Barcelona has many districts within larger districts and each is more fascinating than the next. One that's truly interesting is the laid-back La Vall d'Hebron, which is located within the bigger Horta-Guinardó district. Though the place is so peaceful that it's practically considered a suburb, it's anything but boring! After all, the area is home to many sites that hosted the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona. Such a history is always enough to draw in locals and tourists alike. Nowadays, however, La Vall d'Hebron has become one of the best places to live in Barcelona.
Where is La Vall d'Hebron in Barcelona?
La Vall d'Hebron is similar to other
central neighborhoods in Barcelona in that it's a district within a district. The area is located within the bigger Horta-Guinardó district, which is not too far from the city's more mountainous region. Though it's a fair distance away from the city center, approximately 7.7 kilometers from Plaça de Catalunya, it remains a central district. After all, the place is famous for having four venues from the 1992 Summer Olympics. However, it's worth noting that this wasn't where the Olympic Village was located at the time. This is a common misconception about the neighborhood.
Is La Vall d'Hebron in Barcelona Safe?
Yes, it is. La Vall d'Hebron is generally safe and is one of those neighborhoods where people can walk around at practically any time of day with little to no worry at all. Does this mean it's the safest neighborhood in Barcelona? Of course not! It's still worth staying aware of your surroundings at La Vall d'Hebron, especially at night. It's also worth noting that
Barcelona's crime rates were never that high to begin with. They're only mid-range, making the Catalan capital one of the safest major cities in the world.
What's The Vibe in La Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona?
La Vall d'Hebron is one of those neighborhoods where you'll easily forget that you're in a major city that's also one of the most popular in the world. The vibe here is so laid-back and peaceful that you'd easily think you're in the Barcelona suburbs instead of a central district. Even its most famous sites, namely the former Olympic Games venues, are far from the city's most famous tourist spots. So overall, it's fairly easy to have a relatively quiet life in La Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona. It's even perfect for families
moving to Barcelona to settle down.
Is it Expensive in La Vall d'Hebron in Barcelona?
Before anything else, it's worth noting that
Barcelona's living costs are generally high. No matter where you choose to stay in the city, you're still bound to spend a lot. Now, with that said, La Vall d'Hebron stands out as one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Barcelona. The rent here is far from high, the shopping isn't exactly luxurious (in a good, affordable way!), and even eating out in the area won't cost you an arm and a leg. The average price for a meal in La Vall d'Hebron is usually around €10.00 to €15.00 in cheap restaurants and only about €20.00 to €35.00 in pricier hotspots.
What to See in La Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona
Part of what makes La Vall d'Hebron unique is that the best spots to see here aren't the architectural marvels that Barcelona is known for. Do you want to see Antoni Gaudí's striking works? Go to l'Eixample or Gràcia instead. As already mentioned, part of what makes La Vall d'Hebron famous is that it has four venues from the 1992 Summer Olympics. They include Parc de la Vall d'Hebron, the Tennis de la Vall d'Hebron, the Pavelló de la Vall d'Hebron, and Camp Olímpic de Tir amb Arc. They're not exactly the most eye-catching sites, but they're fascinating nonetheless!
What to Do in La Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona
La Vall d'Hebron in Barcelona offers the best of both worlds. There are places where you can live like a local and others where you can go sightseeing like a tourist. For the latter, the area's four former Olympic Games venues are more than enough. You can spend the entire
day in Barcelona going to all of these places and you won’t have wasted your time. For the former, on the other hand, you can simply enjoy La Vall d'Hebron's suburban appeal. It has such a quiet, almost working-class vibe that it almost feels like an entirely different place from the rest of the city.
The Best Restaurants in La Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona
La Vall d'Hebron deserves recognition for its colorful culinary scene. While you might not exactly find
Barcelona's best Michelin-starred restaurants here, there are still many great places to eat in this neighborhood. Aranda's Grill on Avenida del Tibidabo is a great example. True to its name, the place allows you to grill your own meat and indulge in other Catalonian delicacies. La Madurada on Passeig Maragall, on the other hand, is a more sophisticated space where rich meats reign supreme. Both of these and any of La Vall d'Hebron's amazing restaurants listed below will take your taste buds on a tailspin you will never forget!
- Aranda's Grill on Avenida del Tibidabo
- Bar-Restaurant Vall d’Hebron on Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron
- Can Cortada on Avenida de l'Estatut de Catalunya
- Can Travi Nou on Carrer de Jorge Manrique
- Casa Amàlia in La Concepció Market on Ptge. del Mercat
- La Madurada on Passeig Maragall
- La taverna de vall d´hebron on Carrer de Judea
- Restaurante Cocina Global on Carrer de Puig i Cadafalch
- Restaurant “El Toriko” on Carrer de Juan de Mena
- Restaurant Ginesta in Vall d'Hebron Hospital on Carrer de l'Harmonia
What to Know About La Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona Apartments for Rent
As already mentioned, La Vall d'Hebron is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Barcelona. Naturally, this extends to its rental real estate market. The average rent in La Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, is about €900.00 to €2,500.00 per month. The range is fairly near the citywide average but it's more than possible to get a place that's much cheaper than anywhere else. Fortunately, La Vall d'Hebron has several kinds of
luxury homes to rent in Barcelona, including studio apartments, multi-bedroom flats, and even full-blown townhouses. No matter your budget, you can still find a place for you here!
La Vall d'Hebron is such a quiet and laid-back district that it's practically considered a suburb in Barcelona, making it one of the best places to live in the city. You wouldn't find a place quite like it anywhere in central Barcelona.
