Apartments and flats
An apartment gives space, a kitchen and good group value, but book carefully: the city restricts legal tourist supply and the wrong flat ruins the trip.
Legality first
Barcelona limits tourist apartments and illegal supply exists: book via platforms with a visible registration number and heavy review volume. An unregistered flat can end in a last-minute cancellation.
When the apartment wins
Groups, families with routines and week-long stays: the kitchen pays for itself and space dignifies the days. For short couple stays, a hotel usually matches it with service included.
Better-value zones
Poblenou, Sant Antoni and Gràcia concentrate legal supply at kinder prices than the old town, with metro nearby and a real neighborhood around. Verify the true walking distance to the station.