“Cotton House has a convenient location, excellent service and some richly decorated interiors as well as abundant outdoor space available in a city that has good weather much of the year. There is plenty to enjoy all around the hotel, but if you plan on luxuriating in your room, be sure to book one in an upper category.”
“A hotel inspired by a shoe, or at least by and because of the Camper brand. Like the boots they make, Camper’s first hotel aims to be trendy and functional. The rooms are unpretentious, and the hotel is well located.”
“About 100 years old, the Majestic peers with a certain gravitas down Paseo de Gracia, Barcelona’s major shopping avenue. From the rooftop terrace bar you can see how the city grew outward from its neatly gridded center.”
“Barcelona has no shortage of stylish luxury hotels, but the Serras definitely hits the spot for smart luxury with things like extra space, quality linens, comfortable seating and exceptional service that can really make a difference in a hotel stay.”
“A beacon on the Barcelona beachfront, the W edifice gazes out into the Mediterranean. From the outside it’s eye-catching; inside it’s roomy, light and does a slick job catering to the guest prepared to spend extra on expansive sea views.”
“This luxurious Ritz-Carlton-owned, 44-story skyscraper overlooks Barcelona from the Port Olímpic, providing stunning views of the Mediterranean, the city, the Sagrada Família, and the mountains beyond.”
Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Barcelona.
“This landmark seven-story, 19th-century building is a genuine luxurious treat. Furnishings and decor throughout are a lavish amalgam of teak, marble, steel, and glass while the opulent gold-leaf ceilinged guest rooms feature wood marquetry and paneling, custom leather furnishings, safes, and some of the city’s most sumptuous beds.”
Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in Barcelona.
“This stunning Modernista building was designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner for the Fuster family in 1908, and it was reported at the time to be the most expensive home constructed in the city. Modernisme’s heyday lives again in this deluxe hotel .”
Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in Barcelona.
“The lobby of this postmodern architectural stunner tells you what to expect throughout: perfect comfort, cutting-edge design, and meticulous attention to every detail. The minimalist decor is done in soothing tones of gray, purple, and orange.”
Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Barcelona.
“A hostel with a difference, the hip Casa Gràcia has raised the bar for budget accommodation. Enticing common spaces include a terrace, library nook and artistically decorated lounge as well as a fully equipped self-catering kitchen – not to mention a restaurant and DJ-fuelled bar.”
“Since opening in late 2009, the Mandarin Oriental, with 98 elegant rooms and suites, has been the choicest hotel on the grand Passeig de Gràcia. Faultless service and unadulterated luxury do come at a price.”
Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Barcelona.
“The Ohla Hotel, opened in 2011, has 74 rooms and suites with modern design. The location, two blocks from Plaça Catalunya, is ideal even if you don’t have a reservation at the in-house, Michelin-starred restaurant Saüc.”
Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Barcelona.
“A soothing retreat from downtown Barcelona, the Chic and Basic is a study in cool, with clever lighting in the comfortable modern bedrooms and a cream-and-white color scheme. The Chic and Basic also puts you very close to the Picasso museum.”
“A small and stylish boutique hostel housed in one of Barcelona’s emblematic modernist buildings. Located on one of the trendiest streets in Barcelona’s ritzy Eixample neighbourhood, Casa Kessler is well situated for exploring the best of the city’s gastronomic and cultural gems on foot.”
“Modern, clean and situated right next to the main train terminal of Sants Estacio, this grown-up hostel offers both comfort and convenience. Friendly staff and a beautiful interior sun terrace seal the deal.”
“The Hotel Praktik Bakery offers affordable lodging, with style and, sometimes, a gimmick or two. It’s not for those short of dietary willpower. But if you’re looking for a cheerful, inexpensive room and a lavish, delicious, carbo-loaded start or end to your day, this is the place.”
“Overlooking the magnificent plaza for which it is named, this 18-room property has handsomely designed rooms with beamed ceilings, hardwood floors and all-important soundproofing.”
New York Times, Lonely Planet, Fodors, Telegraph
CNN, Lonely Planet, Fodors, Telegraph
CNN, Fodors, Telegraph
New York Times, Lonely Planet, Telegraph
CNN, Fodors, Telegraph
Fodors, Frommers, Telegraph
Frommers, Fodors, Telegraph
Frommers, Fodors, Telegraph
Fodors, Frommers, Telegraph
Lonely Planet, Telegraph
New York Times, Telegraph
New York Times, Telegraph
CNN, Telegraph
Telegraph
Telegraph
New York Times
Lonely Planet
Barcelona is the capital city and the largest one of Catalonia region of Spain and is renowned for its art and architecture. The city is home to several renowned landmarks such as history museum MUHBA, Sagrada Família church, Casa Mila, La Rambla, among many others.
