littlehouse

We lucked into really cheap airfare to Madrid, Spain in June so now I am trying to find some places to stay. Since I usually start 9 or more months in advance this is kinda freaking me out. Our dates are May 31-June 12. We’d like to have our time be b/w Madrid and Barcelona. From what I have researched, we’d probably spend more time in Barcelona 7 nights so we’d like an apartment there. Madrid we’d probably spend 4 nights there so a great b&b would be wonderful.

Anyway I've found some apartments in Barcelona that are open for our dates:

http://www.habitatapartments.com/ped...apartamento=41

http://www.cocoonbarcelona.com/apart...lona-en-45.htm

http://www.cocoonbarcelona.com/barce...ion-en-103.htm


Are there any other apartment companies you'd recommend? I'm just in the beginning stages of this so any help would be great. I have some travel books on both but aren't sure about what areas to stay in, etc? We've traveled alot in Europe so we're pretty comfortable metro. Just know from our experiences that there are sections in any city that one does not want to stay in for safety reasons.

Also your suggestions of how to get from Madrid to Barcelona and back would be great. Car? Train? Plane? We've done it all so we're pretty open!

Thanks so much!!
Amy

lincasanova

I would suggest either fly Mad-BCN, or AVE train.

Then to not totally back track, why not train down to Valencia ( 3 hours) spend a couple days here, then train back to Madrid (3.5 hours)to catch the flight?

cruiseluv

I would invert the days, 7 days in Madrid and 4 in Barcelona. Or 6 and 5. Madrid is a great hub to do daytrips to very interesting cities nearby, like Toledo, Segovia and Avila.

There have been recent threads here about apartments in Barcelona. I just came back from Madrid where we rented an apt. with a company called Spain Select. Another company we considered renting from was Friendly Rentals.

danon

I like Barcelona as well as Madrid. Great side trips from both.
You may enjoy the beach in Barcelona ( or Sitges)in June
We rented from Habitat twice, not the apt you are looking at. Nikki stayed there - if you can find her trip report.
I like that location - my favorite street in Barcelona.
The last one - Fira- is not in the very center.
Not my choice.
Another good are in Barcelona is El Born. Habitat has a number of apt. there.
June is a popular months - don't wait too long!
Friendly Rentals is in both cities , I have never rented from them.

soogies

saving for me

marisylvia

The apartments you chose in Barcelona are all in the Eixample. I prefer the older parts of the city, which are much more atmospheric. If you notice the grid pattern on the maps, that is what you'll find there, whereas if you look at El Born, our favorite area, you will see all the winding little streets opening onto plazas, with plenty of cafes and shops. Walking around the Gothic areas is always interesting, whereas in the Eixample you will depend more on transit to get around, and I find the street scenes more tidy and sterile. Barcelona is a vibrant and fascinating place, and I'd say a week is minimum for a visit. Also, learn a few phrases in Catalan; that is the official language there, not Spanish, although of course it is spoken and understood. Catalan is actually closer to French in many ways than it is to Spanish. Catalunya was horribly oppressed during the Franco regime, and they have proudly restored their language and culture.
We have rented from Friendly Rentals, and they were fine.

littlehouse

There aren't any in El Born on Habitat for our dates! I'll check out Friendly Rentals though.

littlehouse

I'm back with more!

http://www.waytostay.com/Barcelona-a...en-52-3021.htm
http://www.waytostay.com/Barcelona-a...en-52-3020.htm
http://www.waytostay.com/Barcelona-a...en-52-2149.htm
http://www.waytostay.com/Barcelona-a...en-52-3019.htm
http://www.waytostay.com/Barcelona-a...en-52-2208.htm

http://www.friendlyrentals.com/en/ap...ment-101-1.htm
http://www.friendlyrentals.com/en/ap...ent-1340-1.htm

http://www.rentthesun.com/Barcelona-..._persons_cal=2
http://www.rentthesun.com/Barcelona-..._persons_cal=2

danon

from what I can see Born boutique 2seems to be on a less crowded street.
Born ( south of Princessa) is very popular location any time of day and (especially) at night.

