Best place to look for holiday apartments in Barcelona

thegreengoblin

Myself, the wife and three kids are flying into Barcelona at the start of May and we're looking to stay at an apartment for the week rather than a hotel. I've tried a few places like friendly rentals, rentalia, ohbarcelona but the cheapest I can see for a comfortable two-bed apt for the week is at least 650 euro.

We could get one cheaper in one of the towns around like Vilanova or Sitges but we would still be spending a lot of time in Barcelona so that would mean more travelling in and out of the city with a pram in tow. Am I being optimistic in hoping I can get one for less than 600 euro or is it simply what you have to pay for these days? Also, I've been looking at areas like Gracia, Sants, l'Eixample to stay in. Would anyone recommend any other cheaper areas? Thanks.

mfceiling

I'm looking for the same....3 kids as well.
Only going for 3 nights in july then on to france.
Try trip advisor as well as the "google search"
I've found one for €110 a night in the middle of barcelona.
Bear in mind the money you'd spend on taxis, buses or trains travelling back and forward to barcelona from another town every day.
Would it be worth saving €100 only to have it eaten up in transfer costs and relying on public transport as opposed to walking out the front door into the heart of the city every day?

thegreengoblin

Yeah, I definitely would not fancy all that trekking around so I'll just have to stump up the extra cash. Just out of interest where did you find your apartment and what area is it in?

sudzs

I've used this place a couple of times.... but book soon as the best places get booked up early!

http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/

FunkyDa2

Here's one that you could check out. It's in Badalona(3 miles from the city centre).

http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p435639

FunkyDa2

I meant to add - Badalona has it's own beach/paseo maritimo/ restaurants/McDonalds/BurgerKing/shopping/commuter line train station/metro terminus/buses.:)

thegreengoblin

I had thought about Badalona. It seems to be on the end of the metro line, does it take long to reach the centre of Barcelona do you know? Also, there doesn't seem to be too much green space/parks in Badalona, would that be right?

FunkyDa2

The 4.5kms(3miles) to the centre of Barcelona takes about 15/20 minutes on the Metro. The large green area, to the north of Carrer de San Bru(Calle de San Bruno), visible on Google satellite view, is a public park(it would previously have been a private demesne, complete with big house). As I said, earlier, there is a paved promenade in front of the buildings at the seafront(a popular spot for the townspeople, in the evening).
The local train station is also at the seafront, from where you can get trains into Barcelona, or alternatively take a day trip up the coast as far as Blanes/LLoret de Mar/Tossa de Mar

FunkyDa2

I was looking at the Metro station area, in Badalona, on the google maps satellite view, and it appears as a building site. The imagery is probably a few years old. That area is now complete and landscaped, and is a public space.

The Google Earth Streetview shows it in the construction stage, also. Again, that imagery is not up to date.

teckno123

I stayed in Badalona back in October. the metro station is very new I think only opened in 2011. From the metro station to Las Ramblas approx 30 minutes. I liked Badalona and it's a good alternative then staying directly in Barcelona City Centre whilst not being too far away. Badalona has a lovely beach and all amenities, shops, food etc.

thegreengoblin

FunkyDa2 wrote: »

The 4.5kms(3miles) to the centre of Barcelona takes about 15/20 minutes on the Metro. The large green area, to the north of Carrer de San Bru(Calle de San Bruno), visible on Google satellite view, is a public park(it would previously have been a private demesne, complete with big house). As I said, earlier, there is a paved promenade in front of the buildings at the seafront(a popular spot for the townspeople, in the evening).
The local train station is also at the seafront, from where you can get trains into Barcelona, or alternatively take a day trip up the coast as far as Blanes/LLoret de Mar/Tossa de Mar

Thanks, didn't realise that. It's not coloured in green on the map :pac: