Technically, you could walk from Placa Espana to the Apt but it is quite a hike. I am assuming you will have luggage with you, so to walk 1.7km (just over 20 blocks) dragging suitcases may take longer than the usual 20-25 minutes allocated for such a distance, not to mention after a possibly long flight, you may be quite tired. I would not recommend walking, especially if your family of 5 has young kids. You should note that within 1 block of the Apt building is a Metro station (to your left if you are facing the building) called Parral-el. It is right on the corner, same side of the street. There is both an elevator to go down, or a set of stairs. Look for the Metro sign, it is easy to miss. This metro is the beginning of a line, so when it arrives, it is ALWAYS empty, guaranteeing that you will always get a seat!!!! The metro can take you pretty much anywhere in Barcelona. I purchased the Barcelona Card for 5 days which broken down came to about $12 per day per person. This included free entrance to many museums and other attractions but more importantly included free unlimited transportation on the bus, metro, train (including one round trip transportation from and to the airport). You can also purchase just a Transport card but the daily cost of the card breaks down to almost as much as the Barcelona Card, so for literally $5 or so a day, you can get free access to many museums and other stuff, so if you think you will be using the metro alot to get around town, may be worth it to invest in the Barcelona Card, vs a Travel card, vs buying individual fare. you can also buy booklets of 10 tickets which is cheaper than cash fare but at 2-3 euro each trip each way times 5 people, that can get pretty expensive. Don't forget that it isn't just a case of saying, "oh we can walk" we don't need to take a bus or metro, when sightseeing all day, you are already doing alot of walking and can easily tire out. Don't forget that kids tire much faster and more importantly, depending on the time of year you travel, the heat can also play a huge factor in your fatigue and that metro seat or indoor air conditioning in hind signt may start looking real good. Having the Barcelona Card (or travel card) makes things very easy, just swipe your card at the turnstyle, no waiting in line to pay, (and sometimes the guard takes a break or isn't there, leaving you not knowing what to do or where to go). Your other option would be other than taking a bus or metro to the Apt from the Placa would be to just hop in a taxi. In fact, it might even be cheaper than bus/metro if you don't have unlimted free fare with a pre-paid card. Might cost only 5 or 6 euro but with 5 people would probably need 2 taxis so double that, which would be equal to or slightly less than bus fare for 5 people, depending on ages (but less hassle and more direct). Million dollar question, can you walk to the Cruise Port??? In a nutshell. NO NO NO NO NO. While on a map, it doesn't look that far, again, with luggage, even a few kms is a long way. Plus, there is no sidewalk or safe place to walk amongst all the cars. Not safe at all to walk. Plus, part of the road is cobblestone, so if dragging suitcases, even if on wheels, you will struggle. There is a special bus that goes from one of the Metro lines directly to the Cruise Port. I forget now which one, you can try googling it. Might be called the Blue line. However, I would recommend just taking a taxi. You can hail one from the street right outside the apt, without any need to call in advance. If you are lucky enough to catch a minivan, you should all fit in one taxi with luggage, otherwise, you will be back to having to grab two taxis. Try to hail a minivan. Our fare was roughly 11 euro for 4 people, 2 large suitcases (trunk) and 4 small backpacks. Travel time was about 10 minutes or so. It is very easy to grab a taxi from the cruise port to go back to the airport when your cruise is finished. The cost is roughly 35 euros, or you can take the bus which goes directly to the airport (voucher included with Barcelona pass). I had originally pre-booked a taxi from airport to Apt. but we arrived late and the driver left so we had to hail a cab at the airport. The original cost was about $55 Cdn, the local cost was about 35 euros. Hope this helps. Enjoy your stay.

One of the closest accommodations to the Cruise Port, within a few kms, however, not very feasible to walk and limited public transit available. Taxi is recommended to get from Apt to Cruise Port. Roughly 11-12 euro one way trip which takes about 10-15 minutes depending on traffic. You can easily hail a cab off the street right in front of the apt. Also, cabs are easily available at the Cruise Port, if you should need one to go to the Airport. Taxi fare to airport is roughly 35 euro (per car not per person) which is significantly less than the $150US some of the Cruise Ships charge, and some of them even charge that much PER PERSON!!!! Don't be suckered into thinking it is just easier to book transportation to and from the airport with your cruise line and pay an insane amount more. It is just as easy to get a cab the day of, on the spot. There are plenty!!!! Always easier if you have local currency cash to pay, but I think most do take credit card as well, but ask before you get in just to be sure. Not likely they would accept British pounds or Canadian dollars but if you have American cash, they might actually accept that. Always best to ask first.

Yes there was dishwashing soap, paper towel and enough toilet paper for our stay. The kitchen had basic dishes, glassware, cutlery, cooking utensils like a spatula, can opener, cutting knives, etc... plus frying pans, pots, colander (strainer), cookie tray, even coffee filters for the coffee maker. I was surprised that there were no scissors in the apt we were in. Sheets and towels included but only one set of towels per person and no there was no daily housekeeping. Washer in apt, to wash own towels. I can't remember if there was laundry detergent or not, I had my own with me. There is a drying rack. Fridge is pretty big and we were lucky enough to have a full bag of ice in the freezer. Not sure if someone left a bag behind or if it is standard that the room comes with a bag of ice in the freezer, but it sure was nice to have the first night to cool down drinks just bought. Note that the "Supermarkets" (one literally across the street) is not your typical large Grocery/Food Shop type of store. More of a small convenience store with basic necessities. Largest size milk comes in 1 lt or 1.5 lt bottles. If staying a week, I recommend, if you want to buy bottled water, to get the super large bottle, I think an 8 litre bottle was under 2 euro. We would use it to refill our 1/2 litre (500ml) plastic water bottles for on the go instead of paying up to 3 euro per 1/2 litre bottle on the streets. Tip, we would fill our water bottles mostly with ice, bit of water, and by mid day, our water was still cold despite 40 degree celcius temperatures!