Barcelona - Staying near Arc de Triomf vs Urgell
 

We will be in Barcelona for 5 days in April and are trying to decide between 2 apartments - one a block east of the Urgell metro stop and the other a block northwest of the Arc de Triomf metro stop. The apartments are comparable in price and size. We have 2 adults and 2 kids. We're looking for a quiet place but within 10 minute walk of some sites - Ramblas, Barri Gotic, etc. We also plan to go to Parc Guell, Sagrada Familia, and the funicular. We'd like a grocery store nearby and some restaurants, but we're not likely to be eating in the highest end places. Any suggestions for which location would be preferable would be appreciated.

Both will be excellent, and in pretty much the same way: Respectively on the right and left edge of the in general upscale Eixample district. Being on the edge of Eixample means relative peace and quiet and some 5-600 meters to the very busy area in and around central Passeig de Gracia and the heart of the city Plaça de Catalunya. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...Catalonia.html

The peace and quiet is relative, as they both seem to be on or close to big avenidas. The Arc de Triomf area will be a bit more upscale, but inviting local atmosphere in both areas. The Arc de Triomf is close to the great El Born district: http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s/el-born.html


The Urgell apartment is 200 meters from my favourite lunch restaurant in Barcelona, affordable l'Aribau. Here businesspeople, academics and all kind of locals drop in for a three course bargain lunch with drinks incl for some 12€. Excellent place with lots of local specialities. Recommend the wonderful local sausage Botifarra with slightly garlicy white beans. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html

Carrer Aribau is very lively and has got great cafés, tapas bars and restaurants. http://suitelife.com/2011/02/28/arib...treet-profile/

Tough choice...

I would choose Urgell myself. That isn't too far from placa Catalunya and P de Gracia, in the Eixemple area. I stayed more around Universitat but passed by that area and it looked nice enough. Both metro stops are actually on the same line, a few stops from the center so in one sense it doesn't matter. I don't know what it is like over that way by the Arc), it's near the zoo, I think, at least some big park. IT is closer to the Born area.

Maybe someone else knows more about that area, it is near a lot of parks, which you could like. It also is on two metro lines, one of which goes to the main train station (Urgell would involve a transfer). So if you intend to use the metro to go to/from Sants, it would be more convenient.

Arc de Triomf is close to El Born and a very nice park ( if that matters for the kids)
Urgell is closer to Ramblas, Barri Gotic and Placa ...Catalunya...( probably , a bit more central)

http://www.maribelsguides.com/mg_barcelona.pdf
A very helpful guide, especially for restaurants.

We spent Christmas in Barcelona. I highly recommend you take a look at the Sagrada Familia apartments offered by enjoybcn.com. It sounds like it might meet your family's requirements nicely.

The building is within 100m of Sagada Familia, on a closed pedestrian street with grocery stores, bakeries, fruit stands all around. There is a park across the street from the church and the Metro is right there as well.

The apartment has a double bed and two twins in two bedrooms. There is a free washer and dryer which even provides soap and fabric softener. The apartment id nicely decorated and well appointed.

We plan on returning to the apartment next year as well.

I also highly recommend Maribel's guide for transportation, shopping and general info. But there's nothing in it about restaurants.

Thanks for all the input. We ended up going with the Arc de Triompf one because it was in the direction of more of the sights we wanted to see, near the park, and a bit easier to get to from the main train station. Thanks for the suggestions!