Where to stay in Barcelona?

Staying in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter:the historic center

The Gothic Quarter, or “El Barri Gótic”, is the historic heart of Barcelona, or the medieval part. It's made up of narrow streets lined with tall buildings of gray and ochre stone, and squares (Plaça de Sant Felip Neri, Plaça del Pi, Plaça Sant Jaume). It's a relatively shady area, with plenty of stores, bars and restaurants (from snack bars to more upscale establishments).

Geographically, it lies to the east of the Rambla (the main avenue running from the Plaza de Catalunya down to the sea). It is thus bounded by the Plaça de Catalunya to the north, via Laietana to the east, the Rambla to the west, and the marina to the south.

Apart from delivery drivers and cabs, this zone is closed to traffic. It is therefore essentially pedestrianized. Busy with tourists during the day, it's quieter at night. There are many places to stay, especially hotels (for all budgets).

Highlights include

• the cathedral, which, in addition to being open to the public indoors, can be climbed to the top to enjoy the views.
• the Pont del Bisbe (Bisbe Bridge), a neo-Gothic footbridge that crosses Carrer Bisbe, linking the Palau de la Generalitat de Catalunya and the Casa dels Canonges.
• Plaça del Rei ("King's Square ”), behind the cathedral and lined with palaces.
• the Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi, in the square of the same name, famous for its rose window, the largest in Catalonia
• a number of museums, including one dedicated to the history of Barcelona, the Wax Museum, etc.

Because of its centrality, but also its authenticity, staying in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter is the place to be if you're visiting the Catalan capital to enjoy its cultural side. Although not directly crossed by the metro, it's within easy reach of the Jaume I (line 4) and Liceu (line 3) stations.

It is, however, some 30 minutes' walk from the beaches. So if your primary objective is to enjoy the sea, it's best to avoid it!

Accommodation near the Olympic Port

To the north of Barceloneta, the Port Olympique (or Olympic City) district is located by the sea, near the Ciutadella park. It was given this name following its redesign for the 1992 Olympic Games.

Modern, it is partly bordered by a marina, but also by a beautiful stretch of fine sand (Nova Icària). It is also home to two of Barcelona's best-known skyscrapers. Behind the marina are numerous restaurants and bars of all kinds (tapas bars, burger bars, seafood bars, etc.), especially for tourists. There are also discotheques for partying, and a casino. In high season, some even open directly onto the beach.

The nearest metro station is Ciutadella Vila Olímpica, on line 4, which runs to the center of town. On the other hand, it's a 40-minute walk to the city center, so avoid it.

In terms of accommodation, there are a few hotels in the area, including a luxurious one located in one of the 2 large towers. But it's mainly apartments that are more prevalent. Few are on the seafront.

Centro, El Raval and La Ribera:to stay around Barcelona's historic center

In addition to the historic heart of El Barri Gótic, you can also stay in other areas of Barcelona that are just as good for central accommodation. These include:

• La Ribera, to the east of the medieval quarter
• El Raval, west of La Rambla
• Centro, around Plaça de Catalunya

La Ribera is also considered an old quarter. The southern part of El Born is essentially made up of old buildings. It's a maze of narrow streets and squares. Here, too, you'll find numerous bars and restaurants, some with terraces. But you'll also find museums, as this is where you'll find the Picasso, Moco (contemporary art) and MEAM (modern art) museums. It clearly represents a good alternative for accommodation in Barcelona.

El Raval is lively, known for its bars and festive atmosphere. In terms of accommodation, there are both rental apartments and hotels. It's home to the Palais Güell, one of the works of the famous architect, and Fernando Botero's large bronze sculpture of a cat. It is bordered by metro lines 2 and 3.

Centro is the area around the huge Plaça de Catalunya. Easily served by the metro (lines 1, 2 and 4 nearby), it is also the arrival point for shuttle buses linking the city center to the airport. There are many hotels, both around the square itself and in the surrounding streets. It's a busy, noisy area.

As you can see, these 3 areas are still considered to be in what might be called the “center” of Barcelona. With their different strengths and ambiences, they are all well located for visiting the city. And they're all well served by the metro, with stations just a few minutes' walk from your accommodation.

On the other hand, they are far from the beaches. Barceloneta is half an hour's walk from El Raval and Centro, and twenty minutes from La Ribera.

Lodging near Barceloneta beach

Barceloneta beach is Barcelona's most important beach. With around 2 km of fine sand, it stretches roughly between the Olympic Port (towards “Somorrostro Beach”) and the hotel W Barcelona. This is one of Barcelona's most distinctive landmarks: you won't be able to miss it in the landscape as you stroll along the coast!

It's located at the southern (or rather southeastern) end of the center, below the large Parc de la Ciutadella, and south of the Port Olympique. It's therefore well located, relatively “close” to the city center (about 30 minutes' walk all the same). The nearest metro station is Barceloneta (line 4), a ten-minute walk away.

