When deciding where to sleep in Barcelona, the location you choose can completely change your trip and experience in the city. Barcelona became my home and I want everyone who visits this amazing city to enjoy it as much as I do. That’s why I wrote this post for you to know where to stay in Barcelona including the best areas and hotels.
In this post you will find:
Barcelona neighborhoods
Before your trip to Barcelona I think it is important for you to know which are the most frequented neighborhoods. The city is divided into 10 districts. We could say Plaza Catalunya (a square in Eixample district) is the “tourist center” of the city. Below Plaza Catalunya is Ciutat Vella district where very touristy neighborhoods such as the Gothic Quarter and La Barceloneta are located. Eixample district is also one of the most visited neighborhoods which is divided into Eixample right and Eixample left. When visiting Barcelona as a tourist you will be mainly moving around Ciutat Vella and Eixample districts.
Other districts you may also visit are Gracia, Sant Gervasi and Sants-Montjuïc.
Where to stay in Barcelona: best areas and hotels
1. L’Eixample
Eixample or El Ensanche (in spanish) is the area of Barcelona where many of the tourist attractions such as Casa Batlló or La Pedrera are located. It is an area with lots of hotels and although it is a busy area, it is quieter than neighborhoods like El Gótico.
Eixample is a very extensive district and you can find all kinds of accommodation here. The busiest areas are Avenida Paseo de Gracia (where all the big brands are located) and Plaza Cataluña. So if you are looking for tranquility, look for an accommodation a little further away from these two places.
This entire neighborhood is very well connected to the rest of the city by metro and train, and you can easily walk to many of the main attractions. L’Eixample is one of my favorite areas in the city and the place I recommend the most to stay in Barcelona. It is also where many of the best luxury hotels in Barcelona are located.
Recommended accommodation in L’Eixample:
$ – Sant Jordi Hostels Rock Palace: one of the cheapest hostels you will find in this neighborhood. This hotel offers shared and private rooms and it is located just a few meters from Paseo de Gracia Avenue. Click here to see photos, availability and prices.
$$ – Boutique Hotel H10: a beautiful boutique hotel located in Plaza Catalunya. It has an excellent location so you can get to every city attraction really fast, something that’s crucial if you only have a few days. Click here to see photos, availability and prices.
$$ – Hotel Granados 83: a design hotel located in the middle of Eixample. It is located in a much quieter area than Plaza Cataluña but it’s still close to everything. Click here to see photos, availability and prices.
2. Sagrada Familia (Dreta de L’Eixample) 
The Sagrada Familia neighborhood is within the Eixample district but I decided to separate it in this list because even though it belongs to the same district I think it has a completely different vibe. Obviously the protagonist of this neighborhood is the basilica built by Gaudí, which is so giant that you can surely see it from anywhere.
Sagrada Familia is a residential and quiet neighborhood, although the closer you get to the Sagrada Familia itself, the more tourists, shops and restaurants you will find. Although it is a recommended area to stay in Barcelona, keep in mind that you will be about a 30-minute walk from areas such as Plaza Catalunya or about 10 minutes by public transport.
Recommended accommodation in Sagrada Familia:
$ – Ibis Barcelona Centro: Ibis is always a good option if you’re looking for a cheap and well-located hotel. This Ibis is located just a few blocks away from Sagrada Familia and has great reviews. Click here to see photos, availability and prices.
$$ – Ayre Hotel Rosellón: this hotel is only 200 meters away from Sagrada Familia and has a terrace with amazing views of it. It is a great modern hotel located just meters away from the metro station. Click here to see photos, availability and prices.
$$$ – Hotel Barcelona 1882: a beautiful 4 star hotel with big rooms, gym and a terrace with views from the basilica. Click here to see photos, availability and prices.
3. Vila de Gràcia
Gracia is another of my favorite neighborhoods in Barcelona. It is a small district but with a lot of identity: narrow streets, bars, restaurants and a small town vibe that isn’t found anywhere in the city.
It is a neighborhood that I recommend for those who want to stay in a quiet neighborhood, without the “chaos” of the most touristy parts but still be close by subway or on foot to many attractions. It is also an area where you will find many bars and restaurants, Gracia has a lot of nightlife.
Recommended accommodation in Vila de Gràcia:
$ – Generator Hostel Barcelona: I always reccommend Generator hostels for traveling around Europe because they are the most beautiful hostels I’ve stayed in. Barcelona Generator is located in the middle of Gracia and has private or shared rooms. Click here to see photos, availability and prices.
$$ – Be Mate Paseo de Gracia: this hotel has an excellent location just in Paseo de Gracia Avenue, a few meters away from Gaudi’s La Pedrera. It is super modern and has an amazing terrace. Click here to see photos, availability and prices.
$$$ – Hotel Casa Fuster: this hotel is a modernist gem. Its building was designed in 1908 by the modernist architect Lluis Domènech i Montaner and it was declared a world heritage site. Can you imagine sleeping in a place that is a monument itself? Click here to see photos, availability and prices.
4. Ciutat Vella: Barrio Gótico & El Born
A very popular area to stay when visiting Barcelona for the fist time is the Gothic Quarter or El Born, both located in the Ciutat Vella district. Although they are very picturesque neighborhoods, they are also one of the most touristy and crowded, so if you like to sleep peacefully, I don’t recommend them. The benefit of staying in this area is that you will be within walking distance of all the main attractions.
