What Neighborhoods to Stay in Barcelona
Barcelona is a lively city with many great neighborhoods. There are, however, some that are slightly better. If you want to have a nice stay in the Catalan capital, stick to places like Eixample Esquerra, Sant Gervasi - La Bonanova, El Born, Vila de Gracia, Sarria, and Sant Antoni. Though they're all different from one another, they have something in common: they're also residential. Amidst their nightlife districts, shopping streets, and a gaggle of galleries, these are also places where you'll find some of the finest luxury apartments in Barcelona.
Best Neighborhoods in Barcelona for Families
Since these neighborhoods are largely residential, it's only natural that they're also the best neighborhoods in Barcelona for families. But let's also add Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Gràcia, Les Corts, and Sant Cugat in there as well. Not only are these places residential too, but they're also among the safest parts of Barcelona. Sarrià-Sant Gervasi is most notable as the affluent neighborhood in the city. It's more expensive to stay here, sure, but you're guaranteed to be safe and secure. The same goes for Les Corts, Barcelona's business district. It's a fairly bustling area where families can still live an idyllic life.
Best Neighborhoods in Barcelona
It's hard to pinpoint which Barcelona neighborhoods are the best. It means different things to different people, after all. Though you'll often hear about the Gothic Quarter, La Barceloneta, El Born, Sant Antoni, El Raval, El Poble-sec, Sant Gervasi - la Bonanova, and more, who's to say they're the absolute best areas in the city? There's no denying, however, that each of these notable districts is popular for a reason. Those who love Barcelona's sunny weather will enjoy La Barceloneta and its beautiful beach even more. El Raval, on the other hand, is for the bohemians. While the Gothic Quarter is for those who want to revel in Barcelona's old-world appeal.
Barceloneta in Barcelona
It's no surprise why Barceloneta, or “La Barceloneta,” became one of the most popular neighborhoods in Barcelona. As the coastal district of the city, this is where the Catalan capital's Mediterranean magic truly flourishes. It's not just the beach that makes it a worthwhile destination, even though it's a huge help. It's also the liveliness of the area, the tapas bars always filled with rowdy locals & tourists alike, the kids that play on the sand, and even the Port Cable Car that goes all the way up to Montjuïc Hill. You can feel the vibrancy of Barcelona's local life in La Barceloneta alone!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Eixample District in Barcelona
You could say that the Eixample district is the heart of Barcelona. Located at the center of the city, it's here where you'll find stylish boutiques, chic restaurants, popular hotspots, and the city's most famous landmarks. The iconic Antoni Gaudí-designed Sagrada Familía is here, as is Plaça de Catalunya, the Catalan capital's main square. With so much to see and do, you haven't truly been to Barcelona if you haven't been to Eixample!
Is Eixample, Barcelona Safe?
Since it's among the more affluent areas, the Eixample district is generally safe. It's even one of the safest neighborhoods in Barcelona, especially since it's often packed with people. There are still crimes here and there, but they're mostly pickpocketing and small thievery compared to the more violent acts committed in other parts of the city. Nevertheless, it pays to still be careful when you're in Eixample, even more so at night!
Where to Stay in Eixample, Barcelona
Within the Eixample district are smaller but similarly popular areas that are perfect for your stay. Perhaps the most famous is Esquerra de l'Eixample, made up of L'Antiga Esquerra de l'Eixample and La Nova Esquerra de l'Eixample. This is the commercial heart of both Eixample and the entire city of Barcelona, filled with fashionable stores, Michelin-starred restaurants, and hip hotspots. As busy as it may seem, there are still parts of the district that are fairly residential too. Sant Antoni is one of them. Though it gets lively at times too, Sant Antoni is notable as a fairly peaceful area.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
El Born in Barcelona
El Born has a lot of history to show. You can already see it in its narrow cobble streets, centuries-old buildings, and overall Medieval vibe. This is where the old meets the new, wherein cool cafes and independent boutiques set up shop inside the well-preserved structures. And of course, you can't forget about some of its main attractions too. Santa Maria del Mar Basilica, for example, rivals Sagrada Familia in its grandeur and opulence. The place almost feels other-worldly in its stateliness. The Picasso Museum, on the other hand, boasts one of the largest collections of the legendary painter's works. It's one of the best places to truly get to know Picasso in Barcelona.
Is El Born, Barcelona Safe?
Generally speaking, El Born is a safe neighborhood in Spain. Even with its narrow streets, there are still very few crimes committed here. With that said, it pays to be aware of your surroundings no matter the time of day. El Born is also notorious for its pickpockets. Sometimes, it's worse when the area is crowded!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
El Raval in Barcelona
El Raval is the bohemian epicenter of Barcelona. Think of it as the Catalan capital's answer to Montmartre in Paris, SoHo in New York City, and Chelsea in London. Since contemporary art is the name of the game here, El Raval personifies the edgier side of Barcelona, one that you'll only get to discover if you go there yourself. Here, you'll find the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art, one of the city's best museums. Around it is an array of tapas bars, bohemian clubs, hipster cafes, and more. In a nutshell, El Born is where you'll discover new ideas and new experiences along the way.
Is Raval, Barcelona Safe?
This is a bit tricky. As great of a place as El Raval is, the neighborhood has some of the highest crime rates in Barcelona. As a result, locals and tourists alike tend to avoid this part of the city. But when you actually go there yourself, you'll find that it's a generally safe place. So should you still go here despite the high crime rates? It's up to you! There's simply no telling what will happen but it pays to always be careful wherever you go!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Gothic Quarter in Barcelona
The Gothic Quarter, or “Barri Gòtic,” is the center of history in Barcelona. Just as its name says, the district's Gothic design still stands; a stark reminder of the city's centuries-old heritage and old-world opulence. Travel back in time to the Gothic Quarter, with its hidden corners and narrow streets that paint a clear picture of what the city was like back then. And whilst here, don't miss its most incredible attractions. There's the Cathedral of Barcelona, a Gothic architectural marvel, and Museu d'Història de Barcelona, where you can learn everything you need to know about the city.
