I know I just got back from Andalusia (huge thanks to everyone for answering my queries and who gave tips and advice!) , but I'm already thinking of traveling to Barcelona for Spring Break 2014 (last week of March for us.)

I know it's very early, but I'd like to book an apt. and don't wait to wait until the last minute so I can get the one I want.
I still can't decide which neighborhood would be best for us - myself, husband, and teen daughter, she'll be 16 then. I'm leaning toward Eixample, but am intrigued by Barceloneta.

Eixample seems to be more central for walking to the main sights; is it also walking distance to the waterfront? We can walk for a while without getting tired...

Finally, how far in advance should I book ahead for an apartment rental in March? Now? Christmas-ish?

Thanks!!

Eixample is large but generally a very nice, upscale area with lots of great and often untouristy tapas bars, cafés and restaurants. From about the center of the Eixample area you would use some 30 minutes walking to the Barceloneta beach.

The Barceloneta area is considerably lower standard in general, but an extremely vibrant and local feel district with great atmosphere. http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/201...taurants-spain

What about medieval El Born just inland from the seafront? Close to everything and perhaps the most cutting edge part of central Barcelona the past decade or so. Plenty of rentals here. http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s/el-born.html

Eixample is a good size area....
I prefer staying not far from Paseo de Gracia ..very central.
Barcenoleta is a bit further from the main attractions , also being
by the beach in March would not be my choice.
Public transition Barcelona is very good and easy to navigate.

We have rented from Habitat several times...

Thanks for the quick replies!

Kimhe, when you say El Born is "cutting edge" - what does that mean, exactly?
And based on what you've just said about Barceloneta - and with what I've read about it so far - it confirms that my husband probably won't like it. We stayed in Albaicin in Granada last month and he thought it was "nasty". I found it charming, quaint and beautiful, albeit rough around the edges. But he just couldn't wait to get out of there, unfortunately. He probably won't like Barceloneta.

Eixample sounds more central anyway. 30 minutes in not bad at all, esp in springtime!
I will have to look into El Born more.

Between Eixample and El Born, which of the two has more families and a more local feel to it? We'd all prefer that.

Hi BumbleB6:
We just returned from Barcelona, where we rented 4 apartments at Carrer Pelai from FISA Rentals.
Location is second to none, just two blocs from Plaza Catalunya, and apartments are very good.
May be you can take a look at those apartments.
Enjoy!

Thank you jelopez33! Will check those out.

El Born is a bit more hip and trendy than central Eixample, rather touristy -
.closer to the
sea.
I would not stay in Barcenoleta .

I wouldn't stay in Barceloneta - bit dodgy, fewer transit options and the flats are SMALL. You can get 80m2 (850 sq ft) in Eixample for the same price you'll pay for 40m2 in Barceloneta.

Barcelona is on a latitude further north than New York. You're not getting beach weather in March or early April.

El Born is excellent tapas bars, restaurants, outdoor terraces, some of the most trendy shopping and some very nice and relatively "grown up" cafés and bars long into the night around the central Passeig del Born. You have the Picasso museum, the wonderful Santa María del Mar Church, one of the finest Gothic buildings anywhere etc.
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s/el-born.html

Some of my favourite tapas bars/restaurants in the area include Cal Pep, a relatively normal tapas bar that was voted nr. 66 restaurant in the world in 2006 in the prestigious S. Pellegrino ranking. Still serves excellent food althoug the lines are even longer and the prices are up. Fabulous seafood. get in line 15 minutes before opening to get a seat at the bar where all the action is.

and Basque (the finest kitchen in Spain) Txakolín
and Euskal Etxea. They both serve great pintxos, the Basque high class versions of tapas, and they have restaurant areas for full meals.
Txakolín:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html
http://www.timeout.com/barcelona/restaurants/txakolin

Euskal Etxea:
http://www.euskaletxeataberna.com/co...etxea/?l=en_en
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html

In El Born you are also four mins walking away from Barcelona classic 7 Portes from 1836. An institution in town with tons of history in the walls. Here they serve up excellent traditional Catalan food. Have had three fabulous meals here the past couple of years. Wonderful fish soup, monkfish and Arroz Caldoso (something between a paella and a fish soup with rice) last time here two months ago. Popular with tourists but still also very popular with locals. http://www.7portes.com/angles/index.php

The right spot in El Born is ideal for a first visit; you can walk to many attractions and there's plenty of activity. Yes, lots of tourists, but residents go there, too. Eixample is quieter (depending on the exact location), Barceloneta has more bars, etc. and I would not recommend it.

We've stayed here and found it really nice and convenient: http://www.likelivingthere.com/Docum...%20bedroom.pdf

You all are so helpful, as usual. El Born sounds well worth a visit for visiting, drinks and tapas - but I think for sleeping and breakfast, Eixample is sounding more and more our speed.

Thanks for the apartment referrals and links, will definitely look into those.

You will find great places for drinks and tapas + numerous cafes and restaurants all over Eixample...plus the best shops!

I agree with kimhe's advice... My husband and I are currently renting a flat in Barcelona for six weeks near Sagrada Familia. A few years ago, we rented a flat on Passeig de Gracia for one week. Our neighborhood is ok, but a bit far to walk to everything (4 km from the beach), so we've been taking the metro (and I got pick pocketed on the train yesterday). Passeig de Gracia is great for shopping, but crowded and the restaurant prices are high. I fell in love with the Born area and would have preferred to stay there because of the charm and proximity to the beach and other sights.

Sagrada Familia is in Eixample and even further from the beach and Born
than P de G .
Most modernist buildings are in Eixample - several right on P . De Gracia.
There are many beautiful streets in Eixample....Rambla de Catalunya,
. E. Granados , Valencia...just to name a few.
The very center of Barcelona is Placa de Catalunya....
Public transit in Barcelona is excellent.
Why walk to the beach? Or go to the beach , except to see the area, In March?

Kimhe:

Wanted to ask about visiting Barcelona and Bilboa from 15 Sept to 26 Sept.
Would it be best to see Bilboa first and go back to Barcelona in time for the Merce? Or is the city overwhelmed by crowds during the Merce? The festival sounded great.

Also, is it usually rainy this time of year?

Thanks in advance!

Ygoini222

ygoini222,

Perhaps start a new thread on this topic, but short: Definitely go to Barcelona for the Mercé, and Bilbao is always great.

Weather statistics for your 12 days based on past 16 years statistics:
Barcelona, 2 days with rainfall, average high 75-79F and 7 hours sun/day.
Bilbao: 4 days with rainfall, average high 72-79 and 6 hours sun/day.

Kimhe:
Thanks so much for your reply.
I will start a new thread.

Ygoini222

jelopez33, can you provide the link to the apt/s you rented? I am looking for a 2BR for next May in Eixample too so I am following this thread with interest.
BumbleB6, please share any you particularly like, here are a couple I found interesting in case they are of any help to you - still looking though!
http://negre.us/apartments/PSJ87/P3/

http://lovingapartments.com/Barcelon...d-2100-en.html

Anyone care to comment on these ? Thanks!

Sorry, forgot this one!
http://www.sweetdreamsbarcelona.com/...en&country=ESP

I had a hit of the problem getting maps of the first two
The one on PdeG is a great location, but it is on the first floor...
if it is facing the street, it will be noise.

We, and some other posters rented from. Habitat
good locations and service.
http://www.habitatapartments.com/