If you have decided to visit Barcelona, ​​perhaps taking advantage of one of the many offers on low cost flights that connect to the Spanish city, it will surely be useful to know what the best areas to sleep in Barcelona, to visit the city in a comfortable and simple way.
Barcelona, ​​located on Spain's southern coast overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, is the second most populous city in Spain Spain, dopo Madrid. This metropolis is the capital of the autonomous community of Catalonia and is one of the main European tourist destinations thanks to its incredible architectural richness, and above all to yours beaches, which welcome about seven million bathers a year. In this article you can discover the best areas to sleep in Barcelona.
Where to sleep in Barcelona
Barcelona is one of the most touristic cities in the world. To accommodate the millions of tourists who come to the city each year, the city has one of the largest accommodation and hotel offers in Europe. In addition, the offer is not only wide, but also very varied, there are options for all tastes and budgets.
In terms of fares, Barcelona is not a cheap destination, however sleeping in Barcelona is considerably cheaper than in other major European tourist cities like Paris, London or Rome, with a quality of its hotels far superior to that of the main European tourist cities.
Most tourists visit Barcelona from mid-spring to mid-autumn, with the high season coinciding with summer. During this period it is highly It is advisable to book well in advance to find good hotel or accommodation solutions combined with good offers and rates. In general, however, the more centrally located the hotel or accommodation, the more the room rates rise.
Barcelona has a excellent public transport system which perfectly connects the entire city. For long stays it can also be a good solution to stay away from the center if the offer is very convenient, while for short stays, it is best to choose one of the downtown districts, perfect for comfortably walking to the main attractions of the city.
Il historic center is one of the most beautiful areas of Barcelona and, considering its location, also one of the most touristic. And the perfect base also for families with small children so that they can easily visit the city without using public transport.
El Born: for families with children
El Born is one of the most bohemian and trendy neighborhoods in the city. In the neighborhood there are many charming places, pedestrian streets and countless bars and restaurants to discover. With its designer shops, it's a safe bet for eating out or having a drink. Its proximity to the Gothic Quarter makes it aexceptional option.
All the hotels located in the area, between the surroundings of the Layetana road and the Ciutadella Park, are an excellent alternative to those in the Gothic Quarter.
Among the places not to be missed are the Basilica di Santa Maria del Mar, a famous building in the Catalan Gothic style, and the Palau de la MĂşsica Catalana, an impressive modernist concert hall, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
But El Born is also home to the Picasso Museum, the Chocolate Museum and the Museum of World Cultures, as well as Arc de Triomf and Ciutadella Park, a place of recreation where numerous cultural events take place.
Born is one of the best areas to sleep in Barcelona if you want to be at the center of events and, at the same time, know an essential part of the history of the city.
Find your hotel in El BornGothic Quarter: the central and historical area
Located east of Las Ramblas, the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona is one of the largest and best preserved medieval areas in Europe. It is the oldest part of the city and a labyrinth of medieval courtyards, alleys and hidden squares where it is wonderful to get lost.
Barri Gòtic is full of small artisan shops, stylist boutiques, cafes, taverns, restaurants and has a lively nightlife. The neighborhood is undoubtedly one of the most charming areas and one of the best to sleep in in Barcelona.
Among the many attractions that are concentrated in this district, the Plaza de Sant Jaume it is undoubtedly the most important. Additionally, this area is home to Catalan Gothic temples, such as the Cathedral of Santa Eulalia and Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi, declared heritage of cultural interest.
The commercial avenue Portal de l'Angel it is the second largest shopping area in Barcelona. This is another good reason to stay in the Barri Gòtic, especially for those who love shopping.
Find your hotel in Barri Gòtic
Eixample: a comfortable area for everyone
This XNUMXth-century neighborhood has little to do with Ciutat Vella's labyrinth of alleyways, but it is a very comfortable area to reach the various points of the city. It is located north of Plaza Catalunya and is characterized by wide tree-lined avenues and its modernist architecture.
It is a family and quiet neighborhood, although it has a large tourist influx thanks to the presence of the main attraction of the city, the Holy Family.
Do not miss Passeig de GrĂ ci (Paseo de Gracia), an avenue full of shops of all kinds, restaurants and architectural monuments, such as Casa Batllo, Casa Mila, called La Pedrera, and Casa Amatller.
La best area in the neighborhood is the left hand side of Exiample, the one that extends from Plaza Catalunya to the left of Paseo de Gracia. It is a little more elegant and pleasant than the right side, has good restaurants and also a decent nightlife.
In general it is a very safe and well connected neighborhood. L'Eixample is one of the best areas to sleep in Barcelona if you want to know the modern side of the city and stay close to some of its main points of interest.
Find your hotel in EixampleBarceloneta: for beach holidays
Once a port and fishing district, and like El Raval, a depressed and unattractive neighborhood, it has undergone an intense process of urban transformation since the Barcelona Olympics.
Today Barceloneta is a attractive neighborhood, famous for its proximity to the sea and for having the most popular beaches in the entire Iberian Peninsula. Here you will find many new cafes, bars and restaurants.
This lively area of ​​narrow streets is centrally located and is one of the best areas to sleep in Barcelona if you want to enjoy the sea and, at the same time, stay in a good position to visit other areas.
Some points of interest in this area are the La Barceloneta Market (known for being one of the oldest markets in Barcelona) and the port cable car running through the neighborhood, from San Sebastián Tower al Miramar viewpoint, offering excellent views of the beach.
