Where to stay in Barcelona? This city, unfortunately, is really different compared to other cities in Spain. Why? Both because of higher costs than elsewhere, and for the atmosphere and what you find there, especially in the historic center.
But let’s not rush and let’s take it step by step! In this guide, we’ll discover some areas where to stay in Barcelona and others where I recommend you not to stay, based on your tastes and expectations.
Spoiler: this guide might seem a bit more critical than usual. But those who’ve been following this site for a while always know I don’t like frills or praising beauty at all costs; rather, I care about telling things as they are so that travelers know what to expect once they reach their destination.
Where to stay in Barcelona – map of the best and worst areas
Let’s start as always with a map to have a geographical reference while reading. Let’s be clear, this guide isn’t meant to be an exhaustive list of the city’s many neighborhoods, but rather an indication of the best and worst areas to stay in Barcelona.
The colored polygons represent the neighborhoods we’ll mention, while the black line represents an indicative perimeter within which to look for accommodation to not be too far.
Barrio Gotic – Rambla
Pros: Proximity to public transport, neighborhood architecture.
Cons: Expensive area, invaded by drug dealers and annoying people in the evening, not too clean.
It’s the first time I’m starting a guide like this by talking about an area I don’t recommend. I’ll try not to influence you too much, but what I’m telling you are, unfortunately, facts.
The Barrio Gotic area (“El Gotic”, in the gray polygon on the map), as the name suggests, is a central neighborhood that would have good architectural potential, where you’ll find numerous avenues, squares, and alleys, some pedestrian-only, where you can stroll and admire the architecture of historic buildings, the Barcelona Cathedral, Plaça Real, and more.
The northernmost part of the neighborhood (towards Plaça de Catalunya) is more geared towards being the city’s shopping area, with wide avenues dotted with stores from major international brands as well as Primark and chains like El Corte Ingles. I recommend going up to the top floor of El Corte Ingles in front of Plaça de Catalunya for a view of a good part of the city from the top.
The neighborhood borders La Rambla to the west, Barcelona’s most famous and touristy avenue, while walking south you reach the port.
The area is quite expensive but can be practical for those planning to visit many attractions or museums in the center on foot. Getting around by public transport is also practical, as along the neighborhood’s “perimeter” there are 3 metro stops and numerous bus lines.
Staying in Barcelona in this area allows you to easily reach some small downtown nightclubs on foot as well.
And I think the advantages of staying in Barrio Gotic end here.
Unfortunately, a large part of this neighborhood, especially on La Rambla, its side streets, and Plaça Real, turns into an anthill of drug dealers from dinnertime until late at night, touts for nightclubs and cannabis clubs, sellers of beer cans and water bottles, and weird characters.
It starts before sunset with people approaching you asking if you want “smoke,” sometimes even unsuspecting, well-dressed guys in their 30s leaning against a wall as if they wait a friend; then, as time goes by, they increase in number, and you literally have to slalom your way through to avoid having them all over you. Moreover, as the hours pass, the smell of pee and its marks on the alley walls increase, as does the litter scattered along the streets.
So much so that in these downtown areas, starting from 2-3 in the morning, a complete street washing is carried out (with a small truck and an operator with a water hose, so don’t get too close if you don’t want a free shower).
What’s striking about Barcelona’s center is that a similar situation is hard to find in the rest of Spain where, on the contrary, city centers are often little gems such you could eat off the floor and where walking alone at night leaves you with a sense of absolute peace and safety.
During the day, however, the situation becomes much more acceptable. There aren’t any particular nuisances, there’s a huge hustle and bustle of tourists and locals alike (one of the most crowded areas overall), but in my opinion, it still miss something “typical” to do or see.
La Rambla, in particular, is very famous but, in my opinion, without a reason. It’s an avenue with no unmissable beauties, dotted with souvenir shops and outdoor seating areas of bars and restaurants that I recommend avoiding as they offer low quality and high prices. It’s not even a particularly relaxing place to take a break: La Rambla is, in fact, parallel to two lanes for buses, taxis, and cars, interrupted by traffic lights every 10 meters. Translation: constant noise, honking, traffic jams, and smog.
Furthermore, both day and night in these parts, you need to keep a very close eye on your personal belongings, as Barcelona is one of Europe’s most famous cities for pickpocketers (“los carteristas”). The same recommendation applies aboard all the city’s metro trains, where professionals love to work. I’ll leave you a short video documentary for those who want to learn more.
(Okay, maybe I’m unsettling you, but simple precautions are enough and nothing bad will happen!)
Barrio Gotic is the best place to stay in Barcelona:
- for those who want to visit many attractions and museums in the center;
- for those who are mainly out and about during the day;
Instead, I don’t recommend sleeping in Barrio Gotic or on La Rambla if:
- slaloming through drug dealers and pests isn’t for you;
- you’re looking for a peaceful area to go out in the evening without constantly looking over your shoulder;
- you don’t like hordes of tourists and prefer to see something more typical;
- you’re looking for low prices.
