The 10 best neighborhood in Barcelona: Find your home

Everything you need to know about Barcelona’s neighborhoods. Where to eat, where to party, what the rent’s like and how to get around with public transport!

Bryony

5 minute read

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Updated on 10 Mar 2025

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Living

Heading to Barcelona? You’re probably feeling a mix of excitement, relief, and an overwhelming urge to learn everything about this beautiful city. Located in northeastern Spain, Barcelona is home to some of the best neighborhoods in the country—arguably even in all of Southern Europe. No matter what you’re looking for, there’s a neighborhood for everyone. Whether you prefer a lively atmosphere or a quiet retreat, you can find apartments for rent in Barcelona for every taste.

With so many choices to consider and questions to answer, let’s take a closer look at Barcelona’s neighborhoods.

Barcelona is full of exciting opportunities for young people. With a vibrant nightlife, trendy art museums, and an affordable cost of living, it’s a top choice for students, young professionals, and families looking for a fresh start.

It’s no surprise that moving to Barcelona is a dream for so many. With its breathtaking architecture and close access to stunning beaches, it’s easy to see why a single visit could convince someone to make it their permanent home. After all, who could say no to six to twelve months in this vibrant city?

However, before making the move, it’s essential to learn as much as you can about Barcelona’s neighborhoods. Each one has its own unique charm. Once you start exploring, you can consider the cost of living and your budget to find the neighborhood that fits you best.

If you’re a bohemian at heart, Gràcia is the perfect neighborhood for you! Known as one of the busiest and liveliest areas in Barcelona, it’s vibrant thanks to its large, diverse population. Despite its popularity, it has a welcoming atmosphere for internationals, making everyone feel at home, no matter where they come from.

Though it attracts tourists, Gràcia still holds on to its laid-back, free-spirited charm. The neighborhood is filled with trendy cafés, restaurants, and vintage shops, second-hand stores, and food markets. You'll find a lively mix of artists, students, young professionals, and long-time locals all living side by side. On sunny days, locals and visitors often gather on the terraces of the famous Plaça del Sol to watch the world go by.

Thanks to its strong sense of community, Gràcia is also one of our favourite family neighbourhoods in Barcelona.

If the city’s rich history drew you in, you’ll love that El Born is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Barcelona. With its narrow streets waiting to be explored, you’ll discover beautiful squares and museums, like the famous Picasso Museum.

You’ll also be just a short stroll from both Ciutadella Park and the Arc de Triomf, along with a lively nightlife scene featuring everything from upscale bars to cozy pubs. Plus, El Born is well-connected to the rest of Barcelona, so it’s easy to spend a day at Barceloneta Beach or explore other nearby spots.

If you're drawn to Barcelona's underground scene, El Raval is the place to be. This lively neighborhood offers plenty of opportunities to mingle with both locals and tourists, especially around MACBA (Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona), a cultural hotspot. It’s also a skateboarding haven, with several ideal spots for the sport.

Food lovers will enjoy El Raval’s diverse dining scene. You can grab a casual lunch at a cozy Mexican café or savor a flavorful dinner at a popular Pakistani restaurant—both favorite spots among expats. If you’re looking for even more variety, head to Joaquin Costa Street, known for its eclectic mix of international eateries.

With its vibrant atmosphere, international restaurants, museums, and skateboarding culture, El Raval is perfect for young residents who prefer an energetic, non-traditional neighborhood over a quiet, residential one. This is where the action happens!

Get ready to see some stunning architecture in this neighborhood of Barcelona! L’Eixample is one of the most popular places to live, known for its wide, straight streets arranged in a grid pattern. The neighborhood dates back to the 19th century and is filled with beautiful old buildings.

The area is split in two by Passeig de Gràcia, a famous street that leads to Plaça Catalunya and is packed with luxury shops. As you might expect, this is one of the pricier neighborhoods, but it’s also super convenient and full of charm.

If you’re looking for a place with great nightlife or want to enjoy traditional Spanish food, this is the neighborhood for you. Barceloneta is famous for its seafood restaurants along the waterfront, serving fresh catches straight from the sea.

Barceloneta Beach is a fantastic spot to relax and soak up the sun, just a short walk away. It’s usually busy with tourists during the day, but at night, it turns into a lively hangout for locals.

This neighborhood was once an industrial area, but after a major revamp, it’s now one of the trendiest places to live in Barcelona. Old warehouses have been converted into spacious and stylish apartments, making them perfect for students, young professionals, and groups of friends.

Poblenou is also just a short walk from some of the city’s best beaches, Marbella and Bogatell. And if you’re into nightlife, the famous Razzmatazz club is right here, along with tons of great bars and restaurants.

Check out our list of top student neighborhoods in Barcelona.

Home to the Polytechnic University of Barcelona, El Clot is one of the more affordable places to live, compared to the city center. It’s also really close to the Sagrada Família, one of Barcelona’s most famous landmarks.

El Clot has lots of green spaces, restaurants, and bars, making it a great place for students and young professionals. Plus, it’s considered one of the safest neighborhoods in Barcelona and is well-connected by public transport.

Sants was once its own city before joining Barcelona in 1889. Today, it’s famous for Festa Major, a big festival with music, food, and celebrations that take over the streets.

While Sants is a bit outside the city center, it’s quiet and budget-friendly. Plus, it’s home to Sants Station, one of the biggest transport hubs in Barcelona, with train connections across Spain and even to nearby countries.

Les Corts is a popular spot for international students, located just southwest of the city. It’s an interesting mix of modern apartments, shopping areas, and historic old squares, so there’s something for everyone.

If you like a neighborhood that feels both trendy and traditional, this is a great option.

Sant Antoni is known as a hipster paradise, packed with cozy cafes and some of the best brunch spots in Barcelona.

If you love shopping at markets, you’ll enjoy the local one here, which sells everything from fresh food and fruit to cheap clothes and books. Plus, you’re just a short walk away from El Raval, where you’ll find even more nightlife and entertainment.

Now that you know Barcelona’s best neighborhoods and what each is known for, you can start to find houses for rent in Barcelona for your preference right away! Rooms and apartments in this sunny city can be in high demand, so begin your search at least 4 months before moving. Renting a studio or finding a roommate through platforms like HousingAnywhere can help lower your rent significantly.

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