Is The Gothic Quarter in Barcelona Safe?
While the Gothic Quarter is far from the safest neighborhood in Barcelona, it's still safer compared to other areas in the city. Since it's among the most popular areas, it gets crowded enough that you can still feel safe as you walk around and explore the place. Just avoid the narrow streets and alleyways. Though they're some of the most popular parts of the Gothic Quarter, you never know what might happen to you there, especially at night.
What to Do in The Gothic Quarter, Barcelona
Beyond just reveling in the old-world beauty of the Gothic Quarter, you'd be surprised at how much there is to do around here. Despite how it looks, the neighborhood still has its fair share of cool bars, hip restaurants, charming cafes, and more. You can just hang out, meet new people, and relax. You can also see the quarter's beloved attractions, including the aforementioned Cathedral and Museu d'Història de Barcelona. And of course, don't forget to take snapshots of the best Instagram-worthy spots in the Gothic Quarter. It's as if this place was built just for that!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Gràcia in Barcelona
With its 19th-century boulevards lined with tall trees and decorated with blooming flowers, Gràcia is a beloved neighborhood in Barcelona. It's here where you'll find the world-famous Gaudí-designed Park Güell, after all. With such a popular spot, there's no way Gràcia won't be as popular as it is today. It also helps that the district bursts with creativity, from chic art galleries to independent boutiques run by local artists and designers. Gràcia is as much a part of Barcelona's art scene as the rest of the city!
Is Gràcia, Barcelona Safe?
Yes, it most certainly is! In fact, it's not far-fetched to say that Gràcia is one of the safest neighborhoods in Barcelona. Though it's also among the most tourist-friendly districts in the city, it's still an overall peaceful and quiet place. This is why many families, married couples, and the elderly live here.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Les Corts in Barcelona
It's no surprise if you haven't heard about Barcelona's Les Corts neighborhood before. It's not exactly the most popular district in town. Though it's an area full of energy, it's not exactly the most tourist-friendly. Why? Because Les Corts serves as Barcelona's business and financial district. If you got a job in Spain and moved to Barcelona because of it, there's a good chance that this is where you'll work. Don't worry! It's not all office buildings and banks here. Les Corts still has its fair share of trendy restaurants, great bars, cool cafes, and more.
Les Corts, Barcelona’s Safety
Considering the nature of the Les Corts district, it is undoubtedly safe here. In fact, it's even among the safest neighborhoods in Barcelona. A local district at heart, it's an affluent area where security is as tight as can be. Though it's not exactly a crime-free zone, it's still a lot safer here compared to other, even more popular parts of Barcelona.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Montjuïc in Barcelona
All the way atop Montjuïc Hill, you'll find the Barcelona neighborhood of the same name. Arguably the most fascinating district on this list, Montjuïc is truly unlike any other. It has a rich history, tons of attractions, and was even a huge part of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Even traveling to this place, famously via the teleferic (cable car), is already a blast. What more when you actually get to explore this exciting area in person?
Is Montjuïc Worth a Visit?
100%! To say that Montjuïc is an exciting neighborhood is an understatement! There's so much to see and do around here, you won't know where to start! Of course, you have to start with Montjuïc Castle. It's a hilltop fortress that once served as Catalonia's main military garrison. It's even said to be haunted, especially the dungeons down below! The Joan Miro Foundation is also a must-see. The namesake artist was among the most famous to ever come from Catalonia. You can around 14,000 of his fascinating works here. And of course, you can't forget about the Olympic Ring, which refers to the series of buildings used when Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympics. There's a lot of history here as well!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Poble Sec in Barcelona
New York Magazine cites Poble Sec as the liveliest neighborhood in Barcelona. Located at the foot of Montjuïc Hill, it's among the smaller areas on this list. Rows upon rows of 19th-century buildings line its slightly narrow streets, housing popular bars, cool clubs, and a variety of other hotspots. With a lively nightlife scene on offer, it's only natural that tourists will be drawn to this part of the Catalan capital. But it also doesn't hurt that Montjuïc Hill and all its beloved landmarks are nearby too.
Is Poble Sec, Barcelona Safe?
Poble Sec may not be the safest neighborhood in Barcelona, but it's definitely high in the ranks. It's a largely residential area, mostly made up of apartment buildings, townhouses, and the like. But since Poble Sec is also a popular nightlife district, it can still get pretty rowdy here at night.
Source: Flickr.com/ Oh-Barcelona.com
Port Olimpic in Barcelona
Port Olimpic, or “Port Olympic,” truly lives up to its name. Located opposite the former Olympic Village, this place remains a haven for anyone who's active and sporty. Since it's a port area, water sports are the name of the game here. There are many places to swim, scuba dive, snorkel, and more here. And even if you're not the sporty type, you can still go yachting or spend the day at the beach here too.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Sants Neighborhood in Barcelona
In a nutshell, the Sants neighborhood is the closest thing Barcelona has to a suburban neighborhood. The area is so quiet, it's the ideal place for people to raise a family in the bustling Catalan capital. Moreover, even though it's located in southern Barcelona, it's still a pretty central part of town. There's the lively Eixample district to the northeast, the Les Corts business district to the northwest, and the municipality of l'Hospitalet de Llobregat to the south. You can spend most of your time in these more vibrant places and then come home to the more peaceful Sants neighborhood.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Get to know one of the most famous destinations in the world with the help of this Barcelona neighborhood guide. From its central districts to its lesser-known but still worthwhile areas, there's a lot to discover about the Catalan capital.
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