Hi there.
this is one of our day tour offers. Today we will focus on the Gothic quarter.

So our tour starts on plaza de Catalunya, which is in fact the center of the city. The plaza is the conecting point between the old city which lay to the south of the plaza, and the new city street which is to the north.
This is a principal crossroad of businesses and shopping centers.

Plaza catalunya design was in the hands of city’s urban planners that design their inital plans on 1859 but not only before the 1888 Universal Exposition, plans were turn to acts.
Most of main work of design was between 1925-1929 by famous Architect Francisco Nebot.

take a look on the plaza 360 angel press here

Welcome To The Barcelona Ramblas

There is a street in central Barcelona called the Barcelona Ramblas, pretty much popular with the tourists and the locals. The famous street spans 1.2 kilometers and is full of pedestrians. The street connects the Christopher Columbus monument at Port Vell to the Placa de Catalunya in the center of the town.

Barcelona Ramblas streets you want to walk through

Basically, the Ramblas Barcelona is made up of a lot of other shorter streets, each of which are named differently. The streets lining all the way from Placa de Catalunya to the harbor are consecutively named as the Rambla dels Estudis, Rambla de Canaletes, Rambla de Santa Monica and Rambla dels Caputxins. This is more or less an extension of La Rambla but on a wooden causeway into the harbor.

The Ramblas is usually crowded particularly in the prime time when the tourists flock the place. In most cases, you will be sure to find a lot more tourists than the local residents. Because of this, the way people shop and the street humor have greatly been influenced. Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca once wrote that this was the only street in the world that he wished never to end. Rambla actually refers to a sporadic water flow in Catalan and Spanish languages while in Arabic it signifies a sandy riverbed.

barcelona ramblas riverbed

You will realize that the transport mode is basically pedestrian minded with the pedestrian walk having only two narrow one-way traffic roads running on either side of the central Ramblas Boulevard. Traffic flow through the Barcelona Ramblas is controlled to promote the pedestrians feeling that rocks this place. There are also three metro stops which offer the perfect transport point to see the rest of the city.

There are many attractions along the Las Ramblas including live performances, human stature art, and portrait or caricature drawing artists. You will also find major attractions such as the Christopher Columbus monument, Wax Museum Erotica museum and the Modernist Boquerón Market. For shopping, you will be spoilt for choice in the Barcelona Ramblas as there are lots of restaurants and shop flocking the walkway.

Tourists usually find a lot of fun sitting and dining in the Ramblas. There are also lots of accommodation spots that you can find in Las Ramblas, the most common being the Las Ramblas Apartment that provides you the ultimate comfort in an excellent environment. Apart from the world class facilities, you can also make your own food in the modern kitchen.There is also an excellent, luxurious balcony in the apartments to give you a wonderful view of the area.

 There is no way you would visit Barcelona without going to see the Barcelona Ramblas. You should make sure you never miss out on the intrigues of the Ramblas, as this place will be totally worth your time. Though the street is usually full of tourists, it is usually an exciting place to see and a perfect place for wandering around, shopping and eating. In the event that you have not considered what to do the next time you visit Spain, then now you know where to go.

here a few hotels recommended for you : barcelona ramblas hotels

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Barcelona Ramblas Tourist Guide

Over the past, Barcelona has made a name for herself as one of the most popular European ‘get-away’ destinations. Those that doubt this usually understand this after they consider the universal appeal of a city, which boasts such a rich diversity of attractions. It does not matter what you love, be it art, history, architecture, shopping, good wine, good food, sightseeing, culture, nightlife and entertainment, sunbathing, theme parks, or sports as Barcelona excels in all of them. 

Barcelona’s size and transport system also work in favor of the tourist destination city. This is not exactly as complex as say London, and the pedestrian friendly streets were built on a simple grid system, which makes for easier orientation. One of the most important places to see in Spain is the Barcelona Ramblas. The Las Ramblas is no ordinary street; cutting through the heart of the city is the central boulevard. Las Ramblas is a very busy street. Running up and down are narrow one-way traffic lanes which makes the street a pedestrian friendly boulevard. 

Towering 60 meters over you at the Southern point of Las Ramblas is the monument of Christopher Columbus that points the way to the new Americas. The cultural journey begins at this point; along the fun, colorful, lively, and at times mesmerizing stretch of promenade that is bound to stimulate all your senses. 

Moving up Barcelona Ramblas away from the Columbus statue on the right hand side you will find the city’s wax museum in a neo-classical style building design. Just around the corner from the wax museum there is el bosc de les fades café (the forest of the fairies café). This is a gem of a place to find, a great place to stop for a cold beer or coffee and take in the delightful interior design. Judging by the name, a lot of people that have visited this café have never had anything but praises for it. 

