If you’re looking for good vibes, innovative but classic cuisine, and opportunities to soak up European history, there’s no better place than Barcelona, Spain. With the Spanish city seeing north of 19 million international visitors each year, Barcelona has one of the world’s busiest airports.
Barcelona is vibrant, large, diverse, and eclectic, which means you’ll need at least 3-5 days to fully immerse yourself in the Spanish labyrinth. One of the most difficult decisions you’ll have to make, especially if you’re visiting for the first time, is figuring out where you’re going to stay. There’s plenty of cute and immersive neighborhoods in the city. But if you’re looking for the best place to stay as a first-time visitor, you’ll want to stay in Barcelona’s L’Eixample or El Born neighborhoods.
L’Eixample Is The Heart of Barcelona
If you’re eager to stay in the most central location while you’re in Barcelona, there’s not better option than L’Eixample. We recommend you seek out hotels or hostels in the area’s central and right sections. This area is particularly special because it’s the perfect balance of big city life with touristic offerings. If you only have a few days in Barcelona, this is where you want to be, as almost all the major tourist spots are nearby.
Here, you’re surrounded by Gaudi’s masterpieces – the still-under-construction Sagrada Familia and the whimsical Casa Batlló. Spend some time walking down the streets and your Instagram profile will thank you, as there’s plenty of opportunities to visit cute cafés and boutique shops. The neighborhood’s wide, tree-lined boulevards and grid layout make sauntering a breeze and a pleasure. You’ll eventually stumble upon Passeig de Gràcia, which is riddled with luxurious hotels and high-end shopping. If you’ve got the cash to spend, this is where it’s happening. Affordable accommodations are provided in the eastern section.
El Born is Barcelona’s Cultural Mecca
If you’re staying in Barcelona and want to know where the cool kids are, you should spend your nights in El Born. Slick bars, popping nightlife, and inventive restaurants dominate this artistic area. At the same time, El Born is gorgeous and filled with historical gems that you’ll want to immerse yourself in. Its medieval streets house the spectacular Santa Maria del Mar basilica, the Picasso Museum, and Barcelona’s best food scene.
Unlike the more touristy Gothic Quarter, El Born maintains its local character while offering easy access to major sights. In El Born, you’ll find locals mingling with visitors, making this a great place to hang out if you’re solo traveling. One benefit that El Born has is that it tends to be cheaper than L’Eixample. El Born is still pretty central to the city and you’re never really far away from major hotspots.
Where Else To Stay In Barcelona For Your First Time
L’Eixample and El Born are stunning, historically rich, and immersive areas, but there’s a chance that these areas don’t suit your style or budget. That’s totally fair, as these areas tend to become costlier during peak tourist season. And maybe you don’t even care to be in the heart of it all. Some travelers prefer staying in more low-key neighborhoods as they allow more authentic cultural experiences.
There’s a couple of other areas to consider. For a quieter seaside stay, look to Vila Olímpica just north. A friendly atmosphere and delicious attitude make this a solid option, especially if you don’t want to deal with hustle and bustle. If you do want crowds, you can’t go wrong with the historic and iconic Gothic Quarter. It’s got a central location and architecture that’ll blow you away, but it’s also pretty crowded and loud.
Regardless of where you decide to stay, Barcelona’s got a brilliant metro system that connects all major areas! We’ll say that you should avoid staying in outer districts like Horta-Guinardó or Les Corts – the money saved on accommodation isn’t worth the time lost to commuting.
