Where is the best area to stay in Barcelona?
Whether it’s your first trip or your fifth, the question of where to stay in Barcelona will be one of your most important ones.
The vibrant city of Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and is the second largest city in the country. This is a destination that is known for everything from its incredible architecture to its rich history and diverse culture. Many people flock to Barcelona to take in the fascinating architectural work of Antoni Gaudi, including the fabulous but as yet unfinished La Sagrada Familia. Of course, there is far more to this city than just the architecture. You can look forward to great shopping, entertainment, family attractions and exciting sightseeing tours. You can also enjoy the beaches, beautiful weather and the chance to kick back and relax as you take in the unique Barcelona vibe.
When it comes to finding the best area to stay in Barcelona, the city centre is an obvious choice for most people. This includes areas within the city centre such as the Gothic Quarter, the bustling and vibrant Las Ramblas and the Eixample area, which is where you will find some of Gaudi’s most famous work including La Sagrada Familia and Casa Batllo. All of these areas will put you within easy reach of Barcelona’s sights and attractions as well as entertainment and shopping. You will also find it easy to get around when you stay in the city centre, as you can benefit from convenient access to transport links. This makes sightseeing and enjoying the attractions far easier, particularly if you do not have access to a car during your time in the city.
If you want to stay near Barcelona beach please check out where to stay in Barcelona Beach
When you stay in Barcelona’s city centre, you will certainly never be short of things to see and do, as you will find yourself at the heart of the action in this area. There are a number of different key areas that you can select from within the city centre, and the cost of accommodation along with the facilities and amenities available will vary depending on which one you select. No matter which part of the city centre you stay in, you can expect to enjoy a full and diverse itinerary, although you can also enjoy plenty of opportunities to kick back and relax if you wish to do so.
This neighborhood is around one kilometre north of the centre of Barcelona, and offers a great insight into Catalan culture. You will find that this area has a more authentic feel and atmosphere than some of the more touristy areas, which is great if you consider yourself something of a culture vulture. You can visit attractions such as Guell Park and Casa Vicens. Also, depending on when you visit you might even be able to take in the delights of the week long Festa Major de Gracia, which will enable you to enjoy a wide variety of street festivities.
This is a very fashionable and cosmopolitan part of the city, which is perfect for those who want a good combination of nightlife, shopping, entertainment, and sightseeing. You can enjoy sitting outside the cafes to sip a drink, heading to one of a variety of bars for a bite to eat and simply relaxing as you watch the world go by. Of course, there are also many attractions that you can look forward to when you stay in this area. This includes The Picasso Museum and the Textile Museum. If you are into retail therapy, you will also find many shops and boutiques to explore in El Born.
The 1992 Olympic Games changed Barcelona's seafront with its becoming a highly popular location by both locals and tourists. La Barceloneta, the fishermen's neighborhood, has noted this boom and it suffers as a result. Its tranquility and the essence of the neighbourhood have been lost due to the developments to encourage tourism. There are apartments available for tourists to rent close to the beach and the quality of the local paella has not changed. Between June and September, swimming is most enjoyable but as winter approaches, the water cools.
The only real reason to visit the Camp Nou area is to go to a FC Barcelona game or at least take a tour around its Stadium. It is just 30 minutes from the center of Barcelona and has lively and quiet parts. The district has shops and restaurants but not really enough to attract the visitor there unless football is involved. Certainly, it doesn't have the lively nightlife of Gracia or El Born.
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