Gracia

Gracia was originally its own village set apart from the rest of the city. However, when the Eixample was built in the late 19th century, it served to connect old Barcelona and Gracia. Thus Gracia ceased to be a town and become a neighborhood in the larger metropolis that we now know and love as Barcelona.

Gracia is immediately recognizable for its narrow streets, a stark contrast to the wide, modern boulevards of L’Eixample. It's known as a hip area with an active and politically-conscious community. Here you'll find a number of lively plazas, bars and restaurants, but it's a little more subdued other cultural hubs like the Born or El Raval, with a slightly more mature crowd.

Barcelona's Gracia neighborhood is worth exploring for its unique personality and Park Güell, Antoni Gaudí's awesome modernista playground.

Gràcia is not a touristy section of Barcelona. Nevertheless, it's certainly worth the visit if you enjoy strolling around quaint strees and want to escape the "big city" feel for a small town, alternative vibe.

The Plaça del Sol, Plaça de Rius i Taulet and Plaça de la Virreina are vibrant centers of activity and good places to look for outdoor food and drink.

Just west of Plaça del Sol you'll find the Mercat de la Libertat, a beautiful modernista market designed by Antoni Gaudí's assistant.

Most visitors only head up towards Gràcia to see Parc Güell, which is well worth the visit. Designed by Antoni Gaudí as a wealthy living community, the project failed and was converted into a public park. It's located at about a 10-15 minute walk north from the center of Gràcia.

Gracia has a formed an important part of Barcelona Culture since officially joining the city bounds in the 19th century. A republican/ liberal stalwart during Spain's 1st and 2nd Republics and Civil War (1936-1939), Gràcia went bohemian again in the 1960's and 70's. It's still common to see anarchist flags hanging from apartment buildings and other signs of political radicalism on the streets and in plazas, restaurants and bars. While undoubtedly more gentrified and subdued than during its rebellious past, Gràcia remains a one-of-a-kind, funky neighborhood. Its mixed population of students, intellectuals, artists and families join together to organize the Festa Major de Gracia , the best and most creative community festival of the year.

Do you plan to attend this awesome event with your friends? Find an accommodation next to the festival.

Barceloneta & Port Vell

The area around Port Vell has been a hub of Barcelona's maritime activity since Roman times. Its formerly decrepit docks were renovated and revitalized in recent years to form a modern commercial complex. Besides the plethora of yachts and sailboats anchored at Port Vell you'll find Maremàgnum, a multilevel complex of restaurants and shops.

There's also an IMAX theater, a great Aquarium, and a some touristy clubs for nighttime partying. On a nice day, there’s nothing more pleasant than swinging your bare feet off the docks and drinking in the scenery around you.

The Barceloneta is Barcelona's main city beach. Surrounded by a ton of seafood restaurants and beachside “chiringuitos” ( little huts with tables that sell drinks and food) the Barceloneta may not be the cleanest beach in the world, but it's surely one of the most enjoyable!



There's no mistaking Port Vell once you get there. Marked by the Colom Monument at the end of Las Ramblas, the harbor is made up of a large series of docks perfect for strolling around and exploring. You can check out the yachts, see an IMAX movie, shop and eat in the Maremagnum mall, discover Barcelona's Aquarium, or enjoy an cool treat from a outdoor venders.

Follow the Passeig de Colom, a wide avenue running northeast of Port Vell, turn towards the sea and you'll hit a boardwalk of sorts - the Passeig Maritim - signaling the beaches of the Barceloneta.

Formerly uninhabitable, a series of clean-up projects since th 1980s have made the Barceloneta a popular meeting place during summer months. Whether swimming, sunbathing or sipping on a drink at a beachside hut ( "Chiringuito"), you'll revel in the fact that in front of you lies the warm Mediterranean and behind, one of the coolest cities in the world!

Head inland from the beach and you'll find the gridded streets of the Barceloneta neighborhood. Barcelona's best Seafood Restaurants are scattered throughout here.

The area around La Barceloneta does not have a particularly high concentration of cultural venues. Nevertheles, if you're interested in Barcelona's history as an important Mediterranean shipyard, the Museu Marítim offers a very nice selection of boats, models, maps and paintings, plus a tour of one of the old ships.

The Harlem Jazz Club, near Port Vell, is a small dive presenting all kinds of interesting music: jazz, flamenco, rock, african, latin, fusion, experimental... along with Game-B it's a great example of Barcelona's diverse music scene. For a totally different vibe, the Irish Winds pub in the Maremàgnum complex offers live Celtic folk music.

A really nice location to rent an apartment for your holidays in Barcelona.

