Where To Stay In Barcelona - Best Neighborhoods Guide

For a truly Catalan experience, don’t miss Eixample. This is a cool part of the city that’s full of Catalan Modernist architecture, and some of the most iconic Gaudí buildings. L’Eixample, which means “the extension” in Catalan, is the upper part of Barcelona city center, and a complete opposite to the lower part, Ciutat Vella. Whilst Ciutat Vella is filled with small curvy, narrow and sometimes claustrophobic streets, the Eixample neighbourhood is a grid of large boulevards surrounding building blocks of the exact same size. It’s this grid layout which connected the old town (the present-day district of Ciutat Vella) with the other towns and villages on the Barcelona plain. Explore iconic streets like Passeig de Gràcia and Rambla de Catalunya, which are home to fancy boutique shops, countless restaurants serving Catalan cuisine and an endless array of places to eat, cafés and bars, which have made the area a strong favorite as one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Barcelona for many locals and visitors to the city.

Barceloneta is a triangular spit of land that cuts into the sea in the old harbor, Barcelona's Port Vell, on one side, and sandy beaches on the other. Once the home of fishermen, the decision was taken to demolish the old beachfront restaurants, known as xiringuitos, and public baths, opening the city up to the sea. The modernisation and renovation of the area saw the rise of funky bars, street entertainment, cool cafes, casinos, some of the best nightclubs and great places to have food, such as Pacha, Choco and Opium. They serve food at lunchtime and in the afternoon they pack the tables away and start spinning discs. The charm of this neighborhood comes from both the countless restaurants and bars which line the sand, and more traditional images of locals sitting on chairs outside their houses, lines of washing strung across narrow balconies above their heads. Barceloneta also is one of the best areas to stay in Barcelona for nightlife, which coupled with its dreamy beachfront location make it one of the best options if you’re wondering where to stay in Barcelona for the first time.

Safe and residential, El Poble Sec is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Barcelona. Situated in the Montjuïc district, between the foothills of Montjuïc and the port, El Poble Sec is full of hidden gems, great tapas bars, creative drinking dens and traditional bodegas. However, the area was not always an up-and-coming corner of town with a great food scene, historically the area was working-class; with factory and fishing as the main industries. It transformed from a relatively poor, desolate area, into one of the best neighborhoods in Barcelona, without losing its true nature and roots as a working class neighborhood. Head to Quimet y Quimet; a tapas bar tucked away with only a tiny sign to indicate its there. Loved by locals who champion it as best tapas bars in the city, at Quimet y Quimet you can eat and meet in the tiny standing bar, sip vermouth and try some great Catalan plates.