Las Ramblas

...La Rambla Barcelona

Las Ramblas is a beautiful and very exciting tree-lined avenue in the center of Barcelona stretching for 2 kilometers from Placa Catalunya to Port Vell divided into five sections...Ramblas de Canaletes, Rambla dels Estudis, Rambla de Stan Josep, Rambla dels Caputxins and Rambla Santa Monica.

Coming from Placa Catalunya the Ramblas de Canaletes (Rambla of the Fountain) is the first stretch of this exciting avenue. As legend goes if you drink from the famous Font de Canaletes you'll always return to Barcelona.

Millions of people do return to this lovely city year after year and head straight for the Rambla because it's one of the most exciting avenues in Europe. In the 14th century there was a small stream which ran through the city to the harbor. The dried up riverbed derives its name Rambla from the Arabic word for stream.

The next stretch of Las Ramblas is Rambla dels Estudis, often referred to as Rambla dels Ocells (Rambla of the birds) as this section is alive with caged birds singing. It's also where the 16th century University once stood thus the name Estudis.

The popular area of El Raval is on your right (if you're looking down to the sea) and on the left is the Gothic Quarter and El Born.

El Raval & La Boqueria Market

Hotels, cafes, bars and shops line the street and at the top of the street entering the El Raval district is the famous La Bouqueria market which is the largest market in Spain.

Mercat de Sant Josep (La Boqueria Market) derives its name from Rambla de Sant Josep which has been famous since the 19th century for flowers.

As more people arrive the tempo rises and the artists and street entertainers only add to the fun. A new introduction during the 20th century are the human statues which are loved by all.

There's a very handy PC World on the left and on the right at 113 La Rambla is a Carrefour Express supermarket which comes in handy if you're staying around here and want to stock up with food.

Teatre del Liceu & Gothic Quarter

Further down on the right is Rambla dels Caputxins and the world famous opera house Teatre del Liceu where many opera singers started their careers.

Opposite is the popular Cafe de l'Opera and the narrow winding streets of the Gothic Quarter which lead to the palm tree-lined Plaça Reial - Royal Square. This lovely square is full tempting cafes and mouth-watering restaurants which line the terraces.

Pla de la Boqueria was the place of many executions and later became a meat market. Today it's the home of Joan Miro's famous pavement which he created in the 1970s and which millions of people walk over every day.

Rambla Santa Monica

Towards the end of Las Ramblas is Rambla Santa Monica full of pavement artists always ready to paint your portrait in a comical way. Craft stalls and paintings line the street of this artistic section of the avenue.

Nearby is the Center d'Art Santa Monica and not far from here is Port Vell and the famous Barcelona waterfront leading to Barceloneta.

Christopher Columbus - Monument a Colom

The welcoming statue of Christopher Columbus - Monument a Colom (the Columbus monument) towers over the harbor.

If you're not worried by heights go to the top and you'll be rewarded with fantastic views of the city.

Opposite the statue is the Rambla de Mar which leads to the popular Maremagnum complex which is full of shops, restaurants, an aquarium and IMAX cinema.

Maremagnum Barcelona Walk along the Passeig Colom and you'll see the amazing Port Vell full of waterfront restaurants. Follow this down and you come to Port Olimipic and Barceloneta.