My boyfriend & I purchased 2 tickets to go to Barcelona (BCN) from Sept 8th - 17th
We would love recommendations on apartments in BCN and a place to stay in the Costa Brava region where we can go swim and enjoy the culture

These two websites both offer very nice apartments in Barcelona and are reasonably priced.

www.rentthesun.com
www.friendlyrentals.com

I and some friends are going to BCN on September 7th and we are using two apartments - one from each company!

Enrique, at Rent the Sun, speaks English and if he doesn't have any availability, he may be able to offer an alternative.

Hope these help.

If you are renting an apartment, I highly recommend finding something in the Barceloneta. There are some nicer beaches further out (Mar Bella, Nova Mar Bella, Bogatell), but if you want a good mix of beach and culture, Barceloneta is the place to be.

As for the Costa Brava, what is it you want to do? Will you have a car rental? Are you into wining and dining? What kind of budget are you working with?

Give us more to go on and we can be much more helpful.

Re: Costa Brava
We are hoping to stay somewhere for a cost of 80 EUR a night - spend sometime relaxing on a beach and enjoy dining in the evening
I am hoping to not rent a car but if I need to, I will

Is it worth going to Costa Brava or the beaches in BCN as good?

Re: Barcelona
Have you heard of Hotel Bertran?

Hi Natasha,

my sister is staying right now at the "Residencia Campus del Mar", near the beach.

http://www.resa.es/campus_mar/campus...erano_2006.htm

It is located near the beach and the Olympic Village. It is a university residence, but they also have some apartments open for the public, and she booked it on a very short notice.

I think Claire could explain you more where they are located, but I have just spoken with them and they have told me that the apartment is quite nice. They have been to the beach (not swimming, because of the wind), and are thoroughly enjoying their time.

Rgds, Cova

Here's a website that will help you get to know the different towns and villages along the Costa Brava: http://www.costabravaguide.com/

Thanks for the website for Costa Brava. It does seem overwhelming Do you recommend an area to visit

We're actually planning our October trip right now, so I haven't been to Spain yet. We're spending three nights based in Peratallada (just inland from the coast) and will take some daytrips to beaches. I think we'll aim for the less built-up ones... but not sure yet which we'll visit. I need to spend more time on that website and with my guidebook!

I have found that unless you have a car to get around in, the beaches you have access to are not so picturesque, in which case staying in BCN would be the best idea. You can do beach day trips up and down the coast (Sitges is a popular one, and it is a little over 30 minutes away by train), which are fun in my experience. Another question is how much beach time do you want to get in? I ask because if you are thinking every day, you might be disappointed. Weather changes all the time, but I am here right now and it is cool and overcast. I am wearing black pants, a black and white short sleeved shirt, and carry a black long sleeved top with me becuase it gets cold when I am not on my bike. No one is on the beach except for the incredibly sturdy Scandinavians and Northern Europeans.

Interesting about the weather. So it's not simply roasting there?

missypie- amazingly enough, it is not at all roasting. I think that some of our visitors are quite disappointed because of the rain and overcast skies. I am sitting on my terrace and the sky is gray and cloudy, and I am afraid to hang out the clean clothes because they might get rained on.

No, no roasting right now here in Castellon (2 hours south from BCN), not as cold as BCN, though It's a very strange August as it was July with the heat wave. I sleep with a light blanket in the night, I've never thought it could be possible here in August !!

Hi laclaire!

Hows the MACBA and your new apt? It's great to see you still on the site! I'm waiting for 2007/2008 for imported Iberian jamon but I'm hoping to get back to BCN before then. (Sorry to OP for going OT)

Laclaire,

Is it a complete waste of time spending time in Costa Brava due to the weather. I was really hoping to be able to sunbath and swim in the sea.
I have decided I will rent a car?

Please respomd to a good area in Costa Brave to enjoy some of the therma waters

Forgot to mention: I only want to spend max 3 days on the beach
I want to rent a car on Sept 8th and head out to the beach for some relaxation

Natasha- I have been to the beach in September here quite a few times. . . it just depends on the weather. I certainly don't think it is a waste of time by any means.

If you have a car, you are going to want to use it to do more serious but harder to get to tourism (like going to Figueres and then Cadaqués (windy road and all) for Dalí stuff). Cadaqués has beautiful beaches, so perhaps you can stay there. If you do the 3 beach days at the beginning, then you will be really well rested for the following few days in BCN capital. Return the car once back in the city and use public transport for the days you are here. Yes, you can still go to the city beaches, which are actually quite nice. I like Bogatell and Nova Mar Bella (the latter is the nude beach, though, so that depends on your level of comfort).

I live further down the east coast of Spain, in Altea, and I agree that the weather is bizarre at the moment. It is grey skies here too and a few drops of rain yesterday.

If you stay in BCN, and the weather perks up, there is a lovely beach at Peniscola about 1 1/2 hrs to the south which would make a nice day trip as the town is very pretty too.

Alijay

Is there thermal spas in that area

Natasha...I'll be in BCN 9/2-9/11 and we found a great site with an apartment that looks awesome on the www.i-escape.com
the apartment is in the El Born area, which from what I read, is very popular with the locals.
We're also doing a pretty similar trip to you, but have decided to station ourselves in BCN the whole time and rent a car to drive up to Tossa de Mar for a day, and Sitges for another day. Additionaly, Barceloneta is always an option for a day at the beach without a long walk (El Born is walking distance). For Girona and Figueres (Dali)..I'm thinking we're just going to take a tour to cover both of these places in a day, and I'm hopping to also get a chance to get to Montserrat, but depends how we'll be making with the time.

Serge

Thanks for everyones assistance
We are staying in Paris from Sept 5th - 8th and then heading to BCN
I have decided once we arrive in BCN to head to Cadaqués for some R&R and then stay the remainder of time in BCN
Right now I am sending out quotes for places to stay. I have a booking at Hotel Bertan but I am worried since I have given them my CC information but have not received a reservation number