Looking for the best place to stay in Barcelona?
Follow the guide, we have tested, listed and detailed for you the best areas to stay in Barcelona as well as the best accommodation in this city that we love.
For those who want to be at the heart of the action, discover the best hotels in Barcelona city centre.
For those travelling with their families and looking for suitable accommodation, here are our suggestions on where to sleep in Barcelona as a family.
Not sure where to stay in Barcelona? Read our article on the best areas to stay in Barcelona.
⏰ Don’t have time to read everything?
Here are our 3 favourite accommodations sorted by price category:
🚨 Note: Don’t delay booking as these are some of the most popular hotels in Barcelona.
(€) Occidental 1929. Cheap hotel in Barcelona 500 m from Montjuïc fountain and 1 km from the centre. Organic breakfast and free parking. Outdoor pool and bar. The rooms are tastefully decorated. Book here.
(€€) ❤️ Motel One Barcelona. Hotel with rooftop bar located in the El Born district opposite the Ciutadella park, 15 minutes from Las Ramblas. The rooms overlooking the park are great! Parking on site. Book here.
(€€€) Seventy Barcelona. Magnificent design hotel with swimming pool located in the travellers’ favourite district. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. The breakfast is copious. Book here.
🏨 Se e other accommodation at the best price 👈
Table des matières
Map of areas to stay in Barcelona
The best area to stay in Barcelona: Las Ramblas
One of Barcelona’s main tourist centres, Las Ramblas is a pedestrianised district in the middle of the city that is packed with entertainment and activities accessible throughout the day.
In the mornings and afternoons, you can shop and buy souvenirs, enjoy performances by street artists or take a stroll through the works of Joan Miró before stopping for a bite to eat in one of the many charming cafés nearby.
In the evening, get ready to party in the many bars and discos that dot the area. Along the way, you’ll come across many human statues – watch out, they look larger than life.
Perfect neighbourhood for : People travelling alone or as a couple, especially young people.
Other highlights: Museum of Eroticism, Liceu Theatre, La Boqueria Market, Font de la Portaferrissa and Santa Monica Art Centre.
Here are our favourite hotels in the best area to stay in Barcelona
Note: Don’t delay booking as these are some of the most popular hotels in Barcelona.
(€) Occidental 1929. Cheap hotel in Barcelona 500 m from the Montjuïc fountain and 1 km from the centre. Organic breakfast and free parking. Outdoor pool and bar. The rooms are tastefully decorated. Book here.
(€€) ❤️ Motel One Barcelona. Hotel with rooftop bar located in the El Born district opposite the Ciutadella park, 15 minutes from Las Ramblas. The rooms overlooking the park are great! Parking on site. Book here.
(€€€) Seventy Barcelona. Magnificent design hotel with swimming pool located in the travellers’ favourite district. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. The breakfast is copious. Book here.
🏨 Se e other accommodation at the best price 👈
Barcelona’s tourist district: El Born
Despite its humble beginnings, El Born has become one of Barcelona’s most fashionable districts in which to sleep. The streets and parks are full of picnickers, café-goers and dreamers, while the nights are much livelier, even wild.
Spaniards and tourists mingle and gather around the Passeig de Born to enjoy the delicious mojitos on offer in the dozens of bars in the area.
The combination of culture and nightlife is one of the district’s great attractions.
The Picasso Museum, the Textile Museum and the Santa Maria Del Mar church are just some of the district’s top tourist attractions.
Its proximity to the beach means you can enjoy a seaside holiday and laze on the beach while staying close to the city.
The Parc Ciutadella, a green space where you can relax and escape the city, is an excellent choice for taking your children, going for a run or simply relaxing for an afternoon.
Perfect neighbourhood for : All travellers.
Other highlights: Palau de la Música Catalana, El Born Cultural Centre, European Museum of Modern Art and Mercado de Santa Caterina.
Here are our favourite hotels in the tourist district to stay at in Barcelona
Note: Don’t delay in booking as these are some of the most popular hotels in Barcelona.
(€) Occidental 1929. Cheap hotel in Barcelona 500 m from the Montjuïc fountain and 1 km from the centre. Organic breakfast and free parking. Outdoor pool and bar. The rooms are tastefully decorated. Book here.
