About the area: Step outside the apartment and you're right in the center of the old town, called La Ribera or El Borne. This is that historical center of town that has made Barcelona so passionately loved by travellers in recent years. You are surrounded by that famous mix of ancient history and a modern, artistic and cosmopolitan atmosphere. Shop for the latest in fashion, interior decoration or art. Have lunch at one of the area's countless restaurants. Get inspired at the many museums in and around El Born. Or just wander about in the streets and look up in complete awe at the amazing architecture. Socialise with the Spanish and international crowd at, say, a cocktail lounge, a traditional tapas bar, or at one of the 'terrazas' in the narrow, winding streets. Or stroll down a little further and kick back at the beach in the sand or at one of those elegant yet informal beach clubs. Close to the apartment, you will find: - the Picasso Museum, 50 meters away, the Textile Museum and dozens of private galleries - the Gothic Basilica Santa Maria del Mar, surrounded by many 'terrazas', especially beautiful in the evening - la Rambla, the finest and most famous shopping street of Barcelona with hundreds of restaurants, bars and shops - las Ramblas-Boquería, a famous food market - the Placa de Catalunya with large warehouses such as El Corte Inglés and FNAC - Parc Ciutadella with the city's Zoo, a fantastic green area where you can walk, rent bicycles, as well as listen to open-air concerts - the sea, the city's old harbour, the marina and the beach within a ten minute walk - shopping avenue Paseo de Gracia, which features several o Gaudí's most famous works of architecture - a public parking area - an internet café, within 100 meters - the subway stops Jaume I and Arco de Triunfo