The Best Hotels in Barcelona

Because Barcelona is such a metropolitan, exciting and architecturally rich place it's easy to forget sometimes that it's also a seaside resort. Close to hand you have an array of extraordinary, palate-pleasing restaurants full of local specialities, bursting with flavour and world-leading molecular gastronomic experimentation. Throw in the vibrant nightlife of the city's buzzing jazz and flamenco drenched clubs and mural-covered taverns, a trip from Roman era through medieval in the shape of the city's varied buildings and caverns, and the added bonus of sea and sand, and you've got a single city which contains the best elements of countless others.

Where to stay in Barcelona

There's no shortage of luxury on offer among the high-end hotels in Barcelona. While you'll find complimentary WiFi and flat-screen televisions across the board, you can also expect to find on-site saunas, fitness centres and in many cases outdoor swimming pools. As well as purpose-built luxury resorts, Barcelona's elite accommodation is varied, with turn of the century Modernist mansions competing for business against hillside townhouses. Location is key, too, with some of the pricier places not only pampering their guests, but nestling next to the city's most recognisable landmarks, such as the Botanical Gardens or the shops and restaurants of Las Ramblas.
In order to help you choose where to stay in or near Barcelona, use the form, or click directly in the hotels map at the top of this page. By using the filters, you can search by location, budget and guest rating to quickly find the best hotel for you.

Barri Gothic

The Gothic Quarter, or Barri Gothic, is the centre of medieval Barcelona, full of dark alleyways, winding streets and Roman architecture. The area contains buildings from a multitude of eras, including the ancient Sinagoga Major in the old Jewish quarter and buildings that date back to Roman times.

Born

Born was originally the textiles district and to this day it is still home to many small boutiques. It’s the perfect place to shop for a hand stitched bag or even an evening dress. There are also many trendy bars and excellent mid-price restaurants to enjoy in Born. With the attraction of the basilica of Santa Maria del Mar nearby, this makes for an excellent place to stay in Barcelona.

Eixample

The rigid grid system of Eixample was built in the same era as the Modernista movement. It’s also here that most of the renowned architect Antoni Gaudi’s buildings are found, such as the Sagrada Familia and Casa Batlló. Eixample showcases a lot of the city’s top architecture, but it also has a good shopping district, with many of the flagship stores, such as Cartier and Swarofski, located in the area.

Barceloneta

We recommend booking a hotel in the Barceloneta area if you mainly want to experience the gorgeous beaches that Barcelona is famous for. Located along the six kilometres of beach that adorn the coastline of the city, there are many types of accommodation to choose from.
It’s in Barceloneta that you will find the liveliest party-scene and the fanciest seafood restaurants. Located in between the long Barcelona beaches, you can find Port Olímpic – a bustling harbour full of pulsating bars and fancy yachts. If you head to the northern parts of the beach you will find quieter areas with great hotels. No matter what area you stay in Barcelona, there are always budget and luxury options available. With the city being so compact, you will never be very far away from any attraction.

Top attractions in Barcelona

The largely pedestrianised Las Ramblas is at the heart of Barcelona. As you wander along this kilometre or so of road you'll encounter street performers frozen like statues, and you may even unwittingly walk over the work of the great artist Miro in the shape of some stunning mosaics. There are dazzling illustrations and ornamentations on a huge number of the buildings, so keep your eyes peeled. You'll mostly be drawn here for shops, restaurants and other attractions, such as the quirky Wax Museum.
Placa de Catalunya is a huge, vibrant square, filled with sculptures of goddesses and former presidents, as well as plenty of benches perfect for catching your breath. Just as Barcelona is a city of changes, one of its most iconic buildings, the Sagrada Familia, is in flux – having been started by famed architect Gaudi in 1882 it's yet to be completed, but what is here is an irregular masterpiece of Gothic and Art Nouveau.

Traditional foods – What to eat in Barcelona

Barcelona is a prime spot to try Spanish cuisine, as the Catalonians have various dishes that date back hundreds, or even thousands of years. For example, you cannot visit Spain without trying paella. This rice and seafood dish originated from Valencia, and is traditionally eaten at important celebrations.
Specific to Barcelona is the potato dish called ‘bomba’. It was inspired by the hand-held grenades from the Spanish Civil War, and has become one of the most iconic of Barcelona’s tapas dishes. La bomba is a tennis ball-sized croquette that’s served with garlic aioli, which signifies the fuse of the bomb, and a red sauce, which represents the explosive nature of the bomb.
For a true Catalan experience, you should try the Esqueixada salad. It’s a dish of raw salted cod served with tomatoes, onions and olives. Pair it with a bottle of sparkling Catalan Cava for a fresh zing and pure bliss.
Catalonian Desserts are also spectacular. Mato, a creamy ricotta style cheese that is generally served with walnuts and honey, is the perfect way to end to a Spanish dinner. Crema Catalana is a dessert very similar to crème brûlée, though the Catalans will argue that they invented it and not the French.

Weather and seasonality – When to visit Barcelona

When to visit Barcelona is highly dependent on what you are looking to do. Most people prefer to visit in May or June simply because the temperatures are warm, but not excessively so. During this period, there are also several festivals held in Barcelona, such as the Sónar Music festival, Gay Pride and St John’s feast.
Summertime in Barcelona is very hot. Often the locals leave during this time for their own holidays. This is the most popular time for visitors, so book in advance to make sure you get the hotel you want.
Winter offers mild temperatures, making it the perfect time of year to spend your days sightseeing on foot. It can often still be warm enough for you to take a refreshing dip in the sea. Winter is low season in Barcelona so it can be a good time to pick up a good deal for your Barcelona break.
Spring is a peaceful time with mild weather and fewer visitors. Plenty of sunshine means you’ll be able to spend most of your time out and about, and the occasional splash of rain will give you a great excuse to sit back with a glass of delicious Spanish wine or a jug of Sangria.

Getting around in Barcelona

Barcelona–El Prat Airport is located 14 kilometres from the city and there are many easy ways to get from the airport to the city centre. An Aerobus shuttle runs every five minutes from the airport and takes approximately 30 minutes to the city. One way costs €6 and a return ticket is €10.20. Another option is The R2 Nord RENFE Train Service, which runs directly to the city centre in 25 minutes.
Once in the city, getting around could not be easier. Much of the town is pedestrianized which promotes walking. The city is compact and it’s easy to find the attractions, which makes walking a great option. Another option is to traverse Barcelona by bicycle. With well-integrated cycle lanes throughout the city and parks, you’ll get around faster than you would on foot while still being able to revel in the atmosphere.
For those that prefer a more relaxed mode of travel, there is a comprehensive bus service covering all areas of Barcelona. The excellent range of transport methods also includes the metro, tram and FGC, an urban and metropolitan rail system. These three services are easily the most convenient and fastest ways to get around. The trams and buses offer a range of different ticket types and travel cards, which can be bought to suit your individual need.

Practical Information

• • Language: Catalan & Spanish, English is widely spoken
• • Time zone: CET, CEST
• • Currency: Euro, all major credit cards accepted
• • Drinking water: Safe to drink, but bottled water is recommended for taste.
• • Power source: Standard European 220 V 2-pin power outlets. Remember to pack your adapter.
• • Emergency aid number: 112