Where to Stay in Barcelona for the First Time

Planning your first trip to Barcelona Spain?  If you’re wondering about the best area to stay in Barcelona for first-time visitors, then I’ve got everything you need right here!  I have lived and stayed in several different neighbourhoods in Barcelona over the years, so in this post, I’m sharing my top recommendations for where to stay in Barcelona for the first time so you can have the best experience in this special city.  You’ll also get some specific recommendations for hotels in these neighbourhoods too, so let’s get started!

The Best Area to Stay in Barcelona for First-Time Visitors

Barcelona is divided into different neighbourhoods, each with its own distinct character and atmosphere.  Where you decide to stay in Barcelona will depend on what kind of area you prefer and what you will be doing.

I’ll cover the areas in Barcelona that I recommend for first-timers, plus my top picks for accommodation in those areas to suit all budgets.

When it comes to Barcelona for first-timers, you want to be somewhere close to the action, in a central location so you can enjoy the very best of this beautiful city right on your doorstep.  However, you also want somewhere safe and with good transport connections so you can travel to and from the airport easily, and explore the rest of Barcelona without wasting any time on unnecessary transport.

This is a rough map showing some of the most popular neighbourhoods in Barcelona.  My personal recommendations for the best place to stay in Barcelona for first-timers are highlighted in blue on the map, and they are:

• • El Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter)
  • El Born
  • Eixample
  • Barceloneta

These are my top 4 areas to stay in Barcelona for first-time visitors, so take a look and choose your favourite!

El Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter)

Why I Recommend Staying in the Gothic Quarter

The Gothic Quarter is my all-time favourite area in Barcelona and in my opinion, is the best place to stay when visiting Barcelona for the first time.  It is one of the oldest and most charming neighbourhoods in Barcelona, I just love it!

El Barri Gòtic or just El Gòtic (as it is called in Catalan) is known for its narrow maze of streets and stunning architecture, with many buildings dating back to medieval times.  It’s a fabulous place to explore and uncover some hidden gems, and despite its historic character, the Gothic Quarter is also a lively area and there is always something going on here.

There are lots of traditional tapas bars and restaurants to choose from, alongside more modern and international eateries tucked away in hidden squares.  Both the Gothic Quarter and neighbouring El Born are excellent areas for shopping, with small, independent boutiques selling everything from local crafts and souvenirs to unique designer clothing.

The Gothic Quarter is easy to explore on foot as it is quite compact, and you are close to many of the city’s top attractions such as La Rambla, the Gothic Cathedral, El Palau de la Música Catalana and the Picasso Museum.  It’s also well-connected to the rest of the city by public transport, with several metro and bus lines taking you wherever else you want to go.

Downsides of Staying in El Barri Gòtic

One downside of staying in the Gothic Quarter though is that it can be quite busy and noisy, especially in the more touristy areas around La Rambla.  I don’t recommend staying on La Rambla itself, or on the busiest areas like Carrer de Ferran or around Placa Reial because of the noise.

Also, pickpocketing can be a problem here because it is so busy.  If you’re looking for a quieter stay, you may want to consider other neighbourhoods in Barcelona like Eixample, or choose a hotel that isn’t too close to La Rambla.

The Best Places to Stay in the Gothic Quarter

• The 5* Mercer Hotel has modern chic décor which blends beautifully with original beamed ceilings and exposed brick walls.  There is an interior courtyard where you can have breakfast beneath orange trees, and a rooftop pool and terrace with a bar.  Guests love the helpful staff, comfortable beds and the location. >>>CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY
• Hotel Neri is a Relais & Chateau 5* hotel hidden away in a quiet square in the Gothic Quarter, close to the cathedral.  It has gorgeous décor with a blend of period charm and sophisticated design, including a lovely rooftop garden with a small swimming pool and bar where you can enjoy a cocktail or two in the evening.  >>>CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY
• Serras Barcelona is one of the finest hotels in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter and is located opposite Port Vell.  The hotel has a Michelin-starred restaurant, a rooftop pool with views over the Port and a bar serving cocktails and snacks.  Plus it’s just a 12-minute walk from the beach so you get the best of both worlds! >>>CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY
• The H10 Madison hotel has stunning views of the Gothic Cathedral from the rooftop terrace which also has a plunge pool.  The hotel is in a restored early 20th-century building with elegant architecture and high ceilings.  It gets rave reviews for the friendly staff and excellent location – book a Classic Catedral Room to get views of the Cathedral from your window. >>>CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY
• The Lamaro Hotel Barcelona (previously known as the Hotel Colon) is right opposite the Gothic Cathedral and also has spectacular views from the rooftop bar and some of the bedrooms.  The bar is a popular spot for visitors as well as guests, but guests get priority.  >>>CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY
• Hotel Barcelona Catedral is another lovely hotel in the Gothic Quarter, just 100m from the Cathedral.  The rooftop pool is a nice place to enjoy the sunshine and views of the city rooftops.  The elegant rooms have wooden flooring and air conditioning, and the restaurant downstairs serves Mediterranean cuisine, with a special menu designed for celiacs.  >>>CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY

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El Born – A Charming Place to Stay in Barcelona

I recently moved to El Born myself and it is fast becoming my new favourite Barcelona neighbourhood!  El Born is a trendy area next to the Gothic Quarter, known for its lively nightlife, excellent restaurants, and fashionable boutiques.

