What's the best neighborhood to stay in Barcelona?

Stay in Eixample. It sits at the geographic and logistical center of the city, with direct metro access to every major sight, a dense concentration of good restaurants along Carrer del Consell de Cent and Carrer de Muntaner, and enough foot traffic that you're never stranded at midnight. Hotels here range from budget options around €80 a night to design properties like the Almanac or Casa Camper closer to €250. The Gothic Quarter gets recommended constantly, but its streets are narrow, loud until 3 a.m., and optimized for souvenir shops rather than daily living. Barceloneta is fine if you're there specifically for the beach in summer, but it's a 20-minute walk or an awkward bus ride from most of what you'll actually spend your time doing. Gràcia has genuine neighborhood character and quieter streets, and it's worth considering if you're staying more than a week, but Eixample gives you less time in transit and more time doing things.

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