Where to stay in Ciutat Vella, Spain

City
Ciutat Vella
Population
102347
City size
#88 largest city in Spain
Country
Spain
Travel score
# 1 visited country in Europe
Hotel (avg. price)
€ 125.81
AirBnB (avg. price)
€ 214
From Int. Airport
16,1 km
Taxi (Start + per km)
€ 3.50 + € 1.10
Quality of Life Index
Very High (172.54)
Cost of Living Index
Low (46.27)
Safety Index
High (64.74)
Health Care Index
High (78.02)
English Proficiency
Poor (25'th out of 33 in EU)
Income Level / month
€ 1,670.32
Tipping
5 - 10%
Power Outlet
Type F (230 V, 50 Hz)
Drinkable tap water
Yes
Meal, Inexp. Resta.
€ 12.00
3-Course Meal Mid-Range Resta.
€ 25.00
Beer (0,5 L)
€ 0.91
Milk (1 L)
€ 0.81
Water (1,5 L)
€ 0.64

The Old City of Barcelona is one of the most famous spots to visit in Europe and the world. Ciutat Vella is the city’s first district, formerly surrounded by Roman and medieval walls and expanded in the industrial era to keep growing and become the great city it is today. Discover its unique neighborhoods with a 2000-year history, and wander around the town’s core. Enjoy the seaside and one of Barcelona’s most vibrant and lively areas, with the art and culture that characterizes the city and inspired many artists, architects, and musicians. Please stay within the limits of Ciutat Vella, enjoy its excellent gastronomy, immerse yourself in its history, and discover why Barcelona is Barcelona.

Our recommendations on which areas to stay in

  • Experience the seaside neighborhood of La Barceloneta and enjoy a luxury stay in one of the city’s most popular areas. We recommend you stay close to Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta and Sant Miquel Beach to experience this area of Barcelona and enjoy excellent gastronomy and nightlife. Also, this area offers great views of the Mediterranean Sea, so you can look for accommodation suited to enjoy the beautiful sunsets from this area. 
  • Discover Ciutat Vella with your family by staying in the Gothic Quarter neighborhood. We recommend you look for family accommodation close to Plaça Reial and La Rambla, where you can discover the historical areas of Barcelona within a short walking distance.
  • Enjoy a unique cultural experience in Ciutat Vella, and enjoy the best gastronomy of Barcelona by staying in the El Raval neighborhood close to Mercat de la Boqueria and Plaça de Sant Josep. From here, you can start discovering the great cultural spots, the best options for eating in the city, and the uniqueness of its gastronomy.
  • Are you looking to stay in Ciutat Vella on a budget? This part of the city has plenty of options that fit many budgets, so it will be easy to find excellent accommodation suited to your wallet and still enjoy everything this district of Barcelona offers.

These are our recommendations on accommodations in Ciutat Vella, Spain, in 4 categories:

  • Luxury interior:
  • Room with a view:
  • Family accommodation:
  • Food and culture experience:
  • Budget-friendly stay:

The origins of Barcelona. – What to know before visiting

Ciutat Vella, or Old City, is the original foundational area of Barcelona. The city started with a Roman settlement in 13 BCE as a seaside colony for their commercial interests in the region. For a long time, this part of the city, formerly known as Colonia Iulia Augusta Paterna Fauentia Barcino or simply Barcino, and since the 1st century BCE, became a walled city to protect its inhabitants. The remains of this Roman fortification are still visible in different sections, such as Muralla Romana and the Roman city wall in Barcelona. In addition, discover other Roman constructions such as MUHBA Temple d’August and the Aqüeducte romà, the remains of an aqueduct still standing today. You can learn more about this period in Barcelona by visiting the Barcelona History Museum MUHBA, located in a medieval construction and covers all of the city’s history, from its early settlements to its modern evolution. 

You can see on a map today how Ciutat Vella follows the shape of the original walled city that continued to grow during medieval times. During this era, the town’s walls were enlarged to keep the growing population safe from invasions and attacks. Ciutat Vella remained walled until 1859 when the harsh living conditions and population growth made it necessary to demolish the walls to expand the city. Discover the medieval streets of the Gothic Quarter, come upon the Cathedral of Barcelona from the XV century, and discover its Gothic architecture. Next, visit the many plazas in the area, all with hints of the passing of time in the city, such as Plaça de Sant Felip Neri, a tiny plaza with a baroque church with its walls scarred by bombs from the Spanish Civil War. Next, come upon Plaça del Rei and discover the medieval buildings and roman constructions nearby. Visit Casa de l’Ardiaca, with its gothic architecture and beautiful courtyards of this renaissance mansion, immerse in the history of the Roman city wall in Barcelona, or pass under the famous crossing Pont del Bisbe from 1929 with a Neo-Gothic style. Finally, travel to the early XX century through the unique architecture of the Palau de la Música Catalana, with a stunning Art Noveau style, stained glass, and beautiful mosaics just a few blocks away from the medieval streets of the cathedral.

Discover the modernity among the old remains of the city by enjoying a walk through La Rambla and seeing the many cultural spots on your way to La Barceloneta. Visit the cultural center and museum of the XVIII century building of Palau de la Virreina, enjoy a show at Gran Teatre del Liceu, and have a taste of Barcelona at Mercat de la Boqueria. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of La Barceloneta and its many great beaches, such as Platja de Sant Sebastià, Platja de Sant Miquel, and Platja de la Barceloneta. Finally, have a unique view of the city by riding the cable car of Port Cable car and enjoy the sunsets in one of the most emblematic cities in Europe.

