In which area should you stay in when you visit Barcelona?

Where should you stay in Barcelona? Which area is the best? Near to the 9km beach coastline? Close to the sights? Where is it safe to spend some time in Barcelona?

Well, there are ten districts in Barcelona city and they are all safe for visitors to stay in. ShBarcelona offers a wide range of apartments in each neighbourhood suitable for couples or families among others and this whether it is for a short term or long term stay.

The majority of tourists prefer to stay in three central districts of the city which are well connected to Barcelona’s city centre, top attractions as well as it’s glorious beach coastline.

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Best areas to stay in Barcelona?

1. The district of Ciutat Vella is the oldest area of Barcelona and is considered the centre of the city. It acts as the bridge between the Mediterranean Sea and the Eixample neighbourhood. It is also home to the famous Plaça Catalunya, one of the most popular meeting points in all of Catalonia. If it is your first time in Barcelona, this area is probably the best for you to stay in as it’s central location enables you to be close to all the most famous sights of the city.

On the other hand, the structure of the are is fascinating. Indeed, it has several medieval parts, the Barcelona Cathedral, old churches and markets for example. The 1992 Olympics brought about a big change in this area before the seafront was made up of warehouses and docks, but now it has been transformed into one of Barcelona’s most modern and architecturally ambitious districts. This amazing district is made up of four neighbourhoods with the most popular being La Barceloneta (beach area), El Gòtic (old town) and El Raval.

2. The district of Eixample is the newer 19th-century city area. Some of Barcelona’s best shopping is found in this area and it is home to Gaudi’s famous Park Guell. It also has many bars and restaurants along with modernist architecture such as Gaudí’s Casa Batlló, Casa Mila and Sagrada Familia. This Barrio is also characterised by a busy grid-like road system. This neighbourhood is made up of five smaller ones, with the most well-known being the likes of Fort Pienc, Sagrada Família and Sant Antoni.

3. The district of Sant Marti is the newest area of the city. For the Olympic games, the area started a process of transformation into a trendy, modern residential, business and beach place of Barcelona. Sant Marti is a little off centre but close to downtown Barcelona and well connected my metro and tram. The big attraction of this area is the proximity to the beach the wealth of modern accommodation with sea views. Some of the more well-known neighbourhoods are El Clot, El Poblenou and La Vila Olímpica del Poblenou.

Where to stay with a family?

ShBarcelona offers an extensive selection of short term, family friendly apartments and flats to accommodate all types of family in all of the neighbourhoods of Barcelona.

The choices you make as a family of where to stay will depend on many factors that as a parent, you will be very familiar with. Factors such as the age of your children, if you want a relaxing beach holiday with minimal fuss, or an action packed sightseeing holiday.

One of the best ways of getting around the city is via a Metro underground stop. The Metro serves almost all of the areas with tourist attractions. If you stay anywhere in the city centre, it will most definitely be well connected to the underground network, usually within short walking distance.

If however you want to be right in the heart of the action it would be advisable to find accommodation around Las Ramblas, Barcelona’s most famous street or Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter). Known as the “old city” in the epicentre of Barcelona and the “original” Barcelona where the city began to grow. This neighbourhood is characterised by winding cobbled ancient streets, striking architecture, top quality restaurants and cafés full of atmosphere. This Barrio has some of Barcelona’s best transport connections in regards to buses, metro and train via Plaça Catalunya station located at the top of Las Ramblas. A guide to Barcelona’s public transport system with essential insider information is a good read for anyone coming to Barcelona.

Finally, once you’ve found the perfect place to stay in Barcelona, here are some great suggestions for children’s activities and interests in Barcelona.

The three districts mentioned above are some of the most popular to visit for tourists, although the joy of Barcelona is that every neighbourhood has something to offer. Click on the following link for a breakdown of Barcelona Districts (Barrios). And remember, you can always get in touch with ShBarcelona if you want to spend a weekend in the city and need help to find accommodation in Barcelona.