Ultimate Guide to Barcelona

Barcelona is one of Europe's most culturally rich cities, but despite it being a notable spot for history, its actually a bustling, trendy hub, with a great range of upscale dining and shopping to offer. No matter what you're hoping to enjoy here, Barcelona has it all. From exciting museums, to unique dining options, this amazing city truly never disappoints.

No matter what kind of getaway you're hoping to experience in Barcelona, here are some of the city's best hotels, restaurants, and activities for you to enjoy.

Best Hotels in Barcelona

Barcelona has a great range of hotels and acommodations. Whether you're looking for a unique boutique hotel with character, somewhere fun and fresh, or a hotel rich with historic charm, you're sure to find the perfect place to stay in this magnificent Spanish city.

From sleek, modern establishments with on-site Michelin-star restaurants, to classy, luxurious renovated buildings with historic European charm, here are the best places to stay for groups in Barcelona.

Primero Primera, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona

Primero Primera is located in Barcelona's uptown neighborhood of Sarrià, outside of the bustling city. It makes the perfect oasis-style escape for those looking for a retreat a little out of the hustle and bustle of the city center. Located just a 5-minute walk from Les Tres Torres FGC Station, it's still an incredibly convenient base when it comes to transport links and getting around the city. The surrounding neighborhood boasts a great range of cafes, bars, and restaurants, and is just a 15-minute train ride from Las Ramblas, Plaza de Catalunya, and Barcelona's Gothic Quarter.

This stunning boutique hotel sets itself apart from other luxury stays thanks to its unique interior design. With stone and wood decor, it feels more like a cozy mountain home than it does a hotel. Surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, it provides stunning views for guests to enjoy while enjoying a buffet breakfast at the on-site "Planta Baja" restaurant, or while relaxing on the terrace.

Rooms at this hotel are stylish and provide modern amenities such as free high-speed Wi-Fi, iPod docking stations, tea and coffee-making facilities, a mini bar, a flat-screen TV, and air conditioning. They also boast a homely and ambient contemporary decor style, complete with elegant touches that contribute to the timeless yet cozy feel.

ABaC Hotel, Sant Gervasi - la Bonanova, Barcelona

Located just a short distance from La Padera and Casa Batlò, the contemporary glamour, 5-star, ABaC Restaurant Hotel (also known simply as ABaC) sits in a perfect part of the city.

Facilities onsite include a terrace, private parking, a bar, a 24-hour front desk, and free Wi-Fi throughout the property. Though there is no outdoor swimming pool, there is a stunning on-site spa and wellness center, where guests can find an indoor pool, a sauna, a hammam, and a fitness center.

Of course, we can't talk about a hotel with the word 'restaurant' in the name without mentioning its best feature! Located onsite is the stunning ABaC restaurant. One of only three in all of Barcelona to have earned three Michelin stars, thanks to renowned chef Jordi Cruz. Be sure to stop by here for dinner one evening - It truly doesn't disappoint!

Each of the 30 soundproof rooms at this luxury boutique hotel boasts stunning garden views, alongside a great range of in-room amenities, including air-conditioning, coffee machines, minibars, and flat-screen TVs. Though all of the rooms are spacious and beautiful, you can always upgrade to a suite with a private jacuzzi if you fancy treating yourself to a little extra luxury.

Monument Hotel, Dreta de l'Eixample, Barcelona

Located on the fashionable Paseo de Gracia, the stunning five-star Monument Hotel is aptly named, thanks to being housed in an iconic pre-modernist mansion, an architectural jewel of the 19th century that constitutes one of the characteristic works of the Eixample Quadrat d'Or which gives it the Specialty Monument status. It sits just a 5-minute walk from both Gaudi’s masterpieces Casa Battló and La Pedrera, and is only 984 feet away from Gracia Train Station

Thanks to its 5-star status, you can expect a huge range of upscale amenities onsite, including a spa, free high-speed Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace, and a pool. It is also home to one of the very few Michelin-starred restaurants in Barcelona, Lasarte, where you can indulge in a range of exquisite dishes designed by chef Martin Berasategui, and the stunning Oria bistro which serves up Mediterranean gastronomy.

Each of the elegant soundproof rooms boasts a flat-screen TV and modern Bluetooth sound system, and many also offer stunning views of the city.

