Choosing a good area to stay in Barcelona is essential if you want your visit to the city to be a unique experience and if you want to return home with a great experience. It is highly advisable to carefully examine each of the city’s neighbourhoods in order to get to know their peculiarities and choose the one that best suits you and your companions.
Every traveller is different and, for this reason, at Musik Boutique Hotel we want to help you choose the ideal location for you, depending on the itinerary you choose and the visits you plan to make. Keep reading if you want to know which is the best area to stay in Barcelona!
Neighbourhood to stay in Barcelona
Before we start showing you the best area of Barcelona to stay in for your trip, you should know that most visitors tend to prefer to stay in the city centre, which corresponds to the Ciutat Vella neighbourhood (old town in Catalan). This is because it has an excellent public transport system and, being in the centre, you’ll be able to get almost anywhere in a leisurely stroll.
Now, let’s start with our selection of areas, so you can choose the best neighbourhood to stay in Barcelona during your holidays.
El Born
El Born is, for many, the best area to stay in Barcelona. The history of El Born neighbourhood dates back to the beginnings of the city. This is our favourite neighbourhood in Barcelona to go out at night, as we love its bohemian and casual atmosphere. El Born is next to the Gothic Quarter and forms part of the old part of the city, also known as Ciutat Vella.
It is a very lively area throughout the day and is full of restaurants, bars and nightclubs. It is also a very central area, making it one of the best neighbourhoods for sightseeing in Barcelona without wasting time on transport. As a lively neighbourhood, it can be a bit noisy at night, so you’ll need to choose good accommodation that allows you to get a good night’s rest, as it happens at Musik Boutique Hotel.
Barrio Gótico
The Barrio Gótico (Gothic Quarter) is also part of Ciutat Vella and its cobbled streets form a picturesque labyrinth, where the energy of tourists and locals mingle. It is a neighbourhood steeped in history, but also very lively and touristy where you’ll find a wealth of street musicians, art galleries, souvenir shops, tapas bars, etc.
This neighbourhood is perfect for staying with a partner or friends, as you will find yourself among the small squares in front of Barcelona’s old churches dating back to the Middle Ages.
Sant Antoni
Sant Antoni is a neighbourhood with a large number of bars and restaurants with a very relaxed and bohemian atmosphere, which is why it is considered the best area to stay in Barcelona if you are looking for a holiday to get to know the purest essence of the city.
This neighbourhood is known for its food and clothes market called the Mercat de Sant Antoni. You can also gawk at its antique and vintage clothes shops.
Poblenou
Poblenou is a neighbourhood located on the seafront of Barcelona that has recently been renovated and modernised. Formerly a fishermen’s neighbourhood, it is now known for its creative atmosphere, with a large number of art galleries, design studios and shared workspaces.
In Poblenou you can also enjoy good gastronomy, as there is a wide range of bars and restaurants with local and international food, which will make your palate explode with new sensations.
Les Corts
Les Corts is a quiet, residential neighbourhood with a main tourist attraction that you will surely be familiar with. We’re talking about Camp Nou, the home stadium of the Barcelona Football Club. This neighbourhood is also home to the famous shopping avenue of La Diagonal, with shopping options to suit all budgets.
If you’re staying in the Les Corts neighbourhood, you’ll also be able to stroll around its large green spaces, such as the Parc de la Maternitat and the Torre de les Aigües garden.
El Poble Sec
Poble Sec is also considered one of the best areas to stay in Barcelona. It is a very lively and multicultural neighbourhood where you are guaranteed to have fun, even if you just stroll through its streets. There you will be able to meet the most colourful characters on foot and discover another side of Barcelona that you might not be aware of.
This is the perfect place for tourists looking for a bohemian and vibrant atmosphere, with a wide range of leisure and entertainment options, and a great number of tapas bars, as well as the city’s most famous theatres, such as the Victoria Theatre and the Sala Barts.
Best area to stay in Barcelona with children
Travelling alone is not the same as travelling as a family and we are very clear about that. To choose the perfect accommodation, when you’re accompanied by children, you should mainly take into account the location, mobility and activities of the neighbourhood where you set up your base camp.
Below, we are going to show you the best areas to stay in Barcelona with children, which will allow you to enjoy a great family holiday.
Gracia
The Gracia neighbourhood is a very picturesque and bohemian area, with narrow streets lined with shops, cafes and restaurants. It’s a very quiet and safe neighbourhood that has a reputation for functioning like a suburban village, which is perfect for walking around with children without worrying too much. You’ll also find parks and squares to enjoy the outdoors on your days off. Some of the most important are Parc Güell and Plaça del Sol.
Eixample
The Eixample neighbourhood is a fairly large but well-connected area with a wide range of options for staying with children. It has a large number of shops and restaurants and is very close to some of the city’s main tourist attractions, such as the Sagrada Familia and Passeig de Gràcia, among others. Additionally, the neighbourhood has very wide pavements and avenues, making it the ideal place to move around with prams, children walking hand in hand and bicycles.
Sants
Sants neighbourhood is a residential area that offers a rather quiet, family-friendly atmosphere, perfect for your trip with the kids. It is well known for its central square, Plaza de Sants, which is surrounded by bars and restaurants where you’ll find dishes to suit all tastes, even the most exclusive. In this area you will also find local shops and small businesses offering their products. Sants is close to the train station that bears the same name as the neighbourhood, making it easily accessible from other parts of the city and from the airport.
La Barceloneta
We finish our selection of the best neighbourhoods to stay with children in Barcelona by introducing you to La Barceloneta. If you’re looking for a hotel near the beach, so you can take a dip whenever you feel like it, without wasting time on your commute, La Barceloneta is the perfect option.
This neighbourhood is located right next to the beach and offers a wide range of accommodation options, from flats to hotels. You’ll also find plenty of restaurants and bars nearby, as well as plenty of outdoor activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Do you already know which is the best area to stay in Barcelona, taking into account your travel needs? At Musik Boutique Hotel we want you to fall in love with Barcelona as much as we do, and that’s why we offer you accommodation located in the heart of the city, with all the comforts and luxuries you’ll need during your stay. Take a look and discover it!
