In a nutshell
- Barcelona isn’t just full of amazing sights – it also has some truly exciting neighborhoods you’ll definitely want to explore.
- We’ve picked the 7 best neighborhoods in Barcelona and show you what makes each one unique.
- You’ll not only discover the top attractions, but also where to stay. And on top of that, we’re sharing some of our personal food tips.
- No time to read the full article? Then here are our top picks: the Old Town districts Barri Gòtic, El Born, and Barceloneta and the elegant Eixample district are absolute must-sees!
What You Need to Know About the Neighborhoods in Barcelona
Barcelona is divided into 10 districts, which are further split into many smaller neighborhoods. But don’t worry, you definitely don’t need to know them all.
We’ve picked the 7 best neighborhoods in Barcelona that are absolutely worth a visit. They’re all very different from each other, but each one has something special.
Here are our top 7:
- Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter)
- El Born
- La Barceloneta
- Eixample
- Gràcia
- Poblenou
- El Poble-sec
If you have the time, try to explore a few different areas in Barcelona. It’s the best way to get a real feel for the city and its many different sides – and trust us, it’s worth it!
The 7 Best Neighborhoods in Barcelona on a Map
On this map, we’ve marked the best neighborhoods in Barcelona along with some of the city’s top attractions. It gives you a quick overview of where everything is and helps you find your way around.
You can also download the map as a PDF and use it offline.
Download the map of Barcelona’s neighborhoods as a PDF
Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter)
The Barri Gòtic is the heart of the Old Town. This medieval neighborhood is home to most of Barcelona’s historic landmarks. No surprise it’s always full of life and never really empty.
With its narrow alleyways, churches, and charming little squares, it’s definitely one of the most beautiful districts in Barcelona. On top of that, the area ist packed with great bars and restaurants that stay lively well into the evening.
Best of all, everything is easy to explore on foot, since the Barri Gòtic is largely car-free. Just let yourself wander without a plan – that’s when you’ll stumble across the best boutiques, street art, and hidden corners.
What to see in the Gothic Quarter
- La Rambla: Barcelona’s most famous promenade
- Barcelona Cathedral: Gothic church with great views
- Plaça Reial: one of the most beautiful squares in Barcelona
- Plaça del Rei: historic square with medieval buildings
- Museu d’Història de Barcelona: museum about the history of Barcelona
- Columbus Monument: statue of Christopher Columbus with viewing platform
- Port Vell: Barcelona’s old harbor and leisure district
Our tip: On a guided tour of the Gothic Quarter, you’ll get insider tips and fascinating background information about the historic sights.
Where to stay in the Gothic Quarter
The Barri Gòtic is home to most of the hotels in Barcelona and the options can be a bit overwhelming. Don’t worry, though – we’ve done the hard work for you and picked out our favorites:
Hotel Denit Barcelona: very central hotel, a stone’s throw from Plaça de Catalunya. The rooms are bright and welcoming.
Catalonia Magdalenes: chic hotel on the edge of the district. From the rooftop terrace with pool and bar, you get a fantastic view of the cathedral.
El Born (Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i la Ribera)
The district of Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i la Ribera, borders the Gothic Quarter directly. Since hardly anyone wants to pronounce this long name, it’s often simply called El Born – after the trendiest neighborhood in the district.
Just like the Barri Gòtic, El Born is part of the Old Town. With its traffic-calmed alleyways, it has a similar vibe but is less touristy. Here, you’ll find a colorful mix of students, locals, and creatives.
El Born is full of hip cafés, bars, and small art galleries, as well as plenty of important sights – such as the Museu Picasso, one of the best museums in Barcelona.
What to see in El Born
- Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar: Gothic church
- Palau de la Música Catalana: colorful, artistic concert hall
- Mercat de Santa Caterina: lively indoor market
- Picasso Museum: the most visited museum in Barcelona
- Moco Museum: modern art museum
- Parc de la Ciutadella: the largest city park in Barcelona
- Arc de Triomf: Barcelona’s triumphal arch
- Centre de Cultura i Memòria: cultural center with archaeological excavations
Food spots in El Born
Cremat 11: Our insider tip for a super tasty breakfast. Be sure to try the pancakes! But bring your appetite, the portions are pretty big.
Pastelería Hofmann: A great pâtisserie, especially known for its stuffed croissants – you can choose from mascarpone, mango or strawberry, among others.
Where to stay in El Born
In our opinion, El Born is the best area to stay in Barcelona. It’s super centrally located in the Old Town, but not in the hustle and bustle. At the same time, you’re not far from the beach. Here are our hotel recommendations:
Motel One Barcelona-Ciutadella: stylish hotel with a cool rooftop terrace and really tasty breakfast. It’s one of the cheapest hotels in the city center and our personal top pick!
Park Hotel: a charming little hotel with a rooftop pool, private parking, and its own tapas restaurant.
La Barceloneta
One of the most popular neighborhoods in Barcelona is definitely La Barceloneta. It’s also part of the Old Town, and you have the sea and the beach right in front of you. Perfect, right?
Whether you want to relax in one of the beach bars, feast in the best paella restaurants in the city or watch huge luxury yachts in the harbor – Barceloneta has all that and more.
