The best places to stay in Barcelona

Vila Olimpica

Best places for families

With good transport links, plenty of green spaces and easy access to beaches, the former Olympic Village of Vila Olimpica is one of the best places to stay in Barcelona for families.

Rally the troops for a sightseeing day out in the districts of Barceloneta and El Born or hit the beach at Vila Olimpica’s beach, Platja de la Nova Icària. A long, family-friendly sandy sweep with all the usual seaside amenities and watersport activities, you’ll also have a bustling strip of restaurants, cafes and shops within walking distance.

Bored of the beach? Parc de la Ciutadella, where you’ll find the boating lake and Barcelona Zoo, is located just 20 minutes’ walk away.

Top tip: Port Olimpic is a hub for boat trips and sailing lessons.

The Barri Gòtic

Best places for nightlife

Fancy Barcelona after dark? With heaps of night-long dancing and drinking, the Barri Gòtic (or Gothic Quarter) is the place to see and be seen.

The medieval core of Barcelona and as central as you can get (just steps from La Rambla), Barri Gòtic is one of Barcelona's buzziest neighbourhoods – all alleyways and squares, bars and nightclubs.

As you can expect, it's a big draw for younger crowds, so if you’re looking for a quieter night's sleep, this is probably not the base for you. But if you’re looking to sip sundowners from a rooftop bar or dance the night away until dawn, there’s something for all types of night owl.

Eating and drinking options abound here and one of the most atmospheric spots is Can Culleretes. Claiming the title of Barcelona’s oldest restaurant, it’s a great place to fill up on classic Catalan dishes before hitting up a boho bar for after-dinner drinks.

Top tip: Pick up a clubbing outfit at the vintage shops in Calle Avinyó.

Eixample

Best for couples

If you prefer shopping and sightseeing to drinks and dancing, consider staying in Eixample.

This upmarket neighbourhood is right at the heart of the action and has some of the best romantic boltholes in Barcelona. There are plenty of charming restaurants and bars to match – take your pick of stylish eats around the iconic Plaça de Catalunya square or head for tapas at La Bodegueta.

Dreta de l'Eixample (the 'right' side of the district) is where you’ll find some of Gaudi's finest works, including the Casa Mila, Casa Batllo and the Passeig de Gràcia. La Sagrada Familia is also close by so you can round off your Gaudi education.

The area is a mecca for shopping, with both high-street fashion chains and designer boutiques. For a more local feel, check out the pedestrianised Rambla de Catalunya.

Top tip: Visit La Monumental, an impressive art nouveau bullfighting ring turned museum.

El Raval

Best for foodies

Trailblazing, evolving, ambitious – whatever it is they say about Barcelona's food scene, you know that dinner in the Catalan capital is going to be memorable. And the El Raval neighbourhood is no different.

Packing a punch with its rejuvenated food scene and cosmopolitan attitude, this gentrified neighbourhood is making a name for itself for food-focussed breaks. Along with the Barri Gòtic and El Born, El Raval makes up the final part of the Old City – and after a big push by the council to modernise the area, it now boasts some of the city’s hippest restaurants and liveliest pubs.

From tapas bars to Michelin stars, the Rambla del Raval and the Carrer de Joaquín Costa are the two main streets for all the food action. Top choices include the upmarket Suculent, and the more homely Ca L'Estevet.

Top tip: Sample your way through fresh fruit, meats, seafood and juices at the sprawling La Boqueria market.

Barceloneta

Best for culture

Whether you’re looking to dine on fresh seafood, sunbathe on golden beaches or check out the city’s vibrant nightlife, Barceloneta is an excellent all-round base to get a taste of Barcelona’s culture.

With a prime spot on Bareclona’s coast, surfing and sunbathing are highlights of Barceloneta’s beaches. Finding a place to lay your towel won’t be a problem as Platja del Somorrostro, Platja de la Barceloneta and Platja de Sant Sebastià join together to form an epic 11km stretch (6.8 miles) of sand.

The two ports add a touch of glamour with swanky yachts filling the marinas and swish seafood restaurants lining the waterfront. It’s also where you’ll find the L'Aquàrium de Barcelona – great if you’ve got little ones in tow.

In the centre, Barceloneta Park makes an idyllic spot for sunny strolls and picnics. If history is more your bag, dive deeper into Catalan culture at the Museu d'Història de Catalunya.

Top tip: Head down Carrer de la Maquinista for lively tapas and music bars.

El Born

Best for architecture

There are just as many medieval buildings in the adjacent Barri Gòtic neighbourhood as El Born. Even so, El Born tops the list for must-see architecture in Barcelona

The magnificent 14th-century basilica of Santa Maria del Mar is hard to miss, taking centre stage on the neighbourhood's main avenue, Passeig del Born. A ground-breaking build at the time of its construction, it's well worth a visit to admire both its gothic exterior and the interior’s pillared aisles. You can even take a tour up the towers to the rooftop.

Just around the corner lies Museu Picasso – a building as impressive as the master works housed within. Occupying five medieval palaces on Carrer de Montcada, the museum is an excellent example of Catalan civic gothic architecture and provides an incredible setting for Picasso’s works.

You're also close to the extravagant facades and ornate ceilings of the Palau de la Música Catalana concert hall, which you’ll find just northwest of El Born.

Top tip: Visit the El Born Centre for Culture to see the 18th-century archaeological ruins of old Barcelona.

Gracia

Best for budget

If you’re visiting Barcelona on a budget, Gracia will treat your wallet well.

Once a town entirely independent of Barcelona, Gracia retains its unique feel. It's quiet and creative, with a mix of hip young families and traditional old folk.

Hotel prices in this neighbourhood are generally lower than in other parts of the city and you’ll find a selection of more modest hotels and B&Bs to base your stay.

It’s not particularly big on sights – although Gaudí’s renowned Park Güell and Casa Vicens are located here – but there are plenty of charming squares filled with cute cafes, traditional Catalan bistros and bohemian bars to enjoy.

When you do want to tick off the city’s sights, La Sagrada Familia is within walking distance.

Top tip: Children under the age of 11 can visit La Sagrada Familia for free. Students get a €2 discount with a valid identity card.

El Poble-Sec

Best for location

While Barcelona isn’t a massive city, and good public transportation means it's easy to get where you want to be, staying centrally is a good idea if you want to be within walking distance of the liveliest bars, restaurants, shops and cultural attractions.

Enter El Poble-Sec. Just minutes from the heart of the city and the green spaces of hilly Montjuïc, it’s an ideal neighbourhood to look for cheaper accommodation without compromising on your location.

Expect an abundance of good-value hotels, from cheap B&Bs to popular chains with amenities such as spas and rooftop restaurants, as well as trendy bars and tapas joints.

Top tip: El Poble-Sec is theatre heaven. Catch a cabaret show at El Molino or an open-air performance at Grec Theatre.