On the opposite side of Barcelona Ramblas to the wax museum is the Santa Monica Art Center. As a matter of fact, on Las Ramblas in front of this building is where the procession of street art begins. This is also another characteristic of the street that is bound to make you want to come back to Spain each and every time you get a holiday. 

There are talented street performers, human statue artists, portrait painters, caricature artists and many more display their creativity right along the length of the promenade. However, it is of note that bag-snatchers, pickpockets and con artists thrive in crowded streets such as this and are very notorious at work, so you better be careful. Apart from that tiny common sense bit, it is all a fun filled experience. 

Barcelona Ramblas boasts an array of cafes and bars, some of which offer seating and dining along the main boulevard. These usually offer a great place to sit back and relax with a beer, or sangria and drink in the sights and sounds of Las Ramblas.

Barcelona Ramblas: Places to Visit

Barcelona, is situated to the south east of Spain, and is the capital of Catalunia. The beauty of Barcelona is by far unimaginable, especially since it is bilingual and has both Catalan and Castillian Spanish as the official languages and it enjoys a large degree of autonomy. From Montjuicit is easy to pick out the Columbus Column at the foot of Barcelona Ramblas. This famous mile-long, tree-lined pedestrian street is the hub of Barcelona. You can idle away for hours wandering its length. It is full of book sellers, beautiful flower stalls and all manner of street vendors along the way.

barcelona ramblas plaza reial

The barcelona  Ramblas is sectioned and has many meeting places along the way. One of the most popular places at the foot of the Ramblas is the Placa Reial wherein lies a colorful collection of café’s and bars. From here, you can have a beer with a tapa of calamres (squid), patatasbrava (spicy, hot potatoes) or whatever tickles your fancy. The only thing you have to be aware of is the fact that this is not exactly the place you would like to be in at night, especially with the risk of thieves.

Next up is the Rambla del Centre, where the Liceu, a famous opera house can be found and opposite is another popular meeting place, the Café de l’Opera. The Liceu is well known for the numerous operas that have taken place there in the past. If you have the time, you can also check out the Placadel Pi. The neighboring small alleys and side streets brim with art and craft, and antique shops with the centerpiece being the mural of Joan Miro on the floor.

The magnificent Boqueria is the main market in Barcelona, and it borders on one side the Rambla de las Flors and the Palau de la Virreina on the opposite side. The Boqueria is a huge open market full of life, fragrance and color. There are also a large variety of different types of meat, fish, fruits and vegetables that are sold daily from the packed stalls to customers. This is definitely an experience you would not love to miss.

Barcelona Ramblas –  Ramblas del Estudis

When you go to the Barcelona Ramblas, make sure you pass by the Ramblas del Estudis, which is a very common place for booksellers. The fact that there are a lot of them, all trying to sell you a book or two is enough proof of the competition that is so rife, not to mention the favorable prices in a bid to cash-in on the flow of tourists. The Palau Moja and the Betlem Church are also found in this area, and worth visiting.

The last part of the Barcelona Ramblas is the Font de las Canaletes where football fans usually meet to talk about the fate of their football team. If you have managed to come this far, the Café Zurich right ahead would be a great place to rest. In addition, the metro station is conveniently situated here for you to either continue with your journey, or make a return and call it a day.

visit some more places on barcelona ramblas

Barcelona Ramblas Main Activities

The Barcelona Ramblas district of Barcelona is the shopping capital of Spain. In the olden days, it was exclusively a flower market, and home to a peaceful community of convents and churches. By 1830, all the convents and monasteries had been shut down and today, the old church district has given way to the hustle and bustle of an absolute street fair. There is a string of endless cafes, restaurants, entertainment, boutiques, and eye-catching architecture, which proves this to be the center of the city’s attractions.

When you go visiting the Barcelona Ramblas, you should expect your mind to be blown away by the sights and sounds. Amidst the bustle of street performers and vendors there is an endless variety of fares to leisure seeking tourists.

Generally, this is a pedestrian part of the city, and vehicles are usually banned from this area. As a matter of fact, all the sights and displays are open to the free flow of pedestrians by restricting vehicles to the narrow streets that border the main malls.

Rambla dels Ocells

There is so much to do in Las Ramblas. You can explore the many historic sites and architecture, or the avenues. Of the major avenues that you can visit, there are the Avenue of the birds also known as Rambla dels Ocells; due to the famous bird market which is recognized as a part of the city’s history, and the Rambla de les Flors or Avenue of the flowers.