The Gothic streets are labyrinthic and very pretty, but at night they might give you a feeling of insecurity, especially if you plan on going out and coming back late at night. Therefore, to stay in this area, I recommend that you look for hotels near the main avenues or Plaza Catalunya, like the ones I will recommend below.
Recommended accommodation in Barrio Gótico and El Born:
$ – Safestay Barcelona Gothic: one of the cheapest accommodations you’ll find in this area. This hostel is close to Barcelona Cathedral and a metro station. Click here to see photos, availability and prices.
$$ – Hotel Barcelona Catedral: a boutique hotel with great reviews, located close to the Cathedral and Plaza Catalunya. Click here to see photos, availability and prices.
$$$ – Kimpton Vividora Hotel: this is one of the best hotels in Barcelona. Located near Plaza Cataluña, this hotel offers restaurant and a terrace with pool and bar. Click here to see photos, availability and prices.
5. Barceloneta
Another very popular neighborhood for tourism in Barcelona is La Barceloneta. This neighborhood in my opinion is not very nice to stay, unless you stay in one of the hotels that overlook the sea like the famous W.
The main benefit of staying in La Barceloneta is the connection with the beach, although the one in Barcelona is not the prettiest (if you like the beach I recommend you visit Costa Brava). So if your goal is to visit the beach every day, it is a good neighborhood to stay. Barceloneta is also an area where you will find nightlife: nightclubs, bars and restaurants that overlook the sea, ideal for summer nights.
Recommended accommodation in La Barceloneta:
$$ – Hotel 54 Barceloneta: a beautiful hotel located near the beach and La Barceloneta metro station. Click here to see photos, availability and prices.
$$$ – W Barcelona: W hotel has a privileged location, almost floating on the mediterranean sea. It is one of the icons of the city and the views from its rooms are incredible. It also has an infinity pool, a restaurant, a rooftop bar and direct exit to the beach. Click here to see photos, availability and prices.
$$$ – Hotel Arts Barcelona: a luxurious hotel with beach views, 2 pools, spa, a Michelin star restaurant, and various bars/restaurants. Click here to see photos, availability and prices.
6. El Poblenou
Talking about areas that are close to the beach, a less touristy neighborhood to enjoy it is Poblenou. It is a very nice and quiet area, although it is a bit far from the main attractions of Barcelona.
However, I consider that to enjoy the beach every day it is the best place to stay. In Poblenou there are many restaurants, cafes, shops and a good connection to the center of Barcelona. Also, since it is not such a tourist area, you can find very good and cheaper hotels.
Recommended accommodation in El Poblenou:
$$ – Acta Voraport: a modern hotel with big rooms and a pool with ocean view. It has an excellent price-quality relation and is located near a metro station. Click here to see photos, availability and prices.
$$ – Lugaris Beach: super comfy apartments located 200 meters away from the beach. It is also near a metro station and the Rambla del Poblenou. Click here to see photos, availability and prices.
$$$ – The Level at Melia Barcelona Sky: un hotel lujoso con precio muy accesible para lo que es. Tiene un spa, restaurante, bar, piscina e increíbles vistas del mar. Click here to see photos, availability and prices.
7. Sants – Montjuïc
If you are looking for affordable accommodation in Barcelona, the area I recommend is the district of Sants – Montjuïc. Being a bit far from the center of Barcelona you can get cheaper hotels. It is an area that is very well connected with the entire city and even with other cities and countries since the Sants train station is in this neighborhood.
In addition there are attractions such as the Montjuïc Castle, the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc and the Barcelona Pavilion.
Recommended accommodation in Sants – Montjuïc
$ – Hotel Transit: a simple hotel with everything you need. It is super close to the trains station so it’s ideal if you need to catch an early morning train. Click here to see photos, availability and prices.
$$ – Ayre Hotel Gran Vía: a modern hotel with affordable price and a great location, it is just a few meters away from Plaza España where you can take the metro. Click here to see photos, availability and prices.
$$ – Hotel Barcelona Apolo: un hotel afiliado de Meliá que parece muy bonito. Está ubicado muy cerca de la Rambla y de la Barceloneta. Click here to see photos, availability and prices.
Areas not recommended for accommodation in Barcelona:
- La Rambla: As a Barcelona local I consider the famous Rambla to be a super overrated area. It is a very touristic street but honestly there is nothing special about and it is crowded at all hours.
- El Raval: this isn’t one of the safest neighborhoods in the city and although it is a place that has many shops, restaurants and even tourist attractions, I don’t think it’s a good area to stay in Barcelona (even less so if it is your first time in the city) .
- District of Gracia – Park Güell: although this is a super touristy area because of Park Güell, I don’t recommend it because it is far from other areas of the city and what’s worse: it’s uphill (imagine going back to your hotel super tired after a long day). If you want to stay in Gracia, I recommend the area of Vila de Grácia that I previously recommended.
Map with the best areas to stay in Barcelona
In this map you will see the best areas to stay in Barcelona with all the hotels I mentioned in the post:
I hope this post has helped you decide where to stay in Barcelona. If you have doubts please leave your comment below🙂
More tips for your trip to Barcelona:
Book a private transfer from the airport
Explore Barcelona with Go City
Best tours in Barcelona:
Other useful posts about Europe:
- What to see in Barcelona in 3 days
- The best luxury hotels in Barcelona
- 50 things to do in Barcelona
- Best hotels in Costa Brava
- Where to stay in Menorca
- Where to stay in Madrid
- Where to stay in Paris: best areas and hotels
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