The Best Hotels In Barcelona's Gothic Quarter Spain

For those looking to experience the breath-taking beauty of Barcelona‘s old town, these gems in its Gothic Quarter are the perfect place to stay, bookable with Culture Trip.

In and among the narrow streets and historic monuments of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, you will find some of the city’s best places to stay, with everything from chic modern hang-outs to charming boutique hotels. Read Culture Trip’s guide to the very best places to stay in the area.

1. H10 Madison

Chain Hotel, Luxury

Ornate communal area at H10 Madison, with velvet chairs, tables, full bookshelves, a fireplace and large artwork on the walls

Just three minutes on foot from the 13th-century Barcelona Cathedral, guests at H10 Madison would be better off viewing this towering structure from the comfort of the hotel’s sun-drenched rooftop pool. While most of your time will likely be spent poolside, sipping cocktails from the bar, rooms are bright and spacious with high ceilings and marble-clad bathrooms. Be sure to make your way down to breakfast come morning for a spread of deli-style delights.

2. Mercer Hotel Barcelona

Hotel

At this historic hotel in Barcelona, the past quite literally stares you in the face. Some of the rooms here are built into Barcelona’s original Roman defence towers, with the brick tower walls used as features in the otherwise minimalist rooms. The hotel itself is an elegant option for Spain’s second city – and you should put aside a night or two to sample the laid back Le Bouchon tapas bar and the hotel’s main restaurant that serves traditional Catalan cuisine. A nightcap at its cocktail bar is a must, too.

4. Kimpton Vividora Hotel

Hotel

For a slick stay in the middle of Barcelona’s storied centre, it has to be Kimpton Vividora Hotel. Furnished by local artisans, the hotel is all marble bathrooms, deep-soak freestanding tubs, warming palettes and design-led fixtures. There’s a large rooftop pool and some rooms have private balconies as well. Come nightfall, rub shoulders with locals at in-house restaurant Fauna or sample Catalan cheeses and charcuterie post-siesta at Cafè Got.

5. Hotel 1898

Hotel, Boutique Hotel

Indoor pool area under a brick archway at Hotel 1898, with handrails

Despite being plonked directly on Barcelona’s most famous street, Las Ramblas, Hotel 1898 presents a quiet oasis. While summer is best spent taking a dip in the hotel’s rooftop pool, those visiting in the winter don’t need to miss out – there’s an atmospheric indoor pool hidden in its spa, where you can relax in the dry sauna and steam bath too. After a cocktail or two at the lobby bar, you’ll want to make the most of your room – the deluxe rooms and suites have luxe private outdoor terraces.

6. Ohla Hotel

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

Rooftop terrace bar at Ohla Hotel, with many seats and tables overlooking Barcelona

Located just off the Via Laietana, in the heart of the city centre, the Ohla is a modern boutique hotel located in the former palace of one of the Counts of Barcelona. This five-star hotel has been elegantly renovated and stylishly decorated, offering guests the luxury of a modern hotel wrapped in a historic setting. Guests are a minute away from major sites including the cathedral, the modernist Palau de la Música Catalana and the major shopping street Portal de l’Angel.

7. Hotel Neri

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

Double bed, long sofa, TV, table and chair in a Hotel Neri room

This charming boutique hotel is located in the magical Plaça de Sant Felip Neri, alongside the gothic cathedral and adjacent buildings. Guests at the Hotel Neri find themselves at the very heart of one of the most historic areas of the town, surrounded by the old Jewish quarter known as El Call. The hotel is housed in a former Medieval palace and maintains all of its original charms while boasting elegantly furnished bedrooms with all the modern conveniences.

8. Hotel Serras

Boutique Hotel, Independent Hotel, Hotel

Open-plan lobby at Hotel Serras, with light streaming over its soft chairs

This luxury hotel is set against the enchanting streets of the Gothic Quarter while being just a minute away from the waterfront of the old port area known as Port Vell. Unique in Barcelona, the Hotel Serras boasts a large rooftop terrace where guests can enjoy a drink or relax in the infinity pool. The restaurant is run by local Michelin-starred chef Marc Gascons, who serves up modern interpretations of French and Catalan classics, perfectly in keeping with the spirit of the city itself.

9. Hotel Duquesa de Cardona

Boutique Hotel, Independent Hotel, Hotel

Double bed in a streetside Hotel Duquesa de Cardona room, also containing a desk and two chairs

Situated on the waterfront of the old Port Vell, the Hotel Duquesa de Cardona is a stylish boutique hotel offering guests superb views of the harbour. The cocktail bar on the terrace is the perfect place to relax at the end of a busy day and soak up the last of the sunshine. The decor is a blend of original period features dating to the former palace’s renovation in the 19th century, alongside subtle touches of modernity for comfort and style.

10. H10 Montcada

Hotel

Single bed, sofa, desk and armchair in a H10 Montcada room

This stylish three-star hotel is located on the Via Laietana, just a minute away from the harbour, and offers comfortable, stylish rooms at more affordable rates than its four- and five-star competitors. The decor at the H10 Montcada includes cosy leather armchairs and touches of wood, bronze and crystal. The rooms are comfortable and elegantly decorated, and you can enjoy stunning views of the city from the privileged roof terrace.

11. Hotel DO Plaça Reial

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

Small, enclosed outdoor pool on wooden terrace at Hotel DO Plaça Reial

Located on one of the most famous squares in Barcelona, the Hotel DO Plaça Reial is a five-star boutique hotel with an elegant interior carefully crafted by local designer Lázaro Rosa Violán. The hotel prides itself on its quality gastronomic experience, inspired by the fantastic local food markets. There are two terraces available to guests, either amid the arches on the square itself or from the rooftop, which has great views of the city’s skyline.

12. Aparthotel Arai

Hotel, Apartment

Exercise bike and elliptical machine next to a sauna in Aparthotel Arai

For a truly historic hotel in Barcelona, try Aparthotel Arai. This luxury four-star is in a former 18th-century palace that has been superbly restored to preserve the charm and beauty of its original features, which include red brick walls and wooden floors, as well as original artworks on loan from a private collector. The Aparthotel Arai comes fully equipped with a sauna, jacuzzi and gym room as well as outdoor terraces and a solarium. Each of the 32 rooms comes elegantly furnished with unique pieces which reflect the hotel’s style and charm.

Tara Jessup contributed additional reporting to this article.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.