What else to see in Barcelona? Where to stay in Barcelona Where to stay in Barcelona for 3 days

Dear, please help me decide, we’ve never been to Barcelona, ​​so we don’t know which area is best to stay in (who can look up the hotel for reference)???
We want to be able to walk to the main attractions in about 10 minutes... We don’t want to take the metro... We’ll probably spend our evenings at the fountains!!! We plan to spend part of the day on the beach in Barcelona....
The routine is something like this: a couple of hours on the beach... then walks around the city... then again you can swim a little... and at about 5 o'clock you can continue exploring the city.

P.s. We go to bed at about 11 o'clock, so it's probably not worth it to have very noisy streets!!!

Thank you in advance!!!

Sections: Spain/Regions/Catalonia/Barcelona

I join the question. I still don’t quite understand the division of Barcelona into districts (where the main attractions are located)

I'll be there in January, the beach is not important, I guess))
.

In Barcelona we stayed in hotels in Plaza Catalunya and in the Eixample quarter. Plaza Catalunya is close to the Rambla, the Gothic Quarter, the Market, the port; airbuses and tourist buses stop on the square.

Eixample district:

Most of the Eixample's Art Nouveau architectural monuments are concentrated in the so-called Golden Square (Cuadrat d'Or), formed by blocks around Passeig de Gracia. In the southwestern part of the Golden Square is the Quarter of Discord (Illa de la Discordia) , a real open-air museum with a variety of Art Nouveau monuments.

One of the most famous Art Nouveau monuments of the Golden Square, the Eixample and Barcelona in general is Casa Mila (Casa Mila or La Pedrera, La Pedrera - quarry) - Gaudí's most important contribution to the architecture of the city. The building is located on Passeig de Gracia.

If you want silence, then, of course, Plaza Catalunya itself is noisy, but you can walk in the evening. And the hotel has soundproof glass.
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/olivia-plaza.html?tab=1&error_url=/hotel/es/oliv..."
This is the hotel in Eixample:
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/gallery.html?aid=382778;label=postbooking_confemail

You will not be able to fulfill all your preferences. Barcelona is still a big city, there are many attractions and they are not located in one place. You can hardly get by without the metro. There is, of course, Bas Touristik, but until 20 o’clock. The desire to swim several times a day will not allow you to choose an area as close as possible to iconic places.

but I would like to walk to all the attractions (5-10 minutes)

This is not about Barcelona.

Henry, I probably didn’t express myself quite correctly.

but I would like to walk to all the attractions (5-10 minutes)

I meant.. to the main ones!!! For example, in Rome we lived near Termini.... and walked to the Trevi Fountain or the Pantenon or the Colosseum - this is walking distance in my understanding... 15 minutes with a light step is quite normal.... What to see or consider interesting in Barcelona I don’t know yet... but I know for sure that we definitely want to see the Fountains and the Sagrada Familia....

https://www.otzyv.ru/read.php?id=80707- my hotel, I lived on the square. Catalunya. I walked to the sites that I wanted to see, except for Park Guell and Montjuïc.

You have to go to the beach from the center, in my understanding this is not a beach holiday.

Why don’t you want to live in the suburbs of Barcelona, ​​on the coast, and travel to the city as you please by train?

We traveled all over Barcelona on Bus Turistic. These are excursion buses that travel on three routes (red, blue, green). Tickets are sold on the buses themselves. If you wish, you can get off at stops, which are usually located near the main attractions. You walk, look, then get on the next bus on this route and continue the tour.

Then settle in the city center. When you have time, go to the beach.

And here is the mode

a couple of hours on the beach... then walks around the city... then again you can swim a little... and at about 5 o'clock you can continue exploring the city.

Unrealistic, IMHO. It will be just traveling.

If you're staying for a week, divide it in half: a few days just walks, a few days just the beach, depending on the weather.

damn... and what to do now!!!???

