Whether or not you’re in Barcelona for one night time or for a whole month, this information on the place to remain in Barcelona might help you select the barrio that fits you finest!
Barcelona will be some of the overwhelming cities in Spain for those who don’t know the place to go, what to do (and eat!), and, after all, the place to remain. The primary time I visited Barcelona again in 2007, I assumed I’d made a protected guess by reserving a good resort chain within the metropolis heart– solely to have a horrible expertise of sleepless nights, saved awake by events and road sweepers.
I realized my lesson, and thru my twenty-some-odd stays in Barcelona over the previous three years (whereas engaged on my firm’s Devour Barcelona excursions), I positively have a good suggestion of the place I like to remain in Barcelona and why!
Barcelona Neighborhood Information
Whereas there are 10 official districts in Barcelona, I’ve divided this information into neighborhoods and areas– the best way I check with them. I don’t reside in Barcelona, so please be happy to right me– however these are the areas I personally like to remain in, and the accommodations I might suggest in every. Fortunately, Barcelona has one thing for everybody– the broad, regal streets of the Eixample, the bohemian Gracia neighborhood, the historic outdated city, and the beach-side Barceloneta.
Gothic Quarter
Let’s begin in one of many metropolis’s oldest neighborhoods, the historic Gothic Quarter (El Gòtic). That is an apparent alternative of the place to remain in Barcelona given its prime location, however there are some things to remember. The Gothic Quarter is without doubt one of the metropolis’s most touristed areas. The streets throughout summer time are sometimes crowded, and pickpockets are commonplace. Since many streets are slender, there isn’t all the time a variety of pure gentle that comes into resort rooms. That mentioned, you’ll be able to’t beat the placement of the Gothic Quarter and the texture of being on this extremely stunning neighborhood. There are world-class retailers and museums solely steps away. Meals smart, it’s not one of the best neighborhood (plenty of vacationer traps, sadly) however there are some diamonds within the tough (see beneath)!
The place to Keep: The primary avenue of the Gothic Quarter is named Les Rambles (Las Ramblas), and it’s surrounded by luxurious accommodations and hostels alike. Actually, I wouldn’t skimp if deciding to remain on this a part of city. You’ll get what you pay for. If making an attempt to avoid wasting, you may think about a visitor residence, which is a good alternative when touring as a household!
Beneficial: Lodge OhLa is hip and energetic, with a stunning rooftop pool, good for summer time stays! The Mercer Lodge is an attractive boutique resort with an exquisite breakfast unfold that can have you ever prepared for the day. For a high luxurious expertise attempt The Wittmore, the place no request is just too small. And, whereas I haven’t stayed right here myself, the placement of the historic Lodge Neri is fairly unbelievable, in one of many Barcelona’s prettiest squares.
The place to Eat: The cornerstone of the Gothic Quarter’s meals scene is the Boqueria Market— Barcelona’s most well-known meals corridor. Whereas the market can get a bit crowded for my style (Barcelona is residence to many different nice markets too!) there are nonetheless a variety of scrumptious bites to find. And proper down the road is without doubt one of the finest locations on the town for wealthy Spanish sizzling chocolate, Granja Dulcinea. See extra foodie ideas for the Gothic Quarter on this Devour Barcelona information!
Insider Tip: To expertise Barcelona’s superb meals and vibrant historical past in a single particular expertise, attempt a Devour Barcelona Meals Tour!
The place to Drink: Attempt a vermouth on the conventional tapas bar, La Plata, as you start your night in town. For cocktails, attempt Sor Rita— funky and quirky, you’ll rub shoulders with locals over 80’s pop music.
Born Neighborhood
Situated within the coronary heart of historic Barcelona together with the Gothic Quarter, El Born is one in every of my favourite neighborhoods. Its medieval streets and artisan retailers are a labyrinth of surprises, with loads of scrumptious bakeries, tapas bars, wine bars and eating places greater than keen to open their doorways to you to relaxation your drained toes.
The place to Keep: This historic a part of city is crammed with boutique accommodations, and I particularly like to remain inside a brief stroll of the historic Santa Caterina Market (higher than the Boqueria for those who ask me!).
Beneficial: The stunning Okay & Okay Picasso is a beautiful house, simply steps away from the stunning Ciutadella Park.
The place to Eat: El Born has much more to supply the foodie traveler than the Gothic Quarter (in my view), however you continue to must do your analysis and know the place to eat. I extremely suggest a glass of wine on the tiny La Vinya del Senyor, positioned proper throughout from the unbelievable Santa María del Mar basilica. For conventional Catalan tapas with a twist, attempt Bar del Pla. We go to the Born neighborhood on our Tapas and Historical past of Barcelona Tour— the right technique to be taught the realm’s fascinating historical past with an area foodie information.
Learn Extra: For improbable suggestions on the place to eat in Barcelona’s El Born neighborhood, try The place to Eat in El Born.
The place to Drink: Dive into Barcelona’s pure wine scene at Can Cisa or Bar Brutal, or go for a cocktail on the quirky Collage Barcelona. For a hip model of town’s basic vermouth, attempt Bormuth— nice for tapas too.
