I’ve lived all over Barcelona, from the upper Eixample by the Sagrada Familia, to the ancient heart of the city in the Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter). I now live near the sea, which suits me best.

Which barri is right for your trip or move to Barcelona? That depends on what you’re after in your Barcelona experience… and your budget. Here are some questions to ask yourself when choosing a neighborhood:

Colorful El Raval. Photo: Liliane Callegari

1. Are you after hip, multicultural, central, cool, and inexpensive?

Then your barri is El Raval! Right in the center of the city off Pl. Catalunya, this barri is one of the up-and-coming zones of the city. Some of Barcelona’s trendiest bars and restaurants are found in El Raval, as are the contemporary art museums, the CCCB and MACBA. This is where skaters zip around and students share beers on ample squares. This is also where to come to get a late-night kebab.

Yes, there is crime and prostitution and drug use in El Raval, which may be why the prices are lower for apartments and hotels in this barri. If you’re a chica, consider a Raval spot on a well-lit street in the outer Raval, rather than deep within it.

Perks: Ridiculously cool barri with a lot going on.
Drawbacks: Crime, drugs, etc. Not much in the way of green spaces.

2. Are you after a large apartment with an elevator in a somewhat posh area of the city with lots of cutting-edge restaurants and bars, plus easy public transportation?

Then your barri is “Gay” Eixample! It’s called “Gay” because a lot of gay folks live in this area and hence, there are many gay-friendly clubs, bars and establishments. This Eixmple is much cooler than the other Eixample (there are two), and has a lot more going on.

For those moving to town, apartments in this zone are usually spacious with multiple rooms. Also, they tend to have elevators, unlike many buildings in the Barri Gotic and La Ribera/Born.

Perks: Very central, with excellent bars, stores, movie theaters. Newer buildings.
Drawbacks: Noise. Lots of traffic crosses the Eixample. Pollution.

3. Are you after cobblestone streets, buildings with “character,” bohemian bars and history?

Then your barri is La Ribera/Born or Barri Gotic! Two of my preferred areas of the city because of their charm ratio, they’ve got a lot of it! Living in “old” Barcelona is awesome because of the history that surrounds you. It’s like living in the book Shadow of the Wind. Many of the La Ribera/Born or Barri Gotic streets are quiet and lit up at night by enormous and ornate iron lamps.

Fun bars and innovative restaurants mingle with truly bohemian cafes in this barri, where there’s something for everyone. If you’re moving to Barcelona, many of the apartments in La Ribera/Born or Barri Gotic are large, but they may not have heating/elevators/fixtures from this century.

Perks: Central and exceedingly charming. Fun bars and nightlife. Quiet at night (for the most part).
Drawbacks: Too touristy, lack of supermarkets, petty theft.

4. Are you after an artsy-fartsy barri with a “local”/family vibe to it and over 15 plaças to lounge in?

Then your barri is Gracia! Sure, it’s not that central, but most who live in this fabulous area will tell you that they could care less. Nice apartments on skinny streets lined with super cool bars, boutiques and natural food stores keep Gracia people happy.

Once a village called, uh, Gracia, this area still maintains its small town feel, even though it is very much now part of Barcelona. From Gracia it’s only four Metro stops to get to Pl. Catalunya.

Perks: A barri for the people with markets, shops, cafes, bakeries, etc. Family-friendly.
Drawbacks: Small streets, a bit removed from the center, hard to park (if you have a car).

Additional tips:

I also really dig the barris Poble Sec (central, near nature), Poble Nou (near beach) and Sarria (out of the center). Bonanova and Tres Torres and anything on Diagonal are super posh areas with high rent and nice apartments.

Stay clear of distant barris such as Horta, La Pau and Besos. Vila Olimpica is nice for the beach, but doesn’t have much “community.” Living outside Barcelona in a small village is also an option, but unless you have a car you’ll sepend a lot of time on the train.

The post Barcelona: Which neighborhood is right for you? appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

As the summer approaches the city streets will swell a bit more each month with visitors, tourists, cruise-ship goers and backpackers. This means longer lines at the MACBA and CasaBatllo, cramped buses and hordes of people wandering along La Rambla. Sound like fun?

I do not like crowds, and like them less with each passing year. Maybe I am aging, or maybe I’ve just been elbowed one too many times on the Metro. Either way, I avoid the throngs of tourists in Barcelona whenever possible.

If you too, prefer the road less traveled, take heed and consider these expert tips:

1. Avoid La Rambla

I know, I know, La Rambla is very famous and very central, making it a very easy way to get around the Gothic Quarter. It’s also filled with interesting people doing tricks, selling ice cream and painting portraits. So fascinating, but so filled with people 24/7.

Check out La Rambla quickly and then avoid it the rest of your stay. Take the side-streets, which is what the locals do. This way you will see more “residential” Barcelona and lessen your chances of getting pick-pocketed on La Rambla! It’s a win-win!

2. Come in August

What? But isn’t that when everyone else in Europe is on vacation and therefore on holiday in Barcelona? Yes. But this is also when all Catalans go on vacation and many businesses close for the month.

There are a lot less people in Barcelona in August, and those who are here are either visiting, too broke to travel, or somehow got stuck working while the rest of the city took the month off. Actually, I like Barcelona in August because it is so much quieter.

3. Hit the big sights early

I am not an early riser and fully understand the merits of sleeping in while on vacation. However, if you do not want to stand in line under the blazing Spanish sun to see La Sagrada Familia, then be one of the first in line when it opens.

Another good time to visit popular sights is at lunch, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., but check ahead to make sure they will not be closed.

4. Get a map… a really GOOD map

With a detailed map of Barcelona you will be able to navigate the side-streets and alleyways of the Gothic Quarter, Raval, Barceloneta and Eixample with no problem. Wander off the beaten path.

If you are on a street that has lots of signs for “Real Spanish Sangria $25.00!!!” then you are in a touristy place, you could even be on Carrer Ferran. Just take a right! Or a left and walk on to avoid the crowds. You’ll see some fabulous, tranquil streets this way and go around the masses.

5. Stay in El Eixample

I recently updated EuroCheapo’s Barcelona hotel reviews. Touring Barcelona’s many hotels and hostels I was reminded that La Rambla is by far the worst place to stay when it comes to crowds and El Eixample (either side) is the best place to avoid crowds. Stay in a B&B like Fashion House and experience Barcelona like a local.

6. Avoid the beaches at La Barceloneta

I love La Barceloneta, the city’s closest beach, but this is not where to go for swimming and sunbathing unless you like listening to other people’s conversations, music, arguments, children crying… etc.

Go much further down the Barcelona shoreline to Marbella or other beaches found around the Bogatell stops (requires some walking). You could also rent a bike and take off from La Barceloneta down the boardwalk along the seaside. After a good 15 minutes of riding you will note that the crowds on the beaches thin out quite a bit.

Always remember to watch your belongings on the beach. (Read my previous post about Barcelona’s best beaches.)

Your advice?

Have any advice to add about avoiding crowds in Barcelona? Please share your thoughts in our comments section.

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