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Where to Stay in Barcelona | Barcelona City Guide | Barcelona Tickets

The Catalan capital of Barcelona is the hub of Spanish arts, culture, and history as well as for its world-renowned food and wine platter. One of the guiding factors to a worthwhile holiday is the place you stay at. Barcelona values this, hence offering myriad options for every kind of traveler. To know more about accommodation in Barcelona - best district to stay at, which places are closest to the city centre, what you should keep in mind when booking a room, and more - let us help you in choosing the best option.

What Accommodation in Barcelona Should I Choose?

Every traveler has their specific needs - some visit Barcelona for its famous tapas restaurants, some want access to the best bars within walking distance while others seek a more cultural experience with the city’s galleries, museums, parks, and shopping centers.

Neighborhoods:

  • La Barceloneta is an excellent neighborhood for first-time visitors. 
  • Barri Gòtic lends a historical experience with its old buildings, plazas, and food market.
  • Family groups prefer Gràcia while friends party in the upbeat, exciting El Raval, and most nocturnal tourists dance the night away in El Born.

You can find all kinds of accommodation in Barcelona, ranging from the low-priced youth hostels and budget and mid-range hotels, the more pricey Bed and Breakfast (BnB) hotels and holiday apartments to luxurious options like the aparthotels, 5-star hotels, and penthouses.

Where to Stay in Barcelona

Best Hotels in Barcelona by District

One of the most visited districts in the city is Eixample which is so expansive that it is divided into two parts: the Dreta (Right) and the Esquerra (Left).

Eixample - Hotel Balmes

Esquerra

You can stay at Hotel Soho or Hotel Balmes in Esquerra from where you can easily access the Joan Miró park, the Novecentista Mercat del Ninot, and the University of Barcelona gardens, which hosts concerts and markets throughout the year. Image Credits

Hotel Majestic - Dreta

Dreta

In the Dreta, which comprises modernist buildings, you can find hotels like Claris and Majestic, where you can divide your time between enjoying their spa facilities, shopping along Passeig de Gràcia, and having a leisurely walk down Passeig de Sant Joan before hitting one of the man bars that line the street. Image Credits

Some other districts include Sant Martí, known for its proximity to the sea, and the vibrant Gràcia which is famous for “Festa Major,” a district-wide weeklong street fair hosted in August.

Know Before You Go

  1. When in the Eixample Esquerra district, dine on Russian salad, meatballs made with Iberian pork, or cod fritters at Sant Antoni Gloriós.

  2. In the Esquerra neighborhood, shop at the Sant Antoni market. Bibliophiles should visit the second-hand book fair held outside the market. You can find a real gem. Or two!

  3. If you are in the Eixample Dreta neighborhood, eat at Manairó to experience their high-quality gastronomy headed by genius chef Jordi Herrera. You can also head to the cocktail bar in the Casa Bonay hotel and try their Pub Chem made with Spanish brandy. 

  4. If you choose to stay in the Eixample Dreta, visit the five buildings on Passeig de Gràcia that make up what’s popularly known as the Illa de la Discòrdia. It's a feast for the eyes.

  5. If you are staying in the Born neighborhood, do plan a meal at Agut. If you can stomach it, try their traditional dishes such as the tripe stew with lamb “capipota.” Their homemade desserts are also a must-try.

  6. The Born or La Ribera district is also home to Barcelona’s favorite, the Picasso Museum. It is highly recommended that you book your tickets online.

  7. Plan to spend around $128 USD per day on your vacation in Barcelona, because on average, it’s $26 USD on meals for one day and $16 USD on local transportation.

  8. Given Barcelona is a multi-cultural, cosmopolitan city, there’s no specific dress code or etiquettes for tourists to follow.

FAQs

Q. When should I book my accommodation in Barcelona?
A. We highly recommend you arrange your accommodation well in advance of your trip. Please note that May is the peak season in Barcelona.

Q. When should I book my tickets for the attractions in Barcelona?
A. We suggest you book your tickets in advance as Barcelona is extremely popular among tourists and there’s no guarantee you will get one on spot.

Q. How long can I stay out in Barcelona?
A. You can stay out as long as you want. In fact, people in Barcelona tend to stay out late, even more so during local festivals or gatherings.

Q. What is Barcelona's time zone?
A. Barcelona is located in the GMT+1 time zone

Q. What kind of electric plugs are used in Barcelona?
A. Barcelona Spain uses electric plug type C and electric plug type F.

Q. What is the weather like in Barcelona?
A. Barcelona has a typical Mediterranean climate with warm spring weather and hot summers with up to 12 hours of sunshine per day. Barcelona winters are mild.

Q. How do I commute in Barcelona?
A. Barcelona has a modern and well-maintained public transport system of trains, metro, buses, trams, and city bikes. You can also hail a taxi and pay by the meter.

Q. Where is the Barcelona airport?
A. The international airport in Barcelona, El Prat, is 20 km from the city centre. There is no metro from the Barcelona airport to the city centre. You can catch a bus, train or taxi, or book a private airport transfer.

Q. When can I shop in Barcelona?
A. Most shops in Barcelona open at 09:30 to 10.00 in the morning. Many of them are open on Saturday afternoons while almost all shops are closed on Sundays.

Q. Is there any dress code in Barcelona?
A. Barcelona is a multi-cultural, cosmopolitan city, so there’s no specific dress code for tourists to follow.