Best Places to Stay in Barcelona: Complete Guide for First Time Visitors

If you are trying to decide where to stay in Barcelona, it can feel like an overwhelming decision. Barcelona is a large city with hundreds of hotels to choose from.

To make things easier for you, we have narrowed down the long list of options into just a few great properties, organized by neighborhood and budget.

In this article, get an overview of some of Barcelona’s most popular neighborhoods with recommendations on where to stay in each of them.

Below is a map of Barcelona. The different colors represent the different neighborhoods. The black markers are the popular landmarks.

How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. To take this map with you, click the star next to the title of the map which adds it to your Google account. Next, within your Google Maps app, select ‘Saved’ and then select ‘Maps’. This map title will now appear in your list.

Table of Contents

Where to Stay in Barcelona

The hotels we list in this article are very highly rated. All but a few get 8.5 stars or higher on Booking.com, and most of them get at least 9 stars. On this list you will find hotels, apartments, hostels, and houseboats.

Even though this is a narrowed down list of all the hotel options in Barcelona, it is still a long list. At the end of the article, I narrow it down even more, giving you our top recommendations based on traveling style (skip ahead to this list now).

I list hotels as luxury, upscale, mid-range, and budget. A luxury hotel is a 5-star hotel, an upscale hotel is a 4-star property, a mid-range hotel is a 3-star property, and a budget hotel is a 1 or 2-star property or a hostel.

How Much Does it Cost to Stay in Barcelona?

If you are a budget traveler, you can spend as little as €25 per night in a hostel. If you are traveling as a group of two or more, a double room in a 2-star hotel will cost between €50 and €150. For the mid-range traveler, on average you will pay between €150 and €275 per night for a double room. 4-star rooms usually range from €275 to €450 per night, and the 5-star hotels usually start around €450 and go up from here.

These are the prices for a standard room at this level. 3-star hotels can offer deluxe rooms or rooms with a view for two or three times the price of one of their standard double rooms. The same goes for all classes of hotel.

Hotel costs can go up based on the time of year and during times of high demand for hotel rooms. Prices may also be cheaper during the off-season.

Where to Stay in Barcelona: By Neighborhood

Best Hotels in the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic Quarter)

The Gothic Quarter is the old city center of Barcelona. During your visit, you will no doubt spend part of your time here. Wandering the labyrinth of narrow, cobblestoned streets in the Gothic Quarter is one of the best things to do while in Barcelona.

Pros: Located in the touristy heart of Barcelona, within walking distance of many great shops and restaurants.

Cons: Can be expensive and noisy.

LUXURY: The Serras Hotel. This 5-star hotels features a rooftop infinity pool and a 1-star Michelin restaurant. It is located on the edge of the Gothic Quarter with views over the harbor.

UPSCALE: H10 Madison 4* Sup. This highly rated property is located near the heart of the Gothic Quarter. It has a rooftop pool and terrace, onsite restaurant, and some rooms can accommodate up to four people (2 adults with 2 children).

UPSCALE: Catedral Bas Apartments. Located in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, this highly-rated property offers one and two-bedroom apartments, making it a great pick for families. Apartments have a balcony, kitchen, and washing machine.

MID-RANGE: H10 Raco del Pi. This 3-star hotel is located in a historic building in the center of the Gothic Quarter. Guests complain about the tiny size of the “small double room” so it might be worth it to upgrade to the larger “double room.”

BUDGET: Hostal Fernando. This hostel features single, double, triple, and family rooms, as well as dormitory style rooms that can accommodate up to 6 people. This hostal has an excellent location but some people complain that the rooms are small.

Best Hotels in El Born

El Born is a small neighborhood that is wedged between the Gothic Quarter and Parc de la Ciutadella. This is where you will find the gorgeous Santa Maria del Mar Basilica, the Picasso Museum, and one of our favorite restaurants, Ziryab tapas restaurant.

Pros: This small neighborhood has lots of character. It’s located far enough away from Las Ramblas to not feel too touristy. From here, you are within walking distance of the beach, the Gothic Quarter, and Parc de la Ciutadella.

Cons: This is one of the best areas in Barcelona for the nightlife…which is great if you like to party, but if not, it can be noisy at night.

UPSCALE: Deco Apartments. This property features four apartments that can accommodate between three and eight people. These apartments are spacious, modernly decorated, and feature a kitchenette. If you are traveling as a family or a group, this is a great pick in Barcelona.

