Barcelona

[The Tiggster]

Planning Sept trip to Barcelona & currently we looking at apartments. We have a 2 year old, so want to be nearer the beach for going to at the end of a day's site seeing, but in a dilemma as to which area to stay in. Barceloneta looks good, but generally small apartments & getting expensive for what we want ( mod cons & technology for grown ups in evening when toddler in bed). The other choice is Pouble Nou, which we could get a much better apartment for much less money, but not a lot of reviews or guides to the area. Problem is, no experience of Barcelona & the neighbourhoods. Anyone have an opinion on which are would be best, or best avoided?! Thanks

[Narolines]

We've stayed in a flat in Poble Nou and it was fine - pleasant local area with some nice cafes, restaurants & bars (probably not so important if you've got a 2-year old!) and good local shops. Barceloneta is certainly pricier than Poble Nou, for self-catering shopping and for eating out as well as for accommodation. Our flat in PN had a sea view and was a few minutes from the beach. There is a main road between the beach and the suburb, but there are plenty of pedestrian crossing points and it's easy enough to negotiate.

[The Tiggster]

Thank you Narolines, it's good to hear that the area of Poble Nou is nice, as many reviews & travel info warn you that it is industrial, bit run down, going through a huge transition etc etc & I found it quite off putting. Will seriously consider the area & try to stick near to the beach area.
Thanks again.

[Narolines]

Well, it is true that Poble Nou used to be an industrial area, but, like the old industrial areas of many UK cities, it's now a residential suburb. The main street (Rambla de Poblenou) is a pleasant tree-lined stroll with a slightly cosmopolitan and very friendly feel to it. Plenty of cafes and resaurants to choose from, too. There is still some rebuilding in odd places - where isn't there in Europe these days? - but we didn't find it obtrusive or off-putting. There's a good bus service into the city centre that runs along the coast road at the bottom of the Rambla de Poblenou (our flat was on the Passeig de Calvell, right by the bus-stop). There is a Poblenou Metro station, but it's well away from the beach area and probably further than you'd want to walk with a small child. Nice walk along the beach into Barceloneta.......