Where to Stay in Barcelona
A quick guide on which neighborhoods to stay in, what areas to avoid, and what type of accommodation is best for having a great trip in Barcelona.
Looking to visit Barcelona sometime soon and have no idea where you should stay? Luckily, after living in this beautiful city for 2 years, I've gotten to know this city pretty well and I have plenty of recommendations on where to stay in Barcelona
When traveling, choosing the right place to stay is so important! It can honestly make or break your trip, which is why I look for places first by location, and then by price and quality. Start by picking the neighborhood first, and then start searching for accommodation in that area that suits your needs.
Here are my recommendations and tips for finding the right neighborhood, knowing what areas to avoid, and which kind of accommodation is best for Barcelona.
Read my post on things you need to know before visiting Barcelona.
Which Neighborhoods to Stay In
Eixample
Pedestrian streets in Eixample Dreta
By far one of the best neighborhoods to stay in, especially if you want to stay centrally and experience the Barcelona charm while avoiding the big crowds. You'll find many pedestrian streets, outlet shops, and brunch places here. There's also tons of accommodation options in Eixample, which is divided into two - L'Antigua Esquerra de Eixample and Eixample Dreta. I prefer Eixample Dreta since that's where I am currently living and there are brunch places literally on every block. It's a great residential neighborhood with the perfect mix of local residents, expats and tourists. There isn't as much nightlife in this area, and it's quiet enough if you stay away from the main streets (like Gran Via and Passeig de Gracia). This is a safe and easy area to stay in, perfect if it's your first trip to Barcelona.
- Pros: Centrally located, less crowds, safe, lots of brunch places and more variety of restaurants
- Cons: It can be busy and loud by the main streets Passeig de Gracia and Gran Via
Sagrada Familia
Technically this is part of Eixample but it's kind of its own subdistrict within Eixample Dreta. Although there might be more tourists and pricier restaurants, it's still a nice area to stay in and you are well connected by multiple metro lines in the area. Lots of accommodations in this area will also have views of the Sagrada Familia, such as rooftop bars and terrazas. Also, since it's a more touristy area, there are more convenience stores and places that will stay open on Sundays. For example, the pharmacy right by the Sagrada Familia stays open on Sundays and holidays, which has come in handy on those days that I'm feeling unwell and everywhere else is closed!
- Pros: Well-connected area of Eixample, better views, more reliable business hours
- Cons: More tourists and tourist traps/pickpockets, pricier restaurants
Gracia
Streets lined with small businesses on Carrer d'Asturies
Now I have never actually stayed or lived in Gracia, but I know it's one of the best neighborhoods in Barcelona. Everyone loves this charming neighborhood because it has its own little community with many small/locally owned businesses. You'll also find super cute coffee shops and restaurants here. It's not as centrally located, though there are a few metro stops that can connect you to other parts of the city. It can get a bit busy in the summer with the street festivals, but it's still a great option to stay in, especially if you are looking for a more chill vibe.
- Pros: More relaxed, community-oriented, small businesses
- Cons: Not centrally located, less metro strops
Vila Olimpica
This neighborhood is perfect for families and it's a great alternative to Barceloneta if you want to stay close to the beach but avoid the crowds. (Although it will still be busy in the summer, it's better than Barceloneta, and it's close to many activities that are great for families). The first time I visited Barcelona, in 2018, I went with my family and we stayed in an Airbnb in Vila Olimpica, about a 10-minute walk from the beach and a 20-minute walk from Parc Ciutadella. I recommend this area if you are going on a trip with family and want to stay close to the beach because there is something for everyone to do and you can easily get to the city center by walking or taking the metro.
- Pros: Cleaner beaches, less crowds than Barceloneta, lots of activities for families
- Cons: Still a touristy area so be aware of pickpockets!
Poblenou
You'll find nice restaurants along the Rambla del Poblenou
This neighborhood is part of the 22@ urban district and industrial hub of Barcelona. It's still close to the beach but farther from the crowds and it has its charm. You'll find nice restaurants here as well as shopping malls close by, like Westfield Glories and Diagonal Mar. Poblenou is the next neighborhood up from Vila Olimpica, so it's basically in the same area. The beaches here will be less crowded and much cleaner than Barceloneta! Keep in mind that this area is more industrial and modern than other parts of Barcelona since many companies and start-ups have their offices here. Think of 22@ as the corporate/financial heart of the city.
- Pros: Better beaches, less people, hidden gem
- Cons: More industrial and corporate side of the city
What Areas to Avoid
As a general rule of thumb, I would avoid staying in El Raval, el Barrio Gotico, or anywhere near La Rambla or Barceloneta. El Raval isn't the safest neighborhood and although they have some great restaurants and bars you should check out, avoid staying here during your trip, and opt for a place in Eixample instead. El Barrio Gotico is perfect for exploring during the day, but it can get a big dodgy at night depending on where you are, and it's a neighborhood you can easily get lost in with the tall and narrow winding streets.
La Rambla is always busy, even on the off seasons!
Avoid staying near La Rambla at all costs. It's a busy main street that sits between El Raval and el Barrio Gotico and is almost always packed with people. And by people, I mean mostly tourists. It's overrated and has tons of pickpockets. Avoid the restaurants along here too, they are such rip-offs! Barceloneta is also a very busy tourist hotspot. Especially if you are visiting in the summer, La Rambla and Barceloneta will be overcrowded and ripe with pickpockets, so it's best to stay away from these areas when looking for accommodation.
If you really want the charm of Barrio Gotico without so many tourists and noise, I recommend El Born. It's super cute and has lots of nice restaurants and bars, though if you are staying right by the bars it can get a bit loud. Sant Gervasi is a really nice area that people recommend as it's very residential and quiet, but it is far from the city and not as well connected to the metro system. In general, aim for Eixample, Gracia, or Poblenou/Vila Olimpica area.
Hotel, hostel, or Airbnb? Which accommodation is best for Barcelona?
Barcelona is one of the most expensive cities in Spain, so finding accommodation for a good price can be challenging depending on what you are looking for. Hotels are the most expensive, so booking an Airbnb or staying in a hostel would be the best bet.
If you are traveling solo or want to meet other people on your travels, then I would stay in a hostel in Barcelona. Many of them host events during the week like group dinners and bar-hopping. If you're going to book a hostel I would recommend using Hostelworld. It's super easy to use and lets you book hostels around the world, always giving you the best prices. I only book hostels on Hostelworld or directly through the hostel's website.
On the other hand, if you are traveling as a group, such as with family or friends, then an Airbnb would be the way to go. There are many apartments that you can rent out for your trip to Barcelona so you'll have plenty of options that suit your needs. Even if you're not traveling in a group, there are some Airbnbs that rent out rooms in shared apartments which is great if you want to have your own space rather than sharing a room in a hostel. Of course, whichever suits your needs!
So, where should you stay in Barcelona?
Choosing the right places to stay is key to making the most of any trip. Barcelona is a beautiful city and thankfully there are so many options on where you can stay.
- Aim for: Eixample, Sagrada Familia, Gracia, Vila Olimpic, and Poblenou
- Avoid: El Raval, Barrio Gotico, La Rambla and Barceloneta
Overall, hostels and Airbnb's are the best accommodation in Barcelona rather than hotels as they are more expensive. Book hostels using Hostelworld and apartments directly through the Airbnb website. Make sure to do your research ahead of time and search for places by neighborhood.
I hope you find this guide useful and keep these tips and tricks in mind if you plan on visiting Barcelona!
Thank you for reading.
Love, Lany.