You are a comedian, however. Dmitry exaggerated a little. These are diametrically different ends of the city CENTER. If we conventionally take the square of Catalunya as the center, then to the square. Spain (fountains) or to the Sagrada about 10 minutes by metro. I recommend traveling on the Bas Touristik for a couple of days, visiting attractions distant from the center (Park Güell, Montjuïc, etc.) and taking a look at the city. Rambla, Gothic Quarter, Port Area, Casa Mila, Casa Batllo, etc. - on foot on your own.

we'll only be there for a week... moving will take more time!!

You are right if the priority is to explore Barcelona. You can swim in the city, but most likely only once a day.

Landmarks.

The city center in a tourist sense - pl. Catalunya. Towards the sea from it - the so-called. The old town (medieval buildings, an area where you can just walk, there is something to see, and many shops and other things), you can walk to the sea in 20-30 minutes at a leisurely pace, but there will be no beach there.

In the opposite direction from the square. Catalunya - Eixample region with architecture from the late 19th - early 20th centuries, the main modernism is there.

Actually, most of what you need to see is in these two areas, such as pl. Catalonia is right in the middle.

Main attractions outside this area: Sagrada Familia, Mount Montjuic, Park Güel, Tibidabo. You will have to go there, everything except Tibidabo is within 15 minutes by public transport or taxi. Again - Bus Touristik, the nest of all its routes is also on the square. Catalonia, by the way, has a large transport hub - buses and metro.

Visiting Tibidabo will require more time - it is a mountain outside the city.

The beaches are located in the Barceloneta area, in fact, from the Old Town (the part that faces the sea) it takes 10 minutes to walk to the beaches, from Sq. Catalunya - about 30 minutes with a brisk, purposeful step, we went to the beach by taxi - 5 euros from the square. Of course, you can swim in Barcelona, ​​but still this is a beach in the center of a large industrial center, next to the port and other pleasures...

I would advise considering the beaches in Barcelona as secondary objects; you need to walk around Barcelona, ​​if it’s only a week and it’s your first time, then you’ll go to the beach 2-3 times at most. Therefore, look at housing in the area of ​​pl. Catalunya.

I swam, the sea is dirty, as it will be everywhere in the city center...

Barcelona is a rather large city, but, unlike other megacities, it is quite convenient for living. This applies to both local residents and visiting travelers. The choice of hotels and areas suitable for tourists in Barcelona is very wide. Let's talk about them.

So, speaking about the most convenient areas for tourists in Barcelona, ​​I will highlight three:

  1. Old Town (Ciutat Vella, district no. 1 on the map below), including the Gothic Quarter, Barceloneta, Raval and Ribera;
  2. Eixample (district no. 2), including the area around Plaza Catalunya, Avenida Gracia and the Sagrada Familia;
  3. Sants – Montjuïc (district no. 3)- in the part that borders the Old Town and Eixample, i.e., first of all, the area of ​​​​Plaza di Spagna and Sants Station.
CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org)">

In my opinion, when going to Barcelona, ​​you should give preference to these areas. They, however, form a vast territory, which does not make the task of choosing any easier. Therefore, when looking for a hotel or apartment, you need to proceed from the primary interests and circumstances of the planned trip. This will largely determine the choice of area in which it will be more convenient to stay.

Which area of ​​Barcelona should you stay in?

If you are traveling to Barcelona for the first time and your goal is to get to know the city in general, then you don’t have to worry too much about it. Barcelona's attractions are located in different parts of the city. The Gothic Quarter, Park Güell, the Sagrada Familia, the Magic Fountain (also known as magical, also known as singing) - to see all this in one trip, you will have to use public transport (or a taxi). Therefore, by and large, you can live anywhere. But it's best to stop in the vicinity of Plaza Catalunya(cat. Plaça de Catalunya). There are plenty of worthy accommodation options here. Pay attention, for example, to the Olivia Plaza Hotel, which is located right on the square (the sound insulation in the hotel is excellent, you should not be afraid of noise). Another great option is Aparthotel Arai. There are also cheaper alternatives: see, in particular, the Hotel Denit and Hotel Ginebra - both just a few steps away from the square. A more detailed list of hotels in the Plaza Catalunya area (+ corresponding map and the ability to compare prices from booking sites) can be found.