If you’re in the mood to dive into Barcelona’s nightlife in the evening, you’re in the right place: at Port Olímpic, you’ll find the legendary clubs Pacha, Opium and Shôko.
What to see in La Barceloneta
- Playa de la Barceloneta: Barcelona’s most famous city beach
- Passeig Marítim: beach promenade
- El Peix: huge sculpture in the shape of a golden fish
- Marina Port Vell: impressive marina
- Museu d’Història de Catalunya: historic museum with a great rooftop terrace
Where to stay in La Barceloneta
La Barceloneta is the best district in Barcelona for a mix of city and beach vacation. We’ve picked two hotels that are not only super close to the sea, but also offer great views:
Hotel 54 Barceloneta: Design hotel with a beautiful rooftop terrace, just a 3-minute walk from the beach.
H10 Port Vell 4* Sup: Chic 4-star hotel. From some rooms and the rooftop terrace with a pool, you can enjoy a great view of the harbor.
Eixample
The district of Eixample begins just north of the Old Town, at Plaça de Catalunya. It’s the largest and also the most modern part of Barcelona’s city center and looks very different from the Old Town.
Here you’ll find wide streets, elegant boulevards, and impressive buildings in the Catalan Art Nouveau style known as Modernisme.
Among the most famous are Casa Batlló and Casa Milà, two of the best-known works by legendary architect Antoni Gaudí. And that’s not all: Eixample is also home to Barcelona’s absolute top highlight: the Sagrada Família, which was also designed by Gaudí.
What to see in Eixample
- Sagrada Família: famous basilica by Antoni Gaudí
- Passeig de Gràcia: elegant shopping boulevard
- Casa Batlló: imaginative, colorful building by Gaudí
- Casa Milà (La Pedrera): unusually curved building by Gaudí
Important: Tickets for the Sagrada Família sell out quickly, so make sure you get yours in advance. You can book your Sagrada Família ticket online here.
Our tip: There’s a great free walking tour that takes you to the most important Modernisme landmarks. The tour doesn’t have a fixed price – you decide at the end how much you want to tip.
Food spots in Eixample
La Pedreta: very good tapas and even better paella. The restaurant is just around the corner from the Sagrada Família and is perfect to combine with a visit.
Las Muns: You can get homemade empanadas here. Las Muns has several locations in Barcelona, we tried the one in Eixample.
Can Pizza: Pizza in Barcelona? Yep, you read that right. The Neapolitan-style pizza here is simply amazing – trust us!
Parking Pizza – Parking Pita: two sister restaurants in a converted industrial-style parking garage. Such a cool concept.
Where to stay in Eixample
Eixample is quieter than the Old Town districts, but still central and close to many attractions. We recommend these hotels:
Leonardo Hotel Barcelona Gran Via: a great value hotel with spacious rooms and a prime location for a city trip.
Hotel Pulitzer Barcelona: boho-style boutique hotel with a cozy vibe.
Gallery Hotel 4 Sup: super tastefully decorated hotel in a quiet location. With a rooftop pool, free sauna and private parking.
Gràcia
The Gràcia district, north of the city center, is one of the most authentic neighborhoods in Barcelona. Most of the people here are locals, making Gràcia a true hidden gem in Barcelona.
Compared to the typical tourist hotspots such as the Barri Gòtic, things are much more laid-back in Gràcia. The quiet residential streets, filled with families and students, individual shops and charming squares, are perfect for a stroll.
Our highlight is the Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia – a small, cozy square that also houses the district’s bell tower.
What to see in Gràcia
- Park Güell: imaginative park designed by Gaudí
- Casa Vicens: Gaudí’s first major work
- Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia: beautiful square and the heart of the district
- Plaça del Sol: one of the most famous squares in Gràcia
- Festa Major de Gràcia: a week-long city festival in August
Important: We recommend buying your ticket for Park Güell online a few days in advance. Demand is high, and the number of visitors is limited.
Food spots in Gràcia
Anita Gelato: the best ice cream shop in Barcelona, located at Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia. The selection is huge and all the flavors are simply fantastic.
Nabucco Tiramisu: If you’re already at Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia, don’t miss stopping by for their delicious tiramisu.
Syra Coffee: Love coffee as much as we do? Then this coffee shop is a must-visit – it’s one of the best in the city.
Where to stay in Gràcia
Since Gràcia is mainly a residential area and not as central, there aren’t many hotels here. We recommend staying in another district in Barcelona and visiting Gràcia for a few hours.
But if you really want to stay in Gràcia, here’s our recommendation:
Hotel Ronda Lesseps: a family-run hotel in a very quiet location, just a stone’s throw from Park Güell. The beautiful green inner courtyards are a real highlight.
Poblenou
Poblenou is a district in Barcelona that most visitors don’t (yet) have on their radar. But there’s plenty to discover here.
Once an industrial area, Poblenou has now become a trendy neighborhood with unique concept stores, alternative bars, modern studios, and a vibrant start-up scene.
What’s more, Poblenou is right by Playa de Bogatell. Compared to Playa de la Barceloneta, this beach feels more relaxed due to fewer tourists.