It is a great place to stay in Barcelona for the first time if you want to be close to the city’s cultural attractions in the Gothic Quarter, while also enjoying a more varied atmosphere.  There is history here but it’s also not as jam-packed with tourists.  There are quieter streets to explore, but still lots of cute squares and pretty streets.  It’s also close to the Arc del Triomf and Ciutadella Park.

El Born has a cool cultural scene, with a variety of art galleries, museums, and cultural centres as well as trendy bars, restaurants, and cafes, making it a great place to try local food and drink.  The Santa Caterina Market is a fabulous place to buy fresh food, and has some great eateries too plus it is much less touristy than La Boqueria so you’ll still find locals shopping here.

El Born is split in two by Carrer de la Princesa.  The more touristy area is below Princesa, where you’ll find the Picasso Museum, the Born Cultural Centre and the beautiful Santa Maria del Mar Cathedral, whereas above Princesa it feels like a more local neighbourhood, with the Santa Catarina Market, the bustling streets of Sant Pere Mes Baix and Mes Alt with local shops, and the stunning El Palau de la Musica Catalana concert hall.

Downsides of Staying in El Born

A downside of El Born is that its popularity also makes it a fairly expensive place to stay, in particular around the more touristy areas close to the Picasso Museum and Santa Maria del Mar, so if you’re visiting Barcelona on a budget this might not be the best for you.

However, there are some gorgeous apartments and hotels to choose from in this lovely neighbourhood.

The Best Places to Stay in El Born

• K+K Hotel Picasso El Born is on Passeig Picasso, opposite Ciutadella Park, and has stylish rooms with contemporary décor and air-conditioning, some of which have balconies and views of the city and park.  There is a rooftop terrace with a swimming pool, a café, and a lobby bar that customises unique cocktails as well as a restaurant on site.  >>>CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY
• chic&basic Habana Hoose is close to the Santa Maria del Mar Cathedral in El Born and has funky décor which blends Scottish and Cuban influences.  It sounds weird but it works!  All rooms have air-conditioning and private bathrooms, there is breakfast available in the morning and a restaurant serving Catalan and Italian cuisine.  >>>CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY
• Pension Ciudadela is a lovely little guest house on the edge of El Born, opposite Barcelona’s França Train Station and just 100 m from Ciudadela Park. It offers simple but well-kept air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi, and private bathroom facilities.  >>>CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY

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Eixample – Wide Leafy Avenues and Modernist Architecture

The Eixample means “Expansion,” and this large district was created when the Old Town grew too large for the city walls to enclose it.  It is a spacious neighbourhood in Barcelona with wide, tree-lined streets and impressive modernist architecture, with many of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the Sagrada Familia, Hospital Sant Pau, La Pedrera and Casa Batlló found here.

In addition to its architecture, Eixample is also a great area for shopping. This is where you’ll find high-end boutiques and designer stores, especially on the iconic Passeig de Gracia.

Eixample is also known for its upscale dining scene, with many of the city’s top chefs opening restaurants in the neighbourhood.  It’s a great area for nightlife too, with many trendy bars and clubs, in particular around the University, including the best bar in the world, Sips.

If you plan to take a lot of taxis to get around Barcelona you’ll never fail to find one in Eixample, the streets always have taxis passing, just look out for one with a green light and wave at them!  Eixample is also known for being a safe area, so it is a good option for solo travellers who feel safer in the wide streets.

Downsides of Staying in Eixample

Eixample has a completely different look and feel to the Gothic Quarter and El Born, and is great for first-time visitors looking for a luxury hotel in Barcelona, but if you’re looking to get lost wandering the narrow streets you’ll need to do that somewhere else – Eixample was designed in a rigid block arrangement so you’re either going up or down or left to right!

The busy streets can be noisy with traffic, and if you’re in the area near the clubs, then you could find that noise is an issue unless your hotel has good soundproofing!

Eixample is so large it is often referred to as two separate neighbourhoods – the first one around Passeig de Gracia, also known as Eixample Izquierda (left), and around Sagrada Familia, aka Eixample Derecha (right). Usually, I would recommend staying closer to Passeig de Gracia as it is more central, but for your first time in Barcelona, waking up to a view of La Sagrada Familia is hard to beat!

