Where to Stay in Barcelona: 7 Ways to Live the City

One of the most repeated questions is: where to stay in Barcelona?

It’s usually one of the tourists’ concerns when they first plan their visit in the city.

That’s why we bring you this small guide to make it easier to choose.

1. Family Trip

Barcelona is an attractive destination for families, and this type of trip requires extra facilities to make it easy to get around the city with children.

In addition, apartments need extra space.

That is why we recommend staying in the central neighbourhoods or areas with excellent transport communications. For example:

1. Arc de Triomf: this area it’s inside the Eixample neighbourhood and it’s ideal for families. You’ll able to enjoy the Ciutadella’s Park, an amazing green area perfect for children which offer dozens of possible activities (such as the Barcelona’s Zoo). This area also offers perfect transport connections.
2. Sagrada Familia: it has very good transport connections and offers a very interesting cultural offer, such as the emblematic basilica Sagrada Familia. Also, you’ll find parks and a very strong gastronomic offer.

We offer accommodation in these areas. Two beautiful and spacious apartments, fully renovated and perfect for families:

• Gemütlich Roger: located next to Arc de Triomf, it’s perfect for families. This tourist apartment is very spacious and bright. It has three double rooms; one with a king size bed, another with a double bed and the third one has two individual beds. It’s fully equipped and can host up to 6 people. More information here.

• Sagrada Familia Terrace: this apartment with terrace offers views of the famous basilica “Sagrada Familia”. It’s perfect for families because it’s really big and spacious, hosting up to 8 people.
• It has two bathrooms and three bedrooms: the first one has a double king-size bed and a private bathroom with hydromassage bathtub; in the second room you can find two single beds and the third has a bunk bed for two persons. You’ll find more details here.
  

Do you need ideas for family plans? Check our post:
"Barcelona with Kids"

2. Beach Lovers

There’s nothing more Mediterranean than the sea and Barcelona is very famous for its beaches, making these areas an irresistible tourist attraction.

In fact the city offers different coastal areas and each one has a different charming. We recommend:

1. Diagonal Mar Area: located inside Sant Marti’s district, this area offers beautiful beaches, very good transport connections and commercial axis such as the shopping mall center Diagonal Mar. It’s a good option for those who want to stay in a quiet area, away from the city center, but with good mobility to reach any point of the city.
2. La Barceloneta: is one of the most popular and charismatic neighbourhoods of the city and it’s located in the area of Port Vell. It offers a huge amount of restaurants, bars, shops and a very attractive nightlife. It’s also well-connected and close to the most famous points of Barcelona.

If you love being next to he beach, we offer the perfect accomodation for you in the Diagonal Mar area – a luxurious apartment perfect for couples, groups, families or business trips:

• Diagonal Mar Breeze: this apartment is modern, stylish and very luminous thanks to its big windows. It has two bathroom and two bedrooms: one is furnished with a double bed and features a private bathroom with a bathtub and the other one has two individual beds. It also offers a large terrace and an outdoor swimming pool. It’s located just a short walk away from some of the best beaches in Barcelona, such as La Mar Bella, la Playa de Llevant, and very close to the Port Forum. Find more information here.

Are you a beach fan? Check our post:
"Barcelona Best Beaches Megalist: 15 Seafronts + Photos" 

3. Couple Trip

Barcelona may not have the nickname “the city of love”, but that doesn’t make it less romantic. Actually, it’s very romantic and offers beautiful places perfect for a couple trip. We recommend:

1. Gracia: this area is characterized for being a bohemian neighbourhood commonly chosen by artists and creators, that’s what makes it romantic. There is always something to discover with its narrow and charming streets full of life where you can find a great gastronomic offer and bars. It’s located at the top of Passeig de Gracia, which means that you can reach the center in 15-20 minutes.
2. Gothic Quarter: it’s the oldest neighbourhood of the city, it was born on the ruins of the ancient Roman city Barcino. This area is perfect for two great reasons: its location (next to Barcelona’s center) and its architecture. You’ll find emblematic places such as Barcelona’s Cathedral, Sant Felip Neri square, Bisbe street…The architectural art is practically everywhere, which makes the area very romantic, offering that seductive sensation of walking through streets from other centuries.
   

If you’re on a trip with your partner, maybe you want an intimate, cosy and charming place to spend the holidays. We have the perfect apartments for you:

• Urban Charming Gracia: is one of our best vacation apartments for rent in Gracia, with a great combination of modern and charming elements.  One of its main features is its location: only 15 minutes walking from to the main attractions of Barcelona. It boasts one bedroom (although it can host up to 4 people), one bathroom and a nice small balcony. This apartment is perfect for couples and romantic stays. Find more about this apartment here.

• Gracia Duplex: enjoy a romantic stay in our duplex located in the very heart of Gracia, close to Barcelona’s center. This apartment is divided into three different levels creating a feeling of spaciousness and appealing brightness. It boasts one room and one bathroom, perfect for couples. More info here.

Do you want ideas for a different dinner? Check our post:
"10 Restaurants with Live Music in Barcelona" 

4. The Very Center

There are travellers who prefer a central location to be close to all the touristic attractions or places of interest. The center of Barcelona is busy and has a lot of life. Even so, you have to know how to choose the best area:

1. Las Ramblas: located in between Gothic and Raval neighbourhoods, is the most centric area of Barcelona. Along Las Ramblas you’ll find small shops, restaurants, street performers and emblematic places such as the Liceu, La Boquería market or the Plaza Reial square. The area is well-connected to all the transport services, so allows you to reach any part of the city very easily.
2. El Borne: through the years has grown into one of the most trendy neighbourhoods in the city. You’ll able to enjoy hundreds of stylish and amazing restaurants, historic bars, craft shops and a wonderful mixture of buildings. Apart from these features, it offers a unique location: between Barcelona’s centre and its beach area.