There is also the amazing array of book sellers and carefully maintained ancient buildings. The Avenue of captains or Rambla dels Caputxins is the path that a lot of people usually follow, especially literature lovers and architecture enthusiasts alike, who are visiting the Barcelona Ramblas.

One of the reasons why most people love walking through the Barcelona Ramblas is the aesthetic experience that is somewhat unforgettable. Departing from the Placa Catalunya and meandering towards the edge of the water, you will encounter the statue of Christopher Columbus.

Barcelona Ramblas’ artistic side

There is also the artistic splendor of the Miró Mosaic as you approach the famous Liceu theatre, which is located right at the heart of Las Ramblas. This mosaic is named after the noted Spanish artist who created it, and it is credited with attracting numerous art lovers to the site each year, just in the same way that the Gothic section of Las Ramblas or Barri Gotic does.

Once you get here, you can be sure to find several works from Catalonia’s Golden Age representative of Gothic architecture, such as the awesome church of Santa Maria del Mar and the famous La Seu Cathedral. The Cathedral stands at what used to be the original city’s heart and is a rich repository of Barcelona’s 2 millenia old history.

However, there would be no point mentioning the Barcelona Ramblas without talking about the shopping experience. The central boulevard is your one stop spot for almost everything, ranging from antique stores, to small clothing boutiques, to the 7-storey department store – El Cortes Ingles, which is situated to the north of Placa Catalunya Square.

Enjoy your visit at the Barcelona ramblas!!

Barcelona Ramblas Attractions

Barcelona Ramblas is a very important tourist point and we can say that it’s considered one of the main attractions of the city, and the country. There are a lot of people that have just heard about the Ramblas, but do not have an idea of what it is.

Well, if you have ever been to Spain and never been to the Ramblas, then you might have to consider going back. In the event that you have not been to Spain and are considering the idea, then be advised that this place will take your holiday experience to unimaginable levels. Starting from the Catalonia Square, you will be able to point out the main attractions of this part of the city of Barcelona. The major attractions are as follows:-

Catalonia Square: Also known as Plaça Catalunya; is generally considered to be the heart of the city. Over time, this has developed to become more or less a meeting point for a lot of people. In Catalonia Square you are sure not to miss the pigeons which congregate in large numbers.

The Liceu: This 1845 piece of architecture is one of the most prestigious theaters globally due to the fact that it is used to host many famous operas.

The Canaletas Fountain: This 19^th Century design is officially the assembly point for all fans of the Barcelona Football team. Of all fountains, this is the most important and most famous in Barcelona due to the fact that it is considered the celebration point for their team’s victories. Common folklore also has it that drinking water from the fountain somehow compels you to visit the City of Barcelona over and over again.

The Erotic Museum: Judging by the name alone, you are sure to expect a lot from this one. This museum is dedicated to eroticism and you will be surprised at what you will find here. There are a lot of curious information about the theme usually illustrated with pictures, objects and drawings. This museum is particularly impressive for those people that have an artistic eye or those who love and appreciate art and its related works.

Human Statues: These are some of most meaningful and eye-catching attractions you will enjoy in the Barcelona Ramblas. Human Statues have become a symbol of the Ramblas, especially since there are a lot of people that try hard to display their ability to stay still like a statue.

The Boqueria Market: This is the most important and most beautiful market in the city and is situated in the Barcelona Ramblas. This market stands out from the rest due to its modern architecture. It is based on strong columns, metal pillars and stained glass windows. It is only in the Boqueria that you will be able to see a lot of extraordinary things that you will love to buy, especially with the hundreds of stands available.

barcelona ramblas and Gaudi

Plaza Real or the Real Square: Situated on the left hand side of The Barcelona Ramblas, this has become another important meeting point in the city. It is full of restaurants and bars, in which you can sit and have a drink. Perhaps one of the things that stand out about it are the two streetlamps in the middle which were designed by the famous Antoni Gaudí.

Barcelona Ramblas Apartments

Everybody knows that Barcelona is pretty much a famous place with thousands of sites to explore such as museums, theatres, monuments, bars, clubs, and sports centers. Barcelona is famous for its culture, entertainment and the diversity. The city welcomes multitudes of tourists each and every year due to the numerous attractions.

 Barcelona Ramblas Apartments

There are a lot of apartments that visitors to the city can make use of during their stay. Barcelona Ramblas has apartments in the most exciting locations within the Gracia and Gothic; along the busiest and most crucial social avenue in the Gothic quarter and also in an exclusive community in the Ramblas. The beauty of it all is that you will usually talk to the apartment owners, saving you the expensive cost of paying commissions through agents. 

