RAMBLAS
by Helga67
Stroll along the historical avenue 'La Rambla'.
It has the same place in the psyche of the city as the Champs Elysées in Paris or Oxford Street in London, but is far less snooty than the former and far more attractive than the latter. Lined with trees, cafés, restaurants, flower stalls, shops and newspaper stands, La Rambla is the perfect place to stroll and soak up the unique Barcelona atmosphere.
It's full of life day and night.The pedestrian boulevard is packed with kiosks, buskers, living statues, mimes and itinerant salespeople selling everything from lottery tickets to jewellery and birds.
Ok, parden me for gushing, but...
by Jillworld
Ok, parden me for gushing, but here it comes...how wonderful is flamenco dancing?!!?!! It was amazing. It is such a sexy and passionate dance, and these performers were total professionals. You could just see from their facial expressions, that they were into this dance more that just physically. Could be that I had sampled too much sangria, but I was almost brought to tears by the beauty. Now I want to be a flamenco dancer when I grow up!!
Els Gegants
by Belsaita
Another very 'Catalan' tradition are the 'Gegants' (Giants). Hese are big figures representing most of the time Medieval kings & queens, sometimes Christian, sometimes Muslim. A VT-friend from the Emirates was quit surprised when we saw the ones in the picture! Other times they represent famous people, or just people in traditional costumes. They are also present in almost all major Catalan town festivities.
Barcelona's main Giants are called Jaume and Violant (as they represent King Jaume the 1st and Queen Violant d’Hongria). Their names were changed during the Franco’s dictatorship to Isabel and Fernando (as the catholic kings, the traditional names seemed to be too Catalanist for the Regime)
But there are many others, as the famous Gegant del Pi (from the church of El Pi in the same name’s square). A traditional child’s tune (popular around Catalunya, not only in Barcelona) says:
El Gegant del Pi ara balla, ara balla
El Gegant del Pi ara balla pel camí
El Gegant de la Ciutat ara balla, ara balla
El Gegant de la Ciutat ara balla pel terrat!
(The Giant of the Pi now is dancing, now is dancing
The Giant of the Pi now is dancing on the path
The Giant of the City now is dancing, now is dancing
The Giant of the City now is dancing on the roof! )
Giants come out on local festivities to dance on the streets. You can imagine it's not easy to move this huge structure! Usually they are accompanied by capgrossos (bigheads) and sometimes mythological animals (dragons, horses, eagles...). Do not miss them if you re visiting a Catalan town during a festival time.
The largest water fountain I've even seen!
by danielcv
I think this is really an off the beaten path activity because I presume nobody goes to Barcelona to watch dancing water fountains :-)
But, if you go to Barcelona in the summer you shouldnt miss this one. At the Plaza de Espanha, close to the Montjuic and just a few meters away from the Castilho (Musem of catalan art), there is a very big water fountain that dances to classical music.
It is a really beautiful show and it happens during the summer starting 5 pm every day. It is also a good way to have some rest because generally by the end of the day your feet can be killing you!
Streets near Rambla
by anaStepisnik about Combined Suggestions
Rambla is great for shopping...there are a lot of nice markets, boutiques, department stores...
Zara is great and I found a really cute little shop with souvenirs but I don't remember the name. Well there are plenty so I am sure you'll find something for you. food, souvenirs, clothes, ... depends on a shop
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Plaza Espanya
La llavor dels Orígens - restaurant in Barcelona
Local people dancing The Sardana.
Facade
