Jan Fleischer

It’s hard to imagine a better city break location than Barcelona: the restaurant scene is among the best in the world, the architecture is magnificent, the nightlife is buzzing and the museums and attractions are fascinating. Oh, and it just so happens to be perched right on the med, meaning you can even head to one of the city’s many beaches for a dip. With so much to see, it can be hard to pick a base for your trip. Do you opt for the medieval charm of the Gothic Quarter, with its winding alleyways and architectural marvels, the emerging art scene of formerly industrial neighbourhood Poblenou, or the glamour of the affluent Dreta de l'Eixample, where you’ll be surrounded by some of the city’s greatest examples of modernisme architecture? To help, we’ve put together the essential guide to where to stay in Barcelona, breaking it down neighbourhood by neighbourhood so you can find where suits you best. RECOMMENDED: 🎟️ The best things to do in Barcelona🍸 The best rooftop bars in Barcelona🏨 The best hotels in Barcelona☕️ The best cafés in Barcelona🌳 The best parks and gardens in Barcelona This guide was written by the editorial team at Time Out Barcelona. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Spain’s capital is a city made up of many distinct neighbourhoods, each with its own charm. From the regal Los Austrias to the arty Carabanchel; from the well-heeled Chamberí to the super-central Sol-Gran Vía; and from the multicultural Lavapies to the LGBTQ+ scene in Chueca, there’s a barrio to suit every kind of visitor. If you’re struggling to pick a base for your trip, our guide can help you choose the area that’s just right for your taste, needs, and preferences. Here's our selection of the best neighbourhoods in Madrid. Hasta luego! RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Madrid🏡 The best Airbnbs in Madrid🛏 The best hotels in Madrid🍴 The best restaurants in MadridThis article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.  

Considering that this part of the world birthed Cubism, Impressionism, Modernism, Post-Modernism and then some, it's no surprise that the museums and galleries would be second to none. When it comes to big buildings filled with pretty things, Barcelona does not disappoint. The museums in the Catalan capital are one big love letter to art, with legendary permanent exhibitions and a conveyor belt of temporary ones that deserve all the attention in the world. Hopping from one treasure trove of visual gems to another is one of the best things to do in Barcelona, especially when followed by a visit to a rooftop bar to consider all the magic you’ve devoured. For our budget-savvy travellers, you'll be glad to know it's free entry on the first Sunday of the month for many of the museums across this incredible city. Now, what are you waiting for? Chuck a dart at our list of the best museums in Barcelona and start exploring! RECOMMENDED: See our pick of the best Airbnbs in BarcelonaRECOMMENDED: Plan your next trip with the best hotels in Barcelona This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Why wander around aimlessly when you could save all that energy by jumping aboard a brilliant Barcelona bus tour? Whether you choose to travel by hop-on-hop-off double-decker, minibus or open-top luxury bus, the Catalan capital offers an abundance of tours that’ll take you around as many sights as you’d like. After all, you couldn’t come to such a photogenic city without gawping at as much beauty as possible. Plus, it’s a fab way of seeing loads of attractions effortlessly and efficiently.  Get up close to La Sagrada Família and other in-your-face Gaudí structures, roam the cobbled medieval streets off La Rambla and ride the cable car up Montjuïc. Day trips are also on the cards if you fancy an adventure out to the luscious coastal region of the Costa Brava or even popping over to France and Andorra. Wherever you want to head, we’ve rounded up the best Barcelona bus tours, so take a look and start exploring. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Barcelona

Barcelona attracts the beach-goers, Seville brings in the honeymooners – but for a Spanish city with real cosmopolitan vibes, there’s nowhere quite like Madrid. With its all-night fiestas, pulsing bars, world-class museums, and stylish stores, the historic capital makes for a great city-break destination all year round. Though, it is especially popular to visit in spring when the city welcomes its eye-catching pink almond blossoms, while July and August tend to really bring the heat. Now you've got whether or not to go heavy on the SPF 50 out of the way, all that's left is to decide is where to stay. Amigos, we've taken care of that for you. Just take a look through our list of the very best Airbnbs in Madrid – We've got one to suit every budget and length of stay.  November: While it may be custom in some parts of Spain to take a little siesta, we urge you not to sleep on this centrally located loft or this designer apartment right next door to Glorieta de Bilbao RECOMMENDED:🏛 Check out the best attractions in Madrid🇪🇸 Discover the best neighbourhoods in Madrid🏨 See our guide to Madrid's best hotels Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our

