Best Barcelona district to stay in; Driving leased car

I understand the benefits of leasing a car, having done so myself for long trips in other regions. But between this and your previous post about driving quickly from the Cinque Terre to Barcelona, you've so far only listed destinations where the car doesn't particularly help and most people use public transport. You could fly from most Italian airports to Barcelona pretty cheaply, including from Pisa; see www.skyscanner.com. Or if you have the leased car in Italy, you should be able to drop it in Milan.

Rick's guidebooks don't include much driving info for the big cities where he really thinks you're unlikely to drive, but they do include a few navigation and parking notes for most of the cities on your list. In addition, I'd look at Michelin Green Guides, which are geared toward driving and would be another source of a city map before arrival.

Hi Laura,
I appreciate your response. I will also look into Michelin Green Guides as you have suggested. Perhaps, I should also further clarify that the car is already reserved, the destinations chosen, and the pick up and drop of locations confirmed. Prior to posting my questions, I do try to make a concerted effort to search the board, and having done so, I am very familiar with the advantages of public transportation as has been repeatedly conveyed, hence the reason for my post. Regarding my previous post, I did receive a very helpful answer to my direct question via p.m., so I would still be very interested in any guidance fellow travelers here may have regarding similar experiences regarding this post. lastly, I hope my post did not come across as a criticism to R.S. or his books, I am only rather attempting to tap into the vast experience and knowledge of these forums for assistance and guidance supplemental to my review of the R.S. books that I purchased in Edmonds.

Thank you again.

It's no problem. Without knowing your whole itinerary, I'm just hoping that the benefits of the car will outweigh the hassles. I've driven into and out of a number of European cities, but they did not happen to be these. If you want to view some Michelin Green Guides in our library in Edmonds (not for sale here), or view large driving atlases, we have them.

I have always stayed at the Citadines Ramblas when I've had a car in Barcelona. Good location, secure parking in the hotel building. However, current tripadvisor reports mention major construction on the building next door. Probably a great price available, if you don't mind the 8am to 6pm drilling.

Another place that has always looked appealing to me is the Catalonia Eixample 1864. Beautiful Modernist building on a quieter side street in the Eixample, but not too far from the Diagonal. Parking in the hotel is charged separately. The Eixample has a one-way street grid, but the streets are wider and logical compared to the old city, so easier driving.

I would recommend booking directly with whatever hotel you choose, to be sure you have priority for a reserved parking place (and call the day before to remind them!).

Have you been to Barcelona before? If not, be careful, you may be tempted to stay longer than 2 nights :)

As you have no doubt seen, the streets in Eixample are laid out in a grid pattern that looks nice and neat on a map. However : LOTS of traffic in this part of town, not just on the major thoroughfares with 2-way traffic (e.g. Gran Via) but also on all the 1-way streets that run alternately one way or the other. From my experience, I'd say driving to/from a hotel in that area would not be fun. Walking to and from the hotel wouldn't be much fun either - this is essentially a residential area where you might find an interesting building or trendy night spot here & there, but it's not a thrilling street scene and the incessant traffic noise gets very tiring very fast.
My suggestion would be a hotel in or close to Barceloneta (and relatively close to Port Vell/Old Port). That would mean driving in via an expressway with the sea on your right for orientation - very simple. Once parked at the hotel you're already in the heart of the action - you can stroll along the beach or maybe even take a dip, or tootle through Barceloneta (a quaint former fishing village with some lovingly preserved industrial remnants, lots of bars & night life too), or head for a drink and great view on the rooftop bar "Terrassa de les Indianes" on top of the Museo de Historia del Catalunya (free access, go to back of museum, take elevator to 4th floor), or have a meal at the excellent "L'Ostia", or walk just a wee bit further into the maze of the historic Old Town-Ciutat Vella with its splendid monuments and churches, plus countless bars, restaurants and shops, or take a breather in Ciutadella Park ... to me, all THAT is the essence of Barcelona (not Eixample....). And from Barceloneta all that is walking distance, the only times you might need public transport is to see the Sagrada Familia and Guell Park, if you're a Gaudi fan and have time to wait in line-ups.
- Yes, most if not all hotels in Barcelona will charge - quite heftily - for parking. -
In Barceloneta, I have stayed - several times and very happily - at RESA Campus del Mar, on Passeig de Salvat Papasseit. They have parking space in their gated yard, place is easy to find (Ronda Litoral, turn right when you reach the high silvery Gas Natural building) and street is quiet with little traffic, so no problem stopping in front of hotel to check in and get them to open gate for car...
Another hotel in good location is Hotel del Mar but no idea what it's like or parking possibilities, I haven't stayed there.
I would NOT recommend staying on street Joan de Borbó in Barceloneta - always jammed with traffic & people, and a rather sleazy restaurant scene.
Your trip seems mighty ambitious to me - 1 month to drive from the Netherlands through France and Spain to Portugal, with all those stops ? Wow ! In any case, it's true that you won't need a car in Barcelona - that city is made for strolling, sitting, eating, drinking, talking... Well, have a great time and do report back, OK ?