How to Find Luxury Hotels in Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona, Spain's second-largest city, emerged as one of Europe's most desirable destinations after hosting the 1992 Summer Olympics. Its popularity persists thanks to its big nightlife, unique architecture and welcoming atmosphere.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access

Know Your Destination

1. Familiarize yourself with Barcelona's many quarters. The modern district of Eixample, along with Barcelona's Old Town and the waterfront fishermen's quarter, is popular with sightseers.
2. Create an itinerary. There's a lot to see and do in Spain, and you'll need to plan to have time to see and do all the things you want.
3. Stroll down La Rambla, visit Park Güell and take a pilgrimage to the Sagrada Familia cathedral. These are Barcelona's must-sees!

Get Around Town in Barcelona, Spain

4. Use the Metro. It's the best in Spain and goes virtually everywhere in the city.
5. Take the "Bus Turìstic" from the Plaça de Catalunya. It connects all the major tourist hotspots.
6. Buy a "Barcelona Card" for unlimited travel on public transit. It's also good for free or discounted admission to a hundred local attractions.

Choose a Hotel in Barcelona, Spain

7. To book accommodations, contact Turisme de Barcelona at 011 ([phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources, below). It's important to know the difference between Spain's hostels and its hostals. Hostels offer shared accommodations for backpackers on shoestring budgets; hostals are rooming houses which are cheaper than full-service hotels and offer fewer amenities.
8. Save money by choosing a mid-range hotel. Decent double rooms with an ensuite bath start at about €70; a simple online search will give dozens of options.
9. Decide if you want to splurge! Luxury accommodations are plentiful and start at about €200 a night.

Tips & Warnings

• Visit during the off-season if the beaches aren't your primary reason for coming. Spain remains mild in autumn and spring, tourist crowds are thinner and even luxury accommodations can be had at nice discounts.
• Check out Sagrada Familia at night to see why people say it's made of bones!
• Be aware in crowded places. Barcelona has earned its reputation as Spain's "capital of pickpockets."
• Report any thefts to the police. You'll need to in order to claim traveler's insurance.
• Drink plenty of water if visiting in the summer. Barcelona gets oppressively hot; you'll need to be careful about dehydration.