Every city has its core centre where everyone and anyone meets on the main street and in Barcelona that street is the famous La Rambla.
The Historic La Rambla of Barcelona
La Rambla street Barcelona is one of the most interesting streets to visit in Barcelona simply because it captures the life of the city within one long never-ending street of interesting things and interesting people. Starting at Plaça de Catalunya and ending at the Christopher Columbus monument, this journey will take you along 1.2 KMS of tree lined street down the middle of the Gothic Quarter and Raval districts.
La Rambla originally served as a sewer stream before being transformed to a street in 1440. In 1703 around 280 Birch trees were planted, giving the street its famous tree lined look and much needed shade for the summer months. Walking down Las Ramblas from top to bottom, you will find to the left the Gothic Quarter area and to the right the famous Liceu theater. Las Ramblas is filled with artists, entertainers, and street artists that give the street a certain urban vibe. You will also find flower sellers, souvenir kiosks and street cafés.
What To See And Do Near La Rambla
La Rambla street Barcelona is a long street that divides both El Raval and the Gothic Quarter. So, when you visit La Rambla, you have three choices, the first is to explore the street itself. La Rambla has such a mixture of interesting characters that it is one of the most interesting streets in Spain. Here, on this iconic street, you really will find the good, the bad and the ugly.
There are many performers such as acrobats and street dancers, cartoon artists, and even magicians. All these performers make a living from the many tourists that arrive at this famous street. It is the mixture of the wonderful and the bizarre that this, to me, is one of my personal favorite streets to visit.
If you walk down the street from Plaça Catalyuna, and turn left, you will enter the Gothic Quarter area of Barcelona. This district is the old medieval district of Barcelona, that was once the city Roman city of Barcino. You can still see some remains of the original Roman wall and towers. The Gothic Quarter is also home to the marvel that is Barcelona Cathedral, well worth visiting.
If you walk down La Rambla street and enter the right, you will be inside El Raval district. This district is mainly a neighborhood for the immigrant residents of Barcelona. The district is always buzzing with life and has very much a multicultural diversity, more unique to this district than any other. One major attraction is Gaudis Güell Palace, designed and built for Gaudís friend and confident, Count Güell. Other attractions worth visiting include the Maritime Museum, Mercat de Sabt Antoni, El Liceu opera house and La Boqueria market, the latter two sit on the border of La Rambla and El Ravel.
Some Important Advice
La Rambla street Barcelona is a hotspot for pickpockets and thieves. Our advice is to be wary of anyone at all approaching for any reasons. The pick pockets usually act out a certain distraction and may act in groups or alone. If anyone attempts to make contact, make sure you hold on to valuables and try to move away from them.
Las Ramblas is best avoided late at night, especially if you have been drinking. Thieves will watch for people with impaired judgment due to alcohol.
Bars and cafés can be expensive and there have been reports of tourists being overcharged. Make sure you see what the prices are before ordering.
How To Get To La Rambla Barcelona
La Rambla street Barcelona is straight forward to visit. Just 5 minutes from Plaça Catalyuna and just outside the Gothic Quarter. The best way to arrive at La Rambla is by taking line 3 metro to Liceu. Once you come out of the metro station, you will find yourself on La Rambla.
