Barcelona is the favorite of many tourists. It is bright, dynamic, unique ... And everyone who visits it must find its own “zest” and live its own story. Fascinating events take place there, there are amazing sights, trips of various types are organized and at the same time on any budget. And our guide to the areas of Barcelona will help you determine which part of this amazing city to visit.
Sightseeing
It’s worth starting with the Sants Montjuic area. Its construction was founded near the mountain of the same name - Montjuic, at the base of which are now famous singing fountains. There are other attractions here, including the famous stadium of the football club Barcelona, the picturesque Spanish village, the magnificent Botanical Garden and the fortress of Montjuic. The traffic intersection of this quarter is the area of Spain. From it, the road will lead you to the airport and to the most beautiful places. Do not forget to visit El Castell Castle and the National Palace, and lovers of romance will definitely enjoy the view that opens from the hill. In general, the Sants Montjuic area is considered relatively calm, especially in the evening, except for the quarter with singing fountains.
The Eixample district in Barcelona is called one of the most interesting and convenient in terms of sightseeing. In the very center of it is the Sagrada Familia, and despite the fact that its construction has not yet been completed, it has already earned the title of a true masterpiece. According to forecasts, it will be possible to see it in all its glory in 2030. Tourists who have already visited this place, with sincere enthusiasm, speak of its beauty, grandeur and architecture, and they speak especially enthusiastically about its tower, which has amazing secrets and a fascinating history. Since the Eixample is one of the most densely populated areas of Barcelona, it is here that you can find many buildings in a modernist style, as well as many shops and supermarkets. Attractions here are more than enough: a monument to the hospital of Sao Pau, La Pedrera, Casa Batllo, etc. It is also easy to get to the Sants Montjuic area described above. Thus, from visiting this place you will get a very vivid combination: the intense urban pace and the majestic tranquility of architectural structures.
If you want to get the most out of your holiday experience and don’t know which area of Barcelona is better to stay, check out Park Guell. By visiting this place, you will immediately realize that it was created in order to draw inspiration. By the way, this is exactly what was conceived by the greatest architect Gaudi. He built here his own house, from the terrace of which you can see almost all of Barcelona and the magnificent coast of the Mediterranean Sea. In the immediate vicinity of the Park Guell, there are restored bunkers that also offer their visitors unforgettable views. To get to this area is quite easy - the metro line goes here right from the center.
Old city
The famous La Rambra, which is the historical center of Barcelona, you can find in a place called the Old Town. Earlier it was surrounded by powerful walls, which at the moment, unfortunately, are mostly destroyed. Here is the oldest district - the Gothic quarter. It originates from the square of Catalonia and ends at the very sea. Passing it, you can enjoy the amazing labyrinth of beautiful streets where Roman monuments, ancient buildings made of natural stone are located, as well as attractions such as the Synagogue and Barcelona Cathedral, Plaza del Pi and Plaza del Rey, Temple of Augustus, etc. here you can plunge into the romantic atmosphere and visit many colorful places. Inveterate travelers and adventurers should pay attention to the underground ruins of Barsino, which are the oldest pedestrian area of this city. Here you will find lovely narrow streets, chic Royal Square and the Cathedral.
One of Barcelona's most visited neighborhoods is Born. Tourists will find charming squares, walking streets and countless restaurants and cafes. Sightseeing places will be such as the Palace of Catalan Music, the Picasso Museum, the Cathedral of St. Mary del Mar, the Museum of World Culture and the sweetest of all possible - the Chocolate Museum. And of course, the famous Arc de Triomphe cannot be ignored. And in the Park of Ciutadella street artists and musicians will be waiting for you, a meeting with which will leave fond memories for life.
Raval is called the intercultural district of Barcelona. The most memorable place here is the modernist market of San Antoni, but the famous Rambla Boulevard has remained the center of attraction for all visitors to the city for many years. It runs from the Columbus Monument to Barcelona Square itself. The areas next to this quarter will be calmer, with a much smaller influx of tourists.
