The city’s most famous drag, La Rambla, divides the Gothic Quarter and El Raval. If you stand at the top of La Rambla and look down towards the sea, the Gothic Quarter is on your left and El Raval is on your right.

Because it’s so popular with tourists, the Gothic Quarter (known locally as “Barri Gòtic”) can be a challenge to explore on a budget. Fortunately, we have some tips below to keep your spending in check!

Get around on foot

The only way to really explore the Gothic Quarter is by walking. Though the Metro stops Jaume I, Pl. Catalunya, Liceu and Urquinaona will put you at the perimeter of the neighborhood, much of the Gothic Quarter is closed to car traffic, making it a haven for pedestrians who are ogling the cathedral’s gargoyles or stopping to window shop.

Make sure to get a good, detailed map of the area as it can be very confusing to find your way from point to point without any direction. But that’s part of the fun! While the Eixample is laid out in a simple grid pattern, the Gothic Quarter is a mess of winding alleyways and dead ends. Getting lost in the Gothic Quarter is common even for the locals, so don’t worry too much if you get turned around.

Barcelona Cathedral in the Gothic Quarter dates back to the 1300s. Photo: Catalan Art

What to see

While the neighborhood demands to simply be wandered, there are a number of sights you shouldn’t miss. These include:

• The Barcelona Cathedral and the plaza just in front of it are both required visits. You will have to pay a small fee (€3) to enter the cathedral unless you go for mass, but it’s also fascinating to walk around its huge outside perimeter and admire the architecture.

• Seek out Pl. Sant Felip Neri near the cathedral for a respite from the Gothic Quarter’s bustle. The plaza has a sad history (look for evidence of the bombing during the civil war on the plaza’s walls) but it’s currently one of the prettiest spots in the city to have a coffee or just sit and listen to the trickling fountain.

• Roman sites: Visiting the numerous Roman sites scattered throughout the Gothic Quarter is free and interesting. Get information and a map showing where each site is located from the tourist information office in Pl. Catalunya.

• More ancient history: If you want to dive deeper into Barcelona’s Roman era then seek out the MUHBA (Barcelona City History Museum) on Plaça del Rei, which holds artifacts from the 1st century BC to the early Middle Ages (€7).

• La Rambla: Of course, you should take a stroll along La Rambla, which lines the western edge of the Gothic Quarter all the way down to the port. Check out the flower stands, human statues, and opera house as you walk. (Related: Is the Rambla a tourist trap? Not necessarily.)

• Plaça Reial is also a lively square worth your time, surrounded by restaurants, bars and once-glamorous apartments. Some good jazz clubs and live music venues are found around Plaça Reial, too.

• Organized tour: If you feel like splurging, book the Secrets and Legends Tour with Ciempies. This is the best tour I’ve been on in Barcelona, and maybe in my entire life. The tour focuses on the history of the Gothic area as well as local tales passed down from generation to generation.

• Nightlife savings: You can also save money on shows when buying tickets in advance. Jamboree sells tickets online for slightly less than at the door. Atrapalo also has daily deals on concerts, shows, food, tours, and classes in the city.

Finding affordable food & drink

Because the Gothic Quarter is so popular with tourists, some restauranteurs feel they can charge more and serve substandard eats. Skip these places. You’ll know them by the photos of their dishes taped up next to a menu that has been translated into 10 languages.

Luckily, there are still some wonderful, old-timey bars and traditional restaurants sit near the more touristy places. These include:

• For cheap breakfast or lunch options, try El Mos (Carrer Comtal, 12), a cafe serving a wide array of pastries, plus sandwiches and simple daily specials. You can eat a meal at El Mos for about €6.

• Another inexpensive choice is Buenas Migas, which serves salads, focaccia, pastries, cakes and breakfast items such as freshly-squeezed OJ and yogurt with granola.

• For beers and cocktails try Ginger (Carrer de la Palma de Sant Just, 1) or Polaroid (Carrer dels Còdols, 29) which draws a young crowd.

Related: 4 local dishes to try when visiting Barcelona | Favorite bars (including Gothic Quarter)

Supermarket savings: You can cut down on what you spend on food by buying some of your meals at the supermarket. Carrefour and El Corte Inglés have large selections of pre-made dishes (pasta salad, roasted chicken, sandwiches) plus all the snack and drink options you’d expect from a European supermarket. Try getting breakfast and lunch from Carrefour and then going out for dinner and drinks. (Here are some picnic tips for Barcelona.)

