We are going to Barcelona for two weeks at the end of October. There are many websites for apartments for rent. I don't know what part of town would be the best or safest for tourists. Any recommendations?

we have rented from Habitat and were very pleased. As a matter of fact, I am going to Barcelona next week and have booked with them again.
Eixample or El Born would be my choice.

http://www.habitatapartments.com

Just returned from Barcelona Friday night and we also used Habitat apartments. We stayed in the Amstel 2 br appt. which was crazy huge. http://www.habitatapartments.com/amstel.htm

I'm getting ready to write my trip report but Habitat was great in their communication. there were a couple of minor glitches that they quickly corrected. I would definitely use them again. We stayed in the Eixample district and liked it, however I might want to stay in the Born area on Princessa or in the Eixample again on the other side by the Arc de Triomf. Have fun apartment hunting!

We stayed in the Princessa apartments (2 different ones) in the Born area last year and we are renting one again this May. Great location with lots of good restaurants and stores, but the apartments were very quiet.

Thanks all for your input. I knew Fodorites would have the answer for me!