Barcelona

Gaudi landmarks, tapas counters & Raval vintage

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Barcelona is one of the most rewarding places to explore, and this local guide brings together the best things to do, where to eat and where to stay in one place. Highlights include Carrer de la Riera Baixa, Sagrada Familia and Park Guell. Food lovers should not miss Cal Pep and El Xampanyet. Below you will find 44 hand-picked local recommendations across sights, restaurants, hotels and tours, which you can filter by category and budget to plan the perfect trip, whether you have a weekend or a week.

Barcelona at a glance

Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
Best time to visit: spring and autumn
Highlights: Carrer de la Riera Baixa and Sagrada Familia
Where to stay: Poblenou and Eixample
Local picks: 44 hand-chosen recommendations
Getting around: walkable, plus easy public transport

Local tips for Barcelona

Stories and neighbourhood know-how from our local guides.

Local tipsWhere to Stay in Barcelona: Best Neighborhoods for First-TimersWhere to stay in Barcelona? A local guide to the best neighbourhoods, from the central Eixample and Gothic Quarter to…

Local tipsHow Many Days Do You Need in Barcelona? A Local’s GuideHow many days do you need in Barcelona? A local guide to the ideal trip length, the must-see Gaudi sights,…

Where to stay in Barcelona

Compare live hotel prices and availability on the map. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

El Raval

Casa Camper

A design-led boutique from the Camper shoe family in buzzy El Raval, with clever split-level rooms and a free 24-hour snack lounge. Stylish, relaxed and walkable to everything in the old town.

★ 4.6

$$$

Eixample

Cotton House Hotel

A refined five-star in a neoclassical former textile guild building on the Gran Via, all sweeping staircase, library bar and a small rooftop pool. Quietly glamorous.

★ 4.7

$$$

El Raval (Ciutat Vella)

Eco Boutique Hostal Grau

Why it matters: Hostal Grau has been in the Grau family since the 1960s, and when the current generation renovated it they rebuilt it as a genuinely sustainable hotel rather than a greenwashed one. It

Gracia

Generator Barcelona

A design-forward hostel near Gracia with dorms, private rooms and a buzzy bar – the sociable, affordable base for younger travellers who want to meet people.

★ 4.2

La Rambla

Hotel 1898

A handsome four-star in a grand old building right on La Rambla, best known for its rooftop pool and terrace overlooking the boulevard. Central to a fault – ideal for a first visit.

★ 4.6

$$$

Barri Gotic

Hotel Neri

An intimate luxury boutique tucked into a restored medieval palace on a hidden Gothic-Quarter square, with plush rooms and a lovely rooftop terrace. Romantic and wonderfully central.

★ 4.7

$$$

Ciutat Vella (near Placa Catalunya)

Hotel Regina

Why it matters: Hotel Regina belongs to Pulitzer Hotels, a certified B Corp that folds sustainability and social inclusion into how it runs. The group works with Barcelona charities such as Fundacio A

Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter)

ILUNION Almirante

Why it matters: ILUNION Hotels is the hotel arm of Grupo Social ONCE, a Spanish social enterprise built around employing people with disabilities, and its special-employment-centre hotels report over

Eixample

Praktik Bakery

A cheerful design hotel in the Eixample with a genuine artisan bakery in the lobby – so the whole place smells of fresh bread. Comfortable, characterful and moments from Passeig de Gracia.

★ 4.5

Poblenou

The Hoxton, Poblenou

The design-led Hoxton’s Barcelona outpost in creative Poblenou, with a rooftop pool, a good taqueria and that easy, hang-out-all-day vibe. A little out from the centre but well connected and full of character.

★ 4.5

Sant Pere

Yurbban Trafalgar

A friendly, well-run boutique on the edge of the Born, with a little rooftop plunge pool and terrace looking toward the cathedral spires. Great value for its style and location.

★ 4.7

Before you go

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Book your trip to Barcelona

Find the best hotels and book tours and experiences, all in one place.

Find hotels in Barcelona Book tours and experiences

Barcelona travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Barcelona?

Two to three days is enough to enjoy the highlights of Barcelona at a relaxed pace. See our Barcelona itinerary guide for a day-by-day plan.

Where is the best area to stay in Barcelona?

Stay central and walkable to the main sights for a first visit. Our where to stay in Barcelona guide breaks down the best neighbourhoods.

What are the best things to do in Barcelona?

Browse the local picks above, from top sights and museums to where to eat and stay.

What is the best time to visit Barcelona?

Spring and autumn usually bring the most comfortable weather and thinner crowds, though Barcelona is worth visiting year-round.