More restaurant advice: We have much more to say on the subject of saving on Barcelona’s restaurant and bars. Check out these articles for more tips.

Best budget hotels in the Gothic Quarter

If you choose to stay in the Gothic Quarter, you’ll save bucks on transportation, as you’ll be within walking distance from just about everything, including the beach, Gaudí sights, shopping, restaurants and the major train and bus stations. Cheapos will love the convenient location.

Check out all of our accommodations in Barri Gòtic, and take note of this stand out:

Hostal Levante: This friendly stay offers an unbeatable location at great prices. All of the accommodations are spic-and-span, and a few rooms have balconies overlooking the cobblestoned streets. Doubles from under $100.

The post Cheapo Guide: Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

As the weather warms up, consider a hotel near the beach. La Barceloneta is Barcelona’s closest and most popular beach, not too far from El Born and the Gothic Quarter. It’s a fun area to have lunch in, and while many do swim along La Barceloneta, it is not as clean as other beaches in the city.

And as an important note, whenever you’re on a Barcelona beach, watch your valuables. (Read my previous posts on Barcelona’s best beaches.)

Park Hotel

Avenida Marques de Argentera, 11
La Ribera
Doubles from: $112 to $203

The large, three-star Park Hotel offers 91 rooms and a fresh, contemporary style. In addition to being near myriad cafés and restaurants, the Park is located just a few blocks from the port and beach, making it ideal in the summer months.

Hostal Orleans

Avenida Marqués de la Argentera, 13
La Ribera
Doubles from: $66 to $92

A stay at the two-star Hostal Orleáns is like a visit to a friendly aunt’s house. In this case, the aunt would be Fina Ibañez, proprietor of the comfortable, family-run abode, where the price is right and the “frills” are found in pink lacy bedspreads and a simple television lounge. It’s a 10-minute walk to the beach and a 5-minute walk to the port from here.

Planning your day is as easy as grabbing a bike and hitting the boardwalk if you’re staying at these hotels.

Hotel del Mar

Pla de Palau, 19
La Ribera
Doubles from: $99 to $152

Situated between the Gothic Quarter and the beach, the 72-room, two-star Hotel Del Mar is a primo spot for seeing the best of both Barcelona worlds: history and seaside.

Hostal Nuevo Colon

Avenida Marqués de Argentera, 19
La Ribera
Doubles from: $55

The one-star Hostal Nuevo Colón, which has been run by the Tobella family for 80 years, is a welcoming, no-frills establishment with some of the best rates we’ve seen in Barcelona. There’s not a lot of flair here, but the effortless, fun location—within walking distance of the beach, boardwalk, Maritime Museum and La Barceloneta—makes the Nuevo Colón a smart budget pick.

Want more? Check out our full listings of Barcelona hotels.  And don’t forget to leave any questions or comments in the box below.

The post Best Barcelona hotels for the beach appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Truth be told, though, most of the hotels and hostals featured on EuroCheapo’s Barcelona page have “character.” These select few, however, go above and beyond, and stand out for their unique personality and quirky vibe.

Galerias Malda
Del Pi 5 1/1
Barri Gotic
Doubles from €20 to €30

Taking the “Personality Prize” is definitely the Malda, if such a prize existed. It’s not everyday that one can stay in a former Marqués palace for €20 a night. Each of the Hostal Maldà’s 25 rooms is unique. Furnishings are antique—and some are quite worn. It’s bare-bones all the way at this budget palace, but unlike many Barcelona properties, the Maldà’s rooms are large, and, thanks to the hostal’s top-floor location, light filled. (Note that the trade off for natural light is lugging your bags up many stairs.) Family-run, the Malda—and it’s owners—will make you feel at home.

With the view at the Mar-Luz, it’s impossible to forget that you’re deep within the Gothic Quarter.

Pension Mari-Luz
Palau 4 2º 1ª
Barri Gotic
Doubles from €45 to €75

If the passage of time, and age, give way to character and a strong “personality,” then Pension Mari-Luz has it in its 18th-century walls. This budget-friendly pension is situated deep inside the Barri Gotic, in an area oozing historic charm.

As is typical in Barcelona, the rooms are small at the Pension Mari-Luz. The furnishings are simple and spare: beds or metal bunks, plus maybe a utilitarian nightstand or small desk. Hanging artwork adds pops of color here and there.

