Need help choosing apartment loction in Barcelona
 

I am planning a 4 day trip to Barcelona and after browsing on VRBO and Habitat apartment websites I am totally at a loss to decide which area of the city would be the best.
In Rome we have stayed 3 times in the same apartment just off Piazza Farnese....loved the location and character of the old part of the city. Not so lucky with the apartment in Paris, in the 7th, the street was very busy and did not have much charm.
We do not mind walking, prefer not to be in a very busy, noisy area which I suspect the Ramblas is, but are looking for a "neighborhood"
where there are small shops and restaurants...hopefully not the touristy ones.
Well now that I have given my wish list I hope that someone out there who is familiar with Barcelona can steer me to the right area.
Thanks.

I suggest you check out the location of the apartments you are interested in at Guia Urbana de Barcelona (bcn.es/guia/).

Enter the street name and number and check out the neighborhood.

Cecile, no advertising on the forums...

I don't care for Ramblas and would not stay near the place. El Born has what you are looking for but in some areas it is also touristy.

Also, you can stay near the beach!
Barcelona is easy to walk around. I'll take a look at Habitat and give you some suggestions.

ps how many bedrooms?
when?

Thanks to those who gave me some good info. Have returned from Barcelona, stayed in a Habitat apartment, Princesa 1.. located near the Picasso Museum on quiet pedestrian only street, in a great old building with character, renovated inside and loved the location.

If we return would book this one again.

The last time that I went to Barcelona I stayed in Gracia and I loved it! I search a lot and finally I booked in a page called www.barcelonapoint.com. I think they can also help you finding the correct area. At least, they helped me.

i stayed in barceloneta and found it really easy to get around. i just walked up a few blocks everyday to el born and went from there. there is a metro station a few blocks up and some really good tapas bars. when on ramblas keep away from the gypsies and the hookers. they usually use soccer as a way to spark up conversation and make contact. from there it's really easy for them grab someone's wallet.