If you want a stay in the city center, we have the perfect apartment for you: good location, elegant and spacious:

• Luxury Central Angel: this apartment is located next to Barcelona’s center, just a few steps away from Plaza Catalunya or Las Ramblas, and it offers everything you need for an amazing vacation. It boasts three bedrooms, two bathrooms and can host up to 6 people. It’s fully equipped and has a terrace with swimming pool and gym on the rooftop. You’ll able to enjoy panoramic views of the city or laze in the sun. What else could you ask for? If you want more info, click here.

Do you need ideas for your first visit to Barcelona? Check our post:
"The Ultimate 3-Days Barcelona Guide" 

5. Group Trip

Barcelona is famous for its nightlife, parties, bars, as well as all other tourist attractions… That’s why it’s quite common find groups of friends travelling to the city. For this type of trip it’s important to be close to the leisure areas and the center, so we recommend:

1. Sant Martí: in this area the modernity converges with the old. It was before the 1992 Olympics when the neighbourhood began to become one of the most modern areas of the city. You’ll find beaches, the famous Fòrum (where festivals such as Primavera Sound are held) and shopping areas. Also, it has a strong gastronomic offer and excellent transport connections.
2. El Raval: is located on the right side of La Rambla, so it’s basically part of Barcelona’s center. Some parts remain almost untouched from the medieval times and that is one of the greatest charms of the neighbourhood. Another of the area’s charm is its strong importance in the art world, it has become an art center. It also has a very active nightlife and a very interesting gastronomic offer.

For group trips you need a spacious apartment, apart from well connected. We have the perfect place for you:

• Central Apolo: this amazing flat boasts four bedrooms and can host up to 7 people, that’s why is perfect for a big group. It also has two bathrooms and it’s fully equipped, offering all the amenities necessaries for a perfect stay. You can find out more here.

Refill your energy by eating a good brunch. Check our post:
" 6 Amazing Places for the Most Tasty Brunch in Barcelona"

6. Live Like a Local

We also give importance to those people who prefer to be a bit away from the center and live like a Barcelona’s local. We recommend these two areas:

1. Sarrià – Sant Gervasi: located near the Barcelona’s mountain area, it’s a residential neighbourhood and one of the wealthiest areas of the city. It offers a lot of parks and green areas, hundreds of small shops and less amount of tourists. Despite all this it’s well-connected and offers tourist attractions such as El Tibidabo or the museum CosmoCaixa. Also, if you’re up to do some shopping, you’ll find the mall La Illa very close to the neighbourhood.
2. El Guinardó: a neighbourhood with personality and located not far away from the center, close to the Sagrada Familia. You’ll find small shops, commercial axis and emblematic monuments such as El Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau. This area is really quiet during the night, so it’s perfect if you want to be away from the bustle of Barcelona’s center.

It may cost a bit to find apartments away from the tourist area but we have the perfect option for you:

• Sant Pau Maragall: this spacious apartment can host up to 6 people. It has one bathroom and two bedrooms, one double and one with two single beds. It’s fully equipped and renovated, perfect for families, couples, groups and business trips. Discover more here.

Discover the most beautiful and remote places of Barcelona:
"Barcelona’s Must Visit Hidden Parks and Gardens"

7. Business Trip

Besides being a very tourist city, Barcelona is also a very important business center. Congresses such as the Mobile World Congress or the facility for entrepreneurship make it an attractive city for businesspeople. During a business trip it’s important to be close of good transport connections to move quickly through the city. We recommend:

1. Plaza España: it’s located fifteen minutes away from Barcelona’s center but still very close to the airport. This area’s name comes from the emblematic square Plaza España, which is surrounded by famous places like the Magic Fountain of Montjuic or the MNAC. Besides this huge cultural axis, you’ll find the shopping mall center Las Arenas, built in an old bullring. It’s also close to Barcelona’s Fira, where the Mobile World Congress is held.
2. Eixample: unlike the old town of the city, this district has very broad and sunny streets. Eixample is divided into L’Eixample Dreta and L’Eixample Esquerra. Both sides are filled with art galleries, restaurants, bars, boutique shops, Modernist buildings and much more. It’s really well-connected and if you stay here you’ll able to reach all the areas of the city easily.

The apartments for business trips need to be spacious, in case you travel in a group. Also, as we’ve said, they have to be well located. We suggest:

• Plaza España Fira: this spacious apartment can accommodate up to 8 people. It boasts three bedrooms, one sofa-bed, one bathroom and a guest toilet. Obviously, it’s fully equipped. Its location’s perfect for business trip, only 15 minutes away from Gran Via’s Fira, and 5 minutes away from Fira de Barcelona, also it’s really well-connected to the center. Here you’ll find more info.

• Golden Central Muntaner: this apartment is located in L’Eixample Esquerra, close to Plaza Universitat and Passeig de Gràcia, so it’s really close to Barcelona’s center. It boasts three bedrooms: one master bedroom with double bed and private bathroom and two smaller rooms with two single beds in each, hosting up to 6 people. It also offers two bathrooms and parking in the very same building.

Do you need help to move from the airport? Check our blog:
“Barcelona Airport: How to Move in and From”

We hope we have helped you choose where to stay. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us!