The Eixample or Ensanche is the name given to this neighborhood that was built as an extension of the old town of Barcelona. It begins in Plaza Cataluña and reaches the Diagonal and then expands to both sides of Paseo de Gracia. The Eixample is built on a grid system, like many American cities including Manhattan, so it’s easy to find one’s way around and navigate its streets. It is knows for its modernist architectural jewels including La Pedrera, Casa Batlló or Casa de Lleó i Morera, its high-end fashion stores, art galleries, restaurants, and for being one of the most sought after neighborhoods to live in. Like any district in the center of a big city, it is a shopping hub, full of people-watching, hotels, restaurants and cultural activities. However, the Example has something that is extremely rare for a city of this size: it is full of peaceful and quiet areas including semi-pedestrian streets, smalls passages where one finds rows of English-style houses, big patios inside its city blocks, some converted into tranquil public parks. It’s a lively district, yet it’s incredibly residential and safe. It offers the most complete public transportation options in the city including buses, trains and the subway. In addition, it is connected to the rondas, and highways by the Diagonal, and the streets Aragón and Mallorca, so getting to the airport is a cinch