Barcelona is a city with multiple faces. One of these is the district of Sant Andreu, a place with a Catalan identity and far from the tourist areas. Sant Andreu sits northwest of Barcelona, limited by the communities of Horta-Guinardó, Nou Barris, and Sant Martí. You can discover the city’s memory in this area with its singular identity, full of beautiful places, historical spots, and art venues that will transport you to the interior of Catalonia. Discover this alternative side of Barcelona, and discover why this area is a great place to stay and enjoy the magic of a small town within the big city of Barcelona.
Our recommendations on which areas to stay in
- Are you looking for luxury accommodation with fantastic views in Sant Andreu? We recommend staying in the El Congrés i els Indians neighborhood, close to Carrer d’Olesa. Here you will find great luxury stays close to the main sights of Barcelona, with great views of the city.
- Enjoy a great family time in Barcelona by staying in Sant Andreu. We recommend you stay close to Plaça d’Islàndia and Carrer de Bofarull in the Navas neighborhood. Here you will have proximity to Barcelona’s main attractions and several areas of the Sant Andreu district.
- Suppose you want to experience the Sant Andreu district and Barcelona on a budget. In that case, we recommend you stay in the heart of the Sant Andreu de Palomar neighborhood, close to Mercat de Sant Andreu and Carrer Gran de Sant Andreu, to experience the history and the small-town feel of this unique district of Barcelona.
These are our recommendations on accommodations in Sant Andreu, Spain, in 4 categories:
- Luxury accommodation:
- Room-with-a-view:
- Family stays:
- Budget accommodation:
Sant Andreu: the authenticity of a town within a city. – What to know before visiting.
The district of Sant Andreu used to be a village with a rural and farming tradition. The community had over 1000 years of history until its annexation to Barcelona in 1897. Sant Andreu has seen the development of the city and the industrial growth that changed the district landscape with buildings that today tell its story, mixed with modernity in an area that, up to this day, is not as touristy as other areas of the city, but has a lot to offer. Discover one of these historical buildings in Fabra i Coats: Fàbrica de Creació, a former textile factory from 1884, today transformed into a contemporary art center with experimental art shows and year-round activities.
Come upon the hidden secrets of the buildings of this neighborhood. Such as the Antoni Gaudí mosaic design on the floors of Església de Sant Pacià, one of the first designs he worked on in the city, or enjoy the Parròquia de Sant Andreu de Palomar’s architecture from the late XIX-century. Visit the Hotel d’Entitats Can Guardiola and discover one of the most significant modernist buildings of the district, from 1904 with inspiration from the Catalan baroque style, now a hotel you can visit. Part of this cultural heritage is located in different buildings in use today that may be you will pass by without noticing the history behind them, like the Farmàcia Guinart, an example of modernist architecture that opened in 1896 and still is working to this day. Inside, you can see displayed original pieces, lab equipment, and several items from the early XX century. Or the highly rated Can Tur Bakery, the oldest bakery in the neighborhood, from 1888 when Sant Andreu was a growing town, and it’s considered part of the city’s heritage.
Enjoy one of the oldest bars in the area, Bar Colombia, which opened in 1913. Come across the Mercat de Sant Andreu, where the locals have been getting fresh products for over 100 years. But Sant Andreu has been developing a cultural identity rooted in its history. You can experience it in Canòdrom – Ateneu d’Innovació Digital i Democràtica, a place to discover and learn about new technologies and develop innovation for everyone. Also, the Centre Municipal de Cultura Popular de Sant Andreu promotes the local culture in the district through workshops and exhibitions.
Luxury stays in Sant Andreu.