The Hoxton, Poblenou, Sant Martí, Barcelona

Situated right in the middle of Poblenou, Barcelona's arty, post-industrial district, there are plenty of hip and quirky spots to visit right on the doorstep. The Hoxton Poblenou is also conveniently located just a short distance from some of Barcelona's popular points of interest, including Nova Icaria, Mar Bella, and Sagrada Familia.

Hoxton hotels are famous for their stunning design and interior decor, and this one is no different. Aside from being truly gorgeous at every angle, it also boasts a great range of on-site amenities, including private parking, a bar, a gorgeous outdoor roof terrace, a rooftop swimming pool, room service, currency exchange services, and a 24-hour front desk. Guests can also indulge in an à la carte breakfast or tuck into a Detroit-style pizza for lunch at the all-day roof terrace!

Each of the 240 guest rooms is truly stunning, as to be expected from a Hoxton Hotel. Each boasts gorgeous terracotta walls and flooring, stylish mid-century furniture, and unique touches like statement headboards, Roberts radios, and handcrafted artwork. They each boast great amenities too, including a seating area with a satellite flat-screen TV, air conditioning, a desk, and an electric teapot. Certain rooms also feature a kitchenette with a minibar, but all promise stunning city views and luxurious interiors.

Grand Hotel Central, Ciutat Vella, Barcelona

Housed in an early 20th-century building, the stunning Grand Hotel Central has been elegantly refurbished and is a shining example of the Catalan Noucentisme. Situated in the Born district, you'll find a gorgeous array of stylish shops and restaurants located just a 3-minute walk away, as well as both the port and Passeig de Gracia right on the doorstep.

This unique design hotel boasts fantastic views of the Gothic Quarter and Barcelona Cathedral from its rooftop infinity pool, as well as a great range of other amenities including a fitness center, massage services, car and bicycle hire, and a 24-hour reception with helpful staff that can help provide information about what to see and do during your stay.

The on-site City Bar & Restaurant has three different areas. First is an informal restaurant that cooks up fresh Mediterranean cuisine as part of an authentic Spanish-style dining experience with small "platillos" that are just perfect for sharing, and an outstanding selection of over 150 local and national wines. There is also a bar that offers both good music and even better cocktails, and the Gallery, a dedicated art space that exhibits work from local artists. There's even a modern rooftop bar, La Terraza del Central, which makes the perfect spot for taking in the stretching city views over a tasty drink.

All of the rooms are stylishly decorated and boast great amenities such as free high-speed Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and 4K high-definition TVs with Chromecast.

Best Restaurants in Barcelona

Barcelona's dining scene is as diverse as they come! With innovative dishes and a wide range of upscale establishments to choose from, visitors can indulge in a great selection of mouth-watering foods across a range of exciting and captivating restaurants.

Many of these establishments have amazingly unique dishes that you won't find anywhere else in the world, and some of them can be pretty exclusive, so be sure to book in advance if you plan on visiting one of these.

Lasarte, Dreta de l'Eixample, Barcelona

The first-ever restaurant in Barcelona to boast three Michelin stars, Lasarte is a restaurant we touched on briefly before, as it is the one located in the aforementioned Monument Hotel!

We thought it deserved its own spot on this list in order to highlight how truly outstanding is it. This restaurant by Martín Berasategui is one of the most bustling spots in town, with diners flocking to marvel at the unique creativity of head chef Paolo Casagrande, and isn't just one of the best in Barcelona, but in fact, one of the best in all of Spain!

Chef Casagrande elevates this restaurant to new heights, thanks to the elegant and creative spin he puts on classic dishes such as European eel, foie gras, and the delicious apple millefeuille.

Quirat, Sants-Montjuïc, Barcelona

Another outstanding fine-dining hotel restaurant is Quirat. Led by chef Víctor Torres, Spain’s youngest Michelin-starred chef at the age of just 25, he continues to produce signature Catalan cuisine with a focus on outstanding ingredients, and pure, harmonious flavors.

The team at Quirat sources as many ingredients as possible from the gardens and wildlife of Maresme and Baix Llobregat, leading to a selection of truly delectable dishes to sample across their two tasting menus, which feature unique and marvelous dishes such as rice with espardenyes (sea cucumbers) and chicken wings, or a free-range egg with black sausage and cod tripe.

Dos Pebrots, El Raval, Ciutat Vella, Barcelona

At Dos Pebrots, chef Albert Raurich puts his own unique spin on some of the most intriguing ancient Mediterranean recipes. When we say ancient, we truly mean it, as some of these recipes originally date back to the Roman period, and many come from a time before tomatoes and peppers even made it to Spain!

