Hi I am staying with two kids (2 and 6) and narrowed down my list to either one of the two:
--- Next to "Urquinaona" metro station (In Eixample)
--- One block from "Liciu" metro station (In Ramblas)
Should I be concerned about the different metro lines? Which lines do most travelers use for sightseeing?
I saw a lot of noise concern for Ramblas staying but my kids are deep sleepers. Should I still be really concerned (I guess it depends on person?)?
Is the second option in Ramblas a better option for easy walk to sightseeing? I think we may need to do some sightseeing in the morning, come back to the apartment/hotel for a nap (siesta!), and get out again. So I am really looking for a place that is easy to get in and out. How much time do you depend on metro for sightseeing other than when you go to Sagrada F?
I also found that Liciu station is stroller/wheelchair friendly but Urquinaona is not (For those of you who are interested, please see here: https://www.mapametrobarcelona.com/mapas-metro/mapa-metro-barcelona-accesibilidad-2019.png). For those of you who used Urquinaona do you find that to be case?
I would make a quicker and easier decision w/o kids but as this is my first trip with kids in Europe I have troubles weighing all different choices. Any thoughts and advice will be greatly appreciated.
Posted by
Chicago
1943 posts
There are no lifts at Urquinaona however there are many bus stops in the area that go to different parts of the city and IMO you can walk to much of the Gothic Quarter and other attractions from there.
I stayed at a hotel near the Urquinaona station and loved the area and it's close to everything. I didn't care for the Ramblas area due to the crowds, etc.
Posted by
NSW Australia
703 posts
we were in Barcelona in December ( group of 4 adults) we stayed in an apartment in Eixample ( midtown apartments) while we were not far from the metro we found we mostly walked most places and caught a taxi. the cost for 4 was about the same and you got to see the sights and more convenient. we really liked our location, very central to most places and taxis are located at the intersections of the streets so you only have to walk say 100m to get a taxi.
one of our party required a wheelchair when walking long distances and the apartment staff organised one for us ( great !!!) at no cost. they could not be more helpful. we noticed that the footpaths etc though-out the city all were so easy for a wheelchair, so pushing a stroller/pram would be no problem. a credit to the city.
the crowds of people ( ie ramblas) they look like locals? was amazing to us. so many people out walking the streets. we walked there a few times ( no problem) but it was much 'quieter' where we were staying.
hope this helps.
Posted by
613 posts
When an EU hotel is called noisy, it is really noisy. Except in mid summer, A/C will not be working & the only way to cool the room is to open the windows-- a lot of street noise gets a lot worse.
Posted by
2 posts
I agree. It would be too noisy and very hard time for the babies as well as you.
Posted by
Barcelona (Catalonia)
2940 posts
NOISE
Some streets in Barcelona can be noisy, either traffic or because of crowds. However, lots of flats and most hotels in such streets have double windows so in reality, it's not a problem when you're in the room. Also, lost of buildings, mostly in the large l'Eixample district, have small (quieter) interior patios and some of the flats in the building facing inwards to them -as opposed to the street. So again, if yours is so, no problem with noise either. This obviously doesn't mean it's going to be dead quiet... you're in a busy city and we're talking about very central areas, but it should be OK in most cases.
So.... it's not really about where is the flat/hotel located but whether it has sound-proofed windows (or is facing the interior patios, if applicable). I would ask the host/hotel... but be very adamant to avoid any attempt to brushing the issue off or to downplay it if they are not sound-proofed.
TRANSPORTATION
Not "one line used by visitors"... that'll depend on where you go. We're not (yet) segregating "you lot" on public transportation... well, except for the hohos... that's "tourist-only", LOL! Still, the transportation system, especially metro, is quite efficient and fast, so don't worry about "not being in the right line", if you're close to a station, you're set... transferring among lines is very easy and relatively fast.
Liceu (L3 green line) has lifts/elevators to street level, Urquinaona (L1 red) does yet not. There are few stations in Barcelona that are not "accessible" to proms and wheelchairs. Accessible means from street level down to the track, in one single lift or several. Here an "unofficial" map of adapted/not-yet-adapted metro stations in the city: https://www.mapametrobarcelona.com/mapas-metro/mapa-metro-barcelona-accesibilidad-2019.png Zoom in to see the detail. The ones humorously tagged with the skull and bones mean they're either not accessible or they're only partially accessible. Note that if you're using a modern lightweight prom, "not-adapted" doesn't necessarily mean "impossible to use"... it just means that at one point between the track and the street above you will have to use an escalator or a set of stairs.
Posted by
Barcelona (Catalonia)
2940 posts
oopsy, sorry @cove.sale... you already mentioned the famous unofficial metro map :))
Posted by
OP
13 posts
Thank you everyone for your responses. They are really helpful. It is a lot of planning with a 30-day travel with kids but I feel so good that there are so many fellow tourists (?) who are so willing to help with great information. AGAIN THANK YOU ALL.