- Hotel California: a short walk from La Rambla, the hotel where I stayed. Quiet and clean despite the area, 24-hour reception, breakfast included, Wi-Fi, large bathroom and excellent price compared to the average;
- Hostal Europa or Hostel New York: establishments with private rooms with shared bathrooms for those traveling on a budget.
- Rialto hotel: Recently renovated hotel with wooden floors, housed in the building where Joan Mirò was born. It has a bar, restaurant, 24-hour reception, breakfast, disabled access.
El Raval
Pros: Similar to the previous one, proximity to transport, availability of services and markets;
Cons: Like the previous one, expensive and less safe area in the evening.
El Raval is the area in pink on the map above, a mirror image of El Gotic because it’s located right on the opposite side of La Rambla.
Staying in Barcelona in the El Raval area, especially near La Rambla, has the same pros and cons mentioned earlier for Barrio Gotic, so I won’t dwell on it. Some also name it as the city’s least safe neighborhood.
During the day, however, it’s also a very busy neighborhood, where you’ll find all services and some food markets like the famous Mercat La Boqueria, which I recommend visiting at least once during your stay. Although La Boqueria is a bit too touristy compared to markets in other Spanish cities (and also a bit expensive), you’ll definitely find something interesting to taste or at least to see there.
El Born
Pros: the ancient Roman quarter, proximity to the center and Ciutadella park, services;
Cons: prices are still quite high.
El Born is the neighborhood just east of El Gotic, in yellow on the map above. We’re still right in the center, though further from La Rambla, but this neighborhood also encompasses the perimeter of what was the ancient Roman city of Barcelona, whose walls are still partially visible in some sections.
Definitely a very good area to stay in Barcelona for those planning to explore the center extensively on foot, provided you can find well-priced accommodation.
Staying in El Born, you also have the chance to walk to the Ciutadella park area, a large, very popular park with a small waterfall where many young people and families go to lie in the shade of a tree or have picnics regardless of the day of the week.
Also within walking distance are the Arc de Trionf and the long, picturesque avenue that unfolds behind it.
- Santa Marta Hotel: a well-kept 2-star hotel near Barceloneta and the metro stop, offering rooms with A/C, Wi-Fi, parking;
- Ciutat de Barcelona: a very colorful 3-star hotel near transport stops, with a pool and bar;
- Catalonia Born: 4-star near the metro and train station, with a pool, bar, gym, room service, and free cancellation.
La Barceloneta
Pros: Neighborhood by the sea, with many restaurants and taverns a bit more authentic than in some central areas
Cons: Somewhat standard architecture.
La Barceloneta is a somewhat particular neighborhood to stay in Barcelona… but not necessarily a bad choice.
The Barceloneta neighborhood (in red on the initial map) originally started as a fishing village, which over time and with the tourism boom, perhaps also thanks to its proximity to the city beach, has become a tourist area where many choose to stay in Barcelona.
This neighborhood is made up of a dense network of alleys that are all quite similar to each other, with tall buildings that sometimes look a bit old, featuring small apartments with little balconies. Some also call it a “little Naples”.
Scattered along Barceloneta’s avenues, you’ll find numerous little restaurants and taverns with a more traditional feel, frequented a bit more by locals, except perhaps for the beachfront ones which, due to their location, necessarily attract a lot of tourism as well.
Even if you don’t choose the Barceloneta neighborhood to stay in Barcelona, I recommend taking a random stroll through this little labyrinth and seeing if you find a place to eat that inspires you or a view that catches your eye.
Instead, avoid the places along the main road overlooking the port, west of the neighborhood, as they’re too touristy.
This area is also very well served by numerous bus lines to get around the rest of the city and by a metro station. Opposite the neighborhood is the famous Playa de La Barceloneta, the city’s most famous (and crowded) beach, which you can reach on foot, as well as the wide promenade, always busy with young people, sports enthusiasts (and unfortunately here too, in the evening, by shady sellers).
You may like: Metro in Barcelona, prices and how it works
La Barceloneta is the best place to stay in Barcelona:
- for those who want to stay in a slightly quieter place than the center with nearby restaurants;
- if you find a cheap hotel, since it’s easy to get around anyway;
- for those who want to go to the beach (although honestly… there are better beaches around Spain)
I don’t recommend sleeping in La Barceloneta if:
- you don’t like the large apartment blocks in the area;
- it’s a bit of a windy period, as it may get windy in the evening;
- Sea hostel Barcelona: hostel one minute from the beach with 24-hour reception, luggage storage, and a bar;
- W Barcelona: the famous 26-story sail-shaped hotel visible from all beaches, 5-star with pools, gym, jacuzzi, and beauty treatments.
