One of our hostels is located at Calle Freser, 5.

Because Sagrada Familia, aside from being a monument… is also a neighborhood!

The Sagrada Familia neighborhood is much more than its famous church. Although the basilica is the main star, this neighborhood has its own local charm and a relaxed atmosphere that makes it special. Around it, you’ll find plenty of bars and restaurants where you can enjoy delicious Catalan food, such as calamari, escalivada, or coca de llardons, all with a view of the imposing Sagrada Familia. If you enjoy shopping, there are local shops with vintage clothing, antiques, and unique products. Also, the Sagrada Familia market is a great place to stroll and buy fresh products or try local delicacies.
The neighborhood also has several parks, such as the Sagrada Familia Park, where you can relax after a day of sightseeing. If you’re into culture, there are art galleries and centers that host exhibitions and concerts. And if you love live music, there are bars with local bands playing all kinds of genres. In summary, the neighborhood is the perfect place to enjoy the authentic life of Barcelona, with both a peaceful and vibrant atmosphere.

MONUMENTS AND LANDMARKS
Sagrada Familia
Avenida Gaudí
Plaza de Pablo Neruda and Balcones de Barcelona
Hospital de la Santa Cruz y San Pablo
Estrella Damm Brewery

Another one of our beloved hostels is located at Balmes Street, 75. This hostel, along with the one at Sagrada Familia, is part of the Eixample district.

The Eixample (or “Ensanche” in Spanish) is one of the most well-known neighborhoods in Barcelona and covers a large part of the city center. It spans about 7.46 km² and was designed by a visionary man, Ildefonso Cerdá, who thought Barcelona needed more space to grow. Today, it is the most populated district in the city, with over 260,000 people living there. Additionally, it’s one of the busiest areas since it hosts some of the most famous streets and squares in the city, such as Passeig de Gràcia, Rambla de Catalunya, Plaça Catalunya, Avinguda Diagonal, and Plaça de la Sagrada Familia, among many others. It’s like the place where everything happens!
The Eixample isn’t just a place to walk around, it also houses some of Barcelona’s most iconic buildings, such as the famous Sagrada Familia, Casa Milà (also known as La Pedrera), Casa Batlló, and, if you like theaters, the National Theatre of Catalonia or the Barcelona Auditorium. And if you’re a shopping fan or just like to stroll, Eixample offers plenty of shops, restaurants, cinemas, and even parks to relax. You’ll never get bored!
But if you want to know a bit of history, this didn’t just happen overnight. In the mid-19th century, Barcelona was quite cramped inside its medieval walls, and with the Industrial Revolution, the city began to fill with factories and more people. Since the walls didn’t allow the city to expand, Barcelona decided to open up space around it to grow, and that’s how the Eixample came to be. Once the walls were torn down, the city filled with new neighborhoods and avenues, like Passeig de Gràcia, which connected Barcelona with other nearby areas such as Gràcia. Back then, there were even carriages that made the route, sort of like the public transport of the time!

Today, the Eixample is a perfect mix of history, modernity, and urban life. So, if you ever visit Barcelona, you can’t miss this vibrant neighborhood full of life, culture, and stunning architecture.

And finally, though by no means the least important… We have our third magnificent hostel in the bohemian neighborhood of Gràcia.

Gràcia is one of those neighborhoods that has so much charm you don’t know whether to kiss it or move there. It’s one of Barcelona’s ten districts, but it has a special touch that makes it unique. Gràcia used to be an independent town, and we haven’t forgotten that! It became part of Barcelona only about 100 years ago, so it still retains a village feel within the big city. In fact, despite being the smallest district, covering only 4.19 km², Gràcia is very densely populated and one of the most vibrant areas, with people constantly moving through its streets.

This district has neighborhoods with names that sound like a list of friends: Villa de Gracia, Camp d’en Grassot i Gràcia Nova, La Salud, El Coll, Vallcarca, and Los Penitentes. Each one has its own vibe, but they all share that sense of community that makes you feel like you’re living in a place with a lot of heart. And if you’re looking for the district mayor (the head of the area), his name is Eloi Badia. So, if you have a complaint about a noisy bar, now you know who to look for!

When it comes to culture, Gràcia is the king of the scene. One of the must-see spots in the area is Park Güell, that Gaudí masterpiece that looks like it came straight out of a fairy tale. But beyond Gaudí, Gràcia has a very lively atmosphere thanks to its streets full of bars, restaurants, and shops that are always bustling. Even though it’s officially part of Barcelona, Gràcia still holds on to that village spirit, with its squares filled with people, neighborhood shops, and a sense of “everyone knows each other.”

If you visit in August, you’ll get to experience the Fiesta Mayor de Gracia, which is an amazing spectacle. The streets are filled with stunning decorations made by the locals, and there are competitions to see which street is the most elaborate. And that’s not all, the terraces fill with people enjoying live music and the summer vibe. Also, if you like traditional festivals, the Fiesta de San Medir (on March 3rd) is another must-see tradition.
And if we talk about Gràcia’s history, we can’t forget the big influence of the Gypsy culture in the neighborhood. Gràcia was the birthplace of great artists like El Pescaílla, who invented Catalan rumba, and his legacy lives on in artists like Sabor de Gràcia and Moncho, the king of bolero. So, Gràcia isn’t just a neighborhood, it’s a whole celebration of culture and tradition!

So, if you ever get lost in Barcelona, make sure to visit Gràcia. With its bohemian atmosphere, neighborhood life, and parties, it’s sure to steal your heart.