(€€) ❤️ Motel One Barcelona. Hotel with rooftop bar located in the El Born district opposite the Ciutadella park, 15 minutes from Las Ramblas. The rooms overlooking the park are great! Parking on site. Book here.
(€€€) Seventy Barcelona. Magnificent design hotel with swimming pool located in the travellers’ favourite district. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. The breakfast is copious. Book here.
Where to stay as a couple in Barcelona : Barri Gòtic
This area of the city has been nicknamed the Gothic Quarter because of its Roman past and the relics of that era that can still be found here today.
The Barri Gòtic is undoubtedly Barcelona’s oldest and liveliest district. The streets are lined with beautiful covered walkways in Roman and medieval style, with countless cafés, restaurants, bars, clubs and shops.
When exploring the district, we advise you to forget your map or GPS and go where your heart (or instinct) leads you.
As part of the ‘old city’, the Gothic Quarter is home to Barcelona Cathedral, a magnificent Gothic cathedral built between the 13th and 15th centuries.
Calle Ferran is a great spot for a drink, but you’ll never run out of places to have a drink and party in the Gothic Quarter.
Perfect neighbourhood for : All travellers, especially party-goers and other lovers of lively nights out.
Other notable sights: City History Museum (MUHBA – Museu d’Història de la Ciutat), Plaza del Pi, Plaza Real and Plaza San Felip Neri.
Here are our favourite hotels in the area for a romantic break in Barcelona
Note: Don’t delay in booking as these are some of the most popular hotels in Barcelona.
(€) Occidental 1929. Cheap hotel in Barcelona 500 m from the Montjuïc fountain and 1 km from the centre. Organic breakfast and free parking. Outdoor pool and bar. The rooms are tastefully decorated. Book here.
(€€) ❤️ Motel One Barcelona. Hotel with rooftop bar located in the El Born district opposite the Ciutadella park, 15 minutes from Las Ramblas. The rooms overlooking the park are great! Parking on site. Book here.
(€€€) Seventy Barcelona. Magnificent design hotel with swimming pool located in the travellers’ favourite district. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. The breakfast is copious. Book here.
Gràcia: the cheapest place to stay in Barcelona
Just a few minutes from Passeig de Gràcia, the Gràcia district is the ideal place to stay in Barcelona if you’re on a budget, as hotels and flats are more affordable.
A city in its own right until the 19th century, Gràcia has a close-knit community and is a favourite haunt of artists.
The streets have a decidedly bohemian atmosphere, and you’ll find the highest concentration of international restaurants in Barcelona.
If you’re travelling on a budget but don’t want to compromise on quality, we also have a list of the best cheap hotels in Barcelona or the best youth hostels in Barcelona.
The most popular and visited site in the area is of course the Plaça de Sol, a tree-lined area that provides some shade and is famous for its cafés and nightlife.
However, the area is also home to a surprisingly elderly and cosmopolitan population, which adds to the unique atmosphere and gives the district a very family-friendly feel.
The Gràcia Festival, which takes place every August and lasts for five days, is a spectacular experience not to be missed.
Perfect for : All travellers.
Other highlights: Parc Guell, Verdi cinema, Plaça Virreina and Calle Verdi.
Here are our favourite hotels in this area to stay in Barcelona
Note: Don’t delay in booking as these are some of the most popular hotels in Barcelona.
(€) Occidental 1929. Cheap hotel in Barcelona 500 m from the Montjuïc fountain and 1 km from the centre. Organic breakfast and free parking. Outdoor pool and bar. The rooms are tastefully decorated. Book here.
(€€) ❤️ Motel One Barcelona. Hotel with rooftop bar located in the El Born district opposite the Ciutadella park, 15 minutes from Las Ramblas. The rooms overlooking the park are great! Parking on site. Book here.
(€€€) Seventy Barcelona. Magnificent design hotel with swimming pool located in the travellers’ favourite district. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. The breakfast is copious. Book here.
Paral.lel/Poble Sec: 2 connected districts
Located in the Montjuïc district, Paral.lel and Poble Sec are two interconnected neighbourhoods that are extremely safe and home to mainly residential buildings, although they are also home to a number of attractions and activities that make them a popular area of the city for tourists.
It’s the ideal area to spend a few days in Catalonia’s capital if you want to avoid the crowds while still being close to all the main sights.