Barceloneta Beach Apartment

Recently rebuilt and beautifully decorated apartment in Barceloneta, only a few minutes walking distance from the beach and sea, as well as within walking distance from the famous “Ramblas”. Absolutely lovely artwork and furnishings chosen by a professional Barcelona designer. Enjoy the ideal location in this charming, completely refurnished flat! Master bedroom with large double bed, living room with a comfortable double seater sofa, fully-equipped kitchen, complete bathroom.

A central and cosy treat at the heart of the old town in Barcelona, strategically located apartment in the city's centre, This modern apartment close not only to the beach but also to Port Vell and the trendy El Born districts. There are many little bars and restaurants where you can enjoy some of Barcelona's best seafood dotted all along the seafront and area surrounding the apartment. you will also find some typical Tapas bars, trendy shops, Arts galleries and some museum like the Museum of Picasso or the museum of Chocolate.
It is also a short stroll to the famous Rambla or Vila Olimpica. Conveniently located near metro, bus, tourist bus, and taxi stops.

A nice apartment in a great location to enjoy the sunny days of Barcelona during your holidays or just for a weekend. Rent this apartment.

Born Apartment

The apartment is in an old historical building and has wooden floors throughout, as well as stunning original features such as wooden beams, windows and a Spanish tiled ceiling New reformed and 80 metres up to 4-5 people, brand-new refurnished, full of Mediterranean warm light and eight windows and delicious decoration.

The apartment itself can sleep up to four people comfortably and occasionally we accept 5 persons, with two double bedroom with 2 double beds and 1 folding bed. There are 2 bedrooms and two bathrooms, one of them inside the double bedroom. The apartment is duplex and the bigger bed is upstairs. It is fully outfitted with kitchen equipment and has a modern bathroom, as well.

The apartment captures the typical characteristics of the Born Quarter old building. The building (build in 1700) is been renovate to strict rules and guidelines which conserves the historic facade of the ancient gothic quarter. Is located in a beautiful and quite pedestrian street.

The apartment has a large living room area, with complete kitchen, with fridge freezer, microwave, hob top,and a dining area to sit and eat any meals prepared in the apartment. There are large windows and balcony’s looking out into the street. The apartment has the original wooden beams. However, the apartment is also furnished with brand new furniture and fittings. The apartment is in a 2nd floor without lift. Subtle lighting and a calm atmosphere makes any guest feel the true medieval Barcelona experience.

The apartment is well served by public transport - the nearest metro is just a 2 minute walk away, and for those sun lovers, a 15 minute walk takes you right to the beach, too. There are many shops and markets in the Gothic Quarter, along with the Picasso museum, the textiles museum, and even the Chocolate museum.

A holiday stay in this exclusive accommodation is one not to be missed. Are you interested in this nice apartment? Book it here.

Rent a car

There are tons of car rental firms in Barcelona so if you have decided to hire a car and cruise your way around the city then you will be spoilt for choice! Hiring a car in Barcelona can be one of the best ways to get out the tourists trap and discover some of the less visited gems that the city and surrounding areas have to offer. It gives you the liberty to come and go as you please rather than wasting time hanging around endlessly in bus terminals and train stations!
It is often advisable to pre-book your hire car on the internet as this is usually the most economic option. Below we have listed some of the most respected car hire companies in Barcelona with website addresses and their most central offices. However, all these firms have pick-up and drop-off points conveniently located all over the city and at Barcelona's Airports, so once you know where you're staying you can plan your car hire accordingly.

Rent a Car Barcelona

Alamo

Sants Railway Station, Plaza de los Paises Catalans, Barcelona 08014

Tel: +34 93491989

http://www.alamo.com/

Avis

Sants Railway Station, Placa Paisos Catalans, Barcelona 08014

Tel: +34 9333044193

http://www.avis.co.uk/

Europcar

Gran Vía, Cortes Catalanes 680, Barcelona 08010

Tel: +34 933020543

http://www.europcar.com/

Hertz

C/ Tuset 10, Barcelons 08006

Tel: +34 932178076

http://www.hertz.com/

National

C/ Muntaner 45, Barcelona 08011

Tel: +34 933230266

http://www.natcar.com/

Pepecar

C/ Rivadeneyra, Underground car park Saba (off Placa Catalunya) Barcelona 08002

Tel: +34 902360535

http://www.pepecar.com/

Safety when driving in Spain

If you have never driven in Barcelona before it is important to be aware of the driving laws in Spain. British and Australian drivers be sure to get on the right hand side of the road! Special care should be taken during national holidays when the most road accidents occur in Spain because so many more people take to the roads. Obviously, drink driving is illegal and Spain is particularly strict with the limit set at 0.5mg of alcohol per millilitre of blood. Speeding can result in immediately payable fines so always watch your speed!

