Where to Stay in Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is a fairly small city when compared to other destinations across Europe, but despite its size, the city is divided up into various districts, each with its very own personality and style. Depending on whether you’re in the city on business, on a budget, looking for luxury, are a fan of art and culture, or love the beach, you’ll want to stay in a part of Barcelona that suits you. So here’s a guide on where to book your Barcelona accommodation.

Staying in Gràcia

Gràcia is a largely residential area that is considered to be peaceful and quiet. It’s also well connected with the center of the city thanks one of the main Metro lines passing through most of the area. It’s relatively cheap to stay here too, so if you’re a family on a budget, this area is ideal for you.

Find Accommodation in Eixample

Eixample is the prime area in Barcelona. A majority of the main attractions in the city are located here and it is most definitely the most connected part of the city. By staying in the lower part of Eixample you’ll not only be only a short walk away from the center, but you’ll also be close to Gothic Quarter and Las Ramblas, which will take you directly to the port and beach.

Make Barceloneta Your base

For lovers of sun, sea, and sand, the best place to stay is in Barceloneta. There are a huge number of places to stay in this area as it’s largely touristic. Because it’s so touristic, it’s actually rather expensive to stay here, but most people think that the marina lifestyle here makes it well worth it. Most apartments here are studios or one bedrooms, so it’s more suited to young travelers and couples.

El Born is the Place to Be

Just north of the Barceloneta is the trendy area “El Born”. By staying here, not only will you be a short walk away from the beach, you’ll also have the gothic quarter of the city directly to the west. So whether you want to discover the history of the roman remains to the west, or sunbathe to the south, you have practically all you need close to El Born.

Stay in Poble Sec/Les Cortes

Poble Sec is a great place to stay if you’re looking for a cheap place to stay. It’s very well connected as the train station directly to the airport is in the area, but on top of that there are many unique attractions in the area. Art lovers will love the fact that you can visit the MNAC (National Art Museum of Catalonia) and CaixaForum. There is also Las Arenas, a bullfighting ring that is now a shopping mall, you can go up to the roof for panoramic views of Barcelona from all angles.

There are other areas to stay in when you come to Barcelona, like multicultural Raval and the naval atmosphere of Sant Martí, but the districts above are by far the most interesting. You’re much more likely to find the perfect location if you book an apartment instead of a hotel as they are much more in abundance in Barcelona, so the next time you plan you trip, make sure you consider a Barcelona holiday apartment before even thinking about a hotel.