Where to stay

Gracia's hotels are close to one of Barcelona's prime attractions, Parc Güell, a huge garden complex where colorful and fanciful mosaics appeal to kids and adults. Sarria-Sant Gervasi is one of the best places to stay to visit Tibidabo, which has an impressive church with great views and more importantly, an amusement park for the kids. Book accommodations anywhere along the beach stretching from Diagonal Mar to La Barceloneta to be close to soft sand and warm water where kids can play for hours. Stay in Les Corts to take the kids to the huge Camp Nou Arena, which hosts FC Barcelona soccer games.

Outside most hotels in Barcelona are sidewalk cafés that serve delicious meals made with local produce and seafood. La Vila de Gràcia is particularly noted for its authentic Catalan specialties. The best spot to enjoy the local favorite dish of paella is at one of the outdoor beachside restaurants in La Barceloneta, a short walk from hotels in La Ribera neighborhood. The long Passeig de Gracia is lined with hotels, restaurants, shopping and many of the city's interesting buildings, with convenient bus stops every few blocks.

Eixample's high concentration of hotels makes a visit to Gaudí's majestic but unfinished La Sagrada Familia easy. Note, however, that room reservations in this district are essential. Hotels anywhere in Ciutat Vella put many of the city's best historic and cultural attractions within walking distance. This Old Town section of Barcelona actually includes several neighborhoods. Stay near La Rambla, the long straight boulevard where a central corridor fills with pedestrians walking to the theater, opera or historic Boqueria Market. To the east, the Gothic Quarter, where Romans originally settled, has several interesting old churches. To visit the palace, gardens, fountain and museums of the spectacular hilltop Montjüic district, stay in any of the great neighborhoods across Barcelona and travel to El Poble-Sec to ride the cable car up, while enjoying views over the whole city.