Travel
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Barcelona Neighborhoods
Question #2: What neighborhoods do you recommend staying in? (From what we've seen, for needing a triple, it's going to be much cheaper to rent an apt).
Originally I was thinking along La Rambla...but then I recalled reading in one book that El Raval neighborhood is dangerous. Some of the apts I was looking at are right at La Boqueria, but I believe that's considered El Raval. Would we be better off in the Gothic Quarter?
I've also Eixample is a good neighborhood to stay in and that a lot of Dali tourist spots are around there; but that it's not as pedestrain friendly and can be pricier. Can we walk from Eixample to La Ramblas and even Sagrada Familia?
It'll be my husband, sister and I. Mid-20's white kids, if that has an impact. TIA.
Re: Barcelona Neighborhoods
I honeymooned in Barcelona, and went back last March for another week. I love Barcelona. I'm also in my mid 20's.
I stayed at the end of Diagonal Mar near the beach for my honeymoon. Which was lovely for a honeymoon but it was farther from the city center. If you are only visiting for a few days I wouldn't recommend it.
The second time I was there I rented an apartment in Las Ramblas. I felt safe, it's like anywhere else don't be stupid, and pay attention. If you live in a big city like Chicago I don't think you have anything to worry about.
The Ramblas is more of a part atmosphere, lot's of tourists and local people having a good time at tapas bars. Adjacent to that is the Gothic Quarter, which is one of my favorite areas of Barcelona.The pop up shops around the Gothic Cathedral are so much fun.
The Eixample is a more expensive area of town and seems a little sleepy in comparison to Ramblas and the Gothic area but it is very beautiful and near all the Gaudi sights.
Barcelona isn't a big city so you can walk to a lot of the sites. When I stayed off Las Ramblas we walked everywhere, the Exiample, Parc Guell, the beach. We did take a cab to the Sagrada Familia, It was pretty cheap and saved us time. Their Metro system is fantastic though.
Having an apartment there was fantastic and it is now the only way I'll travel. It was nice having a "home away from home." Have a great time!
On my visits there, I haven't wandered through El Raval much. I had heard the same warnings and while driving through in taxis, I didn't see much I wanted to explore.
I love La Ribera. Great neighborhood, fabulous shops. You have to cross a major thoroughfare and wander down an alley or two, but it is so worth it.
http://www.whatbarcelona.com/la-ribera-barcelona.html
I've been to Barcelona a few times, and sadly I can't remember the amazing apartment I found for 3 people. I think it was considered in the "Gay neighborhood" though. Great price, clean apartment, and safe.
However, I just went there in October and we stayed at Hotel Constanza. Not sure what the rate would be for 3 people during Easter time, but we got an amazing rate. It was recommended by a few nesties here, and it was voted as one of the most centralized hotels in a lot of my books. We were super close to everything!
As for La Rambla, it's not dangerous per se, but there are a lot of petty crimes (since there are plenty of tourists) and it can be really loud depending what part your hotel is situated. Barri Gotic gets pretty empty after stores close and a lot of my books recommended leaving that area after 10pm.
I was in Barcelona in October. Just for a couple of days pre and post Cruise. Both nights I stayed here (My parents and cabin mate stayed here for three days before the cruise)
http://www.hispanos7suiza.com/
Nice apartment style hotel/room. Two bedrooms, full kitchen, etc. Right around the corner from La Sagrada Familia. We took taxi's and the Hop on Hop Off bus to get around. Was pretty easy from there.
I agree with what others have said--the Gothic Quarter and the Ribera (aka El Born) would be my choices on where to stay.
I lived in Barcelona whilst doing research and have visited several other times and stayed in various places. At times, I have been heckled by folks toward the Med end of the Rambles (at night). The Raval has some nice spots, but it's harder to know where they are so for simplicity's sake, I would probably not recommend it.
Also, just north of Placa Catalunya is also quite nice--near Casa Batllo--but less atmospheric than the Gothic Quarter and El Born.
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