into Barcelona

Make a Booking Enquiry 
Save as Favourite 
Children's Policy 
Special Offers 
Map   

El Born, Barcelona, Spain


Funky apartments in Barcelona’s trendy Born district plus quirky walking tours for foodies, designers and culture vultures

Reviewed by Tom Bell and Nikki Tinto

into Barcelona, Spain: Barcelona, Overview
 

INTO BARCELONA - REVIEW

What marks these apartments out from all others is that the people who run them offer truly groovy tours of the city, with insiders showing outsiders Barca’s best-kept secrets. You can stalk the streets in search of food, wine, shops, art and bars. We thought we’d seen it all before, but the walking tour exhilarated like no other and made our stay in the city. Don’t miss out.

The apartments themselves are wrapped up in the mazy ancient alleyways of El Born that make this one of the loveliest quarters in Barcelona. It’s also one of the chicest, full of fancy bars, trendy restaurants and interesting boutiques. To complete a hat trick of reasons to come, it’s not far from the sea (the city’s fishermen used to live here) and in summer clubs, bars and restaurants all open up on the beach. Split between two 18th century buildings, one around the corner from the other, the apartments each have 1 or 2 bedrooms and perhaps a small balcony. Interiors are stylishly simple. You find contemporary furnishings set against exposed stone walls and old beams. Great value for money and you’ll feel like a local.
     
HIGHS

  • Stylish interiors are just the ticket
  • More flexibility and space than a hotel room with an optional breakfast delivery service
  • Excellent central location with suberb restaurants, tapas bars and boutiques on your doorstep; the Picasso Museum is close by
  • Great prices for a European city
  • Fun walking tours which uncover some of the city's hidden gems.
  LOWS

  • The area is popular at night, so expect some noise such as bands playing nearby squares and occasionally sounds from adjoining apartments
  • Drains in this part of the city can whiff a bit, especially after prolonged rain
  • Beds are a bit hard and not terribly big; bedrooms in the San Pere apartments are windowless and have single beds; all the furniture is IKEA-style and not terribly original
  • Located in a pedestrianised zone so no parking outside - taxis can drop you off 100-200 metres away
  • Staircases to all the Paseo del Born apartments are very narrow and there are no lifts so pack lightly
     
Print Whole Report 
Name into Barcelona Location El Born, City
Type Contemporary Apartments: sleeping 1-6 Country Spain: Barcelona
Price Guide Apartment: €125-185 per night Open All year

DISTANCES Airport: 0km Nearest Shops: 0km Nearest restaurant: 0km Beach: 0km



 
Overview
Rooms
Eating
Activities
Features
Insider Tips
Other Reviews
Getting There
Rates & Reservation
   
   
Local Info
All about Spain: Barcelona
Other places to stay in Spain: Barcelona
   
Quick search
or
or
or
Detailed Search