minkie

Any suggestions for a good neighbourhood? I will be walking a lot - would like to be near the beach but safety is first and foremost as I will be travelling solo. Any suggestions appreciated. Also.- are museums and attractions closed during August?

Eurocentric

I'd say the Poble Nou area, a traditional neighborhood, on the seaward side. Or Villa Olympica.

No matter where you stay it's at least a couple of blocks to the beach, so you may want to schedule your visits around the busiest times.

If you take the Metro to the beach you'll have more like five or six blocks to walk. Consider staying where you'd most like overall and taking a taxi to the beach.

Sounds like you need to study a map closely.

yestravel

We stayed in the el Borne neighborhood and loved it. It's maybe a 15 -20 minute walk to the beach. I strolled down one afternoon and didn't pay attention tohow long it took, but it was close. Enjoy Barcelona---its a wonderful city.

frogoutofwater

Whenever I've stayed alone in Barcelona, I've always stayed in the Eixample district. I like it because it has some great architecture (some of Gaudi's buildings are here), it's upscale and lively at all hours with a mix of residential buildings, hotels, shops and restaurants, close to the sights (part of Las Ramblas is here) and feels safe. It's a bit removed the very touristy (and in my view somewhat less safe area) of Las Ramblas closer to the water, and yet close enough so that you can walk to many things easily. I've always felt comfortable walking around in the evening in this neighbourhood.

I don't know your price range so it's hard to make a specific hotel recommendation, but I like the Derby and NH chains in Spain. I've stayed at the 3* Derby Astoria a few times (it might be a bit too far away from the waterfront for your taste) and liked it. I've also stayed at the NH Catalunya (just below Eixample) and liked it. The next time I visit Spain, I might try one of the hotels in the Room Mate chain, which look rather funky.

LindaL

I'm traveling solo to Barcelona in September and am staying in the Eixample district. I used Trip Advisor for suggestions. Hope this helps.

nsalerno

We stayed in the El Born area in Barcelona in Oct.2009. While it was a good location,active and close to shopping and restaurants we were disappointed in the cleanliness of the area. We stayed at an apartment and people let their dogs out at night and in the morning there were piles of dog feces all over the walkways. It was really unacceptable! You had to dodge the piles in order to walk through the streets.
The restaurants were Ok and access to the metro was good but our memory was of the dirty,unsanitary streets!!!

nowtraveler

following info for spain trip planning

yestravel

The experience of nslerno was not mine at all. I don't think I saw a dog let alone dog feces in the 5 days I stayed in an apt in el Born.
Exiample neighborhood does have fabulous architecture and is a lovely neighborhood. It would be my second choice of where to stay.

macdogmom

Stayed here for two years and loved the apt. and the location-El Born.
http://www.habitatapartments.com/en/...princesa-3.htm

minkie

you guys are great - thanks so much - Now to find a cheap flight!

nsalerno

We stayed in Princessa 3 apartment also in Nov 2009. Found apartment very dark,little bugs scurrying in the bathroom when you turned the light on in the night or the AM, no phone,little hot water in the shower and Maybe the street cleaners were not working that week!

MizzEve

I just stayed in Princesa 3 three weeks ago. I found it to be fabulous. It is exactly as pictured on the habitat website. There were no bugs and yes the hot water heater is small. If you want unlimited hot water for showers, you'll have to stay in a hotel. Personally, I didn't mind it. The area is wonderful, super convenient.

One thing I noticed about habitat apartments is the prices go down as you get closer to the date you want to book. So waiting longer to book works to your advantage.