MIDRANGE: Yurbban Trafalgar Hotel. Located in the northern section of the El Born neighborhood, this hotel features a rooftop terrace with a swimming pool. From the terrace, enjoy panoramic views across Barcelona.

BUDGET: Hostal Orleans. This hostal is located at the southern end of El Born so it is just a short walk to the beach from here. People rave about the excellent location and the cleanliness of this property.

Best Hotels Plaça de Catalunya

Located between the Gothic Quarter and Eixample, Plaça de Catalunya is centrally located in Barcelona. It may not be the most exciting neighborhood, but its location is brilliant. From here, you can easily walk to the Gothic Quarter, Casa Batlló and Casa Milà, and Las Ramblas. From the metro station, also called Plaça de Catalunya, you can easily zip through Barcelona on the city’s excellent metro.

We stayed in two hotels here. Even though this area lacks the charm that you will find in other neighborhoods, we loved the central location.

Pros: Centrally located so you can easily walk or take the metro to get around Barcelona.

Cons: Lacks the charm in other neighborhoods. This is a busy area, with tourists, buses, and traffic, so if you want peace and quiet, skip Plaça de Catalunya.

UPSCALE: Olivia Plaza Hotel. This is one of the highest rates hotels in Barcelona on Booking.com and Trip Advisor. Olivia Plaza is a 4-star boutique hotel that is located right on Plaça de Catalunya. Rooms can accommodate up to three people. Guests rave about its excellent location, stylish rooms, and terrace bar.

MID-RANGE: H10 Catalunya Plaza. We spent one night here while in Barcelona. This hotel overlooks the hustle and bustle of Plaça de Catalunya but even so, the rooms were very quiet. You can get rooms with a terrace overlooking the plaza and some rooms can accommodate up to four people.

BUDGET: Room Mate Pau. This budget hotel offers clean, quiet rooms with modern décor. We spent six nights here while in Barcelona. It’s nothing fancy but the location is brilliant.

Casa Batllo

Best Hotels in Eixample

Eixample is an upscale neighborhood where you will find some of Barcelona’s best shopping. Wide, clean streets, gorgeous architecture, and upscale shops make up this neighborhood. This is also where you will find Casa Batlló, Casa Amatller, and Casa Milà, three of Gaudí’s most famous buildings.

Passeig de Gracia Where to Stay in Barcelona

The view of Passeig de Gràcia and Casa Milà from Alaire Terrace rooftop bar.

Even if you don’t stay here, we recommend strolling along Passeig de Gràcia (which you will do when you visit Casa Batlló). One block over is Rambla de Catalunya. This wide street is lined with beautiful buildings and excellent restaurants. It looks a lot like Las Ramblas, only without the crowds. There are lots of great restaurants to try here, but our favorite was Cerveseria Catalana.

Pros: Upscale neighborhood. Lots of great restaurants to choose from. Very easy to walk to Casa Batlló and Casa Milà and it takes about 15 minutes to walk to Las Ramblas and the Gothic Quarter.

Cons: Can be expensive.

LUXURY: Almanac Barcelona. This boutique luxury hotel just opened in February 2018. Almanac Barcelona features 61 rooms and 30 suites. Some rooms even come with a terrace for stunning views of Barcelona.

UPSCALE: H10 Casa Mimosa. This property features a beautiful courtyard with a plunge pool and an on-site restaurant. Some rooms offer views of Gaudí’s Casa Milà. This hotel also features a rooftop terrace, pool, and bar. Casa Mimosa is located on the northern edge of Eixample, not far from the Gràcia neighborhood.

MID-RANGE: Room Mate Carla. This hotel is just a 5-minute walk from Casa Milà – La Pedrera a 15-minute walk from the Sagrada Familia. Rooms feature modern décor.

Best Hotels in Gràcia

Until the late 19th century, Gràcia was its own independent town. Since then, it has been swallowed up by Barcelona, but it still retains its own personality. If you want to get away from the touristy heart of Barcelona and stay somewhere with a local vibe, consider Gràcia.

This neighborhood is bordered by Park Güell and Tibidabo to the north and Eixample to the south. Within minutes, you can ride the metro from the Fontana or Gràcia stations to get to Barcelona’s main sites. While you are here, don’t miss Sol Soler, an excellent tapas restaurant, or the Old Fashioned Gin and Tonic Bar.

