9 of the best Airbnbs in Barcelona
The way you look for the perfect Airbnb in a city like Barcelona is a little different to other places. It will probably not have passed you by that 'Barna' has a complicated history with overtourism, with protesters targeting visitors and a plan to eliminate tourist rentals by 2028. Whether this will happen, remains to be seen — but with this in mind, you might consider lesser-known neighbourhoods and visiting outside of the peak months of July and August.
Our list doesn't include any places to stay in the ever-popular Gothic Quarter, Sant Pere or El Born for this reason, choosing instead to highlight special spots in buzzy Eixample, up-and-coming El Raval, quiet Horta-Guinardo and more. You'll find options from Plum Guide, Vrbo and more, as well as Airbnb, ranging from lavish private villas to apartments with envy-inducing views.
This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue
£ | Sleeps 6
Step back in time during a stay at this fabulous historic three-bed apartment just off the bustling La Rambla. Dating back to the 1800s, it expertly combines modern and old with original frescoes, wood-beamed ceilings and antique wooden doors complementing an open-plan kitchen, modern appliances and three lustrous bathrooms. Step outside your front door and you'll find yourself in El Raval, the grungy neighbourhood to the west of Rambla, known for its urban street art, vintage clothing stores and multicultural vibe. The Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA) and La Boqueria, Barcelona's historic covered market are just a couple of minutes away.
• Discover our full guide to Barcelona
£££ | POOL | Sleeps 4
This gorgeous two-bed apartment offers guests the chance to stay in the historic Casa Ramos, an elegant modernista building, on the edge of the trendy neighbourhood of Gracia and dating back to 1906. Having featured in Pedro Almodóvar's famous film All About My Mother, it has character in spades, from ornate ceiling mouldings and cornices to gilt-edged mirrors, elegant archways and colourful modernista tiles. There's also a shaded flower-filled garden with a relaxing swimming pool to escape to in the heat of the day. Gracia's independent shops and excellent array of bars and restaurants are just a few minutes' walk away, and it's just a 15-minute walk from Gaudí's fairytale-like Park Guell.
• Great hotels in Barcelona
£ | Sleeps 4
Even entrance to Gaudí's prized masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia won't give you the close-up view of its façade quite like those from the covered balcony of this two-bedroom apartment. The balcony looks directly onto the basilica, which fills the entire view from the lounge area. Enjoy your morning coffee while being able to study Gaudí's fascinating designs from carvings of lizards and snails to coloured balls that resemble baskets of fruit or ice cream scoops. The rest of the apartment carries on the Gaudí theme in the mosaic-pictures on the walls and the mirrored montage headboards.
• Best boutique hotels in Barcelona
£££ | POOL | Sleeps 8
Surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows on all sides, this sleek four-bedroom duplex offers sprawling views across the city and up to the mountains from one end and out across the Mediterranean Sea on the other. It's just minutes from the beach, but also an easy 20-minute metro ride into the historic centre and a short walk into hip Poblenou with many bars and restaurants. The apartment has three private terraces from which to enjoy those spectacular views, plus an indulgent hot tub. And if that's not enough, you also have use of a shared private pool in the building and a concierge service. Decor is relatively simple and modern.
• Best family hotels in Barcelona
££ | Sleeps 10
Situated on the elegant Passeig de Gracia boulevard, surrounded by modernista masterpieces and designer boutiques, this large deluxe apartment sits directly opposite some of the most celebrated buildings in the city: Gaudí's Casa Batllo with its shimmering dragon-like scales. But it's not just the location and the views that make this place stand out, the apartment has five bedrooms and retains traditional Catalan detailing such as bare-brick arched ceilings and metal beams. Peacock and flamingo motifs add a bit of flair and glamour to the charcoal grey colour scheme.
• What to do in Barcelona
£ | Sleeps 16
Villa holidays are more associated with beach resorts and island getaways than city breaks and there aren't many options if you want to rent one in Barcelona itself, so this place is quite a find. The lemon-yellow neoclassical mansion sleeps up to 16 people and boasts a games room featuring ping-pong and foosball tables, an outdoor pool and a hot tub. The inside is decorated in a mix of antique and avant-garde pieces, from huge oriental vases to golden statues and even a replica of Salvador Dalí's lips sofa. If you can tear yourself away long enough from all the facilities this place offers, then it's just under a 30-minute metro ride right into the centre of the city.
• Our pick of affordable hotels in Barcelona
££ | POOL | Sleeps 7
Another rare villa-style find within Barcelona city is this Catalan modernista property, located in the northern district of Horta-Guinardo, just before the green hills of the Collserola Natural Park. The exterior of the property is just as spectacular as the inside, covered in delicate detailing and lined with colourful tiles. Inside, the four-bedrooms and common spaces are decorated with grand chandeliers, sophisticated stained-glass doors and original hydraulic-tiled floors. But the highlight has to be the shady garden, where lemon trees and lily-pad-filled fountains surround a swimming pool and alfresco dining spots.
• Best restaurants in Barcelona for 2025
£ | Sleeps 14
Ideal for large groups of friends with something special to celebrate, this six-bedroom apartment feels more like a mansion from the inside. Think mirrored walls, wine-glass chandeliers, gilt-edged mirrors, heavy gold curtains. Built in the 19th century, it features traditional elements such as high ceilings and lovely patterned floor tiles. Sleeping a total of 14 people, the apartment has oodles of space and all the latest mod cons.
• Best luxury hotels in Barcelona
££ | Sleep 2
Close to the slopes of the leafy Montjuic hill, this one-bedroom duplex penthouse is ideal for anyone who wants their own little secluded haven in the city. Filled with mismatched furniture, exotic prints and lots of colour, it's a cute bohemian hideaway. But it's the outdoor spaces that really set this place apart. From one side are views of the Sagrada Familia from the balcony, while the other is a large, leafy plant-filled terrace. Enjoy alfresco breakfasts looking out towards the mountains and cosy candlelit drinks in the evenings.
• Best holiday villas in Spain• Best villas with pools in Spain
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times
29 minutes ago
- Times
The school that brought back landlines to break phone addiction
Act now to keep your subscription We've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.
Times
29 minutes ago
- Times
The Times Daily Quiz: Tuesday June 17, 2025
Act now to keep your subscription We've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.
Times
30 minutes ago
- Times
Word Watch: June 19, 2025
Act now to keep your subscription We've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.
