As a popular tourist destination as well as an important regional city, Barcelona has a mass of hotels. Whether you’re staying overnight just for a business meeting or are in the city on holiday, hotels are in all areas of the city and range from the lowly budget-friendly to super luxurious.One of the great things about Barcelona is that it is easy to get around and although a major city is compact enough that the furthest metro stop from the city centre is only a 45-minute ride which means that even a hotel on the outskirts is a suitable proposition.

If you want to combine the best of the city with the beach, the best location to find a hotel is, essentially, anywhere within Zone 1. The most central locations have great transport connections and easy access to the main attractions. Hotels near to Placa Catalunya, Las Ramblas and the Gothic Quarter (the old town) are found in picturesque streets, right in the heart of the city centre and are a good base for nightlife and sightseeing. Hotels in the epicentre will obviously be more expensive than those further out.

More budget-friendly hotels are not far away though. Hotels with cheaper accommodation but still with good access to the city centre can be found in Poble Sec or Montjuic, a neighbourhood very popular with visitors. There are more attractions in Montjuic but Poble Sec offers lower priced hotels and is only a 10-minute bus ride from the city centre.

For beach holidays and families, hotels in Barceloneta are the optimum choice, although there is the Icaria Beach area as an alternative. Barceloneta has more of a holiday feel and a sense of community where hotels sit alongside self-catering apartments as accommodation options. Although access to the beach might be your priority for staying in this neighbourhood, Barceloneta has good transport links for visiting other areas of the city.

The El Born neighbourhood is a good compromise, lying between the city centre and the oceanfront. It’s close to the beach and there are plenty of restaurants, bars and nightlife. If you want to stay near to the famous Gaudi attractions, Eixample is the neighbourhood to choose a hotel. This area is also known for great shopping and its dining and café culture. For making the most of your visit, it is best to choose a hotel that is close to a metro stop.