Pros: Charming neighborhood away from the touristy heart of Barcelona.

Cons: Not many. You will spend a little more time on the metro but that may be worth it for a more local experience.

Park Güell

UPSCALE: Radisson Blu 1882 Hotel. This 4-star hotel is located just a short distance from the Sagrada Familia. From the hotel terrace, you can look out across the rooftops to the Sagrada Familia.

MID-RANGE: Aparthotel Silver. This hotel is located very close to the Fontana metro, so not only do you get the wonderful experience of staying in Gràcia, but you are also conveniently located to a metro station. Rooms are modern and feature a kitchenette.

BUDGET: Yeah Barcelona Hostel. This hostel gets rave reviews and prior guests claim that this is one of the best hostels they have ever stayed in. This hostel is located on the southern edge of the Gràcia neighborhood, not far from Eixample.

Best Hotels in El Raval

Located on the other side of Las Ramblas from the Gothic Quarter, this neighborhood feels grittier than other places we visited while in Barcelona. El Raval is Barcelona’s melting pot, a multi-cultural neighborhood that is vibrant, artistic, and up-and-coming. It’s a mix of fashionable boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, and bars. But there are also seedy sections to this neighborhood and you need to be on your guard against pickpocketing.

From the 360° Terrace on top of the Barcelo Raval Hotel, you can have an amazing view over Barcelona. We also had two amazing meals in El Raval, at Cera 23 and Restaurant Arume. This is also where you will find Palau Güell and the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA).

If you want to stay in a neighborhood that is full of personality with a great location and easy access to some amazing restaurants and bars, El Raval is a great place to stay in Barcelona.

Pros: Excellent shopping, restaurants and bars. Located within walking distance of some of Barcelona’s best sights.

Cons: Grittier than other neighborhoods in Barcelona, beware of pickpocketing, can be noisy at night

360 Terrace Barcelona Where to Stay in Barcelona

360 Terrace Rooftop Bar

UPSCALE: Casa Camper Hotel Barcelona. Located in the northern part of El Raval, this is one of the top-rated hotels in the city. Rooms are large, modern, and come with a seating area. From here, you are just steps away from La Boqueria and the MACBA.

MIDRANGE: Barcelo Raval Hotel. This modern hotel is well-known for its rooftop bar, where you can enjoy panoramic views over Barcelona.

BUDGET: Hostal La Terrassa. Located just a short walk from La Rambla and the Liceu metro station, this hostal offers an excellent location in Barcelona.

Best Hotels in Barceloneta

If you are traveling as a family or want to turn your trip to Barcelona into a beach holiday, look no farther than Barceloneta. This is Barcelona’s beachfront neighborhood.

This is where you will find the W, one of Barcelona’s most prestigious properties.

Pros: The beach! Great for families.

Cons: Touristy

LUXURY: W Barcelona. This hotel, with its unique sail-like design, dominates the skyline along the Barcelona beach. This property features two pools, a spa, a rooftop bar, and a restaurant. Rooms offer views of the ocean, the beach, and the harbor. From here, it is just a short walk out onto the beach. This is one of the hottest properties in Barcelona.

Placa Reial Barcelona Where to Stay in Barcelona

Plaça Reial in the Gothic Quarter

Where to Stay in Barcelona: By Traveling Style

Even with a narrowed down list of where to stay in Barcelona, it can still be a lot to choose from. Here are our recommendations based on travel style and budget.

If you are a budget traveler, consider the Yeah Barcelona Hostel in Gràcia (this hostel gets glowing reviews) or Room Mate Pau at Plaça de Catalunya (excellent location).

If you are a luxury traveler, we recommend The Serras Hotel in the Gothic Quarter, the brand-new Almanac Hotel, or W Barcelona.

If you want to stay in a trendy, boutique-style hotel, we recommend the Olivia Plaza Hotel at Plaça de Catalunya or Casa Camper Hotel in El Raval.

For families, the Deco Apartments offer lots of space and private bedrooms. At the H10 Catalunya Plaza and H10 Madison, rooms can accommodate up to four people. Or, as budget options, consider the Yeah Barcelona Hostel or Hostal Fernando in the Gothic Quarter.

If we did it again, we would like to try the Olivia Plaza Hotel at Plaça de Catalunya (we loved the location) or the Serras Hotel in the Gothic Quarter.

If you have any questions about where to stay in Barcelona, or if you want to share your experience, comment below!

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