In a nutshell
- Barcelona is fairly compact for a large city. If your hotel is in the old town or a nearby central district, you can walk to most of the main sights without much trouble.
- Our top tip for where to stay in Barcelona for first timers is the Motel One Barcelona-Ciutadella in El Born. It’s stylish, central, and offers great value for money.
- Looking for an insider tip away from the tourist crowds? Our recommendation: the Acta Voraport in Poblenou – with great public transport connections, a pool, and excellent value for money.
The Best Areas to Stay in Barcelona
To help you quickly find the right place to stay in Barcelona, we’ve put together a guide to the best areas to stay in.
These are our favorite places to stay in Barcelona:
- El Born: a quieter part of the old town – Motel One Barcelona-Ciutadella
- Barri Gòtic: right in the heart of the old town – Catalonia Magdalenes
- Barceloneta: close to the beach and still central – H10 Port Vell 4* Sup
- Eixample: a more modern part of the city center – Leonardo Hotel Barcelona Gran Via
- Poblenou: a young, vibrant neighborhood by the beach – Acta Voraport
The Best Places to Stay in Barcelona on a Map
For a quick overview, we’ve marked the best places to stay in Barcelona on a map.
You’ll also see where the top sights in Barcelona are located.
Our Personal Hotel Tip: Motel One Barcelona-Ciutadella
We stayed at the Motel One Barcelona-Ciutadella in the El Born district—one of the best areas to stay in Barcelona. It’s a great spot for exploring the city, with many top sights just a short walk away. For example, you can reach the Barcelona Cathedral in around 18 minutes.
We really liked our time at Motel One. The interior is modern and thoughtfully designed, there’s a relaxed rooftop terrace with a bar, and even a coworking space in the lobby.
As foodies, we were especially happy with the breakfast. The spread is generous, and there are even Spanish specialties like tortilla and chorizo.
And the best part: Motel One is actually one of the best value hotels in Barcelona’s city center. It’s a real find when it comes to price and quality.
Book Motel One Barcelona-Ciutadella
Where to Stay in El Born
If you want to stay in the old town and be close to the main sights—but avoid the crowds—then El Born is the perfect place for you.
El Born is part of the Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i la Ribera neighborhood, but most people simply call it El Born. It’s our favorite pick when it comes to where to stay in Barcelona for first timers. Located right in the historic center, it’s ideal for exploring the city on foot—especially if you’re visiting for the first time.
There’s always a lively atmosphere here, but it’s much less touristy than the nearby Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic). That’s why we’d personally choose El Born over Barri Gòtic any day.
You’ll find loads of trendy cafés, bars, and small galleries here. Plus, the beautiful Parc de la Ciutadella, the largest park in Barcelona, is right around the corner. That makes El Born one of the greenest and most relaxed areas in the city.
Pros of staying in El Born:
- quieter than the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic)
- close to many major attractions
- very trendy and full of character
- easy access to public transport
- not far from the beach (about a 20-minute walk)
Cons of staying in El Born:
- Some parts of El Born can be noisy
Best places to stay in El Born
We stayed at the Motel One Barcelona-Ciutadella and can definitely recommend it. It’s located right next to Parc de la Ciutadella, in a quieter part of El Born.
Where to Stay in Barri Gòtic
If you want to stay right in the heart of Barcelona and enjoy the vibrant nightlife, then Barri Gòtic is a great choice.
Barri Gòtic is the historic center of Barcelona. It doesn’t get more central than this – ideal if you’re looking for where to stay in Barcelona for first timers.
Many of Barcelona’s most famous historic sites are tucked away in this medieval neighborhood full of narrow alleys. It’s always lively and never really quiet.
That’s also because Barri Gòtic is a well-known nightlife spot, with lots of popular bars and clubs. If you’re planning to head out in the evenings, this is the place to be.
Pros of staying in the Barri Gòtic:
- perfect location for sightseeing
- great selection of bars and restaurants
- excellent public transport connections
Cons of staying in the Barri Gòtic:
- very busy and tourist-heavy
- can be noisy, especially at night
- higher prices for hotels and food
Best places to stay in the Barri Gòtic
Many of the best places to stay in Barcelona are found in the Barri Gòtic. We especially liked the Catalonia Magdalenes. Since it’s located on the edge of the district, it’s quieter than many other hotels in this area.
The rooms are stylish, and there’s a fantastic rooftop with a pool, bar, and comfy lounge seating – perfect for a relaxed sunset.
Where to Stay in Barceloneta
Barceloneta is a great place to stay if you want to mix a beach getaway with a city trip.
Barceloneta is one of the most popular districts in Barcelona – and for good reason. You’ll have the beach right outside your door and can enjoy the sea breeze any time of day.
It’s also technically part of the old town and sits next to the Barri Gòtic and El Born. That said, it’ll take you a bit longer to reach some of the main sights from here.
If you’re okay with walking a bit more or hopping on public transport, you’ll be rewarded with sun, sand, and sea views every day.
Pros of staying in Barceloneta:
- The beach and harbor are just steps away
- some of the best paella spots in town
- laid-back beach bars
Cons of staying in Barceloneta:
- a bit more walking to reach the sights
- public transport options are limited (one metro stop and bus lines)
- hotels tend to be a bit pricier
Best places to stay in Barceloneta
One of our favorite hotels here is the H10 Port Vell 4* Sup. It’s just about 200 meters from Barcelona’s Port Vell harbor, and you can walk to the lower end of La Rambla in around 15 minutes.
