town is extremely walkable however elements of it are hilly and you’ll cowl way more floor than you understand whereas gawking on the structure. So pack respectable sneakers you realize will hold your ft pleased and benefit from the stroll! To assist, we’ve obtained a Barcelona self-guided walking tour – and we’ve additionally obtained solutions for the perfect strolling sneakers for journey. Listed here are our favourite journey sneakers for men and for women.
• Totally different areas even have completely different hyperlinks to different elements of the town: The metro system is superb and pretty straightforward to navigate however should you favor to keep away from utilizing it or buses then you could base your self strolling distance to the stuff you wish to see or at the very least on the identical metro line to keep away from a number of stops and modifications. An space could also be quarter-hour away in a taxi however takes 45 minutes by metro or bus, so take note the place you wish to be in relation to the place you wish to keep. 
• Keep away from short-term condo leases: The housing market in Barcelona has been monopolized by vacationer leases, driving costs up a lot greater than is reasonably priced for residents and creating a whole lot of scams and disparity. Lodges have been badly affected by the pandemic so that they deserve the assist quite than grasping property homeowners who would quite depart an condo empty as a substitute of renting it for an affordable worth to an area. There are even new legal guidelines proscribing vacationer licenses and you might be now not allowed to lease a room short-term, so don’t contribute to the housing disaster, be a accountable vacationer, and keep in a resort!
• In case your check-in and check-out occasions don’t sync up together with your must roam the streets and also you want a spot to retailer your luggage, try LuggageHero: This service helps you discover a secure place to maintain your baggage whilst you’re operating round so that you don’t stand out like a blatant vacationer! Use the code PRACTICALW for two hours of free baggage storage on us.

The place to Keep in Barcelona

Barcelona is damaged up into separate neighborhoods referred to as barrios, every with its personal distinct persona, vibe and attraction. To the uninitiated, chances are you’ll wrestle to know the place to go and what to do, however don’t fear, I obtained you lined!

As with many cities, there may be additionally an enormous financial variation. Strolling alongside Passeig de Gràcia you’ll see customers swinging luggage from Gucci, Versace and Saint Laurant, after which step down La Rambla simply 10 minutes away and discover quirky low cost hippy retailers promoting handmade crafts, knock-off clothes and road meals. Barcelona is that sort of place!

This provides to the attraction of the town, you might be all the time only a quick stroll or turning a nook away from discovering one thing fully completely different and discovering a hidden gem. Which does make looking down meals and souvenirs actually enjoyable – all the pieces your coronary heart wishes may be present in Barcelona! 

Outdated Metropolis: El Born & Gothic

The outdated a part of Barcelona is the very first thing that involves thoughts for many vacationers once they consider Barcelona, and it’s true it’s the most charming a part of the town. Stuffed with outdated winding streets, stunning historic buildings, church buildings, cute eating places and hidden options round each nook. 

That is the place you’ll find Barcelona Cathedral, the Picasso Museum, Arc de Triomf, La Rambla, and an entire host of different well-known landmarks. It truly is the perfect place to remain in Barcelona for a primary go to.

Nonetheless, you do want to select rigorously as some streets are just a little shadier than others, some are noisy, and people cute winding streets aren’t as enjoyable to remain in should you don’t see daylight out of your resort room window. 

This barrio has nice transport hyperlinks to the remainder of the town and is a brief stroll to the seashore, with elements of it opening out onto the marina at Port Vell so that you get views of the blue Mediterranean Sea. The realm can also be extra open to vacationers so that you usually tend to discover a place to seize a espresso and a pastry in case you are an early morning kind of particular person. 

That is additionally the perfect place to base your self in case you are planning on taking our Self-Guided Walking Tour of Barcelona. A lot of the tour covers this space and can also be the place you end so you’re a quick stroll again to your resort afterward.

The place to Keep in El Born & Gothic

There are a mix of dear motels on this space in addition to some critically price range hostels. Beneath are a few of our favorites:

• Hostal Fernando is a type of good kinds of hostels with clear, shiny rooms. It additionally overlooks Església de Sant Jaume, which is a reasonably, outdated church. Historical past in your windowsill! 
• For one thing just a little fancier Barcelona Hotel Colonial is true within the coronary heart of Gothic in a ravishing colonial constructing, a brief stroll down the road takes you to Port Vell Marina and a visit in every other route takes you thru medieval streets. 
• If you wish to keep as shut as doable to the eccentric La Rambla then the May Ramblas Hotel is the one for you. It’s positioned only some doorways down a aspect road from La Rambla and can also be the identical road you head all the way down to get to the Basílica de Santa Maria del Pi. 