Find your hotel in BarcelonetaGrĂ cia: a good alternative
Grace is one of the most iconic neighborhoods of Barcelona. Although it was an independent city until 1897, it has become a favorite spot for locals and the many tourists who visit the city.
One of the emblematic places of GrĂ cia is the park GĂĽell, the work of the modernist architect Antoni GaudĂ, inspired by English gardens. This huge park is a landmark of Catalan modernism and offers excellent panoramic views of Barcelona, ​​making it one of the most popular attractions for photo lovers.
GrĂ cia exudes a bohemian atmosphere that is felt in its squares: Diamond Square, North Square o Plaza de la Vila de GrĂ cia. In addition, this neighborhood is filled with color during festivals of GrĂ cia in August, with numerous shows for the whole family.
GrĂ cia is one of the best areas to sleep in Barcelona for those who want to know the bohemian scene of the Catalan capital and for those looking for one cheap accommodation. The metro stations that connect the district are: Verdaguer, Joanic and Fontana.
Find your hotel in GrĂ ciaSants-MontjuĂŻc: an inexpensive area to sleep in Barcelona
Sants-MontjuĂŻc is the largest district of Barcelona, so there is always something to see and do in its streets. Located at the foot of the MontjuĂŻc mountain, this neighborhood is the home of the MontjuĂŻc Park, from where you can contemplate the city in its entirety. It is the main office of the Barcelona train station: Sants Station.
Other icons of Sants-MontjuĂŻc are Plaza España (where the streets of Barcelona meet such as: Gran VĂa, Parallel or Reina Maria Cristina), as well as the National Art Museum of Catalonia and Joan MirĂł Foundation.
If you are looking for something cheaper than previous areas, this neighborhood is the right choice for you.
Find your hotel in Sants-MontjuĂŻcEl Raval: for young people and nightlife
El Raval is an interesting and central alternative to staying in Barcelona. It has an excellent location in the heart of the city, just west of the famous pedestrian street, Las Ramblas.
A few years ago it was a fairly depressed and dangerous area. However, in recent times has undergone a very intense urban restoration plan which has radically improved it.
The neighborhood houses the museum MACBA,Old Hospital of Santa Creu and the famous market Boqueria. It has a vibrant nightlife, a good supply of restaurants and it is a little less expensive of the Gothic Quarter or Plaza Cataluña. It is an area to consider if you don't want to spend too much on sleep to Barcelona.
Find your hotel in El RavalSafer neighborhoods to sleep in Barcelona
In general, Barcelona it is a very safe city, where it is possible to move on foot and by public transport at any time of the day. On the other hand, every time you travel on the subway, you need to be careful of personal items, because there are many pickpockets, especially in the center.
The whole downtown area is very safe, but if you are looking for something quiet, away from the party hustle and still in the heart of the city, your best option is to stay in theEixample and in the neighborhood of Grace, because they are the safest areas to sleep in Barcelona. Another very quiet and safe neighborhood is SarriĂ -Sant Gervasi.
Dangerous neighborhoods in Barcelona to avoid
Among the streets or neighborhoods that should be avoided during a trip or vacation to Barcelona we find the neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city, where there are fewer people on the street and there is less police presence.
Insecurity and poverty tend to go hand in hand, and Barcelona is no exception. The poorest areas of the city, such as Meridian City, Vallbona, Free Zone o Torre BarĂł, they are also the most precarious and dangerous.
This does not mean that something could happen because they are gods popular neighborhoods of the city, but it is better to be cautious. To be avoided Montjuic Park at night, as it is generally a dark area and there are no surveillance cameras.
In the nearby town of Hospitalet de Llobregat, it is best to avoid the Sant Cosme district, because it is a high crime area, although security has increased in recent times.
When to go
This beautiful Catalan city enjoys a privileged climate, with mild winters compared to other European cities. Temperatures hover around 30 ° C in summer, and are particularly pleasant during autumn and spring.
Therefore, there is no best time to visit Barcelona, it depends on personal commitments and on the available budget.
If you want go to the beach, Spring, summer and even the first part of autumn are the ideal time. Summer is the best time for holiday at the seaside, but accommodations tend to be more expensive and the beaches more crowded.
If the main reason for the trip is visit the historical attractions of the city, autumn is a great time to travel or vacation to Barcelona.
What to visit in Barcelona
The Catalan capital is one of the European cities with more places to see and monuments to visit. If you want to return satisfied from a trip to Barcelona, ​​it is advisable to see at least 5 of the following places on this list. If you can see 10 or more, you have had a more than complete trip.
- la Sagrada Familia
- the Rambla
- the Parc Guell district
- Plaça de Catalunya
- it neighborhoods Parc de Mar
- the Barrio Gotico district
- the Museu Picasso
- Placa d'Espanya
- The Raval
- the GrĂ cia district
- Plaça de la Boqueria, with the mosaic made by Joan Mirò
- the Port Olimpico and the Vila Olimpica
- the MACBA (Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona)
How to book flight and hotel
The cheapest way to book flight and hotel, is by making the booking of these two services individually, but this rule is not always valid.
For example, in high season or under date it may be more convenient to book a flight + hotel package online.
If you haven't found good accommodation rates and you haven't booked your flight yet, don't be discouraged, search and book online one of many flight + hotel packages proposed.
Find a flight + hotel package among the best offers to Barcelona
