Las Ramblas, Barcelona

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Las Ramblas is the main boulevard in the very center of Barcelona with so many fun things to do. All along the pedestrian area there are entertainers dressed up (reminding one a bit of Covent garden in London).

Las Ramblas are 1,2 km long leading from Plaza Catalunya down to the harbour.

Alongside Las Ramblas there are a lot of restaurants and shops making Las Ramblas like an island in the middle. This is a touristy area though with thousands of people here during the day, making this area expensive and pick-pockets are on the prowl here as well.

We sauntered up this pedestrian boulevard one pretty Fall afternoon on our way to view the port. If you have time, try to visit this area.

La Rambla makes it an easy walk to the waterfront, where you'll pass sidewalk cafes, flower stands, newstands, kiosks and statue men. It's an ideal spot for people-watching and a very busy place!

Named originally for a 'seasonal stream' which flowed into the city, this once pungent part of the city began attracting the affluent in the 16th century. Impressive mansions were constructed along its streets, with the Gran Teatre de Liceu sitting on its western side.

There are five different sections making up Las Ramblas: La Rambla de Canaletes, La Rambla dels Estudis,La Rambla de Sant Josep, LaRambla dels Caputxins and La Rambla de Santa a Colom.

Every time I've been to Barcelona, I spend a great deal of time on Las Ramblas. It is a great way to spend an afternoon walking up and down the Las Ramblas from the Plaza Catalunya to the Colombus monument. There are many street performers, artists, vendors, and cafe's that you never run out of things to look at. A very vibrant and exciting part of the city!

A rambla is a tree-lined avenue. The Ramblas in Barcelona are a series of tree shaded pedestrian malls that go from the Plaza de Catalunya to the port. Many street artists are found here to entertain tourists.

Take a walk down La Rambla in the day, (or even at night!); street performers will entertain you and allow you to take a photo for some small change.

Tip - be careful pickpockets are about and will take advantage when people are distracted so just be aware of who is by you and hold on to your wallets and hand bags.

Do be aware of the higher prices on Las Ramblas for drinks etc.
The street entertainers are exceptional. Its worth a visit just to see them.
Lots of picture and flower stalls, along with all other holiday tat. Take time out to discover the back streets off Las Ramblas, there are many lively squares were drinks and food is much cheaper and the atmosphere is great.

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Ok, you already know that this huge pedestrian street is the most famous in Barcelona. Las Ramblas is a river of people goes up and down day and night, it’s always packed with tourists and no matter why you will pass from here many times. Take care of your wallet (many pickpockets around) and if you can avoid eating at the tourists tapa bars here (the prices are for tourists too) you will enjoy some nice living statues (pic 1&2) (more than anywhere else in the world) and other street artists.

If the living statues aint enough for you try the Wax Museum (Museu de Cera) also (pic 3) at Passatge de la Banca at the foot of the Ramblas. It is housed on a building from 19th century and has about 300 wax figures. It is open daily 10.00-19.30 (weekends 11.00-20.30) with a short break during noon. The entrance fee is 10euro but if you seen Madame Tussauds you better skip this one unless you are desperate to see Wagner, Dali, Hitler and Don Quixote (among many other famous figures) at the same building :)

The Museum of Erotica at (Ramblas 96) is like the ones in cities like Paris and Amsterdam with many sculptures, paintings and artifacts from all over the world (the ones from Africa seemed interesting). It is open daily 10.00-00.00 (October to may 11.00-21.00) and the entrance fee is 7 euros.

Although the day after was dedicated to Gaudi’s building I decided to check one of his building at a small street, 1’ walk from Las Ramblas at Nou de la Rambla 3-5. Palau Guell is a neogothic mansion that was build in 1889 and it was the first work of Gaudi in the center when Guell decided to put his money at an unkown architect. Gaudi designed also the furniture and other objects. The chimneys(pic 4) with the obelisk shape are nice and free to see if you don’t want to pay for go inside although there was no entrance fee during my visit because of restoration (Tuesday to Saturday 10.00-14.30). The façade is full of straight lines, a surprise for me because it seems he started to “play” with curves later at other buildings.

As you go up Las Ramblas you can turn right into Placa Real (pic 5) a nice square that was build in 1850 (there used to be a monastery at the same place before) and although always busy it is nicely decorated with palms trees and some street lamps designed by Guadi. Some tapa bars that has normal prices (I was expecting much more)

Near metro station Licau you can see the Opera of Barcelona and further up near Placa Catalunya the Royal Academy Of Science and Arts that is a theatre.

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If you come to Barcelona, then you will most likely take at least one trip down the Ramblas. This popular boulevard is like no other- it offers some of the most interesting entertainment in Barcelona. You may already know that the Ramblas is broken up in to sections. At the top of the Ramblas is the birds/small pet vendors- here is where locals supposedly come to buy their pets. Further down is the flower markets, than the artists. Past this are some outdoor cafes and then you've reached the harbor area. Lining the street are little shops, restaurants and other businesses. It is about a mile walk from the top to the bottom and all along the way you will stay entertained by the human statues and entertainers whose costumes seem to increase in intricacy and strangeness.

Walking down La Ramblas may take some time as there is so much to see. Stalls of arts and crafts, people miming and generally entertaining the public. Watch out for pickpockets - they are very cunning !!