The rooftop terrace has a fantastic view of the yachts – and there’s even a small rooftop pool for cooling off. Pretty awesome, right?
Where to Stay in Eixample
Eixample is a great choice if you want to stay in a quieter area than the old town but still be right in the center of Barcelona and close to the main attractions.
This district makes up the largest part of Barcelona’s city center. It starts just north of Plaça de Catalunya and borders the old town, so you’re still in a central but calmer part of the city.
The vibe is a bit more modern and stylish: Instead of narrow old town streets, Eixample has wide avenues, elegant boulevards like Passeig de Gràcia, and beautifully detailed building facades.
Eixample is also home to three of Gaudí’s most iconic buildings, which are absolute must-sees: Casa Batlló, Casa Milà, and the breathtaking Sagrada Família.
Also read our tips for the best hotels near Sagrada Família
Pros of accommodation in Eixample:
- in the city center, many highlights within easy reach
- not as crowded as in the old town
- many shopping streets, restaurants and bars
- well connected to Barcelona’s public transportation
Cons of accommodation in Eixample:
- no old town flair
- far away from the beach
- you have a relatively long way to the center from the edge of the district
Best places to stay in Eixample
Our top hotel tip in Eixample is the Leonardo Hotel Barcelona Gran Via. The location is excellent: lots of things are within walking distance and the public transport options are also very convenient. Plus, it’s one of the most affordable hotels in central Barcelona. A real find!
Where to Stay in Poblenou
If you’re looking to escape the tourist crowds and don’t mind being a bit further from the center, Poblenou could be the perfect spot for you.
Poblenou is still a bit of a hidden gem when it comes to places to stay in Barcelona. Most tourists don’t have it on their radar yet.
What used to be an industrial area has evolved into a vibrant and creative district: You’ll find hip bars, cool restaurants, popular clubs, contemporary galleries, and stylish concept stores.
And the best part: Poblenou is located right by Bogatell Beach, which is still considered an underrated beach in Barcelona compared to the more famous Barceloneta.
The only downside is that it’s a bit farther from the old town. While walking to the major sights isn’t really an option, the area is still well connected via metro and bus.
Pros of staying in Poblenou:
- not as touristy
- quieter than the city center
- directly on the beach
- trendy, young neighborhood
Cons of staying in Poblenou:
- no top sights within walking distance
- not really cheaper than the center
- good metro and bus connections, but not as close as in other neighborhoods
Best places to stay in Poblenou
Our top hotel pick in Poblenou is the Acta Voraport. The rooftop view of the sea is absolutely stunning. You’ll find great tapas spots nearby, and the beach is just a 10-minute walk away.
You can also reach the nearest metro and bus stations to get to the city center in just a few minutes.
Helpful Tips for Staying in Barcelona
#1 Hotel prices in Barcelona
Barcelona is one of the most popular city break destinations in Europe. Because of high demand, hotel prices in Barcelona have increased in recent years.
In the high season, expect to pay from about 150 euros per night for a double room in good, affordable hotels.
During the low season, you can sometimes find rooms for around 100 euros per night. Luxury hotels can be much pricier.
#2 Tourist tax in Barcelona
Besides your room rate, there’s a tourist tax in Barcelona, a fee all visitors pay. It consists of a municipal and a regional part.
The municipal tax is currently (as of 2025) 4 euros per person per night.
The regional tax varies by accommodation type. For example, it’s 1.70 euros per person per night for four-star hotels, and 3.50 euros for five-star hotels.
This tax applies for up to seven consecutive nights per person. If you stay longer in the same place, you won’t be charged again.
Children under 16 are exempt from the tourist tax.
Note: The tourist tax isn’t included in the price shown on booking.com. You pay it directly at your accommodation.
FAQ about Where to Stay in Barcelona
Which neighborhoods are best for a combination of city and beach vacation?
Especially Barceloneta and El Born.
Barceloneta is located right by the beach and also has good connections to the city center.
In El Born, you’ll be staying right in the heart of the city, close to major sights and museums in Barcelona, and still only about a 20-minute walk from the beach.
At which hotels can you park your car safely?
You’re driving to Barcelona for a day trip or staying overnight? Then, of course, you’ll need a secure parking spot.
Among our hotel recommendations, these accommodations offer their own private parking:
- Motel One Barcelona-Ciutadella in El Born
- Leonardo Hotel Barcelona Gran Via in Eixample
- Gallery Hotel 4 Sup in Eixample
- Majestic Hotel & Spa in Eixample
- ibis Styles Barcelona City Bogatell in Poblenou
- The Social Hub Barcelona in Poblenou
- Acta Voraport in Poblenou
- The Hoxton in Poblenou
At The Hoxton, parking is even free of charge.
Where's the best place to stay in Barcelona with kids?
If you’re visiting Barcelona with kids, we recommend staying in the neighborhoods of Eixample or Poblenou.
Both areas are quieter and less hectic, with lovely green spaces for children to run around.
Eixample is more central, while Poblenou is right by the beach — which is, of course, super convenient for a family vacation.
These were our tips for where to stay in Barcelona
Have you been to Barcelona and want to share your tip on the best places to stay in Barcelona? Or maybe you have questions about where to stay in Barcelona for first timers? We’re happy to hear from you in the comments.