The Best Places to Stay Near La Sagrada Familia

• Sercotel Hotel Rossello is one of the only hotels in Barcelona with a view of La Sagrada Familia, but make sure you book a superior room with a “Landmark View” as not all rooms overlook the basilica.  Read my full hotel review here. There is also a rooftop terrace with a bar and panoramic views of Barcelona, including the Sagrada Familia, where you can enjoy a drink and some tapas or just gaze at the cathedral. ➡️CHECK PRICES AND AVAILABILITY 
• The Boutique Hostemplo Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is a stylish and modern hotel located on a pedestrian street just 100m from the Sagrada Familia. The hotel offers spacious and comfortable rooms with air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi, and some have a balcony.  ➡️CHECK PRICES AND AVAILABILITY
• The Radisson Blu 1882 Hotel, Barcelona Sagrada Familia is located 400 meters from the Sagrada Familia, and has a rooftop terrace with views of the cathedral.  Each room at the hotel is equipped with a desk, a flat-screen TV, and a balcony that overlooks the city.  A continental breakfast is offered every morning.  ➡️CHECK PRICES AND AVAILABILITY

➡️Check out more hotels near La Sagrada Familia in this dedicated article HERE

Holiday Apartments near La Sagrada Familia

• If you prefer an apartment, check out Sensation Sagrada Familia for bright and modern apartments with a shared sun terrace, a small outdoor swimming pool and views of the famous Sagrada Familia. >>>CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY
• The spacious two-bedroom apartments at Absolute Sagrada Familia are great for families and have a living room with 2 sofas and a wide flat-screen TV, as well as a washing machine, oven and microwave in the kitchen.  The rooftop terrace has incredible views of La Sagrada Familia and there is a restaurant downstairs.  >>>CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY

The Best Places to Stay in Eixample Near Passeig de Gracia

• Ohla Eixample is a chic boutique hotel located in Barcelona’s Eixample District, just a 10-minute walk from La Pedrera and Casa Batlló. It features a year-round rooftop pool with city views, a gym and a Michelin-starred restaurant serving traditional dishes from the Ebro Region.  The hotel also has a Lobby Bar and a Sky Bar.  Breakfast is included in the room rate and includes local products as well as international favourites. >>>CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY
• chic&basic Lemon Boutique Hotel is in a great location just on the bottom edge of Eixample overlooking Placa de la Universitat.  It’s good value, with clean and comfortable bedrooms, and a lovely garden area and shared lounge on the ground floor which also has coffee making facilities.  >>>CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY

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Barceloneta – Where to Stay in Barcelona for Beaches, Nightlife and Incredible Seafood

If you want to come to Barcelona and spend a lot of time on the beach, then Barceloneta is the best place for you.  Barceloneta is an old fishermen’s neighbourhood located on the beachfront, known for its buzzing atmosphere, excellent seafood restaurants, and beautiful sandy beaches.

As well as sunbathing, there are also many water sports and activities available along the beach, such as paddleboarding and kayaking, and walking or cycling along the boardwalk is a great way to start (or end!) a day.

Barceloneta is particularly famous for its fresh seafood, which is caught daily by local fishermen and usually delivered straight to the restaurants.  There are some excellent places to eat here, from tiny tapas places to traditional paella restaurants and lively local bars.

It’s a 15 minute walk along the beach to the night clubs and beach bars at Port Olimpic, and about the same distance into El Born, depending on where you are staying.

Downsides of Staying in Barceloneta

Barceloneta is a popular place to stay for young people wanting to party and hit the beach, so it can be noisy in the evenings as the streets are narrow.  If you’re staying here in the summer, make sure you have air-con, as accommodation (in particular on lower levels) don’t get much of the sea breeze thanks to the narrow streets.

It is also a little isolated from the rest of the city, although there are a couple of bus services, and Barceloneta metro station at the edge of the neighbourhood.  You may need to head to the main streets to flag down a taxi, or use the Uber app to call one.

Accommodation here is usually in rental apartments and Airbnbs, which tend to be on the small side due to the style of the buildings, and prices here are at a premium – as well as taking away accommodation from local people.

Before renting a tourist flat, check whether it’s legal, and don’t book it if it’s not.  This website allows you to input the address of any apartment in Barcelona, and it will tell you if it has a tourist license.  You can also check out these Airbnb alternatives in Barcelona to find a more sustainable option!

There are a couple of hotels, and a hostel in Barceloneta but the reviews are not great – take a look here if you want a hostel, there are plenty of other fabulous hostels in Barcelona to choose from!