L’Eixample
L’Eixample is large, because it was first constructed as an enlargement from the crowded outdated city, and employed a few of the finest metropolis planners on the earth for its modern “tremendous block” design. Right now it’s damaged up into separate sections– primarily left and proper (Esquerra and Dreta). Both are a terrific place to remain in Barcelona, lined with the realm’s signature monumental avenues, scrumptious eating places, and boutique retailers. If I had to decide on between the 2, I’d say to remain in L’Eixample Esquerra (the left aspect) as a result of there’s a lot occurring within the evenings.
The place to Keep: As a result of it’s so giant, the L’Eixample neighborhood is ideal for good high quality finances accommodations and rental residences, in addition to a few of the finest luxurious accommodations in Barcelona. It positively has essentially the most on supply and is often the place I find yourself staying when in Barcelona. I don’t miss the crowded streets and nighttime noise of town heart, but I’m solely a brief stroll away.
Beneficial: A number of the hottest luxurious accommodations within the Eixample are The Palace Lodge, the Olivia Balmes (with its dreamy rooftop pool), the ultra-luxe Mandarin Oriental, and the Lodge Omm. However this can be a neighborhood with plenty of choices, and on the mid-range stage, I really like the Praktik accommodations, particularly the Praktik Vinoteca and Praktik Bakery (so scrumptious), that are each positioned on this a part of city. And for excellent finances finds within the neighborhood, I typically pop over reserving.com the place one thing good is all the time on sale. I’ve had nice luck reserving on the final minute with this web site.
The place to Eat: So many locations! My favourite Japanese restaurant I’ve been to in Spain is right here (Wakasa), Bar Mut and Bardot all the time have rave critiques, Ciudad Condal and Cerveceria Catalana are identified for conventional tapas, and for Chinese language delicacies attempt a few of the eateries in Barcelona’s unofficial Chinatown, corresponding to Qi Xin Mian Guan.
The place to drink: Attempt Enric Granados road for hip cocktail bars and classy eating places, and for wine lovers, the world-famous Monvinic is a can’t miss.
Gracia Neighborhood
The “Village of Gracia” was certainly a separate village from Barcelona solely a little bit greater than 100 years in the past. When the Eixample was constructed, the village was annexed to Barcelona, however the locals nonetheless think about themselves loyal to Gracia over the large metropolis. This bohemian neighborhood is a paradox for me– on the one hand, you see lots of the indicators of conventional Catalan village life, and however you have got the natural bakeries, juice bars and worldwide eating places you’d discover solely in an enormous metropolis. It’s an exquisite place to remain, nonetheless solely a 30-40 minute stroll (or quick metro/taxi experience) from the outdated city. I’ve a delicate spot for Gracia as a result of it’s the place we deliberate our first Barcelona meals tour, and I lived there for a few months in a rental residence throughout the course of.
The place to Keep: Gracia is thought for some nice boutique hostels, and likewise some nice accommodations and rental residences.
Beneficial: The Generator Hostel and Casa Gracia are nice for hostel-goers, and likewise for {couples} or households on a finances. If you’re on the lookout for luxurious, attempt Casa Fuster (identified for being the place Woody Allen likes to jam out within the jazz bar). However I’d truthfully suggest a rental residence on this a part of city, that’s what we’ve all the time performed right here and you’ll actually really feel like an area when staying that manner in Gracia.
The place to Eat: I’m biased, however my largest advice is to hitch our Gracia neighborhood meals tour! We’ll introduce you to eight+ native Gracia eateries and feed you scrumptious conventional meals. Should you’re on the lookout for much more, attempt a few of my favourite eating places in Gracia right here.
Extra Ideas! For a information to Barcelona’s meals scene, don’t miss my Barcelona gastro information!
The place to Drink: Identified for its down-to-earth nightlife scene, attempt Chivuos for a craft beer and sandwich, or Outdated Original Gin & Cocktail Bar for a (very) fancy gin and tonic.
Sant Antoni/Paral.lel/Poble Sec Neighborhood
I’ve grouped these three neighborhoods collectively, as they border each other and are all nice locations to remain which can be central, protected and quiet– far sufficient from the vacationer path to really feel native, but shut sufficient to see and do all the things in your Barcelona checklist. To not point out the Poble-Sec neighborhood borders the attractive Montjuïc!
All are very outdated and conventional barrios, and whereas they could not have many well-known monuments, they’re nice for individuals watching and, importantly, meals! These days these are additionally very multicultural areas, which implies there are many choices in case you are bored with Catalan delicacies (although how may that occur?!). It’s on this a part of city that you just’ll discover all the things from the cities least expensive pintxo bars and vermouth bodegas, to the fanciest eating places by Albert Adría. Theaters, markets, and cafés are additionally scattered all through the realm, and Sant Antoni is residence to a new-ish wave of hipster cafés and eateries, together with my favourite donut store in Spain!
