Where to stay in Barcelona: Pros and cons of each area

Planning a trip to the Catalan capital and wondering where to stay in Barcelona? With so many beautiful neighborhoods, charming streets, and unique vibes, it can be hard to pick the perfect area, especially if it’s your first time in the city.

After two trips to Barcelona and plenty of conversations with friends who live there, I’ve put together this honest guide to help you decide where to stay in Barcelona based on what you’re looking for. I’ll walk you through the pros and cons of the city’s main neighborhoods, from trendy and local to touristy and noisy—so you can find the one that fits your travel style best.

And here's something that not many guides mention: you can actually stay in Barcelona for free. Yep—at the end of this article, I’ll share how to find free accommodation in exchange for volunteering, which is a great way to save money and experience the city like a local.

Before we dive in, keep in mind that Barcelona is a well-connected city. As long as you’re near a metro station or bus stop, getting around shouldn’t be difficult, and you'll be able to explore everything this amazing destination has to offer.

You might also like to read:

• Barcelona Itinerary: Must-see places for first-time visitors
• Exploring Spain solo: a guide to safe and enjoyable travel
• Essential Spain travel tips for first-timers

Where to stay in Barcelona

Dreta de l’Eixample

In my opinion, this is one of the best areas to stay in Barcelona. The Dreta de l’Eixample neighborhood is part of the larger Eixample district, along with Sant Antoni and Sagrada Familia, which I’ll talk about shortly.

“Dreta” means “the right side” of Eixample (right next to it is a neighborhood called L’Esquerra de l’Eixample, or “the left side”).

This area is home to several iconic spots like Casa Batlló and La Pedrera, two beautiful buildings designed by Gaudí, and it’s one of the city’s more upscale and modern areas. You’ll find wide avenues, a grid-like street layout, and lots of high-end shops. The most famous street here is Passeig de Gràcia, often compared to the Champs-Élysées in Paris.

Even if you’re not into luxury, the neighborhood’s central location and great metro/bus connections are big pluses.

Since it’s considered a prime area and offers lots of perks for tourists, most of Dreta de l’Eixample is quite pricey. But there are still plenty of hostels around, so don’t rule it out even if you’re on a budget.

Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic)

One of the most famous neighborhoods in the city, the Gothic Quarter is a good place to stay in Barcelona thanks to its charm, well-preserved medieval streets, and historic buildings. Plus, it's right in the middle of several other cool neighborhoods.

Besides exploring the Gothic Quarter’s own attractions—like the beautiful Barcelona Cathedral—you can easily walk from here to places like Las Ramblas, Port Vell, Barceloneta Beach, and more. Getting to more distant parts of the city is easy too, since the Gothic Quarter is served by three different metro lines.

Another perk of staying here is the sheer number of options, since this is a super touristy area with all kinds of hotels and hostels at every price point. You definitely won’t have trouble finding a place to stay.

The downside, in my opinion, is also the touristic appeal: the Gothic Quarter is one of the most crowded parts of the city, and walking through it can feel overwhelming. It’s not ideal if you’re looking for a more local experience, if you're sensitive to noise, or if you want to get a feel for everyday life in the city.

Also, be sure to take a close look at hotel photos and carefully read reviews before booking—there are a lot of old buildings here, and not all of them are well-maintained.

Vila de Gràcia

If you're into a younger vibe and looking for lively nightlife with plenty of bars to hop between, Vila de Gràcia is a great choice for your stay in Barcelona.

Part of the larger Gràcia district, this neighborhood sits in the upper part of the city—farther from the beach but closer to Gaudí’s Park Güell and the Bunkers del Carmel, which offer one of the best views of the city.

I really like the atmosphere here and love walking around its streets, where I often see more locals than tourists. That said, the neighborhood is a bit far from the city center, which might not be ideal if you want to do a lot of sightseeing on foot.

Also, if you stay near the bars or around Plaça del Sol—where young people gather to hang out and drink—it can get pretty noisy at night. And since metro stations are a bit sparse in this area, it’s a good idea to check if your accommodation is close to one.

Heads up when checking hotel locations: despite the name, Passeig de Gràcia Avenue is not in Gràcia—it’s in Eixample (the district I mentioned earlier). It’s close, but Vila de Gràcia is farther north.

Sagrada Família

The famous Gaudí-designed church, Sagrada Família, gives its name to the neighborhood it’s located in. A bit farther from the city center, this area is still well connected by two metro stations. 

