This apartment caught our eye for its prime location near Barcelona's Gothic Quarter. Walking distance from Barcelona Cathedral, Parc de la Ciutadella and various museums and restaurants, you couldn't ask for a better neighbourhood to call home. The apartment has a little wear and tear, and since it's on the second floor of a building without a lift, you'll want to pack light. That said, we like the contemporary design, which has a dash of Spanish flair in the colourful tiles. A double sofa bed keeps sleeping arrangements flexible, too.

Home truths:
*At full occupancy, two guests will sleep on the sofa bed in the living area *This home is on the second floor without a lift – it won't be suitable for guests with limited mobility *Although there's some wear and tear here, we let this one into our collection on account of the fantastic location *As this is a central spot, noise is to be expected *The dining table doubles as a laptop-friendly workspace *This home does not accept groups of young people – parties or stag and hen groups are also not allowed *You'll need to pick up the keys from the host's office *You won't need a car in Barcelona – instead of driving, we suggest exploring on foot or taking advantage of public transport