Barceloneta / Seashore

For these wanting extra for the seashore vibes then Barceloneta is for you. This barrio is a small space made up of completely aligned streets so it’s virtually not possible to get misplaced. To at least one aspect is Port Vell, to the south is the seashore, head north to El Born and east to Villa Olympica, the Olympic village from when Barcelona hosted the 1992 summer time Olympics. 

Barceloneta correct is a good place to really feel you might be staying proper on the seashore with out lacking out on that Barcelona outdated metropolis attraction. The buildings aren’t essentially as fairly as different elements of the town however the seashore ambiance is nearly year-round. 

You’ll discover chiringuitos (seashore bars) open from Spring to mid-Autumn and there are all the time folks skateboarding and curler skating down the cycle paths alongside the entrance, so be careful as you stroll! 

The place to Keep in Barceloneta / Seashore

There are a couple of bigger motels on this space as you’ll count on with it being beachside however the costs are wildly costly. Try the well-known landmark resort The W, stunning and epic views however out of price range for many vacationers! You’ll be able to nonetheless catch the views at their rooftop cocktail lounge and nightclub, should you can snag a desk! 

• Whereas technically not in Barceloneta it’s simply throughout the highway from the place the barrio begins, the Hotel Oasis has a tremendous rooftop pool and terrace and appears out in direction of the marina. From right here you may entry El Born, Gothic and Barceloneta in only a quick stroll. 
• Hotel 54 Barceloneta is true on the entrance overlooking the marina and steps away from the seashore, this might be my decide if going for the seashore resort choice. The rooftop bar can also be like just a little backyard paradise, excellent for resting after an extended day of exploring.
• For a extra price range room, the Sea Hostel is a good decide for dorm room-style lodging, it’s also subsequent door to a restaurant, Buenas Migas, that does fairly superb pastries. Get up early, seize a espresso and pastry for a dawn stroll alongside the seashore.

Eixample

Welcome to Eixample, the world that you simply’ll see most in aerial pictures of Barcelona, these excellent crimson sq. blocks and streets aligned to OCD ranges. This a part of the town is the place the well-known avenues of Diagonal and Passeig de Gracia run by, it’s the place the designer retailers are and can also be the bigger of the districts in Barcelona. 

The roads are additionally very driveable, other than the irritating crimson gentle cease/begin system which does make site visitors heavier right here. However most motels have respectable sound insulation so you may keep away from site visitors noise so long as you retain your home windows closed.

This space is charming for its typical Barcelona type with lengthy avenues, Guadi’s spectacular buildings, and delightful balconies. You’ll discover Casa Batlo and Casa Mila, Plaza Catalunya to the south, Casa de les Punxes and plenty of different architectural beauties. Strolling round this space you’ll simply hold stumbling into one other stunning constructing after one other, and should you get onto a rooftop someplace you’ll see much more. 

The buying can also be unimaginable right here with all the pieces from high-end designer shops, to excessive road buying, to impartial boutiques. If you wish to store with out having to stroll far to drop your luggage again on the resort, that is the place to do it. 

This space can also be rather well related with public transport, the buses run frequently and there are a whole lot of metro stations in addition to practice stations at each Passeig de Gràcia and at Plaza Catalunya. 

The place to Keep in Eixample

As you’ll count on there isn’t a scarcity of motels in Eixample, from simpler budgets to luxurious high-end motels. Listed here are some fo the perfect ones:

• After I first arrived in Barcelona I booked into Hostalin Barcelona Gran Via and it’s the place I like to recommend pals to remain for an excellent worth resort. The employees was a dream throughout my keep, the rooms are shiny and comfy and it’s canine pleasant!
• For bougie fanciness proper on Passeig de Gràcia with the views to match the Hotel Royal Passeig de Gràcia is a good selection, and although the worth is just a little greater it’s not eye-watering. You possibly can go all out for a set with a non-public terrace or simply benefit from the rooftop terrace which is equally pretty. 
• If you wish to exit your resort to the odor of recent bread and pastries then you could guide Praktik Bakery, with rooms as recent because the bread and a brief stroll to Diagonal. Simply make certain to not hang around and go discover (hehehe)!

Sagrada Família

The place else to remain in Barcelona apart from near the enduring Basílica de la Sagrada Família! If that is your predominant cause for visiting Barcelona, and no person will decide you whether it is then that is the place to remain. You’ll be able to meander across the cafes within the space, sit in parks surrounding the basílica and usually gaze on the unimaginable work of Antoni Gaudí. 

Admittedly the restaurant decisions aren’t the finest, and apart from the Sagrada itself, the structure isn’t the prettiest in Barcelona, however it’s tremendous near Eixample and simple to get to different elements of the town. 

There’s a nice churro cafe price indulging at and Avinguda Gaudí is ideal for strolling alongside, stopping at cafes and sipping an Aperol spritz below the shade of the timber. 

