Best Areas to Stay in Barcelona, Spain

Born is one of the most charming neighbourhoods in Barcelona and is part of the Historic Centre of the city. Taking a walk through its narrow, mostly pedestrian cobbled streets means surrounding yourself with medieval architecture and returning to the past of the Catalan metropolis, even if i’ts just for a couple of hours.

Among the many things to see in Born are the renowned Church Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar, a famous building in Catalan Gothic style that you will love if you are a fan of architecture or design and it is located in the Passeig del Born. Artists will also find inspiration in this area if they visit the Picasso Museum, which houses more than 4,000 works by the artist that show his deep relationship with Barcelona and is on Montcada Street, a street full of medieval buildings.

Born is also home to attractions such as Barcelona’s Arc de Triomf and the Palau de la Música, an impressive modernist concert hall that was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO.

On the other hand, the nightlife in Born is very lively and is divided between bars and clubs in equal parts, most concentrated in the Passeig del Born.

The Parc de la Ciutadella is another attraction located in Born. This park has gardens, ping-pong tables, picnic areas and everything you need to spend time outdoors.

Born is one of the best areas to stay in Barcelona if you want to be at the centre of events and, at the same time, know an essential part of the history of the city. This neighbourhood connects with other districts by lines 1 and 4 of the metro, with stations such as Urquinaona, Jaume I and Barceloneta.

El Raval is one of Barcelona’s hipsters areas and has an excellent location in the heart of the city, ​​just west of the famous pedestrian street known as Ramblas de Barcelona. This picturesque place, which in the past had negative connotations for its high rate of prostitution, has become in recent years the favourite area of the most alternative travellers.

Raval has many tapas bars and restaurants with live music. The Joaquín Costa street and the Rambla del Raval (which is the home of the famous Botero cat, symbol of the neighbourhood) are where the entertainment is more easily found.

In addition, Raval also includes boutiques, second-hand stores and bookstores that make it one of the best areas to stay in Barcelona for vintage shopping.

The Antic Hospital of the Santa Creu (which was the main hospital in Barcelona until the mid-twentieth century) is located in the centre of the neighbourhood. This place was declared an Artistic Historical Monument of National Interest and is the headquarters of the Biblioteca de Catalunya and the Royal Academy of Medicine. In addition, it also has gardens open to the public.

Raval is connected to the rest of Barcelona by lines 1, 2 and 3 of the metro (with stations such as Drassanes, Liceu and Sant Antoni). The Filmoteca de Catalunya and the Museum of Contemporary Art complete the cultural offer of this wonderful neighbourhood which is one of the best areas to stay in Barcelona.

Barri Gòtic is also part of the historic centre of Barcelona, ​​located east of the Ramblas, and mixes historical monuments of Gothic architecture and Roman ruins that make it an essential visit for anyone travelling to the city.

Among the many attractions that are in this neighbourhood, the Plaça de Sant Jaume is undoubtedly the most important. This 19th century square is the home of the Barcelona City Council and the Palau de la Generalitat, seat of the Catalan government.

In addition, this area is home to Catalan Gothic temples such as the Cathedral of Santa Eulàlia in Barcelona and the Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi, declared an Asset of Cultural Interest.

The commercial avenue Portal de l’Angel, which is the second largest shopping area in Barcelona, ​​is another reason to stay in the Barri Gòtic, especially if shopping is in your reasons to visit Barcelona.

Barri Gòtic is one of the best areas to stay in Barcelona to know much of the history of Barcelona. Metro stations in the neighbourhood include Catalunya (lines 1 and 3), Urquinaona (lines 1 and 4) and Jaume I (line 4).

Eixample includes the area of ​​Barcelona that was enlarged during the execution of the Cerdà Plan, by Ildefons Cerdà, in 1860.

This huge district is located to the north of the Plaça de Catalunya and served as an example for other European cities that, after the success of the Cerdà Plan, extended their commercial and residential areas.

In Eixample, you will find some of the most important attractions of Barcelona such as the Basilica and Temple Expiatori of the Sagrada Família by Antoni Gaudí, an impressive temple of modernist architecture that began in 1883 and it is expected to be completed in 2026.

Eixample is also an important Barcelona business district thanks to the Passeig de Gràcia, an avenue full of stores of all kinds, restaurants and architectural landmarks such as Casa Batlló (also by Gaudí).

Eixample is one of the best areas to stay in Barcelona if you want to know the modern facet of the city and stay close to some of its main attractions.

In addition, this district has many metro connections, including the stations Passeig de Gràcia and Universitat to the centre of the district, Sagrada Familia to the east, Diagonal to the north and Hospital Clínic to the west.

The Barceloneta was, in the past, a residential area of ​​fishermen due to its proximity to the sea and has some the busiest beaches of the Iberian Peninsula.

This lively area of ​​narrow streets is centrally located, which means that, when staying at Barceloneta, visitors can stay close to other important tourist attractions.

As a good coastal area, Barceloneta stands out in a special way for its gastronomy that includes delicious dishes with seafood and fresh fish.

Among the places to visit in this area are the Mercat de La Barceloneta (known for being one of the oldest street markets in Barcelona) and the Cable Car that crosses the neighbourhood from the Torre de San Sebastián to the Mirador de Miramar and provides excellent views of the beach.

