Barcelona has a complicated relationship with Airbnb. City officials require all Airbnb and short-term vacation rental hosts to register with the city and display their permit number online (it begins with HUTB, followed by six numbers). They’ve also had a moratorium on new licenses since 2014, according to Quartz. In fact, Barcelona is one of the biggest cities known for limiting Airbnb’s growth—but that doesn’t mean you can’t stay in a top-notch rental, it just means you need to do so responsibly.
We’ve rounded up the best Airbnbs in Barcelona9 so you can feel like a local and stay in the midst of it all without breaking any rules. All of the rentals below have their permit numbers listed in the description and are run by Airbnb Superhosts, who each have a rating of 4.8 or above, a record of zero cancellations, and at least a 90 percent response rate, meaning they’ll get back to you ASAP. Even better, some of listings are Airbnb Plus
homes, which means they’ve been inspected by an Airbnb rep and have all the basics: An ironing board, closet and drawer space for guests, a well-lit entry, easy check-in, comfortable mattresses, a coffee maker, a bathroom free of the host’s personal items, and toiletries like shampoo and conditioner, making it ideal for a first-time Airbnb guest used to hotel amenities. Buena suerte!
For the Solo Traveler
Studio apartments are perfect for solo travelers, especially when they’re under $100 a night. This 430-square-foot Airbnb Plus is steps away from Las Ramblas, giving you easy, walkable access to most of Barcelona’s major sites and a mainline into the Gothic Quarter. It offers secure keyless entry, a combined washer/dryer, reliable Wi-Fi, and the dining table can easily serve as desk space for Barcelona-bound business travelers. Yes, the bedroom and the kitchen are in the same room, but for one person, there’s plenty of space to spread out.
For the Aspiring Instagram Influencer
Filled with pops of neon—and we do mean neon—green, this apartment is incredibly photogenic (plus there are floor-to-ceiling mirrors for #OOTD). But beyond its looks, the two-bedroom space has all of the amenities you’d need, from a well-stocked kitchen, air-conditioning, items for families traveling with tots like pack ‘n plays and high chairs, and Wi-Fi. There’s also a narrow balcony, just big enough to enjoy morning coffee on. As for the location, it’s just a 10-minute walk from Bogatell beach, and 25-minute walk from La Sagrada Familia. Don’t want to walk? The Bogatell Metro station is steps away.
For Group Trips
This Airbnb Plus two blocks from La Sagrada Familia offers four beds spread across three rooms (two queens and two singles), perfect for a large group heading to the city. (Bonus, two bathrooms!) Filled with light pinks and neutral tones, the home is beautifully decorated and offers a full living room and kitchen for everyone to congregate in. (There’s enough space in the apartment to break off on your own, too.) Note to overpackers and those with accessibility concerns: The apartment is on the second floor and there isn’t an elevator.
For the Airbnb Rookie
This Airbnb is actually a serviced apartment, run by vacation rental company En Ville, so you can opt for daily housekeeping if you want the feeling of a hotel (with all the perks of a three-bedroom rental and 300-square-foot terrace). Located just outside the Gothic Quarter, near Las Ramblas and Barcelona’s contemporary art museum, the penthouse also comes with optional bike rentals. It takes up the entire floor, so no need to worry about running into neighbors, either.
For the Big Spender
Can we just move in to this Airbnb, please? With three stunningly designed bedrooms, each with its own bath, this home is well worth its hefty price tag, especially when you divide it among the six guests who can stay here. It also has a balcony overlooking the Eixample neighborhood that previous guests rave about in the reviews, and a deep navy dining room for entertaining. An Airbnb Plus, the light-filled apartment comes with a washer/dryer, elevator for easy access, and bathroom essentials.
For the Whole Family
Just a 15-minute walk from the leafy Ciutadella Park, this family-friendly penthouse is in a prime location for exploring the city’s historical sites and letting off steam. Best suited for families with children (note that it doesn’t have a bath, only a shower), it offers one bedroom for parents and another with two single beds for children. There’s also a large, 800-square-foot rooftop terrace, with space for dining and playing outside. An Airbnb Plus, it also comes with a crib on request, washer/dryer, and coffee maker so you can maintain your family routine, even on vacation.
For the Location-Obsessed
This wood-filled, two-bedroom home is well-designed and colorful on the inside, and offers a full patio for morning coffee and evening wine. But the real perk here is its location in the Gracia neighborhood, a short walk from Park Güell and a quick Metro ride to the city center (less than 10 minutes). Perfectly situated for exploration—so much so that you won’t need to spend much time inside. But, since it’s an Airbnb Plus, you don’t have to worry when you do come back in the evenings, as everything you need, from a hair dryer to Wi-Fi to a washer/dryer, is there.
Around The World Travel 