Where to stay in Barcelona?

[lucyjordon]

I'm going just for a 3 night stay with DS (12) next week. It's a bit last minute :-) I'm not looking for hotel names, but areas. The gothic quarter looks fab - it is practical to stay there and central enough? DS is a non sporty science geek, so the CosmoCaixa and the cathedral are the only things defeinitely on our must see list so far. I just want to show him somewhere different, if you know what I mean, which is why the gothic quarter looks appealing? Thanks in advance :-)

The Gothic Quarter is fantastic and very central to everything

I tecommend the hop on/off bus tour to see the best of the city easily

We stayed in Poble Nou a few weeks ago. It's kind of an edgy area but cool. We didn't encounter any anti-tourist stuff either.

Oh btw the science museum is awesome. My ds loved the planetarium.

You haven't got long so the Gothic area is great. Somewhere close to a big landmark like the cathedral is good too. There's a lot of walking and it gets confusing in the little lanes at first ( not all are named on all the maps). Do the bus tour as well gives you a great overview of the different areas

IT is very busy next week. Have you checked you can get a decent hotel for your budget?

Gothic area for sure, but I'd also look at Barceloneta, right by the beach. Raval is also cool. For the best viewing spot go to the Bunkers of Carmel. Little known but amazing!