danon

p.s.
The Habitat apt you listed before is also in a great area IMO ,with many restaurants, shops and cafes right in front of it.. It is more elegant part of town but only 15 - 20 min walk to El Born.
Depends on your age and interest. I have stayed in both areas and like both for different reasons.

marisylvia

Art Nouveau ll is in an excellent location in El Born, as there is the plaza around Santa Maria del Mar, full of cafes, shops and amazing people watching. The fixtures (kitchen, bath) in the Friendly Rentals apartment we rented were very modern, by the way. As for the photos, though, it looks small and dark, but how much time will you be in the place? As for the Mozart, the apartment looks great, but I'd be a bit cautious about the neighborhood.
Way to Stay: Ribera Potosi and Saba look good. Born Boutique 2 is well priced; Ribera Tartessos is the winner for me so far, in location, amenities, style and, best of all, the balcony, which will give access to the vibrant street scene when you're "home". I'm putting this one in my Barcelona folder! Borne Trompetes, being closer to the waterfront, is further away from the El Born "scene", which centers on Santa Maria del Mar.

Whatever you choose, though, you'll have a wonderful time in Barcelona, especially in these areas you're checking out now. My problem with the Eixample, where I've also stayed, is that the walking around is sterile compared to the Gothic area, especially El Born. Good luck!

littlehouse

Thanks you guys! Keep the awesome advice coming!

danon

Carrer de l' Argenteria must be the most crowded
street in El Born ,if not Barcelona.
It is full of restaurants, bars,and endless masses of people - day and night.
I would no stay in the "thick" of El Born, unless the street noise at all hours (under your window) does not bather you.
As I said , might be the question of age - I have past 30 long time ago.

marisylvia

Danon, I know what you mean. We were in an apartment on Princesa, with a bar below, and it is true that the party keeps going to dawn, but that is part of the allure, I think. If you're a light sleeper, bring earplugs.
Another reason I like to have an apartment is that dinner at restaurants is so late. We were in a restaurant at 8:30, feeling we were in Siberia. Finally people started arriving as we were leaving. I was happy enjoying lunches at restaurants and making simple dinners at 7 PM. El Born is a great place to shop for food. There are many little super markets with a surprising array of fresh food, including bread warm from the ovens in the morning. We love Mercat del Born (sp?), which even has a real wine cellar under the store, and nearby is a wonderful fromatgerie (sp?), or cheese shop, plus a beautiful store specializing in coffee and the best nuts imaginable, plus dried fruit.

littlehouse

danon,
well we're in our mid-30's but would not appreciate noise all hours!

Iregeo

littlehouse, I stayed in the Pedrera apartment in December 2007. It was very spacious and clean, and I loved the area.

If you have any specific questions, don't hesitate to ask.

littlehouse

Okay had some credit card problems so I haven't booked apt yet. Really thinking the Born Boutique 2.

We still need to find something for Madrid. Any B&B's you recommend?

RCLCOLPB

I am looking for an apartment for 4 nights for my wife and me in one bedroom, and my 23-year old son in the second bedroom, arriving Sept. 9. Based on reading all the invaluable advice on this board, it looks like the following from Habitat would be good options. Which do you think is the best choice? I assume there's no reason to pay 40 euros extra for Princesa 2 over Princesa 4 or Born 1.


HABITAT:
BORN 1 (560 euros): http://www.habitatapartments.com/bor..._apartamento=4


PRINCESA 4 (560 euros): http://www.habitatapartments.com/pri...apartamento=51

PRINCESA 2 (600 euros): http://www.habitatapartments.com/pri...apartamento=26


I like the idea of being in a lively area, but relative quiet in the room late at night would also be nice.

Thanks very much,

Len

bniemand

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Kyliebaby3

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