What are the benefits of Plaça Catalunya? Because this is the point of contact between the Old Town and the Eixample. From here it is a short walk to both the Gothic Quarter and many modernist attractions, including several of Gaudí's creations. The famous Rambla boulevard begins here, smoothly descending from Plaza Catalunya through the entire Old Town to the sea. In addition, this is the most important transport hub in Barcelona: from Plaça Catalunya it is convenient to travel to other areas of the city, and here is the final stop of Aerobus buses (see www.aerobusbcn.com), connecting the center of Barcelona with the airport terminals. In short, a great place. Of the minuses, it can be noted that this area is noisy both day and night (many people, heavy traffic). Therefore, when choosing a hotel or apartment in the immediate vicinity of Plaza Catalunya, you should pay special attention to the quality of sound insulation (read reviews on booking sites). Another minus is the not very humane prices of hotels.

At the same time, in the immediate vicinity of the Ramblas(especially in the Raval quarter), sometimes there are very tempting offers. But I would not rush to give in to temptation. It is worth considering that La Rambla is probably the busiest and most crowded place in Barcelona with all the ensuing consequences: noise, crowds of tourists, etc. and so on. It's nice to walk around during the day and fun to walk around at night (bars, clubs, nightlife - it's all there), but in my opinion it's not the best place to live. Mentioned above the Raval quarter (to the left of the Rambla, if you look at the map) has a bad reputation in terms of crime and security. There is no need to exaggerate. Modern Raval is not a slum at all. Although in some places the quarter still does not make the most pleasant impression (especially at night). However, there are quite decent places in Raval, as well as good hotels: first of all, in that part of the quarter that is closer to Plaza Catalunya (see, in particular, the Casa Camper hotel). However, if we consider the Old Town, then, perhaps, it would be more comfortable to stay in the vicinity of the same Plaza Catalunya or in the Gothic Quarter (to the right of the Rambla), or even in the Ribera / Born quarter.

Gothic Quarter, or Barri Gotic, will be especially interesting, if you are interested in the medieval period of Barcelona's history(as well as the ancient Roman period, the memory of which is still preserved in the back streets of the Gothic Quarter). Naturally, there are also a lot of tourists here, but due to the almost complete absence of road transport, the quarter gives a much calmer impression than Plaça Catalunya and La Rambla. At the same time, both the square and the boulevard are within easy reach. For example, the Barcelona Catedral Hotel is located, fully justifying its name, near the Barcelona Cathedral, that is, almost in the very heart of the Gothic Quarter, but at the same time just a two-minute walk from both Plaça Catalunya and the Rambla. Of course, there are other options nearby: see the corresponding list.

If you are interested in nightlife, then in addition to the above-mentioned Rambla it is worth paying attention to Barceloneta quarter(Barceloneta), where there are also several excellent discos. In addition, this quarter is known for its beaches: they stretch from the five-star hotel W Barcelona, ​​which looks like a sail, all the way to another well-known “five” - Pullman Barcelona Skipper. For a detailed list of accommodation options in the area, see.

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By the way, planning beach holiday in Barcelona, you need to take into account that there are almost no budget hotels in Barceloneta. One of the few exceptions is the three-star Hotel 54 Barceloneta (although it cannot be called cheap). But there are many apartments for rent nearby. Alternatively, see Barceloneta Ramblas Apartments. Additionally, for the subject of renting private apartments, it is worth checking out sites like www.interhome.ru.

The light did not converge like a wedge on the Old Town and its quarters. Alternatively, consider hotels in areas such as Eixample And Sants – Montjuic . Prices here are on average lower than in the Old Town, but many of Barcelona's attractions are still within walking distance.

Personally, I especially like Eixample. Unlike, say, the Rambla or the Raval, it is dominated by the indigenous population, not tourists or migrants. A complete list of hotels, apartments and other accommodation options in the area can be found. However, it is inappropriate to consider Eixample as one single whole; it is too large. Here it is better to focus on proximity to certain transport infrastructure facilities and attractions. In addition to the above-mentioned Square of Catalunya, I will indicate three landmarks.

