My daughter and I are thinking of spending a week in Barcelona this October. We were looking at various apartments and really liked one in the Gracia area. Not knowing much with normal precaucions is this area ok for 2 women traveling? I also want to make sure this is an area that will have quaint shops, architecture and tapas bars. Our other choice was to go to Malaga where my husband and I stayed last year and I would feel safe there for just my daughter and I. Any tips or advice on best neighborhoods to stay would be great. We have not booked anything yet as we are in the looking stage.
Thanks, Diane
PS BTW I just had to share because I am kicking myself but this morning I was able to get air from Charlotte NC to Barcelona in Oct for $236pp! Unfortunately I did not reach my husband until lunch time to get his blessing and when I returned those rates were sold out.
2 women travelling in those places should not be a problem. Just like anywhere in the world you can get unlucky and be in the wrong place at the wrong time but there should not be any problem in Barcelona.
Gracia is indeed a good area for the things you listed. I would also recommend Sagrada Familia and Las Ramblas although Gracia is probably the very best choice for the shops, architecture etc so I'd say to go for Gracia.
Diane, In the not too distant past, Gracia used to be a village lying just outside of Barcelona, (which has since surrounded it) but, Gracia still retains that seperate village look and feel, buildings are lower, store fronts are smaller, individual residences, some with minute gardens and street level entrances, while built wall to wall, give the streets a familiar air. They have their own market up there, and Plaza major, with the church. This past March, we had a nice stroll down from Parque Guell through the Gracia barrio. I noticed a lot of little ethnic restarants, Lebonese, Marrocan, Columbian, and a lot of little shops and botiques. I got the feeling that this is where new arrivals from other countries get their business start, small until they move downtown. The little local movie theater was showing foreign films! Other parts of Barcelona have these same aspects but in Gracia they are more concentrated. All this and you can still walk down to the Exaimple area and into the gothic quarter. As said above, you will be as safe there as other parts of the city. Both of you will be enchanted with all of Barcelona. kathyk
thanks both for your response. The Gracia neighborhood sounds like the place we want to be in. At this time the air has tripled in price so we are playing the watch and wait game. We are also kicking around the idea of going to Paris as that is a trip my husband would not want to. One way or another we will get to somewhere. Happy travels!
Gracia is a very beautiful part of Barcelona, I lived in this area for a few years. Few tourists, lots of great little squares where you can enjoy a cold beer and soak up the atmosphere. There is very little traffic, as recently the roads where mostly pedestrianized and only residents can access in their cars so it is wonderfully tranquil.You are also very close to the center of Barcelona, two stops on the metro or 15 mins walk down Passeig de Gracia and you are at Plaza Catalunya.