People come to this part of Barcelona to be close to the Mediterranean. But also to be able to enjoy the evening restaurants and bars on the waterfront, as well as in the many adjacent streets. The area is bordered by a large esplanade that's great for strolling along. Early in the morning and in the evening, you'll come across many joggers, and you can also rent self-service bicycles.

In terms of accommodation, there aren 't many hotels in the direct vicinity of the seafront, but rather apartments for rent. Some have rooms with a view, but this is not the norm. Most of the places to stay are in the back streets. Apart from the “W Barcelona”, which is clearly a cut above the rest, the main attraction here is the proximity to the beach, rather than the resort.

Poblenou:close to the sea & beautiful hotels

Further north and partly by the sea, lies the Poblenou district. Farther from the center (more or less an hour's walk), the main reason for staying here is to be close to the beach. These include Bogatell, Mar Bella and Nova Mar Bella.

In the eastern part of the island, you'll find numerous hotels designed for relaxation. These accommodations are more or less close to the water's edge, and most include a swimming pool, restaurant and, in some cases, a spa. But the area is also home to a large number of apartments for rent, sometimes in residences with pool access.

Initially primarily residential, the area has grown to attract both businesses and retail outlets. The Rambla del Poblenou is a pedestrian avenue lined with stores, cafés and restaurants. Like its sister avenue in the town center, it runs right up to the sea. And beyond this avenue, there are plenty of places to eat in the area, to suit all budgets.

As you'll have gathered, the main reason for coming here is to enjoy Barcelona's seaside attractions, rather than for sightseeing. However, it is served by the metro at the Poblenou, Llacuna and Selva de Mar stations on line 4. These are about a 1 km walk inland.

Lodging here is therefore best suited to relaxation-oriented stays, where the beach and swimming pool are the main attractions. Cultural visits are secondary.

Staying in Eixample:the Sagrada Familia district

This is Barcelona's largest district. It lies to the north of the city center, and stretches almost 5km wide, between Poblenou to the east and Les Corts to the west.

From a tourist point of view, you'll be sure to visit it during your stay, as it's home to some major must-see sites:

• the Sagrada Familia, masterpiece of Catalan architect Gaudi, and a true symbol of Barcelona
• Gaudi'sCasa Batlló and Casa Milà (also known as Pedrera).

It is particularly well served by public transport, with:

• line 5, which crosses it from east to west
• lines 2, 3 and 4, which also pass through the area, notably at Passeig de Gracia station, where they intersect. Line 4 brings you closer to the beaches.

Beyond its major metro station, Passeig de Gracia is above all a wide avenue that crosses Eixample from north to south, joining up with Plaça de Catalunya. It's lined with brand-name boutiques and restaurants. It's also home to numerous hotels, as well as hotels of all price ranges in its perpendicular streets. Because of their proximity to the center, however, they are often full well in advance.

Less pleasant than staying in the center of Barcelona, staying in Eixample remains a very good alternative. It's well connected, just a few minutes' walk from the center, and offers a wide range of accommodation (both hotels and apartments). Depending on where you stay, you'll also find restaurants and local shops.

Les Corts, Gracia and Montjuic:other areas to stay in Barcelona?

If you want to broaden your choice of places to stay in Barcelona, you can opt for more out-of-the-way districts. Lodging in these areas is a great way of keeping your budget down, or finding accommodation that suits your dates. The main areas are

• Les Corts, to the west
• Gracia, to the north
• Montjuic, to the south

Les Corts lies to the west of Eixample, and is home to a number of relatively modern hotels. It is served by metro line 3, via several stations (Maria Cristina, Palau Reial, Les Corts). As far as tourism is concerned, you probably won't come here unless you're a soccer fan. It's home to the Camp Nou stadium, which can be visited!

Located in the north, Gracia is relatively far from the center. It's a good 30-minute walk to the Plaça de Catalunya, and over an hour to the beach. The best way to get there is by public transport. It's very well served, notably at Gracia station, a major hub. But also via lines 3 and 4. The area is best known for its Parc Guëll, a must-see. But it's primarily residential. So it's mostly rental accommodation.

A stroll up Montjuic hill is a must in Barcelona, especially to discover the Art Museum of Catalonia, the castle, the complexes built for the 1992 Olympics and the Universal Exhibition. Or the Montjuic fountains night show. However, it's not possible to stay in this part of Barcelona. Staying in Montjuic is therefore limited to the area around the avenue Poble Sec. Served by metro line 3, there are a number of hotels and apartments for rent. On the edge of El Raval, it's a good option for staying close to the center.

As you'll have gathered, these are the areas where you'll most likely want to save money on your Barcelona accommodation budget. Apart from the occasional tourist attractions, they are of little interest.