Sooo.. The difference between Barri Gothic and L'eixample accommodation is
 

Am I right in saying that the difference between Barri Gothic and L'eixample for accommodation is:
BG- aside from the smaller streets, this is more lively at night. Lots of cafes, smaller shops, bars etc...
L'E - more upper class area, wider streets, cafe and restaurants but not as lively at night
We will be there in Late August for 7 nights and looking for an apartment that gives us an area to step outside our apartment and drop in to a cafe/restaurant at any time of the day... We want people, life and culture...
When we stayed in Rome, we had this and would like to replicate this here...
By the way, if anyone wants to know - two of us, married, 45 - 50 ish :)
Also something close to everything but I am aware everything is close to something...

Thanks for your input in advance.

Kirsten

Why do you want to replicate something, instead of appreciating it for what it is?

Each area has own charms.

And whatever you can afford!

IMdonehere wrong choice of words... can't wait to appreciate all that Barcelona has to offer. Not trying to replicate another at all, just looking for somewhere that we can step outside and have these things outside our door. Trying to decide which area out of the two to stay in. Was really interested in some feedback on them both that may assist.

Your assessment is right and you have almost made your decision already. Given your preferences, El Born (just next to the Barri Gotic) will be the best place for you. In El Born and Barri Gotic, you are in close walking distance to the cathedral, beach, restaurant scene, museums etc.

Select a nice apartment and look carefully at its location. Use Google Earth to check the location - it displays a lot of photos taken on the surface.

We like the Barri Gotic because we cannot pronounce Eixample. Just kidding.

While Eixample is more modern, the Barri Gotic is more interesting. At least to us.

You should consider medieval and vibrant El Born/La Ribera, the best cafes, tapas bars, restaurants, small shops and a cradle of Catalan identity and culture. I use to stay here. Close to the Barri Gotic, but less tourists around. http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s/el-born.html
http://www.barcelona-life.com/barcelona/born

Parts of the Gothic quarter is very tranquile and a bit unsafe at night, whereas parts of the Eixample is the best upscale and local atmosphere nightlife in town. http://suitelife.com/blog/moving-to-...-world-of-fun/

El Born/La Ribera is full of life into the small hours, lots of excellent and laid-back bars in and around heart of the area Passeig del Born. Also great sights here: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...la-ribera.html

Some folks used to call it the "Gayxample" for obvious reasons.

More details about El Born:

Beautiful Passeig del Born is the heart of the neighbourhood, lots of cafes and bars: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...-del-born.html

In the one end of the Passeig you have the 14th century Santa Maria del Mar church, one of the finest Gothic buildings in Spain: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...a-del-mar.html

In the other end you have the El Born Centre Cultural (in the old food market), the archeological site of Barcelona anno 1700 and much dedicated to 1714 when Barcelona lost in the War of the Spanish succession and became a part of Spain. Because of this, at 17:14 mins in every football match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid on Camp Nou (the so called El Classico) you hear the cry of "Independencia" from a very good part of the some 90 000 spectators. http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...-cultural.html

Carrer Montcada, up from the Santa Maria del Mar Church and Passeig del Born, was the city's most important street from the 12th century. http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/...-montcada.html

Here, in the start of Carrer Montcada, you'll find the Picasso museum and some excellent and very different tapas bars within some 50 meters, cutting edge Tapeo, traditional Xampanyet and Basque pintxos bar and restaurant Euskal Etxea:
Tapeo: http://www.tapeoborn.cat/tapeo-del-born.html
Xampanyet: http://www.timeout.com/barcelona/res...s/el-xampanyet
Euskal Etxea: http://www.euskaletxeataberna.com/en...n-euskaletxea/

And you're now also very close to institutions in town such as fabulous and expensive tapas bar Cal Pep (on the S.Pelegrino world's 100 best restaurant list a few years ago) and emblematic Set Portes from 1836 with tons of history in the walls.
http://calpep.com/Ingles/index_ing.html
http://7portes.com/en/

<<Some folks used to call it the "Gayxample" for obvious reasons.>>

Well, that's unhelpful considering the size and breadth of Eixample, which is about as large as El Born, Barri Gotic, and the Raval put together.

Get a street map of Barcelona that has the metro stations on it. Draw a box that connects Verdaguer, Tetuan, Diagonal and Universitat and stay within the box or within 3 blocks of it and you'll find what you're seeking.

And the Barcelona tourist apartment industry is regulated pretty well. Look on www.apartur.com for lessors.

I would feel safer walking at night in L'eixample, or other neighborhoods mentioned above.

I absolutely LOVE Barcelona and it was by far the high point of my 2014 trip to Spain.

DH and I stayed in El Born after careful research and tons of conversations on this forum. Extremely helpful advice and information, especially from kimhe - who steered us in the direction of El Born. Best advice ever!

El Born was the liveliest neighborhood to stay in, at least in my opinion. Tons of bars and restaurants, not to mention cafes, shops....my favorite part of each day was coming back to El Born, and picking a place in front of the church to sip a cava, have some jamon Iberico and people watch.

My only regret is that we stayed in a hotel in El Born (which was just OK) instead of renting an apartment.

You won't go wrong staying in El Born - I smile just thinking about it!

If you want to read a little bit about it - I wrote a TR about my trip to Spain.

Wow, thanks everyone for your excellent feedback and information shared. Sorry for the delay, have had very limited time to spare lately to take this all in...

I too, IMDonehere cannot pronounce it :)

Kimhe thankyou! these are great links and ideas... I have seen in many other threads your feedback is invaluable

Judy_Rosa yes I will have a look at apartments which we prefer and have done on our other trips..

El Born it is :)