My husband and I will be spending a week in Barcelona (first time!) in late September. We want to be in a safe area and within walking distance to most of the attractions. As I look at lodging, I realize that I don't know enough about the Barcelona area to know whether the apartment location is a good one. Can someone please give me some recommendations, about a good neighborhood or even a specific apartment?

I don't think the apartment I stayed in is still listed. Do make sure that anywhere you stay is registered.

I prefer to sleep in the Eixample - it is handy for the Gaudi sites and is nicer than the areas around the Ramblas.

Thank you!

We have twice used Habitat Apartments in Barcelona. Very professional and reasonable prices. The apartments they manage are in all areas. We had a good one in the Gothic area off the Ramblas, but it is quieter in the Example area that was suggested where we stayed last year. Normally, we try Airbnb, but Barcelona is one of the cities cracking down against them these days, and also, for some reason, i is the only place in Europe where landlords have rejected us in advance when we have tried to book places that require such pre-approval.

"it is quieter in the Example area"

That's Eixample. And it encompasses a huge swath of Barcelona, so there's really more than one Eixample.

Get a Barcelona map with the metro stations on it. Draw a box from Universitat to Tetuan to Verdaguer to Diagonal and anything within that box, or within 500m of that is a good location. Don't stay in the Laval.

Apartment rentals in Barcelona are highly regulated. Apartur - Association of Barcelona Tourist Apartments lists the tourist apartment companies that are approved by whatever licensing authority approves them. Get a flat from one of those companies, and you're fine. We used Barcelona Stuff and they were good - our flat was two blocks from Las Ramblas and three from Placa Catalunya and could only be accessed by private (gated) alley - silent as a whisper.

Thank you so much - very helpful!

Personally I enjoy walking the city. If I stay between Placa de Catalunya and the sea the area is good enough. I'd rather be further from the Ramblas but other than that I'm happy almost anywhere.Think about how you're getting from the airport. If by cab anyplace is fine. If you're taking the aerobus near Placa de Catalunya will be less hassle.

And north of it will pit you in the Eixample.

We stayed in Barcelona in 2015. Stayed at Hotel Colon (liked it) across the street from the Cathedral. We walked to a lot of attractions, but taxis in Barcelona are cheap, and there was a taxi stand one block away. Here's my report with photos of our Spain trip. Maybe this will help (especially in finding out what tickets you should purchase before leaving. Below is photo of our favorite sight in Barcelona ... Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau.

https://travelswithmaitaitom.com/spain-2015/

I like to stay in the side streets of Passeig de Gràcia, not too far from Plaça de Catalunya.
I'm not a fan of Las Ramblas area.

I stayed in Eixample area in 2015 and loved it. It was my first stop on my first trip to Europe and I found it was easy to go for a run in the mornings (Along the Avenue Diagonal) and we found the best breakfast place, Brunch and Cake, just nearby on Carrer d'Enric Granados. Excellent coffee. I am from Australia and we are coffee-obsessed and I had heard not to expect the same as in Melbourne, but it was really good. It was a great place to start the day and then wander to all the major sites easily on foot. We did catch taxis at night for dinner and sometimes during the day because it was so hot, but I think where we stayed was really lovely.

Agree that Eixample makes a good area to stay in. BCN is loaded with apartments. You should have no trouble finding a good one. Enjoy the city. it's one of our favorites.

Last fall I stayed at Hotel Jazz ubicado en el centro de Barcelona a few blocks from La Ramblas.
Receptive front desk hearty breakfast roof top pool lounging area
would stay there again

I've stayed at the Hotel Jazz also and liked it a lot, but I believe the OP wants an apartment.

I've rented from Habitat also. Worked out okay, but the apt I rented was NOT the apt. I got, by the way. So some disconnect. It was in the same building but a different one (different configuration even). They said there was nothing they could do about it as the one I rented was not available to give me when I showed up (this was the guy who met me at the apt, I don't think he worked for Habitat but the company that was letting the building and listing on Habitat). Thanks a lot. I don't know whose fault that was. The one I rented was in a bldg where I think most if not all the apts are short-term vacation rentals. It was in a great area, in the Left Eixample. near carrer d'Aribau. I don't think Habitat has that building any more from what I see.