If you stay in Paral.lel or Poble Sec, you’ll have easy access to Montjuïc Castle and Plaça Espanya (Spanish Steps).
There are plenty of cafés, restaurants and bars lining the streets of both areas.
Don’t forget to pop into the nearby Mercat Sant Antoni (Sant Antoni Market); if you’re a food lover, you’ll find the best produce from all over the city.
Perfect for : All travellers, especially those who want to live like locals.
Other highlights: Caixa Forum, Archaeology Museum of Catalonia, PobleEspanyol, El Molino, MuseuNacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC), and Font Màgica de Montjuïc (magic fountain).
Here are our favourite hotels in this area to stay at in Barcelona
Note: Don’t delay in booking as these are some of the most popular hotels in Barcelona.
(€) Occidental 1929. Cheap hotel in Barcelona 500 m from the Montjuïc fountain and 1 km from the centre. Organic breakfast and free parking. Outdoor pool and bar. The rooms are tastefully decorated. Book here.
(€€) 
Motel One Barcelona. Hotel with rooftop bar located in the El Born district opposite the Ciutadella park, 15 minutes from Las Ramblas. The rooms overlooking the park are great! Parking on site. Book here.
(€€€) Seventy Barcelona. Magnificent design hotel with swimming pool located in the travellers’ favourite district. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. The breakfast is copious. Book here.
El Raval: the controversial neighbourhood
One of Barcelona’s most controversial yet fascinating neighbourhoods. El Raval is a multi-faceted area that is sure to surprise you with its dynamism, history, culture and unique personality.
Once famous as the red light district of Catalonia’s capital, El Raval is now home to a host of art galleries and artists’ studios, museums, shopping streets, cafés, restaurants and bars.
The two most popular tourist attractions in the area are, of course, the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA) and the Barcelona Centre for Contemporary Culture (CCCB).
Beyond these classic attractions, which are aimed more at families with children or first-time visitors to the city, more experienced or adventurous travellers will prefer the more secret side of the El Raval district.
The streets are always lively, but the atmosphere heats up after dark and the evenings often end in the early hours.
When you stay in El Raval, you’ll also be within easy reach of Barcelona’s two biggest food markets, La Boqueria and Mercat Sant Antoni, ideal for gourmets and foodies.
Perfect for: People travelling solo or as a couple. For visitors who already know the city.
Other highlights: The Liceu Theatre, Barcelona Maritime Museum, Rambladel Raval, Palais Güell and Sant Pau del Camp.
Here are our favourite hotels in this district to stay at in Barcelona
Note: Don’t delay in booking as these are some of the most popular hotels in Barcelona.
(€) Occidental 1929. Cheap hotel in Barcelona 500 m from the Montjuïc fountain and 1 km from the centre. Organic breakfast and free parking. Outdoor pool and bar. The rooms are tastefully decorated. Book here.
(€€) Motel One Barcelona. Hotel with rooftop bar located in the El Born district opposite the Ciutadella park, 15 minutes from Las Ramblas. The rooms overlooking the park are great! Parking on site. Book here.
(€€€) Seventy Barcelona. Magnificent design hotel with swimming pool located in the travellers’ favourite district. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. The breakfast is copious. Book here.
Poblenou: A district in the throes of change
The district was Barcelona’s main industrial zone in the 19th century, but Poblenou has since undergone a spectacular transformation, replacing the old factories with new office buildings, commercial spaces and art galleries.
A magnificent blend of old and new, Poblenou is still in a state of constant evolution.
Rambladel Poblenou, a street dotted with restaurants, cafés and small boutiques, is the social epicentre of the district.
If you’re looking to relax on the beach, Bogatell is the place to be. Don’t miss the Parc Central du Poblenou, where you’ll find the Minotaur labyrinth, as well as sky-well “nests” and woven huts..
Perfect for : All travellers.
Other highlights: Poblenou cemetery, MUHBA Oliva Artés museum, Paseo Mas de Roda, Plaza de Prim and Palo Alto market.
Here are our favourite hotels in this area to stay at in Barcelona
Note: Don’t delay in booking as these are some of the most popular hotels in Barcelona.
(€) Occidental 1929. Cheap hotel in Barcelona 500 m from the Montjuïc fountain and 1 km from the centre. Organic breakfast and free parking. Outdoor pool and bar. The rooms are tastefully decorated. Book here.
