
Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in Europe, a must-see destination for young people attracted by its nightlife as well as couples and families who see its spectacular attractions as the main reason to visit.
Finding a place to stay in Barcelona is certainly not a problem as it is teeming with all kinds of accommodation and for all budgets. In addition to the typical Spanish guesthouses, you will find plenty of cheap hotels, luxury hotels, hostels and flats.
When planning a trip to Barcelona, however, it is important to carefully consider not only the type of accommodation, but also the best place to stay according to your needs, the type of holiday you intend to take, the days you have available and the budget you have.
Granted that it depends a lot on the type of accommodation and the area you choose, we can say that accommodation prices in Barcelona are on average lower than in other big European cities. Certainly they used to be much more so, but objectively you can spend less than in cities like London, Amsterdam, Paris or Copenhagen.
Also bear in mind that thehigh season in Barcelona is from March to September (a period when it is essential to book well in advance), while between October and March costs go down.
Finally, know that Barcelona has an excellent transport system, so no matter which neighbourhood you decide to stay in, you can rest assured that it will always be easy to get from one part of the city to another.
Let’s take a look at the best areas to sleep in Barcelona, each with its own characteristics.

If this is your first time in the Catalan city and even more so if you only have the classic 3-4 days at your disposal, staying in the centre of Barcelona is definitely the best choice. By ‘centre’ we usually mean the area occupied by the neighbourhoods of Barrio Gòtico, El Born and El Raval, connected by the famous Ramblas.
These neighbourhoods are ideal for getting into the atmosphere of the city and getting to most places of interest, while enjoying plenty of restaurants and clubs in the evening hours.
As you will discover once you are there, the centre of Barcelona is not very extensive and you can get around it comfortably on foot, which is why this area, although great for everyone, is perfect for families travelling with children, as they can minimise the use of public transport.
The Barrio Gotico district is the most central of all, particularly rich in restaurants and clubs and, together with the Born/Rivera and El Raval, also one of the liveliest at night, which is why it is also a favourite with many travellers.
Finally, along La Rambla, which is decidedly more chaotic than the other areas, there are plenty of pensions and cheap hotels and you’ll be just a stone’s throw from nightclubs and public transport, a favourite choice especially for young people looking for a good time.

The Barrio Gotico is the favourite district for tourists visiting Barcelona. It represents the ‘historic centre’ of the city, a maze of cobbled streets and small squares that enchant its visitors.
Staying in this area allows you to have the city’s main tourist attractions at your fingertips: accessible on foot, it allows you to make the most of your time and is also great for going out at night, being full of restaurants as well as nightclubs.
Located between the Born and El Raval, it is also a stone’s throw from La Rambla and La Ribera. It is also well-connected by public transport, thanks mainly to the various metro stations on either side of the district.
A 10-minute walk also takes you to Plaza Catalunya, a strategic point of the city that is also useful for travelling to and from the airport.