The place to Keep in Sagrada Família

After all, in case you are staying on this space then you definitely completely want a resort with views of the basílica, which aren’t the most affordable rooms within the metropolis however there are some well-priced motels price checking into. 

• Sensation Sagrada Família has serviced residences with a ravishing shared roof terrace overlooking the enduring church. Right here you will get the bonus of a non-public condo whereas nonetheless having the chance to take pleasure in a shared house with fellow vacationers.
• For a resort choice, the Sercotel Rosellón has shiny rooms, an excellent breakfast and a roof terrace with solar loungers pointing at Sagrada, an iconic solution to spend a day should you ask me!

Gràcia

In search of a hidden boho artist vibe? Then Gràcia is your spot. Till the nineteenth century, this was an impartial city and residents are sometimes long-term locals and happy with their neighborhood. 

Now the world is stylish and stuffed with impartial retailers, boutiques, and cafes. Plaça de Sol is a central level the place folks hang around to socialize, drink and indulge within the bakeries and gelato retailers close by. 

This space is comparatively near Passeig de Gràcia however seems like a unique world to the designer shops and busy avenue. The streets are principally pedestrianized and there’s a extra eclectic combine of individuals strolling the streets. 

The realm can also be recognized for its festivals, historically every neighborhood has its personal mini-festivals however the one in Gràcia is broadly often known as the perfect. Streets are lined with decorations and stalls, with some streets working in competitors for the perfect decor. Though remember should you go to in the summertime throughout these festivals you shouldn’t count on any peace and quiet, the events can go on all night time! 

The place to Keep in Gràcia

This isn’t a primary selection amongst vacationers so you’ll really feel such as you’ve hit just a little hidden gem, and motels are typically just a little cheaper too. 

• Hotel Ronda Lesseps is a cute resort with a ravishing inside courtyard backyard hooked up to the resort bar. Additionally it is only a 15-minute stroll to a different of Gaudí’s iconic designs, Parc Güell. Benefit from the peace hidden away from the bustle of the town on this little oasis.
• A extra upmarket choice with a rooftop pool is the Catalonia Park Güell resort, costs aren’t vastly completely different however it’s barely extra exterior the central a part of Gràcia. Rooftop swimming pools in motels are an actual deal with however they do get busy so keep in mind to order a solar lounger in your afternoon poolside. 

Canine-Pleasant Lodges in Barcelona

If you’re like the remainder of Workforce Sensible Wanderlust and are a proud canine proprietor you may be happy to listen to that Barcelona is a good place to journey together with your furry finest pal. 

Most eating places are accommodating, a whole lot of retailers have water bowls exterior for passing canines and it isn’t unusual to see canines becoming a member of buying journeys. My canine loves coming buying, it normally means getting plenty of love from retailer attendants, treats and new locations to smell. 

Actually most locations you may convey your canine with you, much more so if it’s a smaller canine. Nonetheless, simply remember that in the summertime months (from Could to October) canines aren’t allowed on the principle seashores so you’ll have to discover the dog beach simply exterior the principle metropolis heart. 

After I arrived in Barcelona with my pup I booked right into a dog-friendly resort and I’ve a couple of pals who’ve additionally accomplished the identical. Numerous motels are used to canine companions and accommodate them fairly simply. So should you journey together with your little pal these are the perfect locations to remain.

• Motel One Barcelona-Ciutadella: This resort is true reverse Ciutadella Park, which is by far top-of-the-line parks for canines within the metropolis. Mornings and evenings are a hub for canine homeowners with pups taking part in on the grass collectively, and there’s a kiosk within the park for human refreshments. The resort can also be a brief stroll to the seashore and throughout from El Born, completely positioned for exploring the town. The resort itself is gorgeous, it’s designed to merge nature with native structure and elegance, and the bar space is spacious and overlooks the park. There may be additionally a stunning out of doors space to take pleasure in an aperitif.
• Hotel Balmes: An actual gem of a resort, they really have a particular bundle for canines, Keep & Canine. This treats your pup as a particular visitor with its personal mattress, meals and water bowls, treats and snacks and toys, and housekeeping can also be delicate to their particular guests. There may be additionally an African artwork assortment all through the resort, a backyard and a pool. 
• Hostalin Barcelona Gran Via: This resort has 2 areas not too removed from one another, as talked about once I arrived in Barcelona I stayed on the Gran Through resort and it was really unimaginable. The rooms are clear and spacious, and the employees are superb and really accommodating. The identical vibe can also be at their different resort Diputación, each are in Eixample and rather well positioned for accessing the remainder of the town. 

