Hi guys, I hope you’re doing well considering what’s going on in the world? While we’re all at home trying to stay safe and finding ways to pass the time, I’m finishing posts that have been in my draft folder for too long.
Nothing I write during this period is, in any way, an endorsement to travel now. But we can dream about it.
When planning a trip to a new city, one of the hardest things can be choosing where to stay. That’s why personal recommendations are great if you can get them. Location is king when you’re sightseeing so it’s important to do your research to get it right.
Where I stay usually depends on several factors, but the two main ones are proximity to attractions and cost.
Presuming a lot of you are probably similar, I’ve chosen places that factor these in so you should get a better impression of what will suit your needs. Overall, I’d recommend them all since they’re all really well situated but it just depends on what vibe you prefer and as I’ve already mentioned, what your budget is.
Barcelona is divided into different ‘barris’, which is a local term for neighbourhoods. The city is a fun mix of old and modern, meaning that each ‘barri’ offers something different from the other. I’ve been to Barcelona quite a few times and stayed in different neighbourhoods and now I want to share what I’ve learnt with you.
Gothic Quarter
Best for: cobbled streets and medieval buildings
What better way to begin this list than in the oldest neighbourhood in Barcelona. The Gothic Quarter dates all the way back to the Roman Empire and is thought as the heart of the city. Its central location does mean it’s one of the most touristy areas but that’s always the case when you have so many attractions on your doorstep.
Here the plazas and medieval streets are full of life with people sitting down to enjoy a drink or marvel at the spectacular architecture. The Plaza Sant Jaume is home to two neo-classical government buildings including the City Hall. This area is particularly important to the Catalan people because it’s where they have demonstrated for independence.
Just a stone’s throw away is the more commercial Las Ramblas, the city’s most famous street lined with shops and sculptures and there’s usually the odd street performer doing their thing. Foodies will love the small bars serving up moreish tapas and there’s also La Boqueria, Barcelona’s famous food market. The only problem you’ll find is only one stomach is not enough to try everything you’ll no doubt be drooling over.
Main attractions: La Boqueria, Plaça de Catalunya, Historic Museum of Barcelona
El Born (La Ribera)
Best for: art and culture
El Born is where I stayed for a week during my last trip to Barcelona and I loved being in this part of the city. It’s a labyrinth of narrow alleyways and side streets where to walk aimlessly is a joy all on its own. It’s brimming with trendy cafes, bars and restaurants and is home to some of the city’s star attractions: Picasso Museum and Gothic Cathedral; La Santa Maria del Mar.
The Picasso Museum is hidden inside a beautiful medieval palace dating back to the 13th-14th century and holds an extensive collection which does well in conveying his range of artistic styles including his pioneering movement, Cubism.
Much less touristy than La Boqueria is Mercat de Santa Caterina, a fresh food market set within a building of striking modern design. It sells all the classic Spanish delicacies, from jamón Iberico to specialties like Jabugo ham and arbequina olives all at a very good price.
For relaxation head to Ciutadella Park which has made eye-catching features including an elaborate fountain which was said to be loosely inspired by Trevi Fountain in Rome.
To summerise, El Born is artistic, romantic and timeless – what’s not to like?
Main Attractions: Picasso Museum, Ciutadella Park, Gothic Cathedral.
Raval
Best for: Budget & Diversity
Previously known for being rundown and a bit seedy, these days El Ravel is popular among indie crowds and a good place if you’re on a budget. It’s now a melting pot of different ethnicities mixed up with a gentrifying hipster vibe. It’s also home to some unique bazaars and vintage shops so you can shop without destroying your wallet!
The red light district is in the south east of the area so it’s a bit more rough around the edges and probably not what you’re looking for if you prefer the finer things in life. On the west side it branches out to Las Ramblas so if you’re concerned about safety you might feel more assured being closer to that side. Similar to El Born it has small and narrow streets and certainly not without charm and personality.
Main attractions: Joaquin Costa is a great street for bar hopping, and nearby you’ll find the famed MACBA (Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona).
Eixample
Best for: those after a bit of luxury
Elegant, exclusive and refined, Eixample, or “the extension”, was built outside of the old city wall and is considered a triumph of urban planning. Everything about the bright and airy boulevards looks and feels different to the narrow labyrinthine streets of the old town. One thing to always do here is look up, there are some beautiful juliette balconies.
Home to wealthy, some of whom hired architects such as Antoni Gaudi and Lluís Domènech i Montaner to build them ostentatious homes and it was here that the Modernist architecture movement really flourished.
This concentration of wealth also led to the neighbourhood’s nickname, the ”Quadrat d’Or” (Golden Square) so it makes sense that you’ll find lots of expensive shops and boutiques as well as plenty of high-end dining options to match.
Main attractions: Gaudi’s masterpieces: La Padrera and Casa Batlló.
Poble-Sec
Best for: Foodies
Poble-Sec is the least touristy place on this list and is more residential than the other neighbourhoods I’ve mentioned so far. For this reason you’ll experience a more local vibe but you can still walk to most of the main tourist attractions for the best of both worlds.
Historically its known for its theatres and music halls, which have made this neighbourhood an entertainment spot for many years. But in more recent years the barrio has seen the addition of craft beer bars and hipster coffee shops . One of the coolest spots to hang out here, however, is Carrer Blai, a whole street filled with Basque-style pintxos bars. In a nutshell, Poble-Sec is less touristy, so if you’re looking for somewhere a bit more low key with great selection of dining and plenty of green spaces, it’s a good place to stay.
Main attractions: Fundació Joan Miró, Parc del Mirador del Poble Sec, Montjuïc Castle
Barceloneta (the beach)
Best for: Beach life
The Barceloneta neighbourhood of Barcelona is all about its connection with the sea. It’s here that you’ll find busy seafood restaurants, luxurious marinas, and old fishermen’s houses.
If you love the beach it might feel like a no-brainer to stay here but consider what time of the year you’ll be in the city. It’s brimming with life in the summer, but during winter you’ll want to be more central in somewhere like El Born or the Gothic Quarter.
Barceloneta perfectly encapsulates why so many people love Barcelona: it’s a city by the sea, the best of both. As the old fishermen’s quarter, it has struggled (but succeeded) to retain its working-class seaside village vibes, whilst simultaneously becoming a hedonistic utopia of revelry and indulgence.
The salty backstreets are alive with charming market squares, bakeries, bodegas and the city’s best seafood restaurants and tapas bars, but if you explore the port and the bustling Passeig de Joan de Borbó, you’ll find billionaire mega yachts, five-star hotels and ritzy beachfront nightclubs that throng with the local glitterati.
Main attractions: fabulous beach, seafood restaurants, Port Vell marina.