The apartments are fully equipped in renovated buildings near the famous Ramblas where you can enjoy your holiday and stay during your tour or business trip in Barcelona. You also have the opportunity to enjoy custom service and a friendly local community during your stay in the apartments. There are also rented flats from which you can enjoy and feel at home feeling that the city offers. The rooms in the Barcelona Ramblas apartments have balconies which give you stunning views and allow you to enjoy the fresh atmosphere. Your stay at Las Ramblas apartments gives you a feeling of satisfaction and relaxation. 

Most of the apartments are fitted with fully equipped kitchens. The apartments are designed with modern facilities that are carefully designed to keep the character of the town alive. Most of the apartments are comfortably designed and refurbished to give them a more appealing decor. The beauty of it all is that within two minutes’ walk from the Bacardi apartments lies the beach, the Cathedral, Liceu Theatre, the Gothic Quarter, the famous Art Nouveau buildings such as La Pedrera and Palau Guell which were designed by the world renown Catalan, modernists architect, Antonio Gaudi’s, and last but not least Plaza Catalunya. The apartments have huge double beds, closets and living rooms with an excellent view over the Plaza Reial or Ramblas. The private kitchens are fully equipped to give you the freedom of preparing your own meals. 

If you are looking for a relaxed holiday stay in a relaxed and safe environment, you should definitely consider the luxurious apartments in the Barcelona Ramblas. For those people that are addicted to golf and seeking access to a golf course, there are luxury apartments which offer you access to superb golf courses, a communal swimming pool and a ten minute drive to sandy white beaches. There are also tennis facilities for those that love tennis. 

The luxury apartments located at Golf Course, Costa Blanca are fully furnished and equipped with twin bed bedrooms. The apartments have private roof solariums for sunbathing and ‘al fresco’ dining rooms with own gardens. Barcelona Ramblas apartments offer you a stay at home comfort and complete luxury. Apart from this, the view from the apartments is so appealing that you can easily waste your day away sitting on your balcony.

Barcelona Ramblas: An Insight into the Streets

Most people that visit Spain when asked where they would love to stay usually insist on anywhere near the Barcelona Ramblas. It is actually a funny thing since the street is more or less on an old river bed. The Barrio Gotico also known as the Gothic Neighborhood, used to be the old Barcelona and has a wall running around the city to protect it. The main entrance; referred to as the iron gates is half way down the actual Ramblas, and is now known as Porta Ferrissa or “the Iron door”. The Barcino is adjoined to the left by the Roman church of Sant Pau del Camp, which now is in the heart of the Raval.

Las Ramblas cuts through the old town, with El Raval to the left and El Gotico to the right. It is spectacular to note that the name “Las Ramblas” stands for many ramblas collected together. The residents of the Barcelona Ramblas have gone ahead and even coined a new vocabulary word “ramblear” that means to stroll as many locals and tourists usually do on weekends.

Rambla de Sant Josep is named after the market of Saint Joseph; also more commonly known as “La Boqueria” and is apparently Europe’s biggest food market, and boasts of trading in entirely every foodstuff in existence. From this stretch, the next one is the home to some of the city’s finest and oldest cafés known to locals as Rambla de los capuxinos.

Barcelona Ramblas – Rambla de los capuxinos

On the Rambla de los capuxinos , you will find some exquisite cappuccinos. They are situated next to the imposing Liceu Opera house and have been an inspiration to many visitors and writers who come to Barcelona. This part of town is crammed with flower traders. As a result, the name rambla de les flores is sometimes used to refer to the street. Thus it is a wonderful place to visit especially during the celebrations to mark Saint George’s day; traditionally roses are handed out on this day.

monument of Christopher Columbus

All the way from the city’s main square to the Port and the monument of Christopher Columbus, Barcelona Ramblas epitomizes Barcelona. This is a vibrant, 24-hour street where you can find a mix of locals and tourists alike. The whole of the walkway is full of newspaper kiosks which are usually open 24 hours, and is the best place to get your copy of the latest publication and get an update on what is in the headlines the world over.

The Rambla de Canaletes is a favorite place for the local pensioners to gather, as well as the typical hang out for the FC Barcelona fans after a victory. One of the most memorable nights is the one in which the Catalans managed a win over their local rivals, Real Madrid.

Barcelona Ramblas Special Attractions

If someone were to ask you to think of the world’s most famous streets, most people would definitely mention the Champs Elysees in Paris and the Fifth Avenue in New York. However, when you visit Spain, you will have the chance of visiting the Barcelona Ramblas.