The place To not Keep in Barcelona 

Barcelona as an entire is fairly secure and there are few areas to keep away from, these are normally simply sure streets quite than complete areas and it’s extra of simply being conscious quite than anticipating to be robbed. You hear horror tales and sure they do occur however in case you are an skilled traveler and hold your wits about you, you’ll be nice. It helps to remember that Barcelona has a whole lot of poverty and the typical wage completely doesn’t match the price of residing and housing right here. 

There may be additionally a big impoverished migrant inhabitants and homeless folks in sure areas, if this offends you then higher to keep away from the town solely as nobody space is healthier than others. 

Apart from that, there are some areas of the town which can be simply not price staying in, and I’ll clarify the place and why.

Raval

Usually while you hear tales of pickpockets, you might be listening to tales of Raval, which is positioned to the west aspect of La Rambla.

The realm is charming in its personal approach, however I wouldn’t suggest it for vacationers. There are some nice eating places tucked away and a few actually enjoyable bars however strolling dwelling at nighttime just isn’t advisable. 

• The place to Keep as a substitute: If you’re nonetheless on the lookout for the quirky outdated city type that elements of Raval have then keep in Gothic as a substitute. You’ll nonetheless have the identical tourist-friendly hustle and bustle and loads of outdated buildings to marvel at however much less of the after-dark considerations. May Ramblas Hotel is nicely positioned for La Rambla with out the night security challenges.

Sant Gervasi-Galvany

Sant Gervasi-Galvany is up within the hills of the town and may be very residential. Housing may be fairly costly right here and the boutiques and cafes cater to a unique clientele than what most vacationers can be curious about. 

It’s near the hills of Tibidabo, Barcelona’s highest peak, and the views throughout the town may be pretty however transport hyperlinks aren’t nice so it will likely be an extended stroll or a number of metro and bus stops to get to the place you wish to be. 

• The place to Keep as a substitute: Shut by is Eixample, this has the identical metropolis residential vibe however with extra attraction and simpler entry to the remainder of the town. Additionally take into account Gràcia for a similar causes. Praktik Bakery offers you that very same native vibe however in a greater location.

Sants Montjuïc

In the event you hunt for lodging that’s easy accessibility to the airport then that is the primary neighborhood to have a look at, it’s also near the enduring Montjuïc which is fantastic to discover. You can even go see the fountain present at Plaza Espanya. 

Nonetheless, to get anyplace you will want to leap on the metro or practice, it’s nicely related however if you wish to stroll to the remainder of the town you should have fairly an extended stroll. It’s a quieter space to remain in however the fixed want to make use of the metro can sluggish you down.

Additionally as it’s a predominant transport connection level it does are typically actually busy within the stations, which might get overwhelming in case you are determining the way to get to the place you wish to be.

• The place to Keep as a substitute: For straightforward entry to the airport look near Plaza Catalunya. The metro cease is central so will get you the place you could be in addition to the Sants cease does. Additionally it is a predominant level for the airport shuttle buses to begin from, which is by far the simplest solution to get to the airport fairly cheaply. Praktik Bakery once more is rather well positioned for ease to journey.

The place to Keep in Barcelona: Abstract 

That’s numerous data! So to wrap it up right into a bite-size piece, right here we’ve an at a look abstract:

• The Greatest Areas to Keep in Barcelona: Go for the Outdated Metropolis or Eixample for traditional Barcelona vibes.
• The Greatest Lodges in Barcelona: Greatest choices are Barcelona Hotel Colonial, Hostelin Barcelona Gran Via and Motel One Barcelona-Ciutadella, any of these will make your keep iconic. 
• The Greatest Canine-Pleasant Lodges in Barcelona: Once more one other vote for Hostelin Barcelona Gran Through and Motel One Barcelona-Ciutadella. Can not beat these for canine lovers!

So why aren’t we recommending any AirBnBs? Briefly, AirBnB and quick time period condo leases have screwed the housing market in Barcelona, in addition to many different cities around the globe. Discovering an precise dwelling within the metropolis is an actual downside and the costs have been pushed so excessive by vacationer leases that the typical particular person can’t afford them. Legal guidelines have now restricted vacationer licenses however this hasn’t accomplished a lot to cease the issue that was already created. So that you don’t contribute to the very actual housing disaster within the metropolis, we suggest you to be a responsible traveler and select to remain in motels as a substitute, which have been in fact closely affected by the pandemic and deserve all of the vacationer love once more. 

That ought to provide the finest concepts of the place to remain so you may plan the remainder of your journey! When you are within the starting stage don’t neglect to join our Self-Guided Walking Tour of Barcelona to get a downloadable information to discover the town!

Which space would you want to remain in? Is there a sure a part of Barcelona you might be most enthusiastic about seeing? Tell us within the feedback under

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