Where to stay in Barcelona

written by INSIDR Team October 9, 2022

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Barcelona is a vibrant, colourful city and is one of the most visited in Spain. This urban seaside city of 1.6 million residents is bursting with creativity and culture. It’s known for not only having some of the most consistently warm weather, but also for its friendly people, incredible food and laid back lifestyle. But even then, it’s a pretty big city with hundreds of accommodations all around! Therefore, we’ve decided to round up our recommendations for the best area to stay in Barcelona during your trip!

All these wonderful qualities of Barcelona heavily influence the style of accommodation that you’ll find in the city. From the urban chic and trendy to the traditional or modern and slick, the choices are endless. Another factor influencing Barcelona’s hotel and accommodation trade is the sheer volume of tourists who visit the city each year. In 2016, over 9 million tourists stayed in hotels in the city. That’s an increase of over 7 million people since 1990. In fact, it’s estimated that 32 million tourists visited Barcelona in total that year. It’s figures like this that have understandably put a lot of stress on the cost of living for local residents in Barcelona. In a way, Barcelona has become a victim of its own success.

The rising tourism numbers have resulted in a new law being passed in 2017 restricting tourism. This new law limits the amount of accommodation available to tourists through rental apartments and hotels in the city. However, with over 75,000 hotel beds and 50,000 beds in legal tourist rental properties (like Airbnb), there are still plenty of options for you to choose from.

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Best locations for accommodation in Barcelona

The Gothic Quarter

The Gothic Quarter in Barcelona is the oldest part of the city. Imagine narrow, winding roads, charming local shops lining the streets that look like they’ve been there for centuries, and endless trendy cafes, boutique shops, world-class restaurants and traditional local bars to discover. There’s no place that’s more fun to get lost in! This is also the centre of Barcelona, so staying in the Gothic Quarter will mean you’re in close proximity to almost everything.

Those Seaside Views

What’s better than waking up to views of the Mediterranean sea from your bedroom window? Not much. That’s exactly why staying along Barcelona’s seaside is such an excellent idea. There are many areas to choose from to get a seaside view and if you are finding something that’s still central, go for Barceloneta. If you prefer somewhere a little more local and trendy, head to El Poblenou. You’ll also find seaside views from the mountains surrounding Barcelona.

Mingle with the locals in Gracia

If you’re looking for a more authentic, Catalan experience, Gracia is the place to be. Found in central Barcelona, Gracia gives you a true taste of the local life. Rub shoulders with the locals at the many tapas bars and restaurants, enjoy the unique shops and boutiques, and discover some of Barcelona’s trendiest spots. If you’re visiting in August then you may catch Gracia’s famous Festa Major, turning the entire area into a week-long street party.