I'm going to stay in Barcelona for 3 days in April, with my parents and my 8 year old. I've found two nice apartments, one in the Gothic Quarter and one in Eixample. The apartment in Eixample is right across from the Sagrada Familia, which makes it appealing, and the description of the place emphasizes that it's quiet. But I like the idea of staying in the old city because, well...it's old and I will probably want to spend a good deal of time there. Will it be loud and crowded in the Gothic Quarter at night? And how far is Eixample from the Gothic Quarter? What do you think would be the pros and cons of each? Am I stressing over this too much?

Hi! I have only stayed in pensiones, so I can't really recommend upscale accommodation to you! However, I can say that the one and only time I've been robbed in Barcelona in the three times I've visited was in the Gothic quarter. It is crowded and noisy at night and most of the unsavoury types are other tourists, not locals. Perhaps the only annoyance outside the Sagrada Familia would be the number of photographers? It is also a fair distance away from the action. You will have to way up the pros and cons. Sorry I can't help you more!

Download a copy of Maribel's Guide to Barcelona (http://maribelguides.com). She offers some good advice and insight on the city.

One question I have. Three days in an apartment? Wouldn't you be far better off staying in a comfortable hotel for such a short visit? It may turn out to be a lost less of a gamble on an apartment and a lot less of a hassle. You check in. You leave. And they take care of everything else.

To me, the Sagrada Familia is too far out to walk. I'd stay in the Gothic Quarter, & visit the Sagrada Familia via the open top bus tour. Staying in the Gothic Quarter shouldn't be loud & crowded unless you are actually *on* the Ramblas. Make sure the apartment is east of the Ramblas, though - the dangerous area is supposed to be the old Chinatown area west of the Ramblas, although I was mugged in the Barcelonetta area. (This was a long time ago, though - before all the redevelopment for the Olympics.)

Robert, the reason I was thinking of staying in an apartment is because I don't want to share a hotel room with my parents and a two bedroom apartment is about the same price as two cheap hotel rooms. Plus you get a kitchen.

Is it really going to be a big hassle to rent an apartment for three nights? I don't have experience with these things.

Personally, I think the Sagrada is a bit far from all else.

We stayed at the H10 Catalunya Placa right on the square. While the name sounds loud, it wasn't.

Excellent location. Right at one end of the Ramblas. 20 minutes walk to the other end. 10 minutes to the Gothic quarter.

5 minutes to the Gaudi works on Passeig de Gracias.

Location can't be beat.

red,the area of the Sagrada familia is residential and quite a distant from the old quarters and the ramblas,and for 3 nights you dont want to take the crowded subway all the time,We always stayed in the gothic area is beautiful, take one of the tours they offer for 2 days, you can go off and on to all the sites.

Stay in Eixample. You'll still be quite close to the action, but it will be quieter (although there are lots of restaurants and shops, so it's lively) and you won't have to worry so much about pickpockets. Architecturally, Eixample is unique and stunning - a worthwhile home base.

Thanks for your responses. I think I'm going to end up with the Gothic Quarter apartment. Is there really a hassle involved with renting this kind of place? The apartment is listed on www.gobcn.com, 2BR for 115E per night. Anyone have experience with renting through this site?

I would stay in Eixample, but in an area closer to the Gothic Quarter. There are many hotels, and I assume apartments, in the Eixample that are within a few short blocks of Catalunya Placa, easy walking to the Gothic Quarter and Ramblas.

Sagrada Familia is very far from the action, we had a difficault time finding a restaurant nearby for lunch as I remember.

The gothic quarter will be fine. A lot of it is closed to traffic at night and we had a wonderful time last summer wandering round after midnight and felt completely safe. Highlight was listening to a gospel choir on the steps of a church around 11.30 in the evening. It had a great atmosphere.

Avoid the Ramblas. It is very touristy and IMO rather seedy.

An alternative to an apartment that would be easier to book would be the Citadines Apart'hotel. Check out:

http://www.citadines.com/uhot/uwres_ltpms57.htm

I've used Citadines hotels in France for extended stays. They have kitchenettes, convertible beds and include some 1BR and 2BR units. The Barcelona hotel is at the northern end of Las Ramblas.

If you want to BE in teh Gothic Quarter than stay there and not in Eixample.

Yes, it can be very noisy at night, depending on what part of the area you are in. It isn't deafening on every street by any means. Las Ramblas, which someone above described as "seedy" (whatever that means: "people different from the rest of us"? "gays"? "con artists"? Yes, they are all there along with the "living statues" and the bird sellers, etc., but that's PART of Barcelona.

Eixample is somewhat more, shall we say, "gentrified" (my friends who live there don't lovingly call it the "Gayxample" for nothing!

Go with your gut but try to be somewhat removed from hubbub of Las Ramblas and I think you'll be pleased.