Quick Barcelona Guide

Welcome to Quick Barcelona Guide, a small guide focused on helping you to prepare your trip. Learn more about the author at the end of this article. I will start talking about where to book your hotel in Barcelona.

Barcelona has its main sites and activities rather concentrated in city-center, all at foot distance if your hotel is well located. Interesting sites out of the center are quite widespread, but are easily accessible by public transport such as 'Bus Turistic' or underground from city-center. Finding a nice and well located hotel is a must to enjoy a charming stay in the city.

Where is Barcelona city center ?

The center of Barcelona is made up by two different districts: Ciutat Vella (1) and Eixample (2).

The Ciutat Vella district is the old city district: mainly narrow and silence pedestrian streets. It has some of the best sites of Barcelona, but unfortunately, some of its areas are the poorest of the city.

The Eixample, in the other hand, is a rather new area. It was build during 19th and 20th century, in a rational 'square' basis like Manhattan. It is plenty of modernist buildings, and is the main shopping district of the city. In opposition to its neighbor Ciutat Vella, the Eixample is one of the most expensive districts.

Should I book my hotel anywhere in city center ?

Absolutely not.

If booking in Eixample ...

the rule of thumb is: as near as possible from Plaza Catalunya square and Passeig de Gracia street.

Plaza Catalunya is just the heart of Barcelona. Is the nexus point between the organized streets of Eixample and the old and charming Ciutat Vella district. It is also an important hub of the train and underground system.

Passeig de Gracia is plenty of Gaudi and other modernist buildings, along with the most important and elegant shopping area of the city.

If booking in Ciutat Vella...

There is no rule of thumb. Some areas, although interesting, are not the place where you would like to sleep. I recommend to book in Gothic quarter, and only high rated hotels.

The Gothic quarter of Ciutat Vella is the oldest part of the district and the whole city. You can find buildings from 15th and 16th centuries, including the catalan government, the town hall, Barcelona's cathedral and several other churches. It has became a very important tourist area, not only for its narrow streets and enchanting little squares, but also for the many and original shops, bars and restaurants. If you plan to come with your own car, forget this area, it is mainly pedestrian.

About the author...

This quick guide is written by A E Peris. I live and I have been born in this wonderful and ever waked up city. I like to travel and I have visited many territories around the world. I apologize for my english as it is not my mother tongue, but I would like to share with you my first hand and every day knowledge of the city. I hope this mini guide had been helpful to you in some way. I have tried to explain what some times is more difficult to find, even in award winning travel guides. Please feel free to contact me.