Sant Andreu district offers excellent options for accommodations to enjoy your visit to Barcelona, accompanied by incredible views and delicious gastronomy close to your accommodation. We recommend staying in the El Congrés i els Indians neighborhood, close to Carrer d’Olesa. Here you will be not far away from the city’s top sights, such as Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site in Carrer de Sant Antoni Maria Claret at 1.1km away, or La Sagrada Familia in Carrer de Mallorca at 2.2km away from your stay. Also, you will be close to the main roads to move quickly and subway stations such as Congrés Station in Carrer de Garcilaso and La Sagrera Station in Avinguda Meridiana, both at a 6-minute walk from your stay.
Enjoy the urban green areas of the location of your stay and take a walk through Plaça de Maragall. Here you will be close to great options to try the gastronomy of Barcelona at a short walking distance from your accommodation. Such as Mezzé inPlaça del Rom Cremat, where you can enjoy hamburgers and drinks in a great environment and a terrace view 200m away from your lodging. Enjoy great Argentinian meats and other dishes at El Bou Lomoteca or have great tapas and other local delicacies at Collonut, both in the same street as your accommodation, Carrer d’Olesa.
Enjoy the luxury accommodations close to Carrer d’Olesa and explore what Barcelona offers.
Family accommodation close to Barcelona’s main sights.
Barcelona is a great city full of activities for the whole family, and a stay in Sant Andreu will allow you to enjoy the best of the city and the tranquility of a small town. We recommend you stay close to Plaça d’Islàndia and Carrer de Bofarull in the Navas neighborhood.
- Enjoy this family-friendly neighborhood and its parks to relax in Barcelona. Visit the Plaça del General Moragues in Carrer Gran de la Sagrera, also the community garden of Jardins de Pepa Colomer in Carrer de Palència, both just a 4-minute walk from your stay.
- In the area, you will find several grocery shops for your convenience, such as Mercadona in Carrer de Josep Estivill and BonÀrea in Carrer de Palència, both at a short walking distance from your family lodging.
- Close to your stay, there are pharmacies and health centers at a short distance. Such as the Farmàcia Ticó in Carrer d’Espronceda at a short 150m walk, and the public health center of CAP La Sagrera in Carrer de Garcilaso at a 4-minute car ride from your accommodation.
- You and your family can move quickly around Barcelona, taking advantage of the Navas subway station just 190m away.
- Enjoy the local food you will find close to your stay by visiting Pizzeria Nanà in Carrer de Josep Estivill at a short 3-minute walk. Also in the area is the Peruvian eatery of Sabor Trujillano in Carrer de Felip II, 300m away, and the more casual Galician restaurant La Factoría in Carrer del Clot, at a 3-minute walk from your lodging.
Have a great family stay in Barcelona by visiting Sant Andreu. In the Navas neighborhood, we recommend the areas close to Plaça d’Islàndia and Carrer de Bofarull.
Budget-friendly experience in Sant Andreu.
Take advantage of the great deals in the San Andreu district and stay in the heart of the Sant Andreu de Palomar neighborhood to enjoy not only Barcelona but also the unique identity of Sant Andreu. We recommend you remain in the areas close to Mercat de Sant Andreu and Carrer Gran de Sant Andreu. You will be close to many great places to experience the local identity on a tight budget. From here, you can move quickly around Barcelona on its excellent public transportation by several bus stops near and the subway station of Sant Andreu at Passeig de Torras i Bages, 5 minutes away from your stay.
Enjoy great food and fresh products in the Mercat de Sant Andreu, where you can explore the local identity and become a local. Walk through the streets of Sant Andreu and discover the great architecture hidden on every corner and street. Visit the Fabra i Coats: Fàbrica de Creació in Carrer de Sant Adrià to immerse in the artistic scene of the neighborhood at a short walking distance to your stay. Walk 500m south of Carrer Gran de Sant Andreu to visit the Centre Civic Sant Andreu and enjoy community workshops and exhibitions. Once you’re here, you will be a few meters away from the SAT! Sant Andreu Teatre, where you can enjoy dance shows or plays at an affordable price.
If your budget is tight, you will find excellent options to enjoy the best of Barcelona in the San Andreu district.