  • Plaza de España(Plaça d'Espanya), on the border of the Eixample and Sants-Montjuic districts.
    Nearby is Mount Montjuic and its attractions (singing fountain, botanical garden, etc.). The Sants train station (Estació Sants) is also within walking distance. And it’s quite possible to get to the Old Town on foot from here. In addition, trains depart from Plaza de España in the direction of the sacred mountain of Montserrat (line R5, see www.fgc.cat). There is also a stop for airport buses. There are also hotels and apartments nearby: see, for example, B Hotel or Vivobarcelona Apartments Jordi.
  • Avenue Gracia(Passeig de Gracia), the hallmark of architectural modernism.
    This place is notable not only for its architecture, but also for the presence of the Barcelona Passeig de Gràcia train station. From here it is convenient to travel around the outskirts of Barcelona: for example, to Tarragona and Salou, or to Figueres (see www.renfe.com). At the same time, Plaça Catalunya and the Old Town are only 10-15 minutes on foot. Here you can pay attention to the Cosmo Apartments Passeig de Gracia and hotels like Room Mate Anna.
  • North Bus Station(Estació del Nord)
    From here it is convenient to travel towards the resorts of the Costa Brava (for example, Lloret de Mar, Tossa de Mar, etc.; see compras.moventis.es). But there are also many interesting things nearby. Within walking distance are the Sagrada Familia, the Arc de Triomphe and the Ciutadella Park. Placa Catalunya and the Gothic Quarter are just around the corner. In this area I would like to note the Napols apart-hotel and the budget hotel Acta Antibes.

In principle, other areas are worthy of attention.

So, if you want to go to the football, then it’s quite logical to stop close to the stadium Camp Nou(Camp Nou), where the local Barcelona plays. Matches often end late in the evening, and therefore the most convenient way to get from the stadium to the hotel is on foot. You can see a list of nearby hotels.

If your main motive is to save on accommodation without losing quality, then you should pay attention to districts Les Corts(Les Corts, see hotels) and Gracia(Gràcia, see hotels). Of course, it’s a long walk from here to the center, but it’s quite convenient to use the metro and buses. In addition, there is something to see nearby. For example, Park Güell or the Sagrat Cor Church, which offer stunning panoramic views.

In conclusion, I note that, of course, choosing a hotel is a purely individual matter, and each traveler has his own preferences. I'm basing this on my own experiences traveling to Barcelona. Therefore, the above tips should not be taken as a recipe for all occasions. However, I hope that the recommendations in this article are useful to you.

When choosing a hotel or apartment in Spain in general and in Barcelona in particular, use not only booking sites, but also price comparison services. We recommend Roomguru.ru.

You should do the same when searching for air tickets. Pay attention, for example, to Skyscanner.ru.

A comprehensive answer to the question: “ Where to live in Barcelona“It’s difficult to give: the capital of Catalonia is a large city, very “spread out” over the area, and the attractions are also very scattered throughout the territory, so it’s impossible to live close to all the interesting places at once.

Most popular among tourists Eixample district and streets near the famous Las Ramblas. However, such neighborhoods are more suitable for unpretentious travelers who are ready to live in rather spartan conditions, because in many cases, if you manage to find cheap housing, then be prepared for amenities on the floor and noisy neighbors.
Most likely, you should not live in Barcelona in the area to the right of the Rambla (if you go from Plaza Catalunya to the sea) - the “Arab quarter” is located there.
Choose to the left of the Rambla and a little further, towards the El Born district.

It is better for parents with children to look for accommodation in other areas - the seeming inconvenience of traveling to the center by transport will be fully compensated by the convenience of accommodation, good breakfasts and prices: for the money that hostels in the center ask for, you can get a quite decent room in a three-star hotel somewhat further away from the center.

Very interesting options are found north of Plaza España, towards Avinguda Diagonal. This is a good area to live in Barcelona, ​​with good transport links, and if necessary, you can easily get to the center, the countryside, and the airport. Sometimes there are good deals on hotels in the area of ​​the Sagrada Familia Cathedral, there is also a decent place there.