Although the district is a bit further from the Old Town and many of the best places to visit in Barcelona, you can get here quickly and easily by public transport.
What to see in Poblenou
- Rambla del Poblenou: the laid-back promenade of Poblenou
- Playa de Bogatell: a beach especially popular with locals
- Torre Glòries: skyscraper with 360-degree views, located at the edge of Poblenou
- Palo Market Fest: creative street market at the edge of Poblenou
Where to stay in Poblenou
Poblenou is home to some really cool hotels. Here are two of our favorites – both are well connected to Barcelona’s public transport system, with metro and bus stations just around the corner:
Acta Voraport: modern hotel, not far from the beach. The highlight: a rooftop terrace with a pool and amazing views.
The Social Hub: hip hotel with a very relaxed vibe. It features a great rooftop terrace with a pool, a gym, and a large co-working space.
El Poble-sec
Another relatively unknown neighborhood in Barcelona that is slowly gaining more attention is Poble-sec – a popular residential and nightlife district for locals.
You can experience the real Barcelona here, especially in the evenings: People gather on Carrer de Blai, which is known for its great tapas bars, or you can stop by one of the many excellent theaters along Avinguda del Paral-lel.
The cabaret shows at El Molino, often referred to as Barcelona’s Moulin Rouge, are legendary.
El Poble-sec is also worth a visit if you’re not a night owl. The district is the perfect starting point for exploring the city mountain Montjuïc – one of the best viewpoints in Barcelona.
What to see in El Poble-sec
- Avinguda del Paral-lel: street with some of Barcelona’s most famous theaters
- Carrer de Blai: lively street with the best tapas bars
- Montjuïc: city mountain with highlights like the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya
- Font Màgica: fountain with a light and water show at the foot of Montjuïc
Where to stay in El Poble-sec
El Poble-sec is the best district in Barcelona if you want to stay in a less touristy area but still be close to the center. We’ve selected two hotels with a great location at the foot of Montjuïc for you:
Hotel Brummell: stylish boutique hotel with just 20 rooms, a beautiful inner courtyard, and a small pool on the terrace. Public transport connections are excellent.
INNSiDE by Meliá Barcelona Apolo: modern hotel, just a few minutes’ walk from the center. The spacious rooms are also ideal for families.
FAQ About the Neighborhoods in Barcelona
What is the city center of Barcelona?
The city center of Barcelona includes the Eixample district and the Old Town (Ciutat Vella), which consists of the neighborhoods Barri Gòtic, El Born, El Raval, and La Barceloneta.
What is the most beautiful area in Barcelona?
The Barri Gòtic in the Old Town. With its narrow, winding streets, historic buildings, and charming squares, this neighborhood in Barcelona has a truly special atmosphere.
What is the coolest district in Barcelona?
That’s totally a matter of taste, of course. But in our opinion, it’s definitely El Born.
It has the perfect mix of trendy bars, creative shops, and a vibrant, artistic vibe. Just a really cool place to be!
Which districts should you avoid in Barcelona?
There’s one neighborhood in Barcelona that’s quite controversial when it comes to safety: El Raval, which is separated from the Gothic Quarter by La Rambla.
On the one hand, it’s becoming increasingly popular thanks to its trendy bars and emerging art scene.
On the other hand, El Raval struggles with issues like drug dealing and prostitution, and it has the highest immigrant population in Barcelona, which can sometimes lead to tensions. That’s why many people tend to avoid this district in Barcelona, especially in the evenings and at night.
We didn’t explore the deeper parts of the neighborhood ourselves, but stuck to the areas close to the Barri Gòtic – between La Rambla and Rambla del Raval. There are some great sights here, like the Mercat de la Boqueria, Palau Güell, and the Museu d’Art Contemporani.
What part of Barcelona has the best nightlife?
Each of the neighborhoods we’ve introduced offers great nightlife – it just depends on what you’re in the mood for:
- Barri Gòtic: lively squares, cocktail bars and clubs
- El Born: trendy bars with a cool vibe, often featuring live music
- La Barceloneta: beach bars and the clubbing scene around Port Olímpic
- Eixample: stylish rooftop bars and upscale clubs
- Gràcia: charming squares where locals gather
- Poblenou: creative bars and popular clubs like Razzmatazz
- El Poble-sec: jazz clubs, theaters, and authentic local bars
Which neighborhoods should you visit if you only have limited time in Barcelona?
If you’re short on time – for example, visiting Barcelona just for a day – focus on Barri Gòtic and Eixample.
Barri Gòtic, with its medieval alleyways, is an absolute must-see and home to many of the city’s most iconic historic sights.
But don’t miss Eixample either, the Gaudí neighborhood in Barcelona. Here you’ll find three masterpieces by the famous Catalan architect: Casa Batlló, Casa Milà, and of course, the Sagrada Família.
If you’re already familiar with those areas and want to explore something new, we recommend our favorite neighborhood El Born – small, charming, and full of surprises!
These were our tips for the best neighborhoods in Barcelona
Do you have any questions about the neighborhoods in Barcelona or want to add something? Feel free to leave us a comment – we’d love to here from you!