Beach vacation
A relatively quiet beach area is Poblenou. It is famous for its boulevard, which will bring the traveler to the beach, as well as a huge number of bars and restaurants. By the way, precisely for these reasons, lately he has been tirelessly gaining more and more popularity among visitors.
According to reviews, the area of Barcelona with the best beaches, the highest skyscrapers, as well as the famous port of Olympic is Sant Marti. It was built recently - in 1992, at the beginning of the Olympic Games. Located on the seafront, this quarter is the most prestigious and characterized by increased comfort.
Barceloneta is an area that lovers of beach holidays and the sunny coast will definitely appreciate. This quarter has been restored to the same date as the previous one. And if a little earlier it was a haven for poor fishermen, today you can find the Aquarium of Barcelona, beautiful promenades, cozy bars, large restaurants, and night clubs. In short, this place is becoming ideal for young people.
Holidays for families with children
Gracia is an amazing place that is suitable for tourists of all ages to relax in almost all of Spain. In the area of Barcelona under this name you can enjoy the quiet breath of a small town, contemplating the beauty of cobbled streets, craft markets and neat houses. This area is not noisy, as there are always very few tourists here. In addition, in Gracia you can visit ecological shops, restaurants, boutiques and relax in a quiet pedestrian zone.
Inexpensive areas
The farther from the city center, the cheaper - this statement works great in all countries. And if you want to rent a budget vacation spot, but don’t know which area of Barcelona to stay in, pay attention to Nou Barris. In addition, few people know about it, and therefore there is usually no influx of tourists here. For this reason, a traveler who finds himself in this quarter will be able to plunge headlong into the local atmosphere. And there is something to visit - the beautiful Collserola Natural Park. And you can get into this green oasis by public transport, which goes here directly from the center.
Among the good areas of Barcelona, which are pleasantly priced, are the Hospitalet de Llobregat. There will be more tourists, but the cost of renting housing at the same time remains quite affordable.
The quarter of San Andreu will show the life of Barcelona without any embellishment, as it really is. But at the same time he was not left without attractions - a traveler will find ancient churches and beautiful bridges in this area.
For those who love luxury
In the area of Les Korst, a wealthy tourist can relax in one of the nightclubs and at the same time remain completely safe. In addition, it is very convenient to get to this place, and there are both wealthy people and students. And nearby you can find the Camp Nou stadium. And since Les Corst is the financial center of Barcelona, real estate prices here are very high.
Sant Gervasi is another prestigious area, which is very fond of the local population. It is expensive, but at the same time comfortable, cozy and convenient. Nobody is in a hurry here, and the quarter itself is full of tall buildings and other significant objects of a real metropolis. But in this place you will find not only skyscrapers, among the attractions of the Observatory and Cosmo Caixa. And you can get real pleasure and the most vivid sensations by visiting the Tibidabo amusement park.
In different areas of Barcelona, a tourist who loves a quality vacation and does not think about the money spent will be able to discover several chic restaurants with Michelin stars at once. And among the most famous Pakta and Lasarte. And if you are a real foodie, take care of booking a table in advance. And for those who want to enjoy the taste of national cuisine, there is a special place - the El Nacional restaurant. It is built in such a way that it has several spaces at once. In a word, an institution that deserves special attention.
There are also refined clubs in Barcelona that offer visitors exclusive VIP zones. The most prestigious and popular among others is the private Shoko terrace, which has access to the beach and is literally a few meters from the Olympic Village. Another luxury club is called Carpe Diem Lounge Club. It surprises with its color and luxury: pillows made of silk, Bali style, Arabic notes. Plus, there is an incredible cocktail menu and a great location.
Barcelona nightlife
What areas of Barcelona surprise nightlife? Again, it is worth recalling the Olympic Village, since it is here that the most incendiary parties of the waterfront are held. In Opium and Catwalk lovers of hip-hop, house-style music and R&B will find their place, and the same Shoko will surprise not only with Asian design, but also with the most fashionable tracks.