The place to Keep: These neighborhoods are a terrific place to begin wanting in case you are on a finances, as they’re residence to a few of Barcelona’s finest finances accommodations. That is the place I’ve stayed when touring final minute throughout excessive season when discovering one thing affordable appeared unattainable! It’s additionally a terrific space to think about renting an residence, as that’s positively one of the simplest ways to really feel like an area right here!
Beneficial: I’ve not stayed right here personally (I opted for an residence rental on this neighborhood) however have heard good issues concerning the TWO Lodge Barcelona and Lodge Vueling. For one thing barely extra boutique, I’m very curious concerning the extremely rated Lodge Brummell.
The place to Eat: So many locations! Take a look at my Barcelona eating information for much more. However– some favorites– in Poble Sec attempt Can Margarit in case you are a duck fan, for a very distinctive and genuine expertise. And, if it’s within the finances, pattern one in every of Albert Adría’s eating places, I’ve solely been to Bodega 1900, however have heard nice issues about Pakta, and blended critiques about Tickets. For superb donuts in Sant Antoni, don’t miss La Donutería. And for one more actually conventional Catalan restaurant (suppose snails) attempt Can Cargolet. See extra Poble Sec foodie ideas right here.
The place to Drink: Once more– so many locations! In Sant Antoní attempt Bar Calders for his or her home made vermouth or Fabrica Moritz for Barcelona’s signature beer. Going into Poble Sec you’ll discover Barcelona’s well-known “pintxos road” beloved by broke college students on the lookout for an inexpensive chew. Low cost doesn’t imply unhealthy, although, and I’d suggest La Tasqueta de Blai. One other well-known bar on this space is Quimet i Quimet— an incredible place, however get there early!
El Raval Neighborhood
Steps away from essentially the most touristy stretch of Las Ramblas is the Raval neighborhood, one of many metropolis’s most conventional and multicultural locations to go to. Components of the neighborhood are lately gentrified, with hipster espresso retailers and classic shops at each nook. However there are additionally some tough patches, and it’s not a spot I’d (personally) stroll alone at night time. That mentioned, it’s some of the fascinating and enjoyable neighborhoods on the town, and positively a terrific place to remain– as central because it will get!
The place to Keep: There are many good accommodations within the Raval neighborhood, and likewise plenty of rental residences and finances choices. On this a part of city, it pays to do your analysis, each for location and high quality. There are a variety of dodgy low cost lodging masquerading as worth properties.
Beneficial: The Lodge Barceló Raval and the Lodge 1898 are nice locations to remain, conveniently positioned close to town’s finest sights.
The place to Eat: El Raval is residence to an enormous number of Barcelona eating places. From conventional vermouth bars to quite a lot of worldwide spots, you gained’t get bored right here! Attempt A Tu Bola for a style of Israeli road meals in Barcelona, or Suculent for artistic Catalan delicacies.
The place to Drink: Bar Cañete is a MUST for a vermouth and tapas, attempt Caravelle for a craft beer or cocktails.
Barceloneta Neighborhood
You may anticipate Barcelona’s beachside neighborhood to be one of many metropolis’s most luxurious– however this isn’t the case. The seaside Barceloneta quarter developed as a poor fisherman’s quarter and remains to be identified for its small, worn residence buildings with the laundry frolicked to dry. That mentioned, it’s some of the genuine and community-oriented neighborhoods on the town (although increasingly crammed with immature vacationers, bothering native residents). Should you keep right here please be respectful of the neighbors, and don’t give them extra to complain about!
The place to Keep: I’m not the largest fan of staying in La Barceloneta– particularly because it’s so near a few of the metropolis’s different neighborhoods. That is an space the place vacationers have actually performed harm to town, and locals are fairly upset. Should you do keep right here, please be sure to hire a authorized rental residence (they need to have an official quantity on their itemizing) or keep in an area resort.
Beneficial: If I have been to remain on this space, I’d like to attempt the luxurious W Barcelona, or the extremely advisable H10 Port Vell or Lodge Oasis.
The place to Eat: This is without doubt one of the finest neighborhoods for (anticipate it…) seafood! Huge shock, huh? It’s additionally residence to a few of the most charming and genuine bars and bodegas in Barcelona. For meals, attempt the scrumptious delicacies made by “Mama Carmen” at Cal Papi (we style her well-known secret fideúa (the native model of paella) on our Tastes, Tapas and Traditions of Barcelona Meals Tour), one other good guess for a paella or comparable rice dish is the well-known Can Sole, based in 1903. It’s additionally compulsory to attempt the “bomba” (an enormous meat stuffed croquette) at La Cova Fumada or La Bombeta.
TOP TIP! Uncover the fascinating historical past, traditions, and meals of this unbelievable neighborhood on our Tastes, Tapas and Traditions of Barcelona meals tour— a 3.5-hour journey into the true Barcelona!
See additionally: The place to eat paella in Barcelona
The place to Drink: Consuming and consuming go collectively on this neighborhood, however a few of the musts are: Bodega Electricitat, Bodega Fermin, and El Xampenyet.
The place do you keep in Barcelona?
Do you have got a terrific suggestion for the place to remain in Barcelona? Any superb native haunts that I missed? I’d love to listen to about your discoveries within the feedback!
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