Las Ramblas is definitely an unquestionable emblem and probably the heart of the Catalan capital. This street is so popular, it does not matter what day or time of the week it is, as it is usually full from Monday to Sunday, and also from morning to evenings. There is usually a continuous flow of people on this street. There are multitudes of tourists from all over the world who walk from one place to another with their cameras to immortalize the charm of the Ramblas. The tourists usually end up looking amazed everywhere they turn, astonished with the rhythm, color and beauty of these street.

Barcelona Ramblas is framed by two of the most popular representatives of the city: the Raval and the Gothic Quarter. Both of these are characterized by its miscegenation and its cosmopolitanism and in both there are plenty of shops, restaurants and museums. It begins in the famous Catalunya Square and ends at the famous Columbus Monument. In addition, it is divided into different parts: Ramblas de Canaletes, Ramblas dels Estudis, Ramblas de Sant Josep, Ramblas dels Caputxins and Ramblas de Santa Mònica.

Las Ramblas in itself hides so many treasures that it is impossible not to fall in love. The famous Liceo Theatre is located in the middle of this enigmatic street. In most cases, all of the best operas and ballets of the world take place here. However, one of the greatest charms of this street is the flowers and animals kiosks. Apart from these, one of the major attractions here is the mimes and street artists: among musicians, dancers, painters and human statues. Barcelona Ramblas is the perfect setting to display all forms of street art in all variations.

Barcelona Ramblas market

Right in the middle of the street is located the most charming market in Barcelona and one of the most famous in Spain; the Las Boquería. This market is part of the history of the city, and is one of the most visited places by the tourists. A lot of tourists throng this market due to the richness of its culture that has been there for a long time. This market has a lot of tales behind it, the more reason why tourists love to go there.

For those who need to do some shopping, there are plenty of shops that flank either side of the street, together with hotels, bars, nightclubs and restaurants. The terraces, situated at the end of the street are always full of people eating the delicious paella and drinking the refreshing sangria, both typical Spanish. For whatever reason you are visiting Spain, be sure that you will fall in love with Barcelona Ramblas and with the city, and will always look for ways of coming back.

Barcelona Ramblas Important Places

Barcelona is an all-time fashionable and cosmopolitan town that is usually considered the jewel in Spain’s crown. It is defined by easy going wide boulevards and a lot of cultural centers. Those people that have been to the city will tell you that they wished they spent more than the time they did there, is possible weeks or even years simply to explore and enjoy the town.

Barcelona Ramblas streets

The Barcelona Ramblas makes it even easier to get your way around the city. This is a collection of streets that envelop through the center of Barcelona in succession from Placa de Catalunya to Port Vell. These streets are reminiscent and lively and are usually quite the place for a visitor to be.

There are a lot of hostels in Barcelona; actually boasting as some of the best hostels in Europe. Apart from that, most of these top quality joints are situated either on or close to Las Ramblas, making the exploration of Barcelona’s central stretch even more forthright. A good example is the Hosteria Grau some two minutes’ walk from Las Ramblas which is a cozy and plush family run place that gratifies the spirit of Barcelona.

There is also the Albareda Youth Hostel some 200m west of the Monument a Colom (Las Ramblas’ southernmost point). This is actually one of the ultimate hostels in Barcelona. This hostel is a trendy and popular all-mod-cons type of place, where ramblers come to relax, have a chat and eventually party.

Las Ramblas Area

Further north, Las Ramblas heralds the impressive Placa de Catalunya , which is a huge plaza characterized by colored fountains, sculptures, cafes, and the thousands of people who frequent its cafes, restaurants, and open spaces daily. The night illumination that characterizes the Placa de Catalunya makes it even more memorable to visitors as it provides a spectacular feeling for night time party lovers.

On the face of Barcelona Ramblas is the Port Vell, considered more or less a rich boy’s playground. It is characterized by large-scale yachts and the like. Despite the wealthy feeling about it, the port is not really exclusive to the rich only as it can be accessed by anyone that cares to visit. There are no discriminations about it. Most tourists usually love shopping in the Maremagnum (a super-sized mall), going to the IMAX cinema, and visiting Europe’s largest aquarium.

If you are one of those people that love shopping, then Las Ramblas is basically paradise for you. There is always something that is bound to tempt you, from cruise designer shops to markets that favor those that find a lot of fun in bargaining and bantering around a market. The streets of Barcelona Ramblas in themselves make a shopping district with lots of street-vendors retailing all types of foods and jewelries. On the side of the road there are many recognizable brand name shops with the Corte Ingles on the Placa Catalunya being a lot of people’s favorite.

Barcelona Ramblas forms the western border of the Barri Gotic, an extravagantly attractive Old Town. This medieval district is a convoluted delight with a lot of alleyways full of fashionable cafes, numerous art galleries, and fascinating architecture.