Barcelona is one of the most loved city break destinations in Europe. With its ingenious city design, there are many great neighbourhoods to stay in. Choosing the right area is important to get the most out of your stay, depending on what you’re looking for.
Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic)
The Gothic Quarter is what first comes to mind when think of Barcelona – it’s the historic heart that has all the narrow, charming streets. Here lies the Cathedral and lively Plaça Reial. You won’t have to venture far to find great tapas bars and restaurants in this area.
While very central and easy to explore on foot, the Gothic Quarter can get crowded and noisy – but many love this atmosphere. Opting for a hotel on Sercotel is preferred by locals, who have recently been protesting Airbnb (hotels don’t impact the local rent market).
Eixample
Eixample is a fairly upscale district that dates back to the 19th century. It’s known for its beautiful architecture, and ultimately, it’s where you’re going to find Gaudí masterpieces like Casa Batlló and La Pedrera.
The main avenue is Passeig de Gràcia, and this is where you want to be for high-end shopping. Eixample tends to be quieter and classier compared to the Gothic Quarter, so the hotels around will reflect that.
It’s very central with great metro access, making it perfect to stay in if you can afford it. Eixample is considered one of the safest areas to stay in too.
El Born
Trendy El Born is next to the Gothic Quarter and full of boutiques and cafés – this is hipster heaven. It’s a foodie paradise too with many quality restaurants and bars. The main sights include the Picasso Museum and Parc de la Ciutadella.
El Born is slightly less touristy and busy than its neighbouring areas, making it feel a little more authentic. It’s well-located for walking or catching the metro too though.
To top it off, El Born is considered to have a good nightlife scene, so it’s perfect if you want to experience Barcelona’s famous late nights.
Barceloneta
Barceloneta is Barcelona’s laid-back beach option. It’s perfect if you want to mix sightseeing with relaxing on the sand. But let’s not forget the town, as its narrow streets are packed with seafood restaurants and tapas bars.
Barceloneta is actually an easy walk to the Gothic Quarter and El Born, so don’t be concerned that it’s too far out of town. The beachfront can get very busy in summer, but in Spring/Autumn it can be ideal with good weather, beach activities, and medium-sized crowds. However, this area is where some of the protests were, though they have died down since.
Conclusion
Barcelona’s most central areas are ideal for first-time visitors. Gothic Quarter is action-packed and very atmospheric, while Eixample boasts iconic architecture and shopping – the latter of which is ideal if you’re splashing out. However, for those looking for culture, the trendy El Born has a great food scene and youthful creativity. All of these areas have great hotels and are well-connected by foot or metro.
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
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