(€€) Motel One Barcelona. Hotel with rooftop bar located in the El Born district opposite the Ciutadella park, 15 minutes from Las Ramblas. The rooms overlooking the park are great! Parking on site. Book here.
(€€€) Seventy Barcelona. Magnificent design hotel with swimming pool located in the travellers’ favourite district. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. The breakfast is copious. Book here.
Sant Andreu: the quiet neighbourhood to stay in Barcelona
Sant Andreu is one of Barcelona’s nine main neighbourhoods for accommodation, an area off the beaten tourist track that can offer you some peace and quiet away from the busy, bustling streets, as well as a host of nearby activities.
To get there, simply get off at Sant Andreu metro station, on Plaça d’Orfila, where you’ll find the large Sant Andreu church, which, with its huge dome, stands out from Barcelona’s many Gothic churches.
A stroll along Carrer de Torres i Bages will take you to a large square where you will find a monumental library and a superb contemporary fountain.
Plaça del Mercadal is perhaps the best place to enjoy the old-world charm of this characterful neighbourhood true to traditional Catalan style.
Perfect for : All travellers.
Other highlights: Fabra i Coats, Sant Pacià church, Gran Sant Andreu street, Bac de Roda bridge and La Maquinista.
Here are our favourite hotels in this area to stay in Barcelona
Note: Don’t delay in booking as these are some of the most popular hotels in Barcelona.
(€) Occidental 1929. Cheap hotel in Barcelona 500 m from the Montjuïc fountain and 1 km from the centre. Organic breakfast and free parking. Outdoor pool and bar. The rooms are tastefully decorated. Book here.
(€€) Motel One Barcelona. Hotel with rooftop bar located in the El Born district opposite the Ciutadella park, 15 minutes from Las Ramblas. The rooms overlooking the park are great! Parking on site. Book here.
(€€€) Seventy Barcelona. Magnificent design hotel with swimming pool located in the travellers’ favourite district. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. The breakfast is copious. Book here.
The area closest to the beach in Barcelona: Barceloneta
Originally inhabited by fishermen in the 18th century, the Barceloneta district has now been transformed into a cosmopolitan seaside resort that attracts tourists and locals alike.
The Barceloneta beach is undoubtedly the area’s main attraction, with its procession of street vendors selling souvenirs and doughnuts, as well as bikinis and massages.
There are dozens of seafront bars where you can enjoy a bite to eat while taking in the sea views and the concerts put on by the many artists performing in front of the cafés.
Don’t hesitate when choosing your menu, as Barceloneta is renowned for the quality of its seafood. What’s more, the area is literally bursting with cafés and bars.
You’ll also find plenty of family-friendly attractions like the Barcelona Aquarium, the largest of its kind in the whole of Europe.
Perfect for : All travellers.
Other highlights: Sant Sebastiá beach, Sant Miquel beach, Somorrostro beach, the cable car from La Barceloneta to Montjuïc, the Museum of Catalan History, Port Vell and the Estació de França (Barcelona-França train station).
Here are our favourite hotels in this area to stay at in Barcelona
Note: Don’t delay in booking as these are some of the most popular hotels in Barcelona.
(€) Occidental 1929. Cheap hotel in Barcelona 500 m from the Montjuïc fountain and 1 km from the centre. Organic breakfast and free parking. Outdoor pool and bar. The rooms are tastefully decorated. Book here.
(€€) Motel One Barcelona. Hotel with rooftop bar located in the El Born district opposite the Ciutadella park, 15 minutes from Las Ramblas. The rooms overlooking the park are great! Parking on site. Book here.
(€€€) Seventy Barcelona. Magnificent design hotel with swimming pool located in the travellers’ favourite district. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. The breakfast is copious. Book here.
If Barcelona is on your list of destinations, get ready for an unforgettable experience. Whether you want to satisfy your taste buds, spend a memorable evening or discover the city’s historical treasures, we have everything you need. For food lovers, discover the best restaurants in Barcelona. If you want to experience the Roman nightlife and discover the city’s trendiest spots, check out our guide to the best bars and clubs in Barcelona. And of course, for a cultural and historical immersion, don’t miss our must-see activities and visits on what to see in Barcelona.
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