I am confused as to where I should stay in Barcelona. I have heard that Las Ramblas is loud and full of pickpockets. I have also heard that the Gothic Quarter is dangerous at night. <BR> <BR>I am from New York City and know that you have to be careful 24 hours a day. That being said, are those areas really "bad"? <BR>

Las Ramblas isn't that bad, in my opinion. It's very centrally located anyway. If your hotel is on that street, get a room on the back because the street is noisy all night. The Gothic Quarter has a lot of narrow, dark streets so it might be creepy at night if you are alone.

Also, Paseo de Gracia looked like a nice street to stay on. It's a wide street with lots of restaurants and shops. It might be noisy, too, but I bet not as bad as Las Ramblas.

I was in Barcelona this past July, and saw many police officers, day and night, walking along Las Ramblas. There is a police station across from Casa Gaudi, just off Las Ramblas. I feel that there is safety in numbers, so I like to be on the buzy streets. If you live in NYC, then you must know all the basic safety precations, use them. Many of the streets are very noisy at night, so for a decent nights sleep, I'm bringing ear plugs when I go back. I agree with Paige, Las Ramblas is the place to be, location wise. And that the streets in the Gothic Quarter are very dark and narrow, I would be afraid of getting lost at night in that area if I had to find my hotel after a Sangria or two! Have fun!

You don't have to stay either place, although if you stay on one of the "Ramblas" avenues (there are actually three strung together, north to south), stay as far north as you can. Otherwise, consider staying in Eixample, north of Placa de Catalunya, or northwest (of metro stop Espana) toward the University. We stayed a few blocks north of the "Hospital Clinic" stop in a fairly residential area. It was quiet at night and a little empty, but I felt safer there than I would have in the Gothic quarter.