Though these dishes may seem simple at first, Chef Raurich's creations actually have some truly stunning results. With intriguing primary flavors, there are plenty of innovative dishes to sample here. One of the most popular is actually the pork udders, a part of the animal eaten in the days of the Romans, which chef Raurich caramelizes with the fat from ham, creating a pork flavor explosion like no other!

Assalto, El Raval, Ciutat Vella, Barcelona

Initially opened in early 2024 by Matteo Bertozzi Assalto was initially intended to be a simple wine bar with a selection of small dishes, but his knack for subverting recipes, exploring fermentations, and playing around with flavor has made it a truly unique signature spot.

With an exceptional and extensive wine list of over 200 different choices sourced from both wine auctions and private collections, there are bottles on offer here that you likely won't be able to try anywhere else. As for dining, the seasonal dishes on offer reinterpret traditional flavors, utilizing kimchis, garums, and horseradish to soothe, refresh, or activate the taste buds.

Señora Dolores, Sant Antoni, Eixample, Barcelona

Created by chef Mathieu Pérez (who previously ran a successful bistro in Paris), Señora Dolores is a unique take on a traditional tapas bar, thanks to Chef Pérez's dedication to gourmet frying.

Gourmet dining and fried foods are not typically words that are seen alongside one another in the culinary world, but the avant-garde dishes on offer here certainly prove it to be a winning combination. Be sure to try the fried stewed lentils, and with any of the fried dishes, there are plenty of raw menu items to complement them, such as pickled salads or steak tartare.

Best Things to See and Do in Barcelona

Barcelona offers an exciting and diverse range of activities that are simply perfect for your next getaway. From exhilerating cable car rides over the city, to relaxing historical art museums, you can truly craft the perfect getaway.

Visitors can immerse themselves in the city's unique culture and historical architecture, thanks to the amazing attractions here.

Ride the port cable car, Sants-Montjuïc, Barcelona

Traveling between Montjuïc and the Barceloneta neighborhood, and back again, is the port cable car, that begins with an ascent to the Tower of Sant Sebastià. The red cabin holds up to 19 people and provides stunning views across the city from a 70m height.

Sant Felip Neri, Gothic Quater, Barcelona

As one of the most beautiful and historically significant squares in the city, Sant Felip Neri sits on the site of the ancient medieval cemetery of Monjuïc del Bisbe, amongst the myriad of streets that sprawl across the Gothic Quarter.

This famous square is home to both the iconic church and school of the same name, a number of Renaissance houses, and the former guild houses of coppersmiths and shoemakers, where the Shoe Museum is now located.

Be sure to take a close-up look at the facade of the Sant Felip Neri church, where you can see the remnants of shrapnel from a bomb launched during the Civil War.

If you're heading here on a romantic trip, we also recommend visiting the restaurant located in Hotel Neri, where you can enjoy outdoor dining at their terrace on the square.

Picasso Museum, Ciutat Vella, Barcelona

Open since 1963, this museum is dedicated to Barcelona's favorite artist and boasts a collection of around 3,800 pieces, spread across five adjoining palaces, two of which are devoted entirely to temporary exhibitions.

There's a huge range of things to see here, from a chronological journey through Picasso's formative years to his artistic developments, cubism, and a great array of self-portraits.

Since this is such a popular museum, it's worth noting that queues can be quite long, so be sure to visit or buy your tickets online to avoid the queues. Alternatively, if you're the type who can get around a museum quickly be sure to visit just before the last entry.

Refugi 307, El Poble-sec, Barcelona

While there are many unique and intriguing underground shelters that run beneath the city of Barcelona, Refugi 307 is one of the most notable.

One of over 1000 bomb shelters built during the Spanish Civil War to protect the population, Refugi 307 has since been excavated and allows visitors to take a peek inside the 400 meters of tunnels. With a height of 2.10 meters and a width of between 1.5 and 2 meters, it's not one for those with claustrophobia!

Inside the shelter, you can see various facilities, including toilets, a water fountain, an infirmary, and a children's room.

Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

Arguably the most iconic landmark in all of Barcelona, Antoni Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece of the Sagrada Familia is a truly stunning example of Catalonia's distinctive modernista style.

You are able to visit for free, by taking advantage of the Sunday Mass to access the basilica, every Sunday at 9 am, with the doors on Carrer de la Marina opening from 8.30 am. Be sure to arrive early, since the queue is typically very long.