As far as cultural attractions are concerned, Barceloneta has the Museu d’Història de Catalunya, within the Palau del Mar (Palace of the Sea), in the Passeig de Borbó. This museum exhibits the history of Catalonia, distributed in four floors that go from the past to the present.

La Barceloneta is one of the best areas to stay in Barcelona if you want to enjoy the sea and, at the same time, have a good location during your stay. The nearby metro stations include Barceloneta and Ciutadella | Vila Olímpica (line 4).

The Gràcia district is one of the most iconic in Barcelona. Although it was an independent town until 1897, it has become one of the favorite places for locals and visitors to the city.

One of the emblematic places of Gràcia is the parc Güell, a work of the modernist architect Antoni Gaudí that was inspired by English gardens. This huge park is a landmark of Catalan modernism and has a viewpoint that offers excellent views of Barcelona, ​​making it a popular attraction for photography lovers.

Gràcia gives off a bohemian atmosphere that includes the squares Plaça del Diamant, the Plaça del Nord or the Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia, all with a special charm thanks to its cobbled streets and terraces. The surroundings of Gràcia are also ideal for tapas and excellent cuisine.

In addition, this district fills with colour during the Gràcia parties in August, with shows for the whole family.

Gràcia is one of the best areas to stay in Barcelona if you want to know the bohemian scene of the Catalan capital. The metro stations of the district include Verdaguer, Joanic and Fontana.

Sants-Montjuïc is the largest district in Barcelona, so there is always something to see and do in its streets.

Located in the foothills of the mountain of Montjuïc, this neighbourhood combines both the beach side and the mountainous side of the Catalan capital, which is why sleeping in any of its many accommodation options gives you a broad vision of Barcelona.

This area is the home of the Parc de Montjuïc, a vegetable lung with viewpoints that will allow you to contemplate the city in its entirety. In the same way, Sants-Montjuïc is the headquarters of the main train station in Barcelona: Estació Sants, with national, international and local connections.

Other icons of Sants-Montjuïc are the Plaza España square (where avenues such as Gran Vía, Parallel or Reina Maria Cristina meet), as well as the Montjüic Olympic Ring of the 1992 Olympic Games, the National Museum of Art of Catalonia and the Joan Miró Foundation.

Sants-Montjuïc is one of the best areas to stay in Barcelona because it allows you to travel to other cities thanks to its excellent train connections.

In addition, this district is close to important attractions of Barcelona and has several metro stations.

Poblenou is an area known for its importance during the Industrial Revolution since it housed most of the Catalan companies, which is why it was known as the factory or the workshop in Barcelona.

This neighbourhood is located in the Sant Martí district and has among its main attractions the 22@ (also known as Districte de la Innovació ), a modern architectural complex that houses companies from different fields, especially related to technology and innovation. The entrance to 22@ is marked by the Torre Agbar a 38-story building designed by French architect Jean Nouvel.

Another architectural landmark in this area is the Cemetery of Poblenou, thanks in large part to sculptures such as the Kiss of Death, of neoclassical style.

The Rambla de Poblenou is the main commercial artery of the neighbourhood and, in it, you can taste excellent Catalan cuisine, attend a theatre play or enjoy tapas, as well as go shopping and clubbing. This rambla makes Poblenou one of the best areas to stay in Barcelona for nightlife.

Poblenou also has two urban beaches that stand out for being less visited than those of Barceloneta since they do not have such a central location. One of the beaches is Mar Bella, known for being nudist and gay-friendly, while the other is Bogatell, which usually attracts middle-aged people.

Poblenou is one of the best areas to stay in Barcelona due to its proximity to beaches. The metro stations of the neighbourhood include Poblenou (line 4).

Les Corts is a neighbourhood famous for hosting Camp Nou, the stadium of Fútbol Club Barcelona which has a capacity for almost 100 thousand people, being the largest in the European continent. Similarly, the Palau Reial de Pedralbes (former residence of the royal family) is also in Les Corts and includes the Pedralbes gardens.

This district is also a residential area full of gardens and exclusivity, where it is not strange to meet Catalan and international celebrities who choose it as a definitive or temporary home.

In terms of things to do, Les Corts has a Avinguda Diagonal, a shopping street full of stores ideal for luxury shopping, restaurants and nightclubs, as well as iconic places such as the Barcelona Bikini, a concert venue.

Despite not having a central location, Les Corts has metro stations such as Palau Reial and Zona Universitària (both line 3) that connect with the rest of Barcelona.

Les Corts is one of the best areas to stay in Barcelona to attend sporting events or enjoy the most exclusive facet of the Catalan capital. There is always something to see and do in this beautiful neighbourhood.

Sarrià-Sant Gervasi is a mostly residential district, making it one of the best areas to stay in Barcelona if you want tranquillity during your stay in the Catalan capital.

This area is next to the most important green lung of Barcelona: The Parc de Collserola, with more than 8000 hectares of forests that include fountains and viewpoints ideal for hiking or enjoying great views of the city.

The Parc d’Atraccions is another attraction in Sarrià-Sant Gervasi. It is an amusement park with more than 100 years of history and attractions for all ages.

Despite not having metro stations, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi has railways and the Tramvia Blau, a blue tram that was inaugurated in 1901 and reaches the Tibidabo mountain.

Sarrià-Sant Gervasi is one of the best areas to stay in Barcelona if you travel with children.