The city is located in a bay, on a protruding promontory, surrounded by hills. The terrain here is not uniform, and, as you can see from the city map, as the population increased, Barcelona simply stretched along the coast.
A map of Barcelona will show that its streets are mostly straight, with the exception of the Gothic Quarter, which was built up centuries ago, and many neighborhoods, including former suburbs, are very densely built up.
And looking at a map of Barcelona with hotels and attractions, you'll notice that, unlike many cities, it didn't develop "from the center" but consists of three parts, each with its own characteristics.
The city has ten districts, which are divided into neighborhoods. The area in the center of Barcelona is called the Old Town (Ciutat Vella) and covers an area of 4.5 hectares. It is home to one of the beach areas and many popular tourist routes.
Which Barcelona neighborhood to stay in? Sarria-Sant Gervaci is one of the most prestigious, along with the historic center. For lovers of modernism, Barcelona's best neighborhood to live in is Eixample. Those looking to rent an apartment should consider La Vila Olímpica del Poblenou in the Sant Martí neighborhood on the coast.
The dangerous neighborhoods of Barcelona include Nou Barris, where immigrants have been flocking for decades, and Gracia, a haven for informals. However, in general, Barcelona is very friendly and very orderly, and there is rarely anything more serious than pickpocketing.