Luxury stays in La Barceloneta.

Stay within one of the most popular areas of Ciutat Vella and enjoy the incredible views of the Mediterranean Sea. We recommend you stay in the neighborhood of La Barceloneta, close to Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta and Platja de Sant Miquel, where you will be in the hotspot of Barcelona, close to incredible beaches, walkable areas, and plenty of things to do. Here you can enjoy the beautiful seafront of Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, where you will enjoy the views of the sea, closeness to the city’s marinas, and different lookouts in the area such as Mirador i escales Vela close to Port Vell.

Enjoy discovering the natural areas of this neighborhood close to your accommodation. Visit the closes beach to your accommodation, Platja de Sant Miquel, and enjoy a day in front of the sea surrounded by eateries and sculptures, such as L’Estel ferit, at 90m from your stay. You will be close to other beaches to choose from, at a short distance, such as Platja de la Barceloneta and Platja de Sant Sebastià, at a short 5-minute walk away. Enjoy the seafront park of Parc de la Barceloneta at the end of the Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 650 m from your lodging. You will be close to several attractions in the area, such as the Museu d’Història de Catalunya

 in Plaça de Pau Vila, at a 9-minute walk from your accommodation, and the Mercat de la Barceloneta in Plaça del Poeta Boscà, 350 m away from your accommodation. Here you can start your gastronomic journey in Barcelona.

Next, continue discovering the fantastic food near your accommodation. Visit the Mediterranean restaurant Can Majó Restaurant in Carrer D’Emília Llorca Martín and enjoy delicious paellas a few meters away from your stay. Next, visit the restaurant La Curandera Barceloneta in Carrer del Judici, and enjoy traditional Mexican classics such as tacos, quesadillas, and cocktails in a cantina close to the sea 75m away from your accommodation. Next, enjoy the patio of the highly-rated restaurant La Mar Salada in Passeig de Joan de Borbó, where you can enjoy Catalonian seafood with videos of the sea, 180 m away from your stay. End your day with the best tapas and drinks in Petit Bar in Carrer del Judici, a small bar with great food, beers, wines, and cocktails, among other options such as coffee and tea blocks away from your stay.

Enjoy your stay in Ciutat Vella and discover La Barceloneta by staying close to Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta and Sant Miquel Beach.

Family accommodation in the Gothic Quarter.

Discover with your family the city of Barcelona. Stay in Ciutat Vella to discover its history and enjoy the experience of a former medieval city adapted to the XXI century needs. We recommend you look for family accommodation close to Plaça Reial and La Rambla. Here you will be close to the district’s main attractions and all the amenities you need to have an excellent stay.

Stay in Ciutat Vella with your family and discover the great options at a short distance from your accommodation by staying close to Plaça Reial and La Rambla, where you can find the historical areas of Barcelona.

Discovering the culture of Ciutat Vella.

Experience the food culture of Ciutat Vella and enjoy the best spots to eat in Barcelona. Stay close to Mercat de la Boqueria and Plaça de Sant Josep, an area famous for this vibrant and emblematic market, where you can enjoy a wide variety of local and fresh products and foods at a great price in the heart of the historic center of the city. Have small bites and seafood in El Quim de la Boquería, have Mediterranean tapas at Kiosko Universal, or enjoy classic skewers and drinks in the famous Bar Restaurant Pinotxo.

In this area also, you will find highly-rated restaurants to explore the culinary tradition of Ciutat Vella. Discover the tapas at Bo De Boqueria in Carrer de la Petxina, or enjoy great kinds of pasta at Pasta Market in La Rambla, a few streets away from the market. Taste great vegetarian food and tapas at Biocenter in Carrer del Pintor Fortuny, 270 m away from the Plaça de Sant Josep. Or enjoy a night out and visit the 23 Robadors in Carrer d’En Robador, an underground-style concert hall that holds shows of jazz, flamenco, and several other genres.

Cose to this area, you will find several cultural attractions to keep discovering Ciutat Vella, such as the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona and the Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona, both in Plaça dels Àngels. Here you can enjoy a cultural center and a museum with art from Catalonian artists in 1940’s buildings. Visit the performing arts theater of  Teatre Goya in Carrer de Joaquín Costa or discover the Gran Teatre del Liceu in the famous area of La Rambla. Don’t forget to include in your visit a look at the Gothic church from the XIV century of Basílica de Santa Maria del Pi in Plaça del Pi, and walk all around the medieval streets of the Gothic Quarter.

Enjoy the cultural experience in Ciutat Vella by staying in the El Raval neighborhood close to Mercat de la Boqueria and Plaça de Sant Josep.

Budget-friendly accommodations in Ciutat Vella.

Come upon one of the most emblematic areas of Barcelona and stay within the former area of the walled city in the Ciutat Vella. Stay in this district without hurting your wallet. Look for affordable accommodation in any hostel or Airbnb in the area. This district is a highly visited spot in the city, so it will be easy to find options for accommodations that fit your budget. Also, take advantage of the affordable food you can find here and the tremendous cultural choices that are free or at a fair price for you to enjoy the culture of Ciutat Vella and from Barcelona at a great price.

Our recommendations for having a great stay in Ciutat Vella