If you want to breathe the air of the Barcelona of artists, art galleries and museums, then come and stay in La Ribera.
We recommend the area especially to those who love alternative nightlife: in fact, the neighbourhood has become one of the city’s busiest areas, adapting to the rhythms of youthful life.
The area is very central, allowing you to have the main things to see on your doorstep, there are many craft shops, the streets are safe and you will have a good range of bars and restaurants.
The neighbourhood has as its reference metro stops Jaume 1 on Via Laietana, Arc de Triomf to the north and Barceloneta to the south. You will also be close to the de França train station and a quarter-hour walk from Las Ramblas.
Once a place of prostitutes, street people, drunks, thieves and delinquents, today El Raval is a quiet neighbourhood where you should, however, not venture too far into the darker, secluded alleyways.
Although it has undergone several redevelopments in recent years, some areas, particularly towards the sea, remain run-down and unsafe at night. If you decide to sleep in the area, therefore, prefer the area towards Plaça de Catalunya, it is safer.
It is chosen by many tourists for its nightlife, being one of the liveliest and most cheerful Barri in Barcelona. It could be described as one of the most intense souls of the city, a cosmopolitan, multicultural and modern place.
The closest attractions are the MACBA, the modern museum of contemporary art, Sant Pau del Camp, the oldest church in Barcelona and Gaudí’s Güell Palace.
It is worth noting that El Raval is in a great location, close to the Rambla, the port and Plaza Catalunya and equidistant from the city’s main attractions, and that prices here are much lower than in the rest of the city.
We really like the atmosphere of El Raval. However, in our opinion it is not the best area for families, but an excellent choice for travellers wishing to capture a more authentic and multi-ethnic Barcelona.
If you love art and architecture, the Eixample is the place for you.
Those who choose this modern, upmarket commercial and cultural district are in the middle of Barcelona’s greatest architectural works: apart from the Sagrada Familia, in the ‘golden square’ that runs from Passeig De Sant Joan and Carrer Muntaner on one side and Avenguida Diagonal and le Rondes on the other, there are no less than 150 architectural works in the Modernista style.
It is the ideal district for those who want an extremely quiet and safe environment at night, where they can find quality flats but at the same time perfectly connected by public transport to other tourist attractions.

To discover the true soul of Barcelona, one must go to Gràcia, a district that is more like a village in itself, having remained independent until the late 1800s.
Gràcia is home to an alternative atmosphere full of artists, musicians, photographers and artisans that give the district a bohemian charm.
In recent years, it has somewhat lost its popular character thanks to major redevelopment. Today, it is a charming and fashionable district, much sought after by young people and intellectuals.
Unfortunately, it is a little far from the centre and many of the city’s attractions, but it is well connected by several metro stops on the green line. Also consider that you can walk to Plaça Catalunya as well as to some major attractions such as the Parc Guell or the Sagrada Familia.
The Gracia district is the best choice if you want to avoid the tourist crowds and experience the true soul of Barcelona.

Beaches, sun and an atmosphere of yesteryear await those who have chosen Barceloneta as an area to stay.
This magnificent seafront district is alive with activity all year round. Lovers of the sea, wind and beach and those who want a neighbourhood on a human scale will definitely choose Barceloneta.
You can enjoy seafront aperitifs with hearty seafood dishes at the famous Chiringuitos and admire unforgettable sunsets – an ideal place for couples and those travelling with children and teenagers.
To get to the centre, you either have to face a nice walk or use the yellow metro or some local buses.

Clinging to the hillside is one of the quietest areas of the city. Those who appreciate serenity may choose to stay in the safe residential areas of Poble Sec and Montjuïc. Although they are quite central, they are not characterised by the hustle and bustle of the heart of Barcelona.
Immersed in Catalan culture, surrounded by parks and gardens, well-connected to public transport and quiet at night, they are the ideal place for families who will find plenty of restaurants and bars to spend the evenings and the clubs of the Raval just a stone’s throw away.
Furthermore, for a pleasant evening stroll you can get to admire the fantastic light effects of the Magic Fountain by using the dizzying cable car up to the Castle or by convenient escalators.
This modern, futuristic district seems light years away from Barcelona and was built in 1992 to accommodate Olympic athletes.
Popular with business people, it is ideal for those who want a quiet and relaxing environment, where they can stroll along the promenade, enjoy a fresh fish dinner right on the beach and mingle with the most exclusive Barcelona.
The hotel offer is excellent: spacious, modern hotels and flats overlooking the sea and surrounded by good nightlife.
When booking a hotel in Barcelona, you should consider the fact that you will have to pay city tax on arrival. It is charged to everyone over the age of 17 and the amount depends on the establishment you choose. However, the maximum is set at 2.48 euros per person per night and is only charged for the first 7 nights of the stay. The tourist tax is usually paid on arrival directly at the hotel, which will pay it to the competent authorities.
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