I am travelling with my wife.Both over 50 and would like to spend a couple of days in Barcelona
I am a little bit confused regarding the areas were to reserve
Born is in the Ciutat Vella?
Eixample is nicer?

I think both are very nice, but different. We stayed in Eixample last October & it's a great location, within walking distance of Casa Battlo & Casa Mila, the waterfront, etc. Eixample is newer than El Born & has wide, tree-lined boulevards. El Born is the old city with narrow cobblestone streets, very quaint & charming & next to Parc Cuitadella, which we enjoyed. You can't go wrong with either location, just depends on your taste, older or newer, narrow streets or wide boulevards.

Agree with Kwoo.
Depending on the locationinEixample, one can easily walk to Born

Sorry to butt in, but I am wondering the same thing. I want to rent an apartment in either:
Born
Eixample
gothic bario
barcelonetta

I like both older and modern, just want to be able to walk everywhere, not TOO noisy for sleeping, lots of restaurants within a half hour walk...any suggestions? If it were Paris I would stay in the Marais if that gives you a feeling for what I like...thanks.

susanna - unless your main interest is beach, I would not advise Barcelonetta, not nearly as central / convenient.

Placa Catalunya is the center of Barcelona...if that helps.
Barcelloneta would not be my choice either

To understand a bit more Barcelona,read the city ' s history.The beauty of it is that it has kept so much from the gothic part including el Born. I found the book "The cathedral by the sea "fascinating, it is novel
but gives you a great idea of Barcelona. the eixample was an enlargement of the city,several centuries later. Eixample means enlargement.... read also about Gaudi.
it is a great city .

I also agree with NOT staying in Barcelonetta (whether the Arts Hotel says so or not!) since it is in no way "central."

To some of us, the Eixample is ALSO known as the "Gayxample" and for good reason. The closer you can get to the Placa Catalunya the better if you want REALLY "central" but Barcelona is pretty easy to get around.

Thanks for the replys...Barcelonetta is off the list.

Example is a big area of the city. I never new it was "designated gay ." My gay friends always stay In Barcenoletta.

Knew not new....

i agree with danon, this Gayxample thing is pure nonsense, can any local fodorite
Clarify.....I feel there is a big confusion here.....

Gayexample is the common nickname for a few blocks of Eixample near Pl. Universitat - roughly between Gran Via and Arago and Muntaner and Comte de Urgell.

Eixample itself is probably Barcelona's biggest distict. It's useful to check on a map the actual proximity to the city center. Most people seem to prefer parts of Eixample close to Pg. de Gràcia.

Thanks to all.You were very helpfull!!!!

We stayed at a hotel on Gran Via, & very close to Passage de Gracia. It was an excellent location!

We stayed in a great little studio apt a block off Placa Catalunya...but we arrived with no reservations and met a girl at the Placa with a notebook and pics, and her boss, a guy on a bike. It worked for us, but I wouldn't recommend it for anyone who likes concrete plans!

The atmospheric El Born district is in the Ciutat Vella/Old town, close to or in the middle of "everything": great cafés, tapas bars, restaurants, museums, sights, shopping, Plaza Catalunya, the Ciutadella Park etc (even the Barceloneta beach): http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s/el-born.html

Hotel Banys Orientals in the Born area is out of the ordinary and great value: http://www.hotelbanysorientals.com/