10 of the Best Neighborhoods in Barcelona and How To Visit

From the world-famous La Rambla street and La Boqueria Market to the towering, 14th-century Gothic Barcelona Cathedral, there’s plenty to see in this neighborhood. Wind your way around the labyrinthine alleyways of El Call, the former Jewish Quarter, and discover the beautiful Plaza Real, a square perfect for people-watching and strolling as palm trees sway in the wind.

Insider tip: A guided walking tour of the Gothic Quarter helps you learn more about thousands of years of history without getting lost in those tiny, weaving streets.

Visit Gràcia for the famous Gaudí-designed Park Güell or to take a guided tour of Casa Vicens, but stay for the shopping, art, and culture. You can always pack a picnic or enjoy the sunset at the park on your own, but since it’s often busy, a skip-the-line combo tour of the park and the Sagrada Familia is well worth it, especially since you’ll learn more about the history and quirkiness of this whimsical green space. Post-park, stroll along Carrer Verdi and Carrer Torrijos to shop the city’s boutiques and visit local art galleries.

Although this area is home to tourist attractions including the Picasso Museum and the St. Mary of the Sea Cathedral, it still feels more local than some of Barcelona’s other neighborhoods.

Take a relaxing stroll through the gorgeous Ciutadella Park and admire the city’s Arc de Triomf before eating at one of El Born's tapas bars or shopping for artisan goods in the neighborhood’s many shops. Make sure to check out the Palau de la Música Catalana, too, a gorgeous hall with stunning stained glass windows.

The multicultural neighborhood of El Raval is home to art, international food, and vibrant nightlife. Start exploring it with visits to the Centre for Contemporary Culture and the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA), known for its impressive glass facade.

But you don’t have to visit a museum to enjoy art in this district. Consider a street art tour, and don’t miss viewing the famous bronze cat sculpture by Botero, located on the Rambla de Raval.

The main draw of this port neighborhood is Barcelona’s golden, sandy city beach—Barceloneta Beach. If you're in the mood for a seaside vibe, head to Barceloneta Beach, where you can lounge on the shore and swim in the sea; however, make sure to keep an eye on your valuables. Other ways to explore La Barceloneta’s seafront are by bike, segway, scooter, or even a sunset boat cruise. Alternatively, for bird's-eye views of the city and coast, take the cable car from La Barceloneta to Montjuïc.

This once-industrial area is now a creative and contemporary place for locals and tourists to spend time. From comfortable coworking spaces to cool coffee shops, Poblenou is ideal for simply hanging out. While in Poblenou, make sure to check out art and cultural centers like Disseny Hub and IDEAL Digital Arts Centre, or visit one of the city’s most beautiful beaches, Playa Mar Bella. If you’re in the mood to get your steps in, consider walking to the neighborhood from the Sagrada Familia, which should take you less than 45 minutes.

With a mish-mash of tourist attractions and local haunts, this neighborhood is ideal for grabbing a quick drink or visiting a museum. Start with a visit to the CaixaForum Cultural Center or the Archaeology Museum of Catalonia. Then, check out the Poble Espanyol, an artificial Spanish village with an outdoor museum feel that was created for the country’s 1929 International Exhibition.

The area is also home to the Barcelona Botanical Garden, as well as a number of cool bars and restaurants. You can also head up to Montjuïc from El Poble-Sec.

Although Montjuic is best known for the Montjuic Castle, the area is also home to the beautiful Montjuic Park (Parc de Montjuïc). Stroll around the park (or take the cable car) for some laid-back sightseeing, then keep exploring nearby. The park is surrounded by museums and cultural centers such as the Joan Miró Museum, the Catalan Museum of Archaeology, the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC), and the Ethnology Museum of Barcelona. Visiting this neighborhood means strolling through gardens, admiring hilltop views of the city below, and learning more about Barcelona’s storied history.

Did you know?: Montjuic Castle started as a single tower, before becoming a fortress and later a castle.

Related: 10 of the Best Museums in Barcelona and How To Visit

This area isn’t the most touristy or most beautiful neighborhood in Barcelona, but Les Corts is a key area for business and finance. Not only does that make it easy to stop by here during a day of sightseeing—it’s a short walk from Barcelona Sants, the city’s main train station—but it’s also home to several popular restaurants and buzzy local bars. The famous Plaça d'Espanya, set at the base of Montjuic, is also an easy walk from the area. And, if you’re a soccer fan, Les Corts has one serious draw: It’s the home of the Spotify Camp Nou stadium.

This well-heeled area is more residential than some of the others on this list, but you won’t want to skip Sarrià-Sant Gervasi—especially if you need a break from the faster-paced parts of the city—as it’s one of the greenest areas in Barcelona. The neighborhood is surrounded by Collserola Natural Park and Mt. Tibidabo, which is perfect for an escape into nature.

If you’re visiting with kids, you can head to the Tibidabo Amusement Park, which is home to thrilling roller coasters as well as a colorful vintage ferris wheel. Or, for a lower-key option, CosmoCaixa science museum’s unique 10-story Amazon rainforest exhibit draws families and science lovers of all ages.