If we talk about the Gothic region, then there are also very famous nightlife venues. Among them are Sidecar or Jamboree. And getting into them is often quite simple by purchasing a discounted ticket from a promoter, who is usually always nearby.
By day, Bourne is an ideal place for walking and contemplating the surrounding area, and at night a completely different story begins to take place in it. You can spend an unforgettable party in one of the local clubs, for example, in the Magic Club or Cactus Born Bar.
Another area of the Old Town, Raval, is able to please nightlife. Bohemian pubs are located here, where soul and jazz jam sessions are often held. And if you want to hear the best indie music, then be sure to check out Manchester.
The most atmospheric areas
As you already noticed, in Barcelona there is no shortage of discos and other fun events. Plus, this city is on the same level as San Francisco and Amsterdam in terms of the number of gay establishments and shares of the same subject. For example, in the Eixample district, which was mentioned above, there are several clubs for people with non-traditional orientation at once. They can be found on Carrer d'Arago, on the street of Balmes and Gran Via de les Corts, and the entrance is absolutely free for anyone who wants to spend time as fun as possible.
Rainbow flags can also be seen in the Barcelona Raval area. In general, the culture of this place is characterized by freedom and diversity. And therefore, it is here that every year more and more LGBT communities appear.
Safe rest
Barcelona is not a criminal city, and all its areas are safe for tourists. But in public transport, you should still be vigilant, as there are plenty of pickpockets, especially in the central part.
Among the above quarters, Gracia and Eixample are considered the most calm. Here you can really relax, stay away from the dynamic rhythm and at the same time not worry about the safety of your personal property.
Sarya Sant Gervazi is another of the good areas of Barcelona. There are many holiday homes built by wealthy local families. At the same time, Tibidabo Natural Park is located nearby, which has both entertainment and a beautiful temple. The quarter previously had the status of an independent town, but today it is a district of Barcelona and is connected by a convenient transport line.
Most dangerous areas
An important question for a tourist is in which area to stay in Barcelona and feel completely safe. It is worth mentioning right away that dangerous in Barcelona are not entire blocks, but some specific streets. And you should definitely know about them if you decide to spend your vacation in this city. Almost all of them are on the outskirts, where there are few police officers and many dormitories. Indeed, poverty and crime stand nearby almost everywhere.
These include: Ciutat Meridiana, Zona Franca, Vallbona and Torre Baró. They are the most vulnerable. In addition, you should not walk in the park of Montjuic at night, as the cameras turn off here with the arrival of twilight. A high crime rate is also observed in San Cosma, although it must be noted that every year more and more police stations are being built here, and security is beginning to be given special attention.
Romantic getaway
Barcelona is multifaceted and able to satisfy the whim of every traveler. People come here not only with friends and children, but also just together to spend an unforgettable romantic vacation. And to offer couples in love this city is capable of much.
Born and the Gothic area are beautiful at dusk. There are cozy bars, which seem to be specially hidden from the noisy crowd in secret places, and quiet streets - ideal for leisurely walks. Tibidabo will best show how the city falls asleep in the sunset, just like the roof of the National Museum of Art, where you can not only retire, but also taste the fine varietal wine.
Many lovers go to Barcelona to visit the night harbor, in the sea waters of which the moonlight is incredibly beautifully reflected. And even Gracia Square is able to impress with its laid-back atmosphere, which floods everything around at dusk. And of course, it is worth taking a walk to the Pedralbes monastery - it is a real work of Gothic art, which you can admire for hours.
If you think in which area in Barcelona it is better to stay for a romantic getaway, pay attention to Born, which has been mentioned more than once. And despite the fact that during the day there is usually an influx of tourists, and at night there are quite a lot of noisy parties, spending time together is quite possible. Lovers will be able to find several restaurants that always play live music, medieval squares and streets, as well as take pictures at the Arc de Triomphe and visit the amazingly beautiful Park of Ciutadella.
Which area of Barcelona is better to choose for your vacation depends on your plans and preferences. Based on them, you will definitely find the ideal area for your next vacation.