GiuliaPiraino

Ok, now that everyone has so generously helped me find an apartment in Paris, I'm on to the next leg

We are taking an apartment in Barcelona for 8 days. I've been looking into the different areas to stay in, but I'm unsure which one to choose!

We typically like pedestrian only areas, don't know if those exist. We also like not too touristy but with good proximity to shopping, restuarants, grocery, etc. Additionally, it needs to be a safe enough area where I can go running by myself in the early morning when there are few people about, given common sense of course.

So that being said, any ideas on which neighborhood to pick?

Lily

We stayed in the Eixample and it sounds just the area you are looking for.

Maribel

Other than the pedestrian only part, the Eixample would fit your other requirments.

SUMMAGOLD

l'eixample sounds like up your alley. we stayed at Hotel Actual and was less than one block from Metro. 10 minute walking distance to Gaudi's Casa Batlló, and it might have been a 10-15 minute walk to Gaudi's Sagrada Familia, if we hadnt gotten lost. On Metro, 3 quick stops to Las Ramblas.


if we were to do again, we would book a place closer to Las Ramblas in the Bari Gotic area, as most of the nightlife was located there. the trains are not 24 hours. I think it stops after 12 am. Beyond that time, you are stuck with a taxi, which can get pricey. And at that hour, and everyone trying to make their way home after a night of partying, competition for a taxi is fierce!

Barcelona is a very clean city. In Bari Gothic, i think they wash down the streets every night.

mvor

For our May trip we picked this apartment:

http://www.habitatapartments.com/pedrera.htm

We learned about it in Nikki's wonderful trip report which you can find here:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34955177

(There are good recs on here for the agency and, so far, they've been terrific to work with.)

Best of luck!

Nikki

Thanks, mvor saved me the trouble of looking up the link to the apartment I stayed in last February.

One of the nice things about that neighborhood in the Eixample is that the Rambla de Catalunya is semi-pedestrianized. Lots of people walking and bicycling down the center strip, which is lined with benches and cafes.

The areas I saw which were pedestrian only struck me as more touristy. These would be in the Bari Gotic and the Born.

danon

another vote for Eixample

scdreamer

bookmarking

GiuliaPiraino

Ok, so I researched a bit and I like the sound of the Eixample area. Now which part of the Eixample area is the nicest, or is it small enough to where it doesn't matter? Is there one particular street that would be fun to have an apartment on?

I happily noticed that apartments in Barcelona are WAY cheaper than Paris- wooohooo!

danon

I like the spot Nikki mentioned.
Eixmple is not a small area.

GiuliaPiraino

When you say the place that Nikki mentioned do you mean the Rambla de Catalunya ?

danon

yes , a number of streets around that area.

GiuliaPiraino

Ok given that area that Nikki mentioned, Rambla de Catalunya, is this the same area? It says it's The Rambla "Plaza" Cataluna in Barcelona?

What does anyone think of this apartment and the area???


http://www.friendlyrentals.com/en/ba...ent-1654-1.htm

GiuliaPiraino

Also as far as the semi-pedestrian Rambla de Catalunya are we talking about closer to metro diagonal or metro catalunya? Or does it matter?

danon

the ares I like ,and Nikki is talking about, is NORTH of Plaza Catalunya.
The apt you are looking at is in a very touristy and crowded part of Barcelona south of the Plaza.
It is an area people like to visit; I would not stay there.

GiuliaPiraino

Oh thanks! I will look for some others north of there. I can't stand being around tourists! Isn't that insane considering I'm a tourist???

danon

I m with you!
this map may help

http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...lona-mapa.html

GiuliaPiraino

Ok, how about this apartment on Paseig de Gracia? http://www.habitatapartments.com/graciadeluxe.htm

Is this a fun area? Does this apartment look ok by Barcelona standards? It looks pretty to me!

Is this the semipedestrian area or is it near here? I see the Rambla de Catalunya is one street over.

Thanks for the second set of eyes.

travel_buzzing

>>pedestrian only areas, not too touristy but with good proximity to shopping, restuarants, grocery, etc. safe enough area where I can go running by myself in the early morning when there are few people>>

You want an apartment in El Borne, not North of Plaza catalunya.
I run, (and live) in barcelona, and you will be stopping to cross busy roads and traffic lights (and pedestrians, in the early hours) in that area. Also the car fumes.
It will be like going for a run in times square or round covent garden (think terrace cafes, whether pedestrianised or not).

However the far side of El Borne has several pedestrian areas (like el gotico but not as touristy, noisy or busy).
Its also near the park (Parc de la Cuitadella) and Arc de Triomfo, which are lovely for a run.

I'll suggest 2 apartments (assuming there are a group of you) in this area:

http://www.way2stay.com/Barcelona-ap...-en-52-672.htm
*Near park, santa caterina market, shops, city centre but quiet*

http://www.way2stay.com/Barcelona-ap...-en-52-686.htm
*Near park, also run by beach, passeig del borne shops and supermarkets, etc.*

travel_buzzing

oh and these areas are better fun*