It’s part of the Eixample district and tends to be fairly quiet—except for the streets around the church, which are always packed with tourists. It’s a relatively pricey area, though.

El Born

El Born is a small area that isn’t officially its own neighborhood, but it’s one of my favorite parts of Barcelona. It’s full of charming little streets and has an old-town feel—but it’s less touristy than the Gothic Quarter, although it's been growing in popularity.

The area has become trendy and attracts more and more visitors, but it’s still a local hangout too. It’s a great spot for anyone who wants to explore cool bars, cafés, and restaurants while staying close to both the beach and the city center.

Sant Antoni

Another interesting area to stay in Barcelona—more residential, but with tons of trendy bars and restaurants—is Sant Antoni. It’s also become a hipster hotspot, especially popular among young people.

It’s closer to the center than Vila de Gràcia, making it a great option for those who want to stay near lively hangouts without being too far from major sights.

Raval

Located between Sant Antoni and the Gothic Quarter, El Raval is a neighborhood that used to have a pretty bad reputation, but it’s been going through a revival in recent years. Like the Gothic Quarter, it’s part of the Old City and close to lots of major attractions.

What I liked most about Raval was its diversity. It has a large immigrant population, so it felt more multicultural than other parts of the city. I saw tons of African and Asian restaurants, for example. And since the area is being revitalized (or gentrified?), there are lots of cool shops and bars popping up.

It’s a good place to stay if you’re open-minded and want affordable accommodation close to the center without being surrounded by tourists all the time. Just be careful when choosing where to stay, as some quieter streets in the neighborhood are still considered a bit unsafe—check guest reviews before booking accommodation.

Poble Sec

Poble Sec sits between Avenida del Parallel—one of Barcelona’s main avenues—and Montjuïc, a small mountain with several attractions, including a castle by the same name.

I don’t love this area, but it’s relatively close to the port and to downtown, nestled between Sant Antoni and Montjuïc. It’s also more residential. If you choose to stay here, try to find accommodation close to Avenida Parallel or Carrer Blai, one of the city’s most famous tapas bar streets (it's the one in the photo below).

Barceloneta

Barceloneta is the beach closest to central Barcelona. At first, staying by the sea might sound dreamy, right? But this might be a classic expectation vs. reality situation.

It’s not a great beach (there are way better ones just a few minutes away by train), and it gets insanely crowded in summer. Even in other seasons, it often draws noisy crowds and drunk tourists. Plus, it’s not super convenient for getting to other parts of the city—there’s only one metro line serving the area.

Las Ramblas

I saved Barcelona’s most touristy spot for last: Las Ramblas, a pedestrian boulevard that’s always packed. You’ll find everything touristy here, from human statues to souvenir stands and overpriced restaurants.

It’s not a neighborhood in itself, but it’s a key reference point—it runs about a kilometer long, dividing the Gothic Quarter and El Raval, and connects the port area with Plaça de Catalunya, the city’s main square, which is home to big chain stores.

The area around Las Ramblas is super central and well-connected, but I left it for last on the list because I don’t think it’s a very pleasant place to stay. I stayed there on my first visit and didn’t really enjoy it. If you’re looking for peace and quiet, avoid this area.

Stay for free in Barcelona with Worldpackers

If you're looking to save money on accommodation and dive deeper into the local culture, consider doing a work exchange through Worldpackers. This platform connects travelers with hosts around the world—including many in Barcelona—where you can stay for free in exchange for a few hours of help per day.

In Barcelona, you’ll find opportunities to volunteer in different types of establishments. Depending on the host, you might be helping with reception, housekeeping, social media, or organizing events, for instance. In return, you get free accommodation, and sometimes meals or other perks.

But Worldpackers is about more than just saving money—it’s a chance for cultural immersion. You’ll meet locals and travelers from all over the world, practice different languages, and build friendships that go way beyond your stay. If you're the kind of person who loves to travel slow and connect deeply, this is a perfect way to experience Barcelona from the inside out. 

If you're interested, check out our guide on How Worldpackers works, or simply create your free profile on the platform and start browsing through the thousands of positions available all over the world.

I hope you liked this guide on where to stay in Barcelona. Whether you’re backpacking through Europe or just want a more meaningful way to explore this amazing city and its surroundings, Worldpackers is a great option worth checking out. Have fun!