visiting Barcelona week before Christmas
 

I will be visiting Barcelona the week before Christmas with son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren ages 21, 19, and 17. I'm just along for the ride! They have assure me (age 78) I will not slow them down. Not sure yet where we're staying but I think they want an AirbB&B. Does anyone have any suggestions for where to stay? And does anyone have suggestions for day trips with grandmother and anyone else who might be interested?

Airbnb is highly regulated in Barcelona due to its negative impact from tourists on the locals. Any legal apt. has to be registered for short-term vacation rentals, and that reg. no. MUST appear in the ad. So that's just a piece of advice which I think you don't know.

I like the Eixample area, left side, somewhere between passeig de Gracia and carrer d'Aribau, not too close to Diagonal. Iv'e stayed in the Hotel Jazz also which was a great location as it's very close to placa Catalunya, so convenient, but it was off a bit towards metro stop Universitat so not as hectic. That's a good area, not far from Universitat metro stop, as the airport bus stops there.

Montserrat is a great day trip.

If you are in Barcelona at Christmas be sure to pick up a Caganer. Google it. It is not considered vulgar in Catalunya, but a centuries old tradition at Christmas. NO KIDDING. Friends from Barcelona came to visit and brought us a Hillary, Obama, and Trump. You will stun and amaze your grandchildren. It considered non-sectarian and all in good fun.

I would stay in the Eixample as well.

Do not at any restaurants on Las Ramblas or Barceloneta.

We also like Eixample near passeig de Gracia and we stayed at a really nice property called Murmuri Residence Mercader

We booked it on booking.com and they are apartments and the larger units will sleep 4 adults

https://www.booking.com/hotel/es/pal...2236c4c81835c3

Christmas time in Barcelona is lovely. Less people and easier to get around. And the weather is usually still nice and sunny. Casa Bonay is a nice hotel to stay. Its in the Eixample but on the other side (Eixample Dret). Between Passeig de Gracia and Passeig Sant Juan. Close to metro, close to the centre and a very comfortable hotel to stay.