When visiting Barcelona, think carefully about the area that you chose to stay in as the Catalan capital has many different faces and the neighbourhood you pick to stay in will greatly effect your first impression of the city. From the chic Passeig de Gracia to the gritty Raval, there are parts of the city which, while geographically very close, are actually worlds apart in terms of atmosphere and security. For the purposes of this short post I’ve chosen to look at just two main tourist areas in the city centre, but naturally, there are many more.
Passeig de Gracia is Barcelona’s most glamorous shopping avenue and also home to two major architectural works by Gaudi – Casa Batlló and La Pedrera. This wide, leafy avenue has a certain Parisian style with all the bustle and glamour of New York. Come here to enjoy Barcelona’s most sophisticated side, spend a fortune in chic boutiques, eat in exquisite tapas bars and explore some of the city’s finest Modernist architecture. Accommodation on or near to Passeig de Gracia doesn’t have to be expensive though, so staying here is not only a luxury reserved for the rich, it is also one of the safer areas of the city by night.
The Born neighbourhood is where you will find the Picasso Museum and the Textile Museum with its attractive terrace cafe as well as a wide range of bars and cafes that give this area is buzzing atmosphere, day or night. Here, you can also enjoy a spot of shopping although it’s more likely to be shabby chic than Chanel as the Born neighbourhood is famous for its quirky little independent boutiques (that’s not to say they are cheap!). Eating out for less is possible here too. The neighbourhood is built upon the remains of the medieval era and there are some streets in particular, such as Calle Montcada, which are well worth a visit, along with sights such as the spectacular Santa Maria del Mar Cathedral. All of this just 10 minutes from Barcelona’s beaches! If you really want to immerse yourself in the Born atmosphere look for accommodation near to the Picasso Museum which is one of the most typical areas of this neighbourhood.
