Barcelona is home to some unique, trendy, historical and often quirky neighborhoods, and for those visiting the city for the first time, trying to decide on the right neighborhood for you can be a little daunting. From the Modernist Eixample to the unique El Born to the upscale Sarrià, there are so many options to choose from, meaning the trickiest part of planning your trip might just be can be deciding just where to stay, especially if you’re going for the increasingly popular option of renting an apartment in Barcelona.
But fear not; whether you’re on a weekend getaway for two, a break with friends or family or even if you’re traveling solo, at least one of the following areas is sure to be right for your stay in Barcelona.
The Old Town – El Born and El Gòtic
With an incredible history dating back to Roman times, these fascinating, maze-like neighborhoods are Barcelona’s oldest and the Old Town area itself offers visitors a vibrant insight into the rich and fascinating history that this buzzing city has to offer. With their winding alleyways and beautiful medieval architecture, staying in either the Born or Gòtic neighborhoods is like travelling back in time.
The Old Town area offers numerous opportunities for visitors to immerse themselves in Catalan culture and is home to some of the city’s most renowned attractions including the Picasso Museum, El Palau de la Música Catalana and Santa Caterina Market. It is also home to the famous Las Ramblas street and the amazing Passeig del Born, a magnificent walkway that was once the site of medieval jousting tournaments.
El Gòtic has its charms, with Roman remains and amazing Gothic architecture to be found all over the neighborhood. However, El Born in particular is popular with younger residents and is known as an über-trendy spot with plenty of boutique establishments, including spectacular rooftop bars, hip cafeterias, sought-after restaurants and curiosity shops. As well as this, many of the interiors of the neighborhood’s medieval buildings have been carefully converted into stylish, modern apartments and offer a unique stay in the city.
Eixample
The center of life for city slickers and ‘must-be-seen-in’ bars, it should come as no surprise that this area is a favorite among tourists and locals alike. Eixample’s reputation as an architectural hotspot means that choosing to stay in one of the many apartments on offer here will leave you surrounded by some of the very best of what the city has to offer.
This district is one of the first extensions from the old city center and is separated into two neighborhoods: Eixample Esquerra (left) and Eixample Dret (right). Eixample is home to elegant turn of the century buildings today converted into swanky residences, swish restaurants and designer stores. Modernism and the Belle Epoque rule here, and the area is home to some of Spain’s most famous architecture, including much of Gaudís work such as the colorful Casa Batlló, the captivating Casa Milà and the unique Sagrada Familia. For fashion lovers, style gurus and those partial to the finer things in life, Eixample is the place to be.
Sarrià
Hidden behind Eixample you’ll find the quaint, up-market area of Sarrià. Known as ‘la zona alta’ or ‘the high zone’ this upscale neighborhood has a distinctive local atmosphere and a whole host of stylish restaurants, classy boutiques and exclusive clubs. This beautiful area is situated just outside the city center, providing you with a quieter holiday spot, but it is still close to all of the main attractions of Barcelona. Just a few stops away from Eixample and Plaça Catalunya, choosing an apartment in Sarrià means you’ll have all of Barcelona just a few minutes away.
Diagonal Mar
If basking in the Mediterranean sun and throwing in a bit of style is what you really enjoy when on vacation then Diagonal Mar is the place for you. With a wide selection of chic, modern apartments available and incredible views of Barcelona’s coastline, this is a fantastic place to stay. The lively seafront, lined with cool beach bars and authentic seafood restaurants, is one of the trendiest areas of the city and nearby Port Olímpic, with its range of top clubs, is one of the Barcelona’s best evening hot spots.
The city’s beaches would be on your doorstep when staying in Diagonal Mar. This plus its proximity to the city center make it the perfect location for those wanting to combine the metropolitan with the surf.
So, whatever your preferences, Barcelona will come up with the goods. Whether you’re after a stay in an Art Nouveau-style building, a few days living like a local, a historic gem or a spot of beach life, you’re sure to find something for you in the Catalan capital.
This post was written by Laura Jenkins, a travel-lover and resident in Barcelona. She currently writes for ApartmentBarcelona.com, an apartment rental agency in Barcelona with over 1000 apartments on offer, as well as a blog packed full of tips and advice for visitors.
Photo credits: Creative Commons: Flickr: NeilSingapore (Eixample), Flickr/photos/jaumebcn (Old Town) and Flickr/photos/ilesh (Diagonal Mar).
Renee Blodgett is the Founder and Managing Editor of We Blog the World, a global travel, culture and lifestyle publication exploring the world through the lens of meaningful experiences, human connection and cultural depth. Having lived in 10 countries and traveled to 95, Renee has spent much of her life immersed in the people, traditions, landscapes and ideas that shape how we experience the world.
Since launching We Blog the World in 2007, she has written and produced extensive editorial coverage spanning boutique and luxury travel, culinary experiences, arts and culture, wellness, adventure, technology, spiritual traditions and transformative travel. Her work is rooted in the belief that travel is about more than where we go—it is also about what a place, culture or encounter awakens within us.
Renee brings more than three decades of experience across journalism, photography, media, brand strategy, technology, wellness and global storytelling. She has worked with companies and organizations around the world on brand positioning, communications, product launches, media strategy, speaker positioning and storytelling. Through Blue Soul Media, she works with authors, entrepreneurs, thought leaders and purpose-driven brands to clarify their message and expand their impact, which includes speaker coaching/training for high-profile stages such as TED and bringing authors’ work to market while retaining authors rights.
She is also the co-founder of Blue Soul Earth, an educational platform exploring consciousness, ancient wisdom, spirituality, healing and the intersection between science and the nature of reality. Renee is the producer and host of the award-winning Blue Soul CHATS, a conversational series bringing together leading voices in science, technology, consciousness, wellness and spirituality.
Her growing body of work also includes Blue Soul Living, which extends her interest in consciousness and well-being into the spaces we inhabit, exploring how intentional design, energy and environment can support greater harmony and connection.
Renee is the award-winning co-author of the bestselling Magdalene’s Journey and founder of the Magdalene Collection, inspired by women’s voices, stories and wisdom across cultures and generations.
A longtime photographer and storyteller, Renee has documented people, places and cultures around the world and produced photographic collections focused on destinations including the Galápagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome and Ecuador. She also co-founded Traveling Geeks, an international initiative that brought entrepreneurs, journalists, creators and technology leaders together with their counterparts in other countries to exchange ideas and explore innovation across cultures.
Renee’s work has been recognized by Forbes, the United Nations and others for her influence in media and social storytelling. Across her work in travel, media, consciousness and culture, a common thread remains: curiosity about the world, the stories that connect us and the ways meaningful experiences can change how we see ourselves and one another.
