| Barcelona is a big, fascinating city with lots of | | | | Barcelona's better neighborhoods. Eixample caters to |
| interesting, diverse neighbourhoods. One is certainly | | | | the well-to-do, especially in the sections around |
| going to be right for you. The question is which one? | | | | Passeig de Gracia, Rambla de Catalunya and in the |
| Consider Ciutat Vella if you like the idea of "being in | | | | Avenue Gaudi/Sagrada Familia area. This is a relatively |
| the middle of everything." The streets here, in the | | | | safe and clean part of town. It's almost always |
| heart of the city, are packed with noisy and lively | | | | tranquil because few tourists venture here. However, |
| crowds of both visitors and locals. This is Barcelona's | | | | there are still many fine restaurants, bars and open |
| historic hub and the ambience is remarkably dynamic, | | | | air cafes. And some of the best shopping in all of |
| vibrant and memorable. | | | | Barcelona is available along the Avenue Passeig de |
| Importantly, Ciutat Vella is a pedestrian-friendly area. | | | | Gracia. |
| There are few large roads, very little noisy traffic | | | | If you are staying in Eixample, you will be able to get |
| and streets that are made for strolling. However, | | | | to the center of the city in as little as 5-15 minutes, |
| while vehicles won't disturb you with honking horns, | | | | depending on where you are in Eixample. In fact, if |
| the area is known for the noise that emanates each | | | | you are staying near the Avenue Passeig de Gracia |
| evening from the many discos and bars that line the | | | | or Gran Via Avenue, you will enjoy easy access to |
| streets. | | | | the metro or many buses. You can also use taxis, |
| Barcelona's central district Ciutat Vella includes each | | | | which are surprisingly affordable. Eixample is also |
| of these four interesting and uniquely-different areas: | | | | well-suited to the needs of seniors because it is safe, |
| Barrio Gotico, Born (La Ribera), Raval and Barceloneta. | | | | quiet and very upscale. |
| Barrio Gotico and Born both border Las Ramblas to | | | | Sants and Les Corts are quiet residential |
| the left and face the sea. Each is desirable for many | | | | neighborhoods generally avoided by tourists because |
| reasons. For instance: both neighborhoods are | | | | there are no sights or attractions to enjoy. However, |
| relatively safe, mostly quiet and provide easy access | | | | this area has many newly-constructed buildings |
| to public transportation, including the metro (Green | | | | packed with modern facilities and lots of amenities. |
| Line L3) and numerous buses. An enticing variety of | | | | Public transportation is readily available and a trip to |
| chic, trendy restaurants and bars, as well as less | | | | the center of Barcelona normally takes about 15 |
| expensive establishments are all within easy walking | | | | minutes by metro, slightly longer by bus. Tranquility |
| distance. | | | | and comfort are the keys here. And, because |
| If you like the beach, you'll probably want to stay in | | | | tourists stay away, first class accommodation is |
| Barceloneta. This is the area where a "neighbourhood | | | | often available at bargain prices. |
| beach" is easily accessible from most hotels and | | | | Sants and Les Corts are also perfect for exhibitors |
| vacation apartments. But a word of caution: its | | | | and business travelers because of their proximity to |
| accessibility can sometimes be a problem because, in | | | | the Fira Barcelona Fair and the Congress Center. In |
| summer, the beach is almost always overcrowded | | | | fact, you can take the metro to the Plaza Espanya |
| and not always well-maintained. | | | | which will literally leave you at the doorstep of |
| Finally, there is Raval. Similar to Barrio Gotico, but not | | | | Barcelona's main exhibition center. |
| quite as fashionable, it is home to many of | | | | Finally, you may wish to consider Vila Olímpica. |
| Barcelona's best-known "must-see" sights and | | | | Constructed for the 1992 Olympic Games, it is now a |
| museums. Raval also features a sizeable immigrant | | | | well-to-do district that features new luxury buildings |
| population which results in an ambience that is both | | | | with posh, comfortable apartments. Ideal for those |
| multinational and fascinating. | | | | who want to relax, it is still just 15-20 minutes away |
| Importantly, the crime rate in Raval is high. Those | | | | from Las Ramblas by metro (L4 Yellow Line), no |
| who go out for an evening stroll need to be extra | | | | more than thirty minutes away for those who prefer |
| cautious and careful. | | | | to walk. |
| Prices throughout Ciutat Vella fluctuate from | | | | Vila Olímpica has two beaches - Bogatell and |
| inexpensive and very affordable to very expensive | | | | Nova Icaria - which compare quite favorably to the |
| (for luxury accommodation). Overall, this area of the | | | | beach at Barceloneta because they are much less |
| city is ideally-suited for young people, for couples, for | | | | crowded and much cleaner. Windsurfing is popular at |
| small groups of friends and for families with children. | | | | both beaches. Luxury is evident throughout Vila |
| What You Need to Know: | | | | Olímpica. And that is why you can expect to |
| Be aware of pickpockets, Las Ramblas, Plaza | | | | pay a bit more if you stay here. |
| Cataluña and other crowded sections are a | | | | There are, of course, many more neighbourhoods |
| pickpocket's paradise. You need to be careful when | | | | throughout Barcelona, but the ones mentioned here |
| you are out in these areas. It's important to take | | | | are among the most popular and best-suited for |
| good care of your personal belongings. If you stop to | | | | vacation and business travelers. |
| watch street performers in Las Ramblas, be sure to | | | | Visitors to Barcelona have an almost limitless choice |
| hold on to your bag tightly. In fact, keep it in front of | | | | of neighborhoods in which to stay. Whether you like |
| you and close to you. If you're wearing a rucksack, | | | | to be "in the middle of the action" or you prefer it |
| remove it and hold it in your hands, as well. | | | | "quiet and relaxed" there is a neighborhood that fits |
| If you want to get away from the usual tourist | | | | your needs, and your budget. |
| places and the noise, consider Eixample, one of | | | | |