Las Ramblas, Barcelona

A 1.2 kilometer-long tree-lined pedestrian mall between Barri Gòtic and El Raval, it connects Plaça Catalunya in the center with the Christopher Columbus monument at Port Vell.

Most of the time, there are many more tourists than locals occupying the Rambla.

When I was reading about Barcelona in travel guides, it sounded as “Las Ramblas” where THE place to be. So of course when we arrived this is the first thing we decided to do… and I was extremely disappointed. “Las Ramblas” is just a big avenue, full with tourists, street performers, pickpockets and prostitutes. You are bothered every two seconds by someone who wants to sell you something, or give you a flyer for a “pub crawl”. Boring ! It is such a tourist trap !
Barcelona has much better to offer...

Unique Suggestions: But if you still want to go, just don’t take any bag or extra money and don’t stop to look at performers or people playing money games on the streets. And avoid restaurants in the area who are of course more expensive.

The Ramblas was kind of ghetto to me--just full of souvenier kiosks and creepy street performers.

Unique Suggestions: Keep away from the street performers--just walk by them.

Fun Alternatives: One street over, the Placa del Angel had nice shops and beautiful buildings to look at.

yes im currently in Barcelona and las ramblas, well, i wont be going back to that area.. ever again! this is my second time in barcelona and todays events have certainly put me off going back. las ramblas is a street of unimaginable theft. i was walking down las ramblas and my mother and i are pretty wary about pickpockets etc and were certainly not stupid. there are many acts and markets stalls along las ramblas and eventually you will become relaxed and absorbed into the atmosphere. as my mother and i stopped to watch one of those performing artists someone reached into my mothers bag and swiped her purse. this wasnt down to stupidity but to the fact that these thieves are professionals. once your targeted they wait until you least expect it; taking a simple photograph or taking some coins out of your purse to give to the performers. my advice, dont ever let your guard down on las ramblas EVER. dont take photos, the performers arent that great and dont give money to them because once your wallets been spotted they will want your wallet! we had to cancel all my mums credit cards and we lost €300 cash plus some personal photos.

When I was doing research about what to do in Barcelona, Las Ramblas kept popping up. This area is a complete tourist trap. The restaurants are all WAY overpriced, the shops are all souvenir type places and also overpriced. The pickpockets are aplenty. I guess if you visit Barcelona you have to go here to check it out, but don't stay here. Eat and shop in other areas, you'll save yourself a ton of money.

I hate to say, but 65 euros later we left completely disappointed.

- First of all, the food was mediocre. Do not get me wrong, the salads (house salad, asparagus/ham salad) were quite good, but House Paella (18 euro per person, with minimum order for 2 people) was NOT. Seafood was old and rice tasteless.

- Secondly, we felt rushed. Waiters were nice and polite, but they kept coming to the table, eager to clean, thus making us feel we need to finish faster.

- Thirdly, the prices were quite high. I think 65 euros for a meal for two (NO alcohol) is too much.

Also, bare in mind that it is one of those places were they charge you for at least 2 pieces of bread (1 euro each), even if you have not eaten them. So, just send the basket away, if you do not plan on eating it.

I'd heard about some of the expensive/rip off restaurants on Las Ramblas, however I had been up to Montserrat and got back late, was tired and my daughter and I wanted to eat somewhere close to the Plaza Catalunya. After a short walk down one restaurant was advertising what appeared to be a Paella for 2 at a reasonable price. I got hit nearly 12 Euros for a small bottle of spanish (house) wine that should have cost about 3-4 no more. A simple meal for two ended up costing over 40 euros. Avoid the Ramblas....

Unique Suggestions: Try the freshly squeezed fruit juices for 1 euro in the market or one of the fruit platters, really good value and delicious.

Fun Alternatives: If you need to eat in this area then go to La Fonda, get there early or expect to queue, it does close for a few hours inbetween lunch and the evening (closes about 3pm if I remember correctly). Three of us had a fab 3 course meal with loads of wine, Paella, Ensalada, Pollo etc for 35 euro. The establishment is a training restaurant for a Barcelona University, all the chefs and waiting staff are students but the service is excellent as is the food...

La Rambla, the main street in the city of Barcelona is filled with market stalls, vendors, artists, & flower stands and is most undoubtedly the place where everyone, locals and tourists alike, come together. Don't skip this cosmopolitan area but be sensitive to the fact that it is a touristy street and there are many things to see outside of this street.

Unique Suggestions: Walk down the Ramblas, and follow it to the Calle Nou de la Rambla, which is where the Palau Güell is located (another masterpiece by Gaudí). You should not miss Pl. Reial with its archway and palm trees (some say the tallest of Europe).