Prices for good hotels in the center will be about 120-140 euros for a double room; If you see numbers less than those indicated, you should immediately look at the reviews and living conditions, because most likely the amenities will be in the room or there will be something like a disco or nightclub on the ground floor of the hotel. Meanwhile, in the area of ​​​​Plaza di Spagna it is quite possible to find a suitable hotel for 70-80 euros, even if we are talking about the season; more remote places of residence will cost 50-60 euros - to the north and west of the Sagrada Familia cathedral, such prices are very easy to get with advance booking.

How to rent an apartment in Barcelona

The Spaniards are very active in renting out their homes to tourists; this is a generally accepted practice on the Iberian Peninsula, and therefore the rental mechanisms are well developed. Not only will such accommodation cost less than a hotel in most cases, but it will also help solve the issue of feeding the child if they are accustomed to a certain diet - you can cook yourself, and good food is not difficult to find in Barcelona.

Personal experience

We rented such a great apartment through this site in the area El Born, a 5-minute walk from France station, from which we went to. Also from here we walked to the Rambla and Plaza Catalunya. The impressions are the most pleasant, an apartment in the Catalan style with excellent Wi-Fi. And this one spiral staircase in the entrance like here, we haven’t seen it anywhere else - the owner of the apartment said that this is exactly what they do in traditional Catalan houses.

One of the things about Barcelona is that it is a very diverse city. If you are going to Barcelona for the first time and want to get as complete an idea of ​​the city as possible, getting to know it from different sides, then keep in mind that you will have to constantly move from one point to another. Moreover, the distances between the main points of attraction are quite impressive. In other words, Barcelona is not a city where you can explore all the sights on foot, settling somewhere in the city center. Therefore, when choosing a hotel or apartment in Barcelona, ​​you should consider your travel budget.

If the budget allows, then of course you should focus on the city center - there will be a lot of interesting things within walking distance, and everything else from the center can be easily reached by public transport or by taxi.

If you want to save, then you can stay somewhere on the outskirts of Barcelona. Nothing wrong with that. I have been to different parts of the city. Each of them is interesting in its own way. Everywhere there is where to go and what to see. And, most importantly, nowhere does one get the depressing feeling that you are on the outskirts of civilization. From this point of view, Barcelona is of course a fantastic city - very comfortable, hospitable and safe.

At the same time, in recent years, city authorities have become seriously concerned that too many tourists come to Barcelona, ​​and the city, they say, is becoming less and less comfortable for local residents. One could ignore this, but this position of the authorities still has negative consequences for travelers. The municipality is trying to regulate the tourist real estate market as best it can. As a result, many apartments in Barcelona are rented illegally (that is, without a license). Again, we could turn a blind eye to this (for us tourists, what difference does it make whether it’s legal or illegal, as long as the place is good). However, apartments rented out without a license have become a goldmine for criminals - they are often subject to burglaries.

In short, if you are planning to rent an apartment, focus on licensed real estate. I am not inclined to exaggerate the risks. At least our last trip to Barcelona was without incident (we just rented an apartment - more about this trip). However, from a security point of view, hotels seem, perhaps, preferable. Well, if you need a high degree of autonomy, then do not forget about the existence of apart-hotels (!), fortunately there are many of them in Barcelona.

So where is the best place to stay in Barcelona?

Plaza Catalunya and surroundings

The very center of Barcelona is Plaça de Catalunya. Living here is very convenient: within walking distance are the Gothic Quarter, the Rambla, the Old Port, and many of Gaudi’s creations. In addition, Plaça Catalunya is a key transport junction: from here you can quickly get to any area of ​​​​Barcelona and beyond. The final stop for Aerobús airport buses is also located here.

It is quite natural that around Plaza Catalunya there is a huge variety of accommodation options for every taste and budget. There are also excellent chain hotels, like Iberostar Paseo de Gracia or H10 Cubik. There are also relatively inexpensive options, like Hotel Cortes or Chic & Basic Lemon. And, of course, there are also apartments: see, for example, Barcelona InLoft.

