We are looking at spending 10 weeks in Barcelona (Jan. - end of Mar.). It would be our base and then we would bus or train to other locations for day trips. We will rent an apartment as we enjoy immersing ourselves in the culture as much as possible. What area of the city would you recommend for safety, convenience, proximity to transportation and tourist sights? We are well seasoned travelers and understand the need for vigilance re pick pockets and other traveling safety issues. Would appreciate any assistance you could offer!
Posted by
point pleasant beach, nj, usa
646 posts
We rented an apartment in Barcelona during our one week visit. It was in the Eixample area. Rented through vrbo. You might want to post this question on the Trip Advisor Barcelona travel forum. There are many destination experts there (including residents of Barcelona) who may be able to answer your question. I loved Barcelona!
Posted by
Minneapolis, Mn, USA
70 posts
Madrid is a easy and fast 3 hour train ride away. Lots to see and do. We loved Barcelona and are looking forward to returning. Enjoy!
Posted by
Newport, Kentucky, USA
9 posts
What a great trip! We have been to Barcelona many times one of our favorite cities. We in fact are heading to San Sebastian and La Rioja (LaGuardia as a base) in a few weeks. Will let you know how we like it, but I suspect we will recommend the area. Also visiting Zaragoza en route, as people suggest it as an often overlooked but beautiful city. Good luck! Please let everyone know where you end up staying.
Posted by
Denver, CO, US
111 posts
Barcelona has such a good public transit system, you can really stay wherever you want as long as you are within a ten minute walk of the Metro. We spent a week in the El Born district, which was our favorite part of Barcelona it has some tourist attractions and the same historic feel of Barri Gotic, but its a real neighborhood so you actually see locals hanging out their laundry, gathering for an evening walk and chatting. The further away from Via Laeitana you stay, the more authentic it is, but even in the main tourist part you will still meet locals. We didn't really like the Eixample area, which is where you can rent a lot of apartments from vrbo and other sites - its expensive and not really representative of most of Barcelona (although it does have some great restaurants and a lot of the interesting modernist architecture). If you want to be a little more out of the tourist area, I would consider the Gracia district and its surrounding area, which also has a lot of apartments and isn't too far from Parc Guell and the metro. We are going back to Barcelona next year (hopefully for 2 weeks) and will stay either in El Born or Gracia.
Posted by
OP
London, ontario, Canada
8 posts
Thanks Kerry for your detailed description of the districts of Barcelona.....so helpful and now I will spend some time looking in the El Born and Gracia districts as they sound exactly like the type of area we would love! This was just what we needed to narrow down our search for an apartment! Thanks also to all the rest of the posters with their advice...I appreciate the time you took to respond.
C