Gracia
Pros: One of the nicest and most typical suburban neighborhoods, a bit cheaper and quieter;
Cons: To get around at night, you’ll have to take the night bus lines.
The “Gracia” neighborhood (in light blue on the map) is considered one of the nicest and liveliest neighborhoods in Barcelona’s suburban area.
Gracia is about a 3km walk from the center, but it’s a neighborhood to consider for staying in Barcelona as it’s excellently served by public transport and among the most “typical” in the city.
In the Gracia neighborhood (which in ancient times originated as a separate town from Barcelona and was later incorporated), you’ll find 7 small squares, some almost hard to find on the map, where in the evening you can find small open bars and people gathering. It used to be a habit among young people to gather and sit on the ground in the squares (especially in Plaça del Sol) and socialize. Today, this custom has somewhat faded, perhaps also due to the expansion of bar terraces, but you might still come across small groups sitting on the ground.
The atmosphere here is very calm and different from the city center. You can walk peacefully without being bothered at every step, and you’ll find many more locals (or university students).
The only downside to staying in Barcelona in this area is that if you need to travel after the metro closes (i.e., between midnight and 5 a.m., except Fridays when it closes at 2 a.m. and Saturdays when it runs all night), the only option available is the night buses. In the guide to public transport in Barcelona, I talk about it in more detail.
Nightlife lovers can also consider this area for staying in Barcelona: within walking distance from Gracia, there are at least 3 nightclubs among Barcelona’s largest and most “VIP.”
- Catalonia Parc Guell: a 3-star hotel with good reviews and free cancellation until just a few days before, near the famous park of the same name;
- Hotel Ronda Lesseps: competitively priced 4-star hotel, with room service and parking.
Other areas to stay in Barcelona
Obviously, the city isn’t limited to just the neighborhoods we’ve talked about, quite the opposite. All the areas within the black line on the map above are good for staying in Barcelona, as the city is so large and well-served by public transport that you’ll never feel isolated. In fact, metros run every 5 minutes, if not more frequently, so you just need to make sure you’re near a station, and you’re all set!
A neighborhood we haven’t mentioned is Eixample, which is located halfway between the central neighborhoods and Gracia. It doesn’t have any particular aesthetic beauty as it’s mainly composed of the classic rectangular blocks typical of Barcelona’s outskirts, but if you find well-priced accommodation in Eixample, it’s well connected by public transport.
Where NOT to stay in Barcelona?
Well… if you’ve read the guide this far, you’ll have already figured it out! 🙂 Avoid the central neighborhoods if you plan to stroll in the evening without being bothered!
Hotels in Barcelona near the airport
If you’re making a short stop on the island and looking for a hotel in Barcelona near the airport, you should look in the El Prat neighborhood. For example, Hostal Carlos III with rooms with shared bathrooms for those on a limited budget, or the 4-star Ciutat del Prat Barcelona Airport with non-prohibitive prices.
Don’t miss the comparison between all the ways to get between Barcelona airport and the center.
Where to stay in Barcelona for young people?
Good news: anywhere! In fact, every neighborhood has areas with nightclubs of various sizes, bars, and places where you’ll find other young people. El Gotic offers small nightclubs scattered throughout the neighborhood or around La Rambla, and you can also find them in Gracia or on the Barceloneta promenade.
Where to stay in Barcelona with children
- Gracia and Barceloneta can be two excellent options if you don’t mind taking the metro.
- El Born if you don’t want to take too much transport and plan to explore the center a lot.
Even for those traveling with children, I recommend staying in Barcelona not too close to the center, both to wander more peacefully in the evening and to avoid crossing too many busy intersections and traffic lights with strollers.
Where to stay in Barcelona on a budget?
- Gracia neighborhood
- Suburban areas well connected by metro
This is a more expensive city than the Spanish average. To stay in Barcelona without spending too much, it’s best to look outside the central neighborhoods (Gotic, Born, Raval) in slightly more suburban areas but where there are metro or bus stops nearby. Stay within the black line on the map above, so you don’t end up too out of the way.
What’s the perfect place to stay?
I’m sorry to disappoint you, but the perfect place to stay in Barcelona doesn’t exist! 🙂 In fact, the city’s main attractions (Parc Guell, the various houses designed by Gaudì, Sagrada Familia, but also the various nightclubs, for those who go just for the nightlife) are scattered across many different areas, so there’s no place “close to everything”: you’ll necessarily have to travel. And read here how to use public transport!
Now that you know everything about where it’s best to stay in Barcelona… it’s also time to find a cheap flight and figure out which transport to use to reach the airport! Here you can compare the prices of all available flights for your dates:
Finally, if you don’t want to rely on public transport and prefer to reach your hotel with a cheap private transfer, take a look at the prices on WelcomePickups or TaxiLeader!
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