However, in my opinion, hotels located in two, let’s say, microdistricts look much more interesting:

  • Around Barcelona Cathedral
  • And near the Passeig de Gracia underground railway station

In both cases, Plaça Catalunya remains within walking distance (5-10 minutes walk), but you get a number of additional benefits.

In the case of the surroundings of the Cathedral, the advantage is the color of the surrounding environment.


This - Gothic Quarter . Wandering through its streets and alleys is a special pleasure. In addition, there is almost no transport and the atmosphere is much calmer than in the immediate vicinity of Plaza Catalunya. I would especially like to mention the five-star Neri Hotel. It’s not cheap, but the location is excellent (I wrote something about this place). If you need a cheaper option, then take a look at the Colón Hotel Barcelona. The place is not so secluded, but attractive in its own way (in particular, this hotel has rooms with a view of the cathedral). An even cheaper option is Regencia Colón.

Area around the railway station Passeig de Gracia (Passeig de Gracia), in turn, is interesting from a transport point of view. From here it is convenient to go on trips around Barcelona.

For example, you can get to Girona, Figueres and Tarragona directly from Passeig de Gracia station. It is also convenient to travel to seaside resorts: Costa Brava and Costa Dorada are also accessible without transfers.

At the same time, all the attractions of central Barcelona are always nearby. And the architecture around is amazing.


It is not surprising that this place is chosen by five-star hotels. There are several of them here. The most interesting, in my opinion, are Monument Hotel and Alma Barcelona GL. More budget options also come across: see, in particular, the Sixtytwo Hotel and Ona Hotels Mosaic, as well as the very good apart-hotel Suites Avenue.

Plaza de España and surroundings


The Plaza of Spain (Plaça d'Espanya) is in many ways not inferior to the Plaza de Catalunya. There is also a lot of interesting things in its surroundings. This is the Magic Fountain, and the “Spanish Village” (museum of architecture of different regions of Spain), and the botanical garden, and Mount Montjuic with the fortress of the same name It will be convenient to visit all these attractions if you stay somewhere nearby. In addition, trains depart from Plaza Espanya in the direction of the Montserrat Monastery. Sants railway station is nearby (10-15 minutes on foot). Aerobús buses also stop here (to get to/from the airport, bus number 46 is also suitable.) At the same time, you can always get to the Gothic Quarter by metro or by land transport, and it’s not that far on foot (about half an hour walk).

In this area you can find, among others, the Crowne Plaza Barcelona Fira Center, B Hotel, HCC Lugano, Aparthotel Bcn Montjuic and many other accommodation options. Prices are on average slightly lower than in the Plaza Catalunya area.

Other options

Of course, there are other areas in Barcelona, ​​and there are also hotels, apartments, guest houses, hostels, etc. and so on. The above mentioned places are ideal for those who are going to Barcelona for the first time. For those who are traveling to Barcelona not for the first time and want to look at the city in a new way, I would recommend paying additional attention to the area Gracia . This is where the famous Park Güell is located.


There is also nearby Mount Tibidabo with the Sagrat-Kor church rising on it. In short, the place is interesting in its own way and not as crowded as the center of Barcelona. True, there are not many hotels here (as an option, see Hotel Ronda Lesseps). However, Gracia is exactly the case when I would give preference to apartments (see, for example, Atic Gaudi-Gracia RoomGuru.ru or install a mobile application to find the best prices. I use this service regularly. I am extremely pleased with the results

3 districts that were mentioned by social media participants. The surveys are quite individual and are outside the tourist routes. Respondents mentioned their favorite areas and left comments on this topic.

1. Gracia

This is the most popular area, according to our social survey 18% voted for Gracia. There is an opinion that this is the best area to live. It is preferred by 18% of respondents, almost twice as many as those who prefer the Poblenou district (Poblenou 10%). If we analyze the results by nationality, it only confirms that Gracia is definitely a favorite area among foreigners all nationalities except Russians, who prefer the area of ​​Sarria Sant Gervasi (21%) and Swedes, who prefer the area of ​​Poblenou (27%), although among them Gracia ranks 3rd and 2nd respectively.

