Barri Gotic Area of Barcelona

The standard Barcelona dinnertime seems to begin at 10 PM, though tapas are available earlier. You will have a great deal of company if you're out late. Enric may have some helpful comments about the specific location you are considering. I'd think noise could be a problem on some blocks within the Barri Gotic.

The major concern for tourists in Barcelona--as in several other major European cities--seems to be pickpockets. Figure out a safe way to carry any valuables you choose not to leave in your lodgings.

My advice years ago from local friends was try to avoid Placa Reial and the narrow surrounding streets. However, I am sure that personal security has improved in all parts of the city compared to back then.

Thanks for both of your responses. They were appreciated!

Indeed BobD... it's a safe city, in general terms.

"After dark" to refer to "when the streets are empty" it's not really an expression we use here :)...In May, sunset is at around 9ish, that's about the time many shops close (between 8-9pm and 10pm for certain malls) so you'll find thousands of people returning home, or going out for dinner. Thus, our "after dark" in May -as in inferring empty streets- would probably be from 11ish onwards. On top of that, Avinyó is at the heart of the Gothic Quarter, which means that you'll find people at all hours -truth be said, after a certain hour, say 10ish, only in certain "main" streets in the area, hence avoid empty narrow streets unless necessary. As said it's safe, but this is a city, so you can cross paths with unsavoury characters too.

I can perfectly understand the alluring of that area for visitors from the Americas as the narrow historical streets of the centres of many European cities is something one's not used to. But these areas can be a bit rowdy at times, so if that's a concern for you, I'd suggest being based elsewhere, for example in the nearby classy Modernist Eixample district, which has plenty of beautiful Modernist (late 1800s-early 1900s) buildings in wide streets with cosy sidewalks. After all, you can very easily "visit" the Gothic Quarter and not necessarily have to "sleep" in it. But again, preferences are personal, right?

We stayed in May very near La Rambla, and just steps from Barrio Gotic. This area and Barcelona in general felt safe, but very active, at night. The area known as El Raval felt a little seedy at night (on the other side of La Rambla from where you're staying), but I wouldn't have called it unsafe. Wander over to El Born area around Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar and there's a very safe, vibrant feel there too. Happy travels!

I wouldn't stay in the gothic quarter. Dark at night with lots of alleys. Easy for petty crime. I recommend the El Born neighborhood- close to the gothic quarter. Very old atmospheric area with great restaurants and vibe. Lots of people out at night.

I wouldn't stay in the gothic quarter. Dark at night with lots of alleys. Easy for petty crime. I recommend the El Born neighborhood- close to the gothic quarter. Very old atmospheric area with great restaurants and vibe. Lots of people out at night.

... I am afraid there's no such thing as "El Born neighbourhood"... what you refer to is the neighbourhoods of either La Ribera or Santa Caterina, depending which particular part you're focusing on. Nevertheless, I must point out that the layout of the streets is pretty much the same than in El Gòtic: mostly narrow small alleys everywhere... which is how the Old City -which englobes all these neighbourhoods plus Sant Pere, El Raval and La Barceloneta neighbourhoods- was actually built. I would say is more a matter of personal taste than anything else.

Thank-you to everyone who replied. We appreciate all your input.

We were in La Ribera(strange, I also read in was called El Born)
We were 30 seconds away from santa maria del mare church. We absolutly loved this neighborhood.

Yes Claude, I know, this is an annoying habit of some locals -mostly, but not only, expats in the tourism business- as well as some unprofessionally made travel guides that continue referring to a particular area of La Ribera neighbourhood as "El Born district" or "El Born neighbourhood"... but that has never been.

El Born is just a small 300 yards boulevard famous because it was once one of the social "centres" of the city, during medieval times. The word "born" derives from the Catalan verb "bornejar" meaning jousting. If you remember the elongated shape of that boulevard, you'll probably picture better how these tournaments were probably celebrated there.

A few yards from there, there's also an old fresh food market, now a museum, named Mercat del Born.

Other than this, many locals we refer to "the area" -the adjacent streets- as El Born, but never as a district nor a neighbourhood. That area belongs to the neighbourhood of La Ribera, which is within the district of Ciutat Vella (Old City)... and this is how one should find it in any City Hall websites, transport companies, or any apartment rental portal (in the likes of Airbnb, etc).

Thanks Enric for the inside info.
I truly enjoyed that neighborhood.

How does the Eixample area compare to Bari Gotic regarding restaurants, activities, etc?

The Eixample--or at least the parts of it I walked through--has a very different feel to it. Wider streets, less touristy, attractive upper-middle-class apartment buildings, etc. There are definitely restaurants scattered around, places that seemed to be patronized mostly by local residents. My guess is that the Barri Gotic has more in the way of nightspots, though.

We just returned from Barcelona on Tuesday. The Eixample area is very upscale. You will find Gaudi's apartments there and all the high end shops (Gucci, Prada, etc.). It is much more modern. And although very beautiful, I would choose the Barri Gothic.

The Barri Gothic is a fabulous play to stay. It has charm, great restaurants, great shopping and so much history. It was our most favorite area of Barcelona. And in terms of safety, we never felt uncomfortable. There are people on the streets until quite late in the evening.