| Renting an Apartment in Barrio Gotico Barcelona puts | | | | like the locals live: cooking as they do, and shopping |
| you right into the old quarter of the city, and not far | | | | from the same stores and markets as the locals |
| from the wonderful Barcelona Cathedral and the | | | | shop. This is an important part of a vacation for |
| Museum of History. In fact, the area is rich in history, | | | | many people and the reason why they prefer to |
| dating at least back to Roman times with a labyrinth | | | | rent an apartment than a hotel room, and it gives |
| of old streets containing a mixture of shops from | | | | them the real flavour of a city, particularly one as old |
| antique dealers to umbrella stores. | | | | as Barcelona. |
| Living in this part of the city enables you to enjoy its | | | | It is the age of Barrio Gotico that is the attraction |
| historical background, while taking advantage of some | | | | for most that choose to spend their entire vacation |
| excellent accommodation. Nevertheless, there are | | | | here, and while there are more modern apartments in |
| negatives, and no review connected with staying | | | | modern buildings in Barcelona, none have the |
| here would be a fair one without commenting on | | | | character of those in Barrio Gotico, and none give |
| these. Here are seven pros and cons of renting an | | | | the same true spirit of the city, with its narrow |
| apartment in Barrio Gotico, Barcelona. | | | | cobbled streets, small cute squares, and paella being |
| PROS | | | | cooked in the street outside the restaurant in a huge |
| 1. You will not be so disturbed by traffic noise as in | | | | paella pan. This is the real atmosphere of Barcelona |
| other areas of Barcelona. Barrio Gotico is largely a | | | | as it one was - and still is in this part of the Ciutat |
| pedestrian area, and automobile traffic is controlled | | | | Vella. |
| by means of a restricted timetable. Its often very | | | | CONS |
| narrow streets and lanes would be a problem in other | | | | Renting an apartment in Barrio Gotico Barcelona also |
| cities, but not here due to the restrictions on traffic. | | | | has its disadvantages, and in order to strike a fair |
| 2. Most apartments in Barcelona, but specifically in | | | | balance between the pros and cons, the last three |
| Barrio Gotico, place you very close to most of the | | | | are 'cons'. |
| main tourist areas of the city. Not only are you only | | | | 5. Because of the fame of the area, Barrio Gotico |
| a short walk away from most of Barcelona's | | | | tends to be overcrowded with tourists, and |
| attractions, but Barrio Gotico is situated in the Ciutat | | | | pickpockets are common. You have to take care |
| Vella, meaning 'Old City' in Catalan which says it all. | | | | when mingling outside with others, particular when |
| This is Barcelona's core, split in half by the set of | | | | your attention is distracted by the street performers |
| boulevards known as Las Ramblas, one continuous | | | | in Las Ramblas, or your vacation could turn out more |
| street with Barrio Gotico on one side and Raval on | | | | expensive than you budgeted for. |
| the other. | | | | 6. Because this is the old gothic quarter of Barcelona, |
| This is a very popular area for apartments and | | | | there aren't many modern buildings here, and many |
| tourists, largely because of its age but also for the | | | | have no elevator or lift. This could be a problem for |
| wonderfully eclectic selection of attraction and sights, | | | | some of the older visitors since the old staircases can |
| such as the Gaudí lampposts in the | | | | be narrow and very steep. Even young children will |
| Plaça Reial to the Picasso Museum. You will also | | | | find these difficult and you might perhaps want to |
| find the legendary Els Quatre Gats here, the Four | | | | think twice, or at least visit the area first, before |
| Cats bar and restaurant frequented by Picasso and | | | | booking an apartment in this area of Barcelona. There |
| other artists, and certainly worth a visit. | | | | are many others more suitable, if not as historical |
| After lunch you can start right in the center and visit | | | | though it should be kept in mind that most of the |
| the attractions, and also visit La Boqueria Market, one | | | | residents here are old people, living the traditional |
| of the most famous Catalan markets in Las Ramblas. | | | | Catalan life. |
| The old port, Port Vell, is also near by. If the children | | | | 7. This part of Barcelona can be very noisy during |
| are getting bored then you can take them to beach | | | | festivals such as La Merce, Barca games, Sant Joan |
| which is only 15 minutes walk from here, or practically | | | | and so on, and you might find it difficult to sleep if |
| no time by bus or metro. That will keep them happy. | | | | you are not taking part. Barrio Gotico is frequently |
| 3. The Barrio Gotico area literally overlflows with | | | | the venue for shows and concerts, and many of |
| restaurants and bars serving a range of dishes from | | | | these go on into the early hours of the morning. |
| typical Catalan food to delicious and exotic Arab and | | | | Finally, renting an apartment in Barrio Gotico Barcelona |
| Tai dishes. If you check out the prices first, bearing in | | | | is an excellent choice so long as you are aware of |
| mind that Las Ramblas can be pretty expensive, you | | | | the 'cons' as well as the 'pros'. Barrio Gotico has a |
| can find some wonderful and inexpensive small | | | | great deal to offer, from its artisan shops to its |
| restaurants in the warren of streets around this area. | | | | traditional bars, and everything here is within easy |
| At night you can visit a marvelous range of bars, | | | | walking distance, unlike some areas of Barcelona such |
| from Irish pubs to Catalan Bars and Spanish disco | | | | as Les Corts and the Sants area. Most people believe |
| bars at Plaça Reial. | | | | that the advantages of the convenience of Barrio |
| 4. Because you are staying in an apartment in | | | | Gotico more that outweigh any problems related to |
| Barcelona, you have the choice of eating out or | | | | its popularity, and go on to enjoy a fabulous vacation |
| cooking your own food. The fourth benefit is living | | | | in the wonderful Catalan city of Barcelona. |