Holiday rentals and lettings in Barcelona

Table of contents

• At a glance: what should you know about renting a holiday rental in Barcelona?
• Holiday rentals in Barcelona: find your perfect retreat
• Exploring Barcelona: our top recommendations
• Activities: what are the top things to do and see in Barcelona?

• Diverse accommodation options: Barcelona offers spacious holiday homes, elegant villas, charming apartments, and intimate bed and breakfasts to suit every traveller's budget and preferences for an unforgettable stay.
• Essential amenities included: Private pools, air conditioning, fully equipped kitchens, private terraces, and free Wi-Fi ensure comfort and convenience throughout your Barcelona holiday escape.
• Prime neighbourhoods: Eixample offers iconic architecture and city exploration, whilst Ciutat Vella provides historic charm, Gràcia offers village vibes, and Diagonal Mar delivers beachfront luxury experiences.
• Outstanding guest satisfaction: Holiday lettings in Barcelona receive exceptional ratings, with guests praising excellent locations, well-maintained properties, and thoughtful host touches that create memorable experiences.
• Culinary excellence: Choose from sophisticated fine dining restaurants with dishes from some of the world's finest chefs and cosy eateries serving authentic Catalan cuisine. The bounty of the Mediterranean is always present in Barcelona's restaurants.

From spacious holiday homes and elegant villas to charming apartments and intimate B&Bs, you'll find diverse properties to suit your needs. Look out for amenities such as:

• Private pools
• Air conditioning
• Fully equipped kitchens
• Pet-friendly amenities

If you'd rather not stay in the city centre, a villa on the Costa Barcelona may be the right solution. In a quiet nearby town like Sitges, you can have a holiday that blends beach relaxation with urban sightseeing. These last-minute deals in Barcelona can help you save money if you're travelling at short notice, especially at a busy time of year like the Christmas holidays.

What are the best areas to stay in Barcelona?

Eixample emerges as the best neighbourhood for many visitors, offering the perfect blend of iconic landmarks, modern conveniences, and authentic Barcelona living. The table below details areas for specific interests:

Barcelona's holiday lettings consistently receive outstanding ratings, with guests praising the excellent locations, well-maintained properties, and thoughtful host touches. Visitors particularly love properties that offer direct beach access, private terraces with city views, fully equipped kitchens, and prime locations near world-class attractions. Here are some of our top-rated properties from the past year:

Close Gaudí, Gràcia equipped apartment- 9.4+: This city centre apartment has space for six, and is in walking distance of many of Barcelona's top attractions. Guests love the comfort of air conditioning and the views from the balcony.
1. Casabelladona - 9.5+: This spacious villa has room for eight, and stands on the edge of the city, where the forest begins. Guests praise its secluded location and easy proximity to Camp Nou.
2. Apartment My Space Barcelona with terrace and pool - 9.0+: Guests particularly love the private pool in this six-person triplex apartment, which is located close to the lively bars of Gràcia.

Barcelona sits on the northeastern coast of Spain overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, renowned for its stunning architecture, vibrant culture, and world-class beaches.

✈️What is the best way to get to Barcelona?

Barcelona is well connected by road, rail, and air. Here are the most common ways to get there:

• By car: The AP-7 motorway serves those driving in from along the Costa Brava or Costa Daurada.
• By train: Barcelona Sants is the main station, with high-speed AVE connections from Madrid and cross-border TGV services from France.
• By air: Barcelona–El Prat Airport is one of Spain's busiest, with direct flights from across the UK and mainland Europe, connected to the city centre by metro, train and bus in around 30-40 minutes.

🍴Where to eat in Barcelona?

According to Google Maps data and reviews, Colom Restaurant is the best rated restaurant in Barcelona. Below is a table showing the top 5 highly-rated restaurants hand-picked by our travel experts.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest traveller James recommends El Xampanyet in Barcelona: this tiny, tiled tapas-and-cava bar in El Born has been a family-run institution since 1929, serving anchovies, tortilla and cava straight from the barrel to locals and visitors standing at the counter.

☀️When is the best time to visit?

The best time to visit Barcelona is late spring and early autumn, offering the best balance of warm, sunny weather and manageable crowds.

Summer

• Best for: Beach days and the city's liveliest atmosphere, though the hottest and busiest time of year.
• Weather: Hot, with generally the driest and sunniest conditions of the year.
• Atmosphere: Busy and lively, with the beaches and Old Town at their most crowded.

Winter

• Best for: Sightseeing without the crowds, with lower accommodation prices.
• Weather: Mild by northern European standards, though it can be rainier.
• Atmosphere: Quiet and low-key, with fewer tourists around the city.

Shoulder season (spring and autumn)

• Best for: Sightseeing and beach days alike, with pleasant weather throughout.
• Weather: Mild and changeable, with fewer extremes than summer or winter.
• Atmosphere: Relaxed and considerably quieter than the peak summer months.

⭐Our hosts' recommendation: Our local Barcelona hosts recommend visiting in late September for La Mercè, a massive week-long celebration in honour of the city's patron saint. Expect open-air concerts and traditional Catalan activities, including human towers, parades of giants, and dazzling nighttime fire runs.

1. Tour the Camp Nou
2. Visit La Sagrada Família
3. Browse the Mercat de la Boqueria
4. Take a day trip to Montserrat
5. Join the Festa Major de Gràcia

1. Tour the Camp Nou

   Home of FC Barcelona, this near-100,000-seat stadium is a must for football fans, whether you join a tour of the stadium and its museum, or you're lucky enough to take in a match.

2. Visit La Sagrada Família

   Antoni Gaudí's still-unfinished masterpiece is Barcelona's most iconic landmark, with towering spires and an extraordinary interior.

3. Browse the Mercat de la Boqueria

   This vast market just off Las Ramblas is packed with stalls selling local produce, fish, cheese and confectionery.

4. Take a day trip to Montserrat

   Around 90 minutes from the city, this secluded abbey sits on a dramatic multi-peaked mountain, reached by cable car or rack railway. Hiking trails winding around the mountain can turn a morning out into a full day of adventure.

5. Join the Festa Major de Gràcia

   Held every August in the Gràcia neighbourhood, this festival features elaborately decorated streets, live music and carnival-style parades.