Barcelona is a city with serious style. The Catalan capital is home to stunning architecture, stylish boutiques and tapas that, frankly, we consider to be a work of art in its own right. Ok, it’s already nearly perfect, so how about making it totally perfect with a stay in one of the city’s very best Airbnbs? There are some serious gems here, whether you're looking for somewhere chic, cheap or the kind of place you’ll want to spend the rest of your days, you’ll find it in Barcelona. We’ve discovered neoclassical villas, close-to-the-beach lofts and an art nouveau haven in Gracia. You can thank us later when we cross paths in the restaurants and bars of Barcelona. Happy hunting! Welcome to the best Airbnbs in Barcelona. November 2024 update: If you love escaping the bustle of the city you'll want to take a peek at this architectural apartment in St. Antoni and this sunlit serviced apartment in Eixample. Recommended:🏨 Explore Barcelona's best hotels🍷Discover the best things to do in Barcelona💃Check out the coolest neighbourhoods in Barca Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Chain hotels in Barcelona can offer a certain level of comfort and consistency but let's be honest, who doesn't get tired of the business trip bedding and buffet breakfasts? If you're planning a holiday to remember, a boutique hotel could be answer. These independent, artfully designed accommodations showcase immaculate attention to detail as well as specialised service. What will you choose? Modern furnishings in a setting surrounded by Roman ruins? A garden patio serving organic fresh food? A private outdoor bath? Astonishing views of some of the city's top landmarks? It might prove to be a difficult undertaking, but once you decide, you'll be thrilled to stay in one of Barcelona's best boutique hotels. Updated August 2024: If you've heard of The Hoxton, you'll know why we made the exception for this trendy hotel chain. Tacos and margaritas around the rooftop pool, anyone?  RECOMMENDED: 📍 The best things to do in Barcelona🦐 The best restaurants in Barcelona🍸 The best bars in Barcelona Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Ahh, Barcelona. The city of dreams. Of sipping sangria on a rooftop, marvelling at medieval sights, attractions and architecture, and tucking into never-ending tiny plates of world-class tapas in a city replete with some of the best restaurants in the world. But for whatever reason you’re headed to this wonderfully vibrant city, make sure you choose the right place to stay. The good news? Hotels in Barcelona have it all, from jaw-dropping views and Michelin-starred dining to spa retreats and poolside luxury. One thing is for sure: there certainly is plenty of choice, whatever your budget and wherever you want to stay in Barca. But if it feels daunting, we get it – deciding the best out of a great bunch is hard work. So, put your feet up and grab a cuppa, because we’ve done the work for you. Read on for the best hotels in Barcelona to book right here right now. And let us know if we've missed any! Updated December 2024: Speaking of ones that almost slipped off our radar, we've added two new hotels into the mix: Seventy Barcelona and H10 Cubik Hotel. Enjoy! RECOMMENDED:🏝Check out Barcelona's best Airbnbs🍷 Discover the coolest things to do in Barcelona Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

In a city like Barcelona, it’s almost impossible to decide on a list of the top 50 attractions – but we’re feeling brave, so we’ll give it a go. From museums and famous buildings to parks and archaeological ruins, this list could go on and on, but below you’ll find the truly essential sites which both tourists and locals should make a beeline for. Only in Barcelona for a couple of days? Head straight to the first few spots on our list. Staying a little longer? Lucky you - you’ll have plenty of time to explore some of the less well-known places we’ve highlighted below, discovered by Barcelona-based editors who eat, sleep and breathe this city. 🍂 Autumn 2024: Beat the intense heat (and escape the crowds of summer tourists) by visiting Barcelona in autumn. This October, the city’s cultural calendar is packed: we’d recommend checking out food fair Mercat de Mercats from October 18-20, or Open House Barcelona, which sees 200 buildings open their doors to the general public, from October 26-27. RECOMMENDED:🥘 The best restaurants in Barcelona🍸 The best bars in Barcelona📍 The best things to do in Barcelona 🏨 The best cheap hotels in Barcelona This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

When you want something a bit more special than the every day when you're booking your place to stay in Madrid, a boutique hotel could be the fresh spark you need to light up your lodging experience. These individual, designer accommodations provide incredible attention to detail as well as specialised services. What will you choose? Do you need to be close to the metro or to the museums? Does a garden patio sound good? A gym to keep up your routine? Breathtaking views of some of the city's top landmarks? It might prove to be a difficult undertaking, but once you decide, you'll be thrilled to stay in one of Madrid's best boutique hotels. Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

You don't have to max out your credit cards or take out a second mortgage to book a place to stay in Barcelona. From designer hostels to small, charming hotels, the options for accommodations in the Catalan capital are many and varied. And even better is that you needn't trek out to the sticks to get a good deal, as most of these spots are in central neighbourhoods. Have a look at our list of the best cheap hotels in Barcelona and save your euros to discover all the things to do among this city's best culture, entertainment and gastronomy. November 2024 update: We've added two new incredible properties to this list, including a colourful hostel-hotel and a minimalist retreat. Enjoy! Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts, and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Looking for a top-notch place to stay in the Spanish capital? We’re here to help you narrow down your choices with our pick of the best hotels in Madrid. Whatever you want, Madrid’s got it, from exclusive five-star luxury to boutique hotels and those with dreamy spas to the most affordable places to stay that don’t skimp on style and good taste. Plus, don’t forget that some of the city’s very best restaurants are also housed in hotels, which makes choosing where to go for dins that significant bit simpler. And we highly doubt it, but don’t worry if you can’t find your dream bolthole on this list – there are literally hundreds of other brilliant places to stay here. This is just the crème de la crème. Updated December 2024: We've added two new hotels into the mix: Thompson Madrid, by Hyatt and UMusic Hotel Madrid. RECOMMENDED:🏝Check out Madrid's best Airbnbs🍷 Discover the coolest things to do in Madrid Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

If you’ve ever had the misfortune of doing your laundry among the masses in slot-machine washers and dryers, you’ll know the anxiety, impatience and boredom of waiting for the cycles to end. But not in Barcelona, where Marta Pérez and Gerard Navas have opened LaBar: a spot that’s half-laundromat and half-café/bar. You can hook up to the wi-fi in the bright and welcoming space, then relax with an excellent coffee for less than €2 or, even more cost-efficiently, a well-poured €1 beer. There are also eats such as homemade houmous, guacamole, sandwiches and cakes. All of this turns one of your mundane weekly chores into a sociable excursion where you’ll never ever have to suffer staring at your spinning smalls in sordid solitude.   Sign up here to get the latest from London straight to your inbox.