Speed Limits in Spain:

Motorways: 120 km/ hour

Open Road: 90-100 km/ hour

Town: 50 km/ hour

Rent an apartment

Short Term Apartments
Before you start comparing hotel prices, you might want to consider the homey option of staying in a Barcelona apartment. Short-term rentals are becoming increasingly available, affordable and popular among tourists. Prices usually amount to those of a mid-range hotel (€70-€100 per night give or take, depending on location and number of renters). Make sure to check on extra fees and services, and the true convenience factor of the location before comitting to anything. You'll find hundreds of services surfing the web.

Renting an Apartment in Barcelona
If you're planning on a longer stay and want to find a Barcelona apartment for a couple of months, you'll probably want to check into a hotel or hostel while searching for the right place. As in any big city, it's best to shop around first to compare prices, locations and roommates. The general rule of thumb: don't agree on anything without seeing the place first! Most Barcelona apartments ask for a deposit equivalent to 1-3 month's rent, and some ask for an "aval" which is nearly impossible if you lack a Spanish bank account.

A single room in a shared apartment in the center of Barcelona will run from €200 and up. €300 is the average asking price; most rooms under €250 are too good to be true or windowless. Also figure about €30-€50 in extra expenses (gas, electricity, etc.) unless the ad says "gastos incluidos." Studios start at about €400 but most are higher.

A great website to use is http://www.loquo.com/, an online community site (like craigslist in the US) that started in Barcelona but has now spread throughout Spain. Here you'll find all types of apartments for long-term rent, short-term rent, in a shared flat, etc., plus activity and job postings. Another great and reliable site is http://www.top-barcelona-apartments.com/, which offers you nice apartments for your holidays from 27 euros per night and per person.

The Ramblas & The Gothic Quarter

Las Ramblas will likely be your first stop in Barcelona, and rightly so. This area is a must-see. Even though it’s packed with tourists, it’s an exciting, lively neighborhood perfect for ambling around, shopping, and eating. You can take a pleasant stroll, enjoy some great people-watching and admire the beautiful medieval architecture of the Barri Gotic all around you.

Plaça de Catalunya is a good place to start, especially because the aerobus and train from the airport both stop here. Barcelona's main train station - Estació Sants - is also on the same metro line as Catalyuna. The plaza itself is bordered by large department stores, including the mammoth El Corte Inglés and French FNAC, plus a couple of terraces great for meeting friends and having a café con leche.

The northwest end of Las Ramblas meets the southwest corner of Plaça de Catalunya. Las Ramblas is a long avenue with a central pedestrian walkway full of newsstands, cafes & restaurants, mimes, pavement artists, and more. The name "Las Ramblas" is plural because in reality this stretch is made up of 5 consecutive streets: Rambla Canaletes, Rambla Estudis, Rambla Sant Josep, Rambla Caputxins and Rambla Santa Mònica.

Las Ramblas is Spain's most famous boulevard. On the way down, you'll find many points of interest, such as Barcelona's opera house, the Gran Teatre del Liceu, and the Mercat de la Boqueria, a beautiful outdoor modernista food market. When you reach the end, you'll find yourself at the Monument a Colom, a tall homage to Christopher Columbus which signals the entrance to the harbor and Port Vell.

East of Las Ramblas you'll enter into the heart of the Gothic Quarter ("Barri Gotic"), the medieval section of Barcelona. Barcelona’s Cathedral - La Seu - is a prime example of the Catalan Gothic style, with beautiful exterior adornment added later in the 19th century. The surrounding neighborhood is full of Gothic Plaças characterized by terrace cafes, impromptu outdoor concerts, bars and shops. The most notable plazas are: Plaça del Rei, Plaça de Sant Jaume, Plaça de Sant Josep Oriol and Plaça Reial. There are also remnants of Roman walls, tombs and temples around here, as this is the part of the city where the Romans first settled. The best way to get a sense of ancient Barcelona is to vist the City History Museum on the Plaça del Rei.

It's a pleasure to just wander the streets off of Las Ramblas in the Gothic Quarter and stumble upon endless treasures and surprises.

While Las Ramblas itself holds the Wax and Erotica Museums, you'll find the more interesting elements of Barcelona culture in the Barri Gótic's charming side streets and plazas. This area is home to the fascinating City History Museum; the Liceu, Barcelona's stellar opera house; Jamboree, the old stomping grounds of Ella Fitzgerald and Chet Baker; and all the most important works of medieval Barcelona architecture.

Ciutat Vella, another name for this area, means "Old City." Ciutat Vella refers everything between the old port and Plaça de Catalunya (the Barri Gòtic plus La Ribera and El Raval). Between April and June you'll stumble upon numerous outdoor Ciutat Vella concerts, especially during 3 key annual music festivals: the Barcelona Flamenco Festival, the Barcelona Festival of Early Music, and the Festa de Música de Barcelona.

*NOTE* Keep an eye on your bag or other personal belongings on Las Ramblas. Pickpockets are notorious for robbing tourists around here.

Do you plan to spend some holidays in Barcelona? Rent an apartment in the Ramblas.