Barcelona, neighbourhood by neighbourhood

With the return of our direct route to Barcelona this summer, there has never been a better time to become acquainted with the Spanish city’s captivating neighbourhoods. 

Discover the centuries-old foundations from which the city rose, the districts where you can eat like a local and immerse yourself in art, and the streets that earned Barcelona its reputation as the international capital of modernism.

Gothic Quarter

It’s curious that this famed area of the Old City (Ciutat Vella, in Catalan) is not as Gothic as one might expect; many of its buildings are actually neo-Gothic reconstructions. There are, however, important Roman remains you can visit, such as the Temple of Augustus and a section of Roman wall, as well as a web of medieval pedestrian streets. 

The Gothic Quarter is one of the most charming enclaves in the city. Full of inviting restaurants and shops, it brings together attractions such as Barcelona’s imposing Cathedral, the stately Plaça de Sant Jaume square and the Jewish Quarter, the heart of the city’s Jewish community from the 7th to the 15th century. 

Where to stay: Two historic buildings, one a 12th-century medieval palace, make up Hotel Neri . Guests can enjoy breakfast at San Felipe Neri square: a small, beautiful courtyard with a charming fountain in the middle, overlooked by the baroque church of Sant Felip Neri.

El Born

This neighbourhood, also in the Ciutat Vella, was the main nucleus of Barcelona between the 13th and 15th centuries, when the city was a major Mediterranean power. 

The locale owes its name to the Mercado de Born, a vast market hall built in 1876. Beautifully restored in the late 20th century, it forms part of an art and culture complex, El Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria , since 2013. 

El Born is also home to the 1888 Arco de Triunfo, the modernist Palau de la Música Catalana, and the Museu Picasso, which houses more than 3,000 works by the Cubist artist.

Where to stay: Venture into the neighbourhood from one of its boldest, most characterful hotels: the Chic & Basic Habana Hoose. As night falls, its restaurant becomes a bar with regular DJ sessions. 

El Raval 

Separated from the Gothic Quarter by the tree-lined boulevard of La Rambla, El Raval was once considered the Chinatown of Barcelona. Today, its streets – which have inspired Catalan authors such as Vázquez Montalbán and Terenci Moix – continue to bring together communities and businesses of countless nationalities and cultures. 

Lively, and with a bit of a reputation for disorderliness at night, it boasts attractions such as the MACBA (Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art ), the Palacio Güell , designed by Antoni Gaudí in the late 19th century, and the Mercado de Boquería , a fresh produce market. 

Where to stay: Camper, Spain’s most internationally well-known footwear brand, has lent its signature style to two hotels, one in Berlin and the other in El Raval. Its restaurant, Dos Palillos, has been awarded a Michelin star, and is well worth a visit alone.

El Eixample

Built between the late 19th and early 20th centuries as part of a city expansion plan, this district – which comprises several neighbourhoods – holds a surprising number of sites of interest. Gems by the brilliant modernist architect Antoni Gaudí such as the Sagrada Familia (expected to be finally completed in 2026), Casa Batlló and La Pedrera line the elegant Passeig de Gràcia, as do a number of high-end fashion houses - including Chanel and Prada. 

Where to stay: The 19th-century building that has housed the Cotton House Hotel, Autograph Collection since 2015 was once the headquarters of the Cotton Textile Foundation. The hotel has its own atelier and offers guests the opportunity to have a shirt made by a local tailor.

Gràcia

The tour of Gaudí’s most representative work continues through the Gràcia district, where the Casa Vicens house – the first designed by the architect in Barcelona – is located, along with Park Güell , an icon of Barcelona built between 1910 and 1914. But Gràcia is so much more than these landmarks. 

A deeply cherished area, it has a bohemian reputation, combining traditional taverns with design-forward establishments, from bookstores to cafés. What’s more, it plays host to one of the best festivals in the city, The Gràcia Festival, which will be held from 15 to 21 August this year, promising live music, processions of traditional costumed figures, and folk dances.

Where to stay: On the border between Gràcia and El Eixample, Seventy Barcelona has a landscaped courtyard, rooftop swimming pool, cocktail bar and the new Molino de Pez restaurant, where you can taste the creations of star chefs including Nino Redruello, Patxi Zumarraga and Jaime Santiane.

Poble-sec

Serving as a port for the Romans and Iberians (the pre-Roman settlers of the Iberian Peninsula), Poble-sec has historically been one of the city’s most multicultural neighbourhoods. Located at the foot of the Montjuic hill, its current appearance is the result of Barcelona’s expansion during the Industrial Revolution. 

It is home to historic theatres – El Molino, Teatre Apolo, Teatre Victoria, Teatre Condal and Sala Barts – cultural centres such as the Mercat de les Flors , the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC) , the Museu d’Arqueologia de Catalunya and the Fundació Miró , and a vibrant gastronomic scene around Carrer de Blai street that’s perfect for devotees of tapas. 

Where to stay: If you like design, make your neighbourhood base at Hotel Brummell . Its 1870 industrial building mixes concrete, raw terracotta tiles and fine hardwoods create a fun, modern aesthetic for your stay.

Poblenou

As the industrial heart of Barcelona in the late 19th century, Poblenou was known as the “Catalonian Manchester”. It maintains its authenticity in the face of gentrification; many of its old factories have been turned into lofts and cultural institutions, and the neighbourhood is now considered the coolest in the city. 

Numerous innovation and technology companies have set up offices in the area, clustered around design centres such as the Museu del Disseny Hub , green spaces such as the Parc del Centre del Poblenou – which was designed by the architect Jean Nouvel – and concert halls such as Razzmatazz .

Where to stay: The Hoxton, Poblenou invites you to take part in local life through collaborations with local artists and designers. Its restaurants include a rooftop taquería and a pizzeria with a terrace. 

Les Corts

Peaceful and understated, the neighbourhood of Les Corts was an independent territory until 1897. Standing among the district’s stately homes is the spectacular Monestir de Santa Maria de Pedralbes , a monastery founded in 1327 by Queen Elisenda de Montcada, whose remains lie within the complex under a marble tomb. A jewel of Gothic architecture, it was declared a national monument in 1931. 

The monastery shares the spotlight with Camp Nou , home of FC Barcelona, whose on-site museum is the most visited in Catalonia.

Where to stay: The Hotel Sofia Barcelona , from The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, embraces the quiet spirit of the neighbourhood with spaces such as a tropical garden with swimming pool.