The fireside lounge in the Fashion House gives it a cozy, welcoming personality.

Fashion House
Bruc, 13 Principal
Eixample
Doubles from €50 to €150

Both the place and the owners make this B&B a winner. It’s got flair! It’s got an amazing patio for lounging! It’s got a dramatic fireplace! The Fashion House feels like a “real” house with a cozy, laid-back energy about it. The charismatic Italian owners have paid lots of attention to detail and cleanliness, and their hard work shows—the place is spotless.

The Hotel Banys Orientals blends personality with class.

Banys Orientals
Calle Argenteria 37
La Ribera
Doubles from €100 to €105

Personality can also be bold and chic! Such is the case at this long-time cheapo fave, Banys Orientals, in La Ribera/Born area. The outstanding three-star Hotel Banys Orientals offers 43 rooms in a sought-after setting on Carrer Argenteria, a picture-perfect cobblestone street lined with unique boutiques and bars.

Share your thoughts

Barcelona is full of hotels with tons of personality. Have you stayed in a place with a style all its own (in a good way)? Tell us about it by leaving a comment in the box below.

Want more?

For even more Barcelona hotels, including plenty with vibrant personalities, check out out Barcelona hotel guide.

The post Barcelona: Four cheap hotels with personality appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Certainly, Barcelona has its fair share of city squares. The neighborhood with the most plazas in town is Gracia, where the famous Plaça de Sol is found. In this typical square you’ll find musicians strumming guitars and cool bars with boisterous clientele.

Plaça de Sol is fun, and well worth a coffee or beer in the afternoon. But you already know it. Here are three more must-see squares to visit in Barcelona:

1. Plaça Neri: Square of the Dead
Barri Gotic

I’d lived in Barcelona four streets over from this square for a two years and never came across Neri. Unless you’re looking for it or staying at Boutique Hotel Neri, a fabulous luxury hotel, then you won’t probably see this sweet cobblestone plaza in the Gothic Quarter. With a fountain in the middle and ancient buildings surrounding it on all sides, Plaça Neri has a peaceful vibe to it.

As soothing and quiet as Plaça Neri is, I can’t help but wonder if it’s not haunted. This lovely plaza has a gruesome history. First of all, it was once the graveyard for Barcelona criminals. In the olden days bodies were buried inside the city walls around churches. No one wanted to be buried next to a murderer, so there was a special cemetery for these undesirables, and that graveyard is Plaça Neri. Lots of bones and ghosts here, and what’s more, bad ones!

That’s not all, it gets worse. During the Civil War Mussolini’s air force lent Franco a hand and dropped bombs on Barcelona. Some of these where dropped on Plaça Neri, killing around 40 school children who were hiding in a school (there’s still a working school there today, but not in the same place) on the plaza. You’ll hear tell that all the pock marks in the walls containing Plaça Neri are from bullets, but it’s not so. The marks are from the second bomb dropped when people came to try and save the dead children.

Grisly history aside, Plaça Neri is beautiful, and well worth a visit. Have a glass of wine at the outdoor terrace of Hotel Neri, or take a look in the quirky Shoe Museum in the corner of the square.

2. Plaça de la Font: Square of the Living
Barceloneta

This is an excellent square to visit any sunny morning of the week for a coffee, croissant and some fun people-watching. The center of the fishermen’s barri, La Barceloneta, this plaza is large with a few cafes, a playground, benches, a newsagent, and a market.

I like this plaza because of its buzz and the fact that’s it’s a “real” plaza still very much used by residents (unlike Plaça Neri). Check out the Senoras buying fresh shrimp in the market and then pick up some bread at one of Barcelona’s best bakeries, Baluard, also on the square. Seafood restaurants and traditional tapas bars line the skinny streets ringing this lively square.

3. Plaça de Sant Pere: Square of the Hungry
Born/Ribera

Here’s another plaza that is very much used by locals of La Ribera. Plaça de Sant Pere is off the tourist beat of El Born, one of Barcelona’s hippest areas, but still in the heart of the old city. Surrounding this cobblestone plaza are elegant old apartment buildings and a few boutiques and cafes. I adore all the flowering trees on Plaça Sant Pere as wall as the old-school street lamps which cast a golden glow over the square when night comes.

One of my preferred Barcelona restaurants happens to be on Plaça Sant Pere, too, La Candela, which serves innovative, international, inexpensive meals. La Candela has terrace seating on Plaça Sant Pere, making it a stellar summer spot to have dinner.

