Best hotels in Barcelona – explore the city with endless culture

Location and offerings

Barcelona offers a rich selection of hotels in all categories. Many families choose to stay in the city center where everything is within easy reach and you can easily split up if you want to make excursions in different directions. In addition to parks and attractions, the center is also close to several good beaches.

Barcelona is a highly industrialized city which also attracts many business travelers. Many people choose to stay in the business district of Sarrià-St. Gervasi while others seek out hotels near major conference centers and exhibition halls, which include CCIB and Fira Barcelona.

Many couples who visit Barcelona look for great accommodation for a romantic weekend. Many people prefer to stay at a nice boutique hotel in the middle of town and close to cafes, restaurants and all entertainment. Others think it is nicer to stay in a quieter area, such as Montjüic with its botanical garden, and museums.

Since Barcelona is a densely populated city, there is a great demand for budget accommodation. Here you have to choose very carefully to really get good accommodations. On the outskirts of well known areas you can often find good and cozy hotels at very reasonable prices.

The most popular luxury hotels are located either in the centers finer neighborhoods, or at the beach. They often have a very high standard and offers many amenities such as spa, massage and gourmet restaurants. Many have a terrace and rooftop pool, some with stunning views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea.

To get the most out of your vacation should plan the trip well in advance. Please make inquiries with the hotel and very popular restaurants, before you actually book your trip.

Attractions and sights

Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city with a rich and contemporary cultural life. At the same time, it is a historic city with its roots in the Roman Empire, which is reflected in both art and architecture. In the Gothic Quarter, one can enjoy the beautiful, historic buildings and winding alleys. Here you can find the famous Sagrada Familia cathedral and several other buildings by the famous architect Antoni Gaudí.

The city has many art museums, of which the most famous are the Picasso Museum, Miró museum and the MACBA, the city's museum of modern art. Other exciting attractions to take in are Zoo Barcelona, Tibidabo amusement park, the football matches at Camp Nou and the FCB football museum.

Restaurants, shopping and nightlife

Barcelona has a multitude of restaurants, bars and cafes. Many people enjoy tapas; a type of Spanish cuisine consisting of a variety of appetizers, but there are also many good places with Mediterranean food. There are many award winning restaurants internationally recognized for their innovative menus. In the city there are many trendy discos, nightclubs and a casino.

Cultural life is vibrant and often pursued with various events around the city. A huge Flamenco Festival; The festival Cajón flamenco is organized on a week-end in June or July. There are theaters, cinemas and many natural meeting places to sit, relax and enjoy the atmosphere.

If you like to shop there are several major shopping areas, for example at La Rambla, Plaza Catalunya and the fashionable Passeig de Gracia. Along the coastline there are beautiful beaches, which besides swimming and sunbathing also invite you to just walk along the beach or use one of the many running routes.

Trade shows and events

Barcelona continuously hosts various fairs and conferences, which can affect the availability of hotels. During the Barcelona Marathon, major football matches and around the time of the Flamenco festival it can be difficult to find good accommodation. It is always wise to plan ahead so you can have the best you can get for a reasonable price during these events.

Travel to and in the city

The International Barcelona-El Prat Airport is the second largest in Spain and is located 12 km outside the city center. The majority of visitors arrive through this airport so the city is well connected by rail, bus and taxi. The two smaller airports; Reus and Girona-Costa Brava can be easily reached by airport shuttle buses.

Many travel to Barcelona by train and arrive at Sants Estaciówhich is Barcelona's main railway station. From there you can commute comfortably by metro, light rail or bus. If you purchase a booklet or Barcelona Card you receive a great discount and save time getting off and the various forms of public transit. When you are traveling by car you should ensure that the hotel has parking facilities. It is common to rent a bike or car to get around the city. For those who do not want to drive in an unfamiliar city, there are plenty of characteristic yellow-black taxis.

Weather and climate

Barcelona is a sunny city but has two major periods of rain falling between April-May and October-November. In August, when the Mediterranean heat is strongest is the peak season, which is the high season tourism and there will be higher prices. A good time to travel here is from June to July, but if you still prefer the high season you should ensure that the hotel has good air conditioning.

For visiting attractions, museums and historic buildings are January and February great months. When the temperature is about ten degrees C and the weather is mild and pleasant. Keep in mind that rates can vary by season.

Price structure

Barcelona is a medium-cost city to live in, but prices vary greatly by season. Many hotels over-price their food and drinks and you can often find cheaper alternatives on your own.

City pass

We recommend purchasing The Barcelona Card with which you can travel free by bus, subway and train to and from the airport and around the city. The Barcelona card also provides free admission to many of the city's best museums.