You can't get any more downtown than this! Read below why.     Ramblas, Palau Güell, Barri Gòtic The Ramblas are just two blocks away, Gaudí's masterpiece Palau Güell is on our same street (right before the Ramblas) and the Barri Gòtic (the oldest part of Barcelona) starts on the other side of the Ramblas.   Eixample, Grácia The 19th and early 20th century Modernist expansion of the town starts by Plaça Catalunya, right at the top end of the Ramblas. It's a beautiful walk that doesn't require any public transport, even if you want to venture all the way to Gràcia, a formerly independent town swallowed by the Eixample, and known for its unique atmosphere, the great bars and restaurants and its world famous 'Festes de Gràcia' (mid August) with music, food & drinks and papier-mâché installations.       Barceloneta and Sant Sebastià beaches The closest city beaches are at about 25 minutes nice walk along the Ramblas and the Port Vell (old haven), or less than a handful bus stops. Stay at Barceloneta if you want the 'action', or walk further to the Platja de Sant Sebastià (the most southern city beach) at the foot of the Westin Hotel if you prefer more tranquillity.   Historical food markets Barcelona is famed for its colourful and picturesque covered food markets. The most famous is of course La Boqueria, bang on by the Ramblas, which is actually the closest to our apartment, but if you want it more relaxed, cheaper and local you can walk in opposite direction to the beautiful, recently restored Mercat de Sant Antoni.       Poble Sec By walking in opposite direction to the centre, still keeping on our street, you will first encounter the Sala Apolo, possibly Barcelona's most important music club and live venue, and right after that you're in Poble Sec, an up and coming neighborhood featuring an incredible concentration of bars (mainly around the Carrer de Blai), offering conveniently priced tapas and pintxos. A typical movida hotspot.   Public transport We are close to three metro stations (Liceu, Drassanes and Paral•lel). Plenty of different bus lines along the Ramblas and the Rambla del Raval and Avinguda de les Drassanes on the other side. Taxis are plenty, friendly and inexpensive. You can just find them on the street around the apartment (and one every minute on the Ramblas) without having to book anything.       Parking Parking on the street is very difficult in that area, but there are five private parkings nearby: on the same street (parking Eden), in a parallel (Parking Unión), on the Ramblas (Parking Ramblas), under the Edifici Colom (Atarazanas), and by the Rambla del Raval (Garatge Parking). Within a short bus ride, there are two cheaper parkings (PR Biomedica and Litoral Port) that have a fixed rate of € 39,50 for the first five days and 7,50 for every extra day.