Respondents' comments:

"Nice area with a pleasant atmosphere, rich cultural life, day and night. Lots of shops. Little traffic and beautiful streets." / "This is an area with beautiful architecture and in the central part of the city." / "This is a very cozy area of ​​the city with its own authentic life, small bars and shops. No tourists" / "This is a central area, although not in the very center of the city, good transport message. There are many bars and shops here." / "This area has everything you could need and still has an authentic feel."

What to visit:

  • Barcelona Cathedral: In the Northern European Gothic style, this monument is worth seeing, its façade was built in the 20th century (Plaça de la Seu 3)
  • Museum Diocesà de Barcelona: Discover 20 centuries of history at once, with the works of Gaudí, and together with the unfinished tower of Colonia Güell. (Avinguda de la Catedral 4)
  • Square Pi and Saint Josep Oriol: Represents the letter L around the Church of Santa María, where you can enjoy the tranquility.

Bars and restaurants:

  • El Toc de Gracia: This restaurant creates Catalan cuisine with unusual combinations, such as croquettes with "a la escudella". (Carrer Bonavista 10)
  • L"Anxoveta: For a taste of local tapas in a simple and modern setting, you can also enjoy a glass of beer or a glass of sangria here. (Carrer de Sant Domènech 16)
  • Kibuka: Here you can enjoy delicious mac and feta cheese. (Carrer de Goya 9)
  • Velcro: This is the place to go to enjoy the best Gin Tonic in the area in a fun atmosphere. This is also a great place to watch an FC Barcelona football match. (Carrer de Vallfogona 10)

The shops

  • Vintage Music: A store with vinyl records and vintage accessories, it's a real museum! (Carrer del Torrent de l"Olla 31)
  • Delishop: For one trip through cultures, here you can find many unique products from different continents. (Travessera de Gràcia 141)
  • Olokuti: A store of natural products, ranging from clothing to cosmetics. (Carrer d'Astúries 36)

Video about the area.

4. Poblenou

Poblenou has also become one of the favorite areas among expats and has gained 10% among those who think it is best area of ​​Barcelona. Old industrial area today this area has transformed into an area with lofts and skyscrapers, such as Torre Agbar, and beaches. Rambla Poblenou still remains the main street of the area, where today we can meet a kind of mixture of cultures that makes the area multicultural. The architecture is presented in a futuristic style, the area continues to be gradually built up, but the main architectural monuments, such as the Fundación Vila Casas and the Music Museum, remain.

If you want to live in this area, then check out our section.

Respondents' comments:

"The area is clean and there is plenty of space, there is a beach and there is parking." / "Authentic, family-run, next to the sea, close to the center." / "It's like a separate village in the city, and even the sea is nearby." / “It’s not so much in the very center of the city, so it’s not so noisy. Close to the beach and good infrastructure” / “Near my work and close to the beaches.”

What to visit:

  • Distrito 22@: This area reflects the future of the area with its old warehouses being converted into modern offices. New buildings have also appeared, such as the Media TIC, covered in solar panels.
  • Torre Agbar: This building has become a symbol of Barcelona, ​​designed by Jean Nouvel and inspired by the original work of Gaudí. The height of the tower is 142 meters. (Avinguda Diagonal 211)
  • Museum of Music: This museum shows the evolution of music with over 500 instruments on display. (Carrer de Lepant 150)

Bars and restaurants:

  • El Rebost del Poblenou: An ideal place for takeaway food, a concept for office workers in this area. There is a large selection of sandwiches and desserts. (Rambla del Poblenou 77)
  • El Tio Che: Locals are very fond of cocktails, there are also “horchata” (nut milk) and “granizados” (crushed ice with syrup or juice). (Rambla del Poblenou 44-46)

The shops

  • O Lusitano: A specialty store with Portuguese shops, here you will find sweets and savories, also wine, jams and desserts. (Carrer de Castanys 23)
  • Els Encants Vells: Uno de los mercadillos más populares de Barcelona, ​​con un ambiente fascinante. Aquí encontrará muebles, antigüedades y ropa. (Plaça de les Glòries)
  • Diagonal Mar: Shopping center with an area of ​​80,000 sq.m. With more than 150 retail outlets, it is the ideal place for shopping. (Avinguda Diagonal 3)

3. Born

Respondents' comments:

"I like the vibrant neighborhoods and the architecture is beautiful." / "This is the most beautiful area." / "There are small shops, squares, good restaurants. Close to the park and the sea." / "Restaurants, great atmosphere, great spots." / "Friendly and calm. Cozy area."

  • Palace of Catalan Music: This is a concert hall built between 1905 and 1908, the work of the modernist Lluís Domènech i Montaner. Known for its original architecture. (Carrer de Sant Pere Més Alt)
  • Market Santa Caterina: This market, opened in 1848, was Barcelona's first covered market. It was recently restored and is characterized by its colored tiled roof. (Avinguda de Francesc Combó, 16)
  • Ciutadella Park: This park is the largest park in the city, built for the world exhibition in 1888 by Felipe V. This excellent park has a zoo and also a zoological museum. (Arc de Triomph)

Bars and restaurants:

  • Pla de la Garsa: Here you can discover the history of Catalan cuisine and taste typical dishes: garum. (Carre dels Assaonadors, 13)
  • Espai Barroc: This is the perfect place to enjoy drinks in an authentic atmosphere. Set in a 17th century building, you can enjoy a cocktail here in a great location full of antique details. (Carrer de Montcada, 20)
  • Cafe de la Princessa: This is a wonderful place, in a 19th century palace, where you will be offered typical Mediterranean cuisine and exotic dishes. (Carrer dels Flassaders, 21)

The shops:

  • Villa Viniteca: Here you can buy wine, not only from Spain, Catalonia, but also other alcoholic drinks. (Carrer dels Agullers, 7)
  • Bubo: This confectionery is a real “pearl”, created by Carles Mampel. (Carrer de les Caputxes, 10)
  • Ivo & CO Butik: This second-hand bookstore sells old magazines and modern replicas of tin boxes, glasses, soaps, etc. (Plaça Commercial, 3)

Video presentation of the area

4. Sarri Sant Gervasi

Respondents' comments:

"It's a very calm area and close to the center. The buildings and streets are very well maintained and wide." / "There's less traffic here." / "Compared to other areas of the city, this is the safest." / "It's calm, but not too 'dead'. It's a safe area and close to the center." / "The area is provided with everything you need and is also very calm."

What to see:

  • Tibidabo: located on the top of Mount Collserola, there is an amusement park on site and stunning views of the city.
  • Bellesguard Tower: This monument designed by Gaudi is not so popular and famous among students. In neo-Gothic style. (Carrer Bellesguard, 16-20)
  • Cosmo Kaisha: Barcelona Natural History Museum. On the 9th floor there are both temporary and permanent exhibitions. (Carrer d'Isaac Newton, 26)

Bars and restaurants:

  • Bar Tomás: bar famous for its croquettes and patatas bravas, (Carrer Major de Sarrià, 49)
  • El Vell: Here you can taste typical Catalan dishes. One of the specialized dishes is paella. (Major de Sarrià, 93)

The shops:

  • Foix de Sarria: This pastry shop, founded in 1886, is today very popular in the Sarrià area and offers all types of desserts. (Major de Sarrià, 57)
  • El Vermutet: This store offers authentic gourmet products. Here you can also taste tapas and vermouth. (Carrer de Cornet i Mas, 9)

Video presentation of the area

5. Eixample

Eixample the central district of Barcelona, ​​which divides the city in half. According to our survey, popular with 8% (Eixample Esquierre) and 7% (Eixample Dret). This area famous for its many tourist attractions, such as the Passeig de Gràcia, and the buildings of Antoni Gaudí. In 1860, urbanist Idelfonso Cerdà was involved in a city expansion project and here are the results. Here you will find modern architectural style with perfectly aligned streets in squares. If you want to live here, then check out our section with apartments in and.