The 7 best neighborhoods in Barcelona to live (and why they are)

The city of Barcelona is the second most populous Spanish city and one of those with the largest number of inhabitants in the European Union, also considering itself one of the most touristy cities.

Barcelona is a city with a history that has been expanding and currently consists of 10 districts divided into a total of 73 neighborhoods, where each one offers different possibilities and characteristics that will satisfy the different tastes and demands of its inhabitants. In this way, there will not be a better neighborhood than another to establish your residence, but it will depend on what you are looking for and what environment you are interested in surrounding yourself.

Thus, there are older neighborhoods where the old town is located and you can find the architecture with more history, located in the city ​​center, neighborhoods with a higher standard of living, areas with more shops and restaurants, neighborhoods closer to the beach and the port and others located in the upper area of ​​the Sierra de Collserola where you will find the homes with greater tranquility and further away from the nucleus tourist.

In this article we will introduce you to some of the best neighborhoods and their most distinctive characteristics so you can find which one best suits your tastes or your current life situation.

• We recommend you read: "The 10 best restaurants in Barcelona (in quality and price)"

History of the city of Barcelona

The beginnings of the city of Barcelona date back to about 4,000 years agoThus, in this city we can see different types of architecture and styles, still observing some signs of ancient cultures such as the Roman.

Barcelona is divided into different districts, specifically 10, and in turn these are again divided into 73 neighborhoods. This partition of the city depends on or was made for historical reasons, so we have older districts, such as Ciutat Vella where in some of its neighborhoods we can find some of the oldest remains, such as some chinks in the walls that were located in Born or Raval and others of more recent creation, which had been independent municipalities but with the extension of the city they have been annexed, as could be the case of the district of Gracia or that of Poblenou.

As we said the city is made up of 10 districts which are the following: Ciutat Vella, which is the oldest district; L'Eixample, characterized by the grid-shaped division designed by the urban planner Ildefons Cerdà; Sants-Montjuïc, where Plaza España and the imposing National Museum of Art of Catalonia are located; Les Corts; Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, considered the district with the highest income per capita; Gràcia, which is the smallest district in size; Horta-Guinardó; Nou Barris, which, contrary to its name, is currently made up of 13 neighborhoods; Sant Andreu; and Sant Martí.

Also note that each district has its own powers, so this fact helps to reduce the centralization of political power and make each of them more different and independent.

In this way, given the great variety that the city offers, it welcomes very diverse inhabitants among them, with different living conditions and with very different tastes. There is no better or worse neighborhood, but it will depend on what you are looking for or what you are interested in finding, for example if you are looking for tranquility, leisure, shops, beach or mountain atmosphere... Barcelona gives you endless possibilities adaptable to all preferences.

What are the best neighborhoods to live in Barcelona?

Thus, as we have already pointed out, this assessment of better or worse will depend on what each person is looking for at that time, life situation or what their tastes are. It is true that there is a tendency to consider that the highest area of ​​Barcelona, ​​where we find, for example, L’Eixample, Les Corts, with the neighborhood of Pedralbes and Sàrria-Sant Gervasi, are the best neighborhoods if we consider the type of living, the shops or the purchasing power of the inhabitants of these areas. Below we will present some of the best neighborhoods, offering you variety depending on what characteristics you are looking for.

1. Pedralbes neighborhood

As we are already advancing, the Pedralbes neighborhood is one of the best considered within Barcelona, given the high purchasing power of the people who inhabit itIn this way, it will be common to find luxurious homes together with green areas and different parks such as the gardens of the old Royal Palace.

Located in the Les Corts district and bordering Avenida Diagonal, this may be a good option if you are looking for tranquility, an area without much tourism and where we mostly find homes without too many shops at your disposal. around. It is also in this neighborhood where some of the best valued and reputable schools are located, so if your intention is to move with your family, this neighborhood may interest you.

2. The Barceloneta neighborhood

If you are looking for a home near the beach the Barceloneta neighborhood in the Ciutat Vella district may be an option. This neighborhood offers you the possibility of having the beach next to it, with a long promenade where you can contemplate the sea and see the famous sail-shaped hotel that is located on the seashore.

This is a neighborhood that comes alive during the summer, with crowds of people who come to sunbathe and bathe and with different bars and beach bars that will allow you to refresh yourself while you continue enjoying the views of the sea.

3. The Gothic neighborhood

The Gothic Quarter belongs to the Ciutat Vella district, It is where the oldest architecture in the city is located, the old town of Barcelona. In it you can find the Plaza de Sant Jaume, presided over by the Barcelona City Council and the Palace of the Generalitat of Catalonia and the Cathedral of Barcelona.

If you choose to live in this neighborhood you will be right in the center of Barcelona, ​​next to Plaza Cataluña, with very good communication for move around all of Barcelona and the outskirts, you will find the majority of subway lines, the railways of the Generalitat de Catalunya and the Renfe. You will also find many cocktail bars to have a drink at night and endless shops of all kinds with all kinds of products.

4. L'Eixample

The neighborhoods located in the L’Eixample district, for example the one on the left and the one on the right of L’Eixample, are also located close to the city center, a fact that will allow them to have good communication to be able to move around and access all kinds of transport public.

Located near Plaza Catalunya, many of the high-end shops of different brands are located, mostly located on Paseo de Gracia, where there are also You can find the well-known buildings of Casa Milà, better known as La Pedrera or Casa Batlló, the two buildings of the famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí.

Considered the old neighborhood of the Catalan bourgeoisie, the buildings that we find do not leave anyone indifferent, each one with its own characteristics, with spectacular entrances and elaborate details that will make each home unique and with personality own.

5. The Sarrià neighborhood

Similar to the Pedralbes neighborhood, although in this case it will offer more variety of shops and restaurants, the Sarrià neighborhood will also It is considered one of the most luxurious, with exclusive and elegant homes giving its inhabitants the possibility of living in a quiet and safe place.

It is considered a residential area, with pedestrian streets and green areas, perfect for family living since it is also where some of the educational centers are located, both schools and universities, more exclusive and with better prestige.

6. The Villa de Gracia neighborhood

The neighborhood of Villa de García was the main nucleus of the old municipality of Gracia, current district, In this there were many of the second homes of the Catalan bourgeoisie, being considered today in day a very charming area, with narrow streets and not very tall buildings.

In this neighborhood you can find many craft shops, small restaurants and terraces where you can have a drink. Apart from the gastronomy that it offers, it is also an area with a lot of life and cultural possibilities, with a bohemian and artistic atmosphere perfect for the most creative.

7. The Vallvidrera neighborhood- Tibidabo and Las Planes

The Vallvidrera- Tibidabo y las Planes neighborhood is located in the Sarriá Sant Gervasi district, situated in the upper part of the Collserola mountain range.

As is known, Barcelona is one of the cities with the largest population in the European Union and also one of the most touristy, for this reason it is difficult to find a really quiet area to to live. If you are more of a mountain and are looking for complete tranquility, Vallvidrera may be one of the best options to live in Barcelona.

Far from the city center Vallvidrera was considered a summer area of the inhabitants of Barcelona, ​​so currently we can find homes with spectacular views of the city and the sea in the remoteness, as well as the possibility of enjoying an environment with less noise and not so urban without ceasing to be living in the city.