Some of the best neighborhoods in Barcelona are:
Barri Gòtic
Barri Gòtic neighborhood is in the heart of the city and is dotted with ancient buildings standing side by side with the contemporary ones. The neighborhood comprises several clubs, restaurants, shops, and bars. The architecture found in this neighborhood is Gothic and the area is replete with little plazas known as ‘plaças’.
Eixample
Eixample is a neighborhood located in the outskirts of the original Barcelona city walls that was built to connect the old city with adjoining towns such as Gràcia. Visitors take long walks in this neighborhood to the other end and admire the architecture that attracts hundreds of thousands of locals and tourists to the area.
El Raval
El Raval is one of the most vibrant and genuine neighborhoods in the city. The area is home to numerous authentic restaurants of a wide range of cuisines as well as young and energetic artists who showcase and create their arts on the streets. It also houses the Museum of Modern Art.
El Born
El Born is a neighborhood best known for its lower crime rates and vibrant festive character. The area is the home to the Picasso Museum that is a treasure throve of culture and heritage of the city. The neighborhood’s Passeig de Born is a center of nightlife and has a wide number of bars.
Gràcia
Gràcia was a tiny hamlet that was included into the city and is now a neighborhood that has a village feel to it.
Also check out our travel guide about the best areas to stay in Barcelona.
If you're looking for a cheap hotel in Barcelona, then try Hotel Chic & Basic Born. It's an excellent budget hotel offering great value for money. It's in a good location, it's been recommended by travel experts and the hotel has excellent customer reviews.
If money isn't a problem and you're looking for a luxury hotel in Barcelona, then go for Hotel Arts. The hotel offers excellent service, it's in a top location, it has been rated very highly by previous guests and renowned travel critics have recommended it.
If you're looking for a great hostel in Barcelona, then you should check out Meeting Point Hostel Barcelona. The hostel has magnificent reviews by backpackers, it has been recommended by well-known travel experts and it's in a good location.
The Hotel W and Hotel Arts offer some great views of the city of Barcelona, as well an excellent sea view. It's recommended to try one of those if you're looking for rooms with a view in Barcelona.
If you're looking for a hotel with a great rooftop bar or restaurant, then try Hotel Ohla or Hotel Casa Fuster G.L Monumento. Hotel Omm and Hotel Casa Camper have an excellent rooftop terrace.
Hotel Praktik Bakery and Hotel Omm offer great breakfast according the travel experts and customers who have stayed at those hotels. Hotel Chic & Basic Born offers some great food.
If you're looking for a 3-star hotel, it would cost you approximately $155 per night. For a 4-star hotel you would have to pay $190 per night on average. The luxury 5-star Barcelona hotels cost approximately $360 per night.
If you're looking for a great place to stay near the famous La Rambla, then your best bet is Hotel Casa Camper or The Serras Hotel.
Fast Track Sagrada Familia Guided Tour. Sail past long lines of tourists trying to gain entry to Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia on this priority access tour of the modernist masterpiece. Accompanied by a guide, head straight inside to get fascinating insight into the history of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed cathedral. Price: $58.
Barcelona: Park Güell. Benefit of the included shuttle bus and visit Park Güell, one of Gaudí’s major works in Barcelona. Take in spectacular views of Barcelona and explore this stunning green space that’s surrounded by modernist architecture. Price: $16.
Montserrat Tour with Lunch and Gourmet Wine Tasting. Take a guided tour through the Basilica and Monastery on Montserrat, a beautiful, multi-peak mountain with dramatic rock formations, with free time to continue exploring the museum, farmer's market, or views from the ridge of Cavall Bernat. Price: $120.
More things to do in Barcelona
Barcelona is a city in Spain located in the Catalan region of the country. It is the capital of Catalonia and also doubles as the largest city in the region. Barcelona is the largest metropolis on the Mediterranean Sea while it is the sixth most populous urban area in the European Union.
Barcelona was founded as a Roman city before it became the capital of the County of Barcelona during the Middle Ages. The city has a rich history and cultural heritage making it an important cultural center in Spain. This further makes the city a major tourist destination.
Some of the most visited places in the city are the architectural works of Antoni Gaudi and Luis Domenech i Montaner which have both been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Barcelona was the host of the 1992 Summer Olympics as well as the host of several world-class conferences.
As a major global city, Barcelona is a leading tourist, economic, trade fair and cultural center with a huge influence in the commerce, education and entertainment of Europe and particularly the Mediterranean region.
We recommend that you read our guide about where to stay in Barcelona. It gives you an excellent overview of the most popular areas, highlighting the main attractions and hotel recommendations for each area. If you like our list of best hotels in Barcelona, then you should also check out our selection of recommended hotels in Madrid or the best hotels in Lisbon.