The Best Places to Stay in Barceloneta

• W Barcelona

W Barcelona is a luxurious hotel by the beach in Barcelona, although it is technically in Barceloneta, it stands at the end of the beach, away from the old fishermen’s apartment blocks.  It’s a lovely spot to get some R&R by the beach, but is further away from the rest of the city.

All rooms at W Barcelona either have views of the city or the Mediterranean Sea, showcased with floor-to-ceiling windows.  Each room also has an ensuite bathroom, air-conditioning, a Nespresso coffee machine, flat screen TV and a Bose Bluetooth sound system.

The W Hotel has direct beach access to Barceloneta beach, as well as 3 swimming pools, including an infinity pool, and the WET Deck bar is perfect for sundowners and snacks served by the pool.  Other restaurants at the hotel include FIRE grill and SALT Restaurant & Beach Club.

The hotel facilities also include an onsite steam room and spa offering treatments including massages and body scrubs, a salon with scalp and hair treatments as well as tattoo services and a fully equipped gym.  >>>CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY

• Hotel 54 Barceloneta

Hotel 54 Barceloneta is a modern design hotel located in Barceloneta, just 3 minute walk from the beachfront. Choose from single or double rooms, all with contemporary decor, air-conditioning and private ensuite bathrooms.

Some rooms have views of Port Vell, and the rooftop bar of Hotel 54 Barceloneta has lovely views of the Port too, where you can enjoy a cocktail and watch the sunset from the comfy seating areas.

Breakfast is served from 7:30am until 11:00am in the cosy bar next to the reception, and there is a restaurant on site serving a variety of local and international dishes.  >>>CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY

• Barcelona Beach Apartments

This set of apartments is steps away from the beach, and many come with balconies with a sea view.  There is a shared roof terrace and each apartment has a fully equipped kitchen for you to rustle up your own meals.  Apartments are simply decorated but guests love the location and friendly host.  Perfect for beach lovers!  >>>CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY

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Other Neighbourhoods in Barcelona for Your Next Trip

Gràcia

Gràcia is a bohemian neighbourhood known for its lively street festivals, pedestrian-friendly streets, and quirky shops and cafes. Although I love Gràcia it can be a little hard to get around easily and there are limited hotels in the area, so I don’t recommend it for first-time visitors to Barcelona.

However, for your next trip to Barcelona, Gràcia is a lovely place to stay for those who want to experience the local culture, with a more relaxed and laid-back atmosphere than some of the more touristy areas of Barcelona.

Poblenou

Poblenou is a hip, up-and-coming neighbourhood in Barcelona that is becoming increasingly popular with young people and creative types. It is close to the beach, and has a thriving arts scene, with many galleries, studios, and creative spaces as well as plenty of street art to enjoy.

However, it is quite far away from the main attractions in the city so I don’t recommend staying in Poblenou if it is your first time in Barcelona.  The yellow L4 metro line is the main connection with the rest of the city, although bus services are useful too.

Sants

Sants is a residential area located just south of the city centre. It is known for its local shops and markets and is a great place to stay for those who want to experience the everyday life of Barcelona. It is close to Montjuic and is also home to the main train station in Barcelona, which offers easy access to destinations outside the city so if you’re planning several day trips from Barcelona it could be a good option.

That said, the area closest to Sants train station can be a bit dodgy at night, so be aware of that.  If you’re going to spend New Year’s Eve in Barcelona, Sants is close to the main fireworks display so is a good choice to be walking distance from the party.

El Raval

Honestly, I wasn’t sure whether to include El Raval in this guide.  On the one hand, El Raval is a lively, multicultural neighbourhood with great bars and restaurants and cheap accommodation, but on the other, it is one of the least safe areas of Barcelona.

Some people say that El Raval is one of the areas to avoid in Barcelona, so for that reason I would not recommend it for solo female travellers or anyone who likes to wear expensive jewellery as pickpockets and robberies are not uncommon in El Raval.

Actually reading that back, I don’t think I would recommend this area of Barcelona for first-time visitors at all – I want you to relax and enjoy yourself and not worry about feeling safe on the street at night! It is fine to visit during the day so you can get a taste of the area and enjoy the museums and cultural attractions safely.

However, on your next trip to Barcelona once you’ve got a feel for the place you can find some great value hotels and apartments in Raval – and take advantage of the cool bars and restaurants here.

Sarrià-Sant Gervasi

Sarrià-Sant Gervasi is a wealthy, upscale neighbourhood located in the hills above the centre of Barcelona.  The area is popular with expat families for its beautiful parks, elegant mansions, and exclusive shops and restaurants.

Sarrià-Sant Gervasi is a good area to stay in Barcelona for those who want to enjoy a more luxurious, high-end experience, but it is quite far from the main attractions in Barcelona, apart from Tibidabo and Park Guell, so I don’t recommend it for your first stay in Barcelona.