TRAVEL
•
7 min read
by Francisca Ribeiro, Marketing & Communication
Published March 16, 2023
| BARCELONA | GUIDE | NEIGHBOURHOODS | LUGGIT | SH BARCELONA |
Barcelona is an eclectic city, vibrating with colour, music and plenty of fun. Anything from the lively nightlife to the amazing architecture brings travellers to the Catalonian capital, but where in the city should one stay to best enjoy what it has to offer?
In this blog post, you can find out what neighbourhood you should stay in the next time you pay a visit to this wonderful city, depending on what you are here to do. You might want to explore the historic centre and its magical streets, or you might be a student travelling on a budget or you might just be in town to enjoy the parties in the city. We will show you which neighbourhood to choose so that you can get the most out of your trip.
Gothic Quarter, for an historic setting
Barri Gotic, known for being the history hub in the city, is a great choice if you wish to be enthralled by the fairytale feel of its buildings’ architecture. Besides being the obvious historical centre, this is also its geographical one, making it one of the best places to stay if you’re in town for a visit.
This neighbourhood is known for its mix between historic buildings and modern ones, and this mix just makes this part of town one of the most enjoyable ones. Filled with charming squares, labyrinth-like streets and great restaurants this part of town is like no other. Around here you can easily reach Las Ramblas, and check out the city’s Cathedral and Plaça Reial as well as some of the best restaurants and bars in the city.
Photos by Alex Quezada (left), Aleksandar Manasiev (centre) and Diego Allen (right) on Unsplash
Eixample, for the shopping
Northwest to the Gothic Quarter, you can find the Eixample. This busy, centrally located neighbourhood is known for its stylish boutiques, bars, and restaurants with a wide gastronomical variety and many tourist attractions. In this area alone you can find La Sagrada Família, Casa Milá and Plaça da Catalunya.
Known for being one of the trendiest parts of Barcelona, Eixample is fairly recent, with most of its buildings dating back to the 19th and 20th centuries, creating a great juxtaposition with the gothic neighbourhood. Around these parts of the city, you might just want to take a stroll and soak in the modernist architecture and enjoy the great restaurants and caffés.
If you are looking for accommodation in this area, Sh Barcelona has a vast offer. Their accommodations perfectly reflect the elegance and sophistication that this part of town demands.
La Barceloneta, for the beach
Barceloneta, a former fishing village, is mostly known for its amazing beach. This area is usually famous among locals for surfing and sunbathing but it is also home to a lot of bars and restaurants that serve mainly tapas.
There are a few attractions in this area, mainly for families. The aquarium is good for kids and if you want to escape the weather. The The Montjuïc Cable Car is a great experience (if you are not afraid of heights) and you can get wonderful views of the whole city.
If you are looking for a good time in a place that mixes an urban lifestyle with the beach life and is the most touristic in the city, look no further than La Barceloneta. Stay in this part of town if you wish to not only visit Barcelona’s tourist attractions but also enjoy some of its nightlife by the beach.
Gràcia, for the eclectic vibe and for families
North of the Eixample and south of the hills lies Gràcia, a neighbourhood that feels like a village. Mostly populated by cute young families and artists, this is the perfect spot for a holiday with the kids with its long 19th-century boulevards and pedestrian lanes.
This district holds one of the most famous tourist attractions in the city, Park Güell, but this is not the only thing to do around these parts. If you need a good cup of coffee, a nice cold beer or even a cool piece of art, this is the place for you. Luckily for you, Sh Barcelona has a wide variety of accommodations for you and your kids, that are sure to be your home away from home.
El Poblenou, for “cheaper” accommodation
If you are looking to visit Barcelona on a budget, you must start with accommodation. El Poblenou is your solution. This seaside neighbourhood is known for cutting-edge architecture, pumping nightlife, and beaches which is perfect if you wish to enjoy more of the party life of the city rather than the tourist attractions.
Poblenou was the city’s industrial hub in the 19th and 20th centuries, but now it's one of the coolest places to live in Barcelona. The “Manchester of Catalonia '' holds a lot of secrets like the Barcelona Design Museum, the Torre Agbar skyscraper and the stunning sculptures of the Poblenou Cemetery and the city centre is just a subway ride away. Don’t forget to check Sh Barcelona’s apartments apartments in the area for the best offers on accommodation.
Sants, for a an un-touristic vibe
Located to the city’s south, Sants, like many of Barcelona’s districts, was once a working-class industrial town. The mix between sleek high-rise apartments and rustic buildings, the community art and cultural centres make this neighbourhood a good choice if you wish to experience life in Barcelona as one of the locals.
This location is a great choice for those that are in town to see a football match at Spotify Camp Nou or are planning to get a train in and out of the city since this is where Barcelona’s main train station is located. Montjuïc, the National Art Museum of Catalonia and the Joan Maragall Gardens are just a 30-minute walk away so you can still do some sightseeing whilst enjoying the perks of staying in an un-touristic area. Sh Barcelona has different apartments in this area that will make you feel like you are a Barcelona local.
We hoped to have helped you choose where to stay in Barcelona the next time you visit, making the trip easier for you. But if you are looking for a completely stress-free holiday, use BLOG10 to get a discount on your next LUGGit service and explore the city bag-free.