Also in our Barcelona Guide

Visiting Barcelona soon? Check out our reviews of the best cheap hotels in Barcelona, all inspected, reviewed and photographed—and all located in central neighborhoods (within walking distance of each of these plazas). We recommend 38 budget-friendly hotels in our guide, plus offer additional euro-saving tips in our Barcelona articles.

The post Barcelona: Three plazas well worth the visit appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

I’ve lived all over Barcelona, from the upper Eixample by the Sagrada Familia, to the ancient heart of the city in the Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter). I now live near the sea, which suits me best.

Which barri is right for your trip or move to Barcelona? That depends on what you’re after in your Barcelona experience… and your budget. Here are some questions to ask yourself when choosing a neighborhood:

Colorful El Raval. Photo: Liliane Callegari

1. Are you after hip, multicultural, central, cool, and inexpensive?

Then your barri is El Raval! Right in the center of the city off Pl. Catalunya, this barri is one of the up-and-coming zones of the city. Some of Barcelona’s trendiest bars and restaurants are found in El Raval, as are the contemporary art museums, the CCCB and MACBA. This is where skaters zip around and students share beers on ample squares. This is also where to come to get a late-night kebab.

Yes, there is crime and prostitution and drug use in El Raval, which may be why the prices are lower for apartments and hotels in this barri. If you’re a chica, consider a Raval spot on a well-lit street in the outer Raval, rather than deep within it.

Perks: Ridiculously cool barri with a lot going on.
Drawbacks: Crime, drugs, etc. Not much in the way of green spaces.

2. Are you after a large apartment with an elevator in a somewhat posh area of the city with lots of cutting-edge restaurants and bars, plus easy public transportation?

Then your barri is “Gay” Eixample! It’s called “Gay” because a lot of gay folks live in this area and hence, there are many gay-friendly clubs, bars and establishments. This Eixmple is much cooler than the other Eixample (there are two), and has a lot more going on.

For those moving to town, apartments in this zone are usually spacious with multiple rooms. Also, they tend to have elevators, unlike many buildings in the Barri Gotic and La Ribera/Born.

Perks: Very central, with excellent bars, stores, movie theaters. Newer buildings.
Drawbacks: Noise. Lots of traffic crosses the Eixample. Pollution.

3. Are you after cobblestone streets, buildings with “character,” bohemian bars and history?

Then your barri is La Ribera/Born or Barri Gotic! Two of my preferred areas of the city because of their charm ratio, they’ve got a lot of it! Living in “old” Barcelona is awesome because of the history that surrounds you. It’s like living in the book Shadow of the Wind. Many of the La Ribera/Born or Barri Gotic streets are quiet and lit up at night by enormous and ornate iron lamps.

Fun bars and innovative restaurants mingle with truly bohemian cafes in this barri, where there’s something for everyone. If you’re moving to Barcelona, many of the apartments in La Ribera/Born or Barri Gotic are large, but they may not have heating/elevators/fixtures from this century.

Perks: Central and exceedingly charming. Fun bars and nightlife. Quiet at night (for the most part).
Drawbacks: Too touristy, lack of supermarkets, petty theft.

4. Are you after an artsy-fartsy barri with a “local”/family vibe to it and over 15 plaças to lounge in?

Then your barri is Gracia! Sure, it’s not that central, but most who live in this fabulous area will tell you that they could care less. Nice apartments on skinny streets lined with super cool bars, boutiques and natural food stores keep Gracia people happy.

Once a village called, uh, Gracia, this area still maintains its small town feel, even though it is very much now part of Barcelona. From Gracia it’s only four Metro stops to get to Pl. Catalunya.

Perks: A barri for the people with markets, shops, cafes, bakeries, etc. Family-friendly.
Drawbacks: Small streets, a bit removed from the center, hard to park (if you have a car).

Additional tips:

I also really dig the barris Poble Sec (central, near nature), Poble Nou (near beach) and Sarria (out of the center). Bonanova and Tres Torres and anything on Diagonal are super posh areas with high rent and nice apartments.

Stay clear of distant barris such as Horta, La Pau and Besos. Vila Olimpica is nice for the beach, but doesn’t have much “community.” Living outside Barcelona in a small village is also an option, but unless you have a car you’ll sepend a lot of time on the train.

The post Barcelona: Which neighborhood is right for you? appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.