Barcelona on NYE

I don't have any recommendations since I've only been to Barcelona once, but it was over New Years 2019-2020. We took our older teens to the countdown and fireworks at Font Magica de Montjuic - we weren't too sure about going but did and really had fun! I don't know if this event still occurs but you might not be the type to enjoy this type of event. We had no problem walking to the metro and taking it back to our hotel apartment.

hope you have a fabulous NYE in a great city!

Something close but not too close?

Too close to what, if I may ask? This ain't Vegas... there's life beyond "the strip"...

I suspect you mean "where the action is" (I hate this expression)... but the 'action' in a city like ours is not located in one place. This city didn't grow up from a centre point outwards -like many others- but grew over the centuries by absorbing existing neighbouring towns and villages. Each of them already had "a downtown" of their own -so to speak-, and this continues to exist. Therefore, there's no single place in modern Barcelona "where the action is", but a bunch of them. Thus, you have lively Gràcia, Sants or Sant Andreu neighbourhoods among others, even Sarrià has its bustling "carrer Major" (main street).

There are some celebrations all over the city on NYE. The "large" gathering—kind of like NY's Time Square—happens in Avinguda Maria Cristina on the slopes of Montjuïc hill. There are also parties in many clubs in different districts of the city and some celebrations by the beaches.

Yet, while it might be a busier night than others, from a bit after midnight onwards, the streets in most parts of the city are "quiet"(ish). The "problem" may lay elsewhere, like say next door neighbours hosting a party, but this has nothing to do with the neighbourhood. If anything, staying away from the Old City (Ciutat Vella district) might warrant a quiet(er) night... but still...