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Articles > Europe > Spain > Barcelona > Las Ramblas of Barcelona - The Most Famous Street of the Catalan Capital
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Las Ramblas of Barcelona - The Most Famous Street of the Catalan Capital
Ask anyone who is going to visit Barcelona where they'd like to stay, and the usual response is "close to Las Ramblas". This Barcelona promenade is the most famous street in the city, and is actually an old river bed. The Barri Gotic or Gothic Neighbourhood used to be the old Barcelona (know in Roman times as "Barcino") and has a wall running around the city to protect it, wit the main entrance the iron gates half way down the actual Ramblas, and know known as Portaferrissa (literally "Iron door"). Flanking Barcino to the left was countryside and the Roman church of Sant Pau del Camp (Saint Paul of the countryside) which now is in the heart of the Raval.
Las Ramblas now dissects the old town – leaving El Raval (from Arabic meaning beyond the walls) to the left and El Gotico to the right. The name "Las Ramblas" is actually plural – meaning many ramblas all collected together. Ramblas has even coined its own word "ramblear" meaning to stroll/ramble as many locals and visitors do on weekends.
From the city's main square – Plaça Catalunya – down to the Port and the monument of Christopher Columbus, Las Ramblas epitomises Barcelona and is a vibrant, 24-hour street where you can find a mix of locals and tourists alike. The whole of the promenade is dotted with newspaper kiosks which are open 24 hours, and is the best place to get your hot-off-the-press copy of the local and international news.
Starting from the top of Plaça Catalunya, and walking down to the port (also this is slightly downhill) we first have Rambla de Canaletes – named after the fountains at Plaça Catalunya. This part of Las Ramblas is a favourite for the local pensioners to collect and set the world to rights, as well as the typical hang out for the FC Barcelona fans after a victory (especially if it's over their bitter rivals Real Madrid!).
Next in the seamless transition is Rambla de los Estudios (studies), which joins the Catalana Library on Calle Hospital, and is where the start of the street performers and human statues las Ramblas has become so famous for, begin to appear.
Rambla de Sant Josep is so named for the famous market of Saint Joseph, also more commonly known as "La Boqueria" – supposedly Europe's biggest food market selling absolutely everything edible under the sun. This stretch is closely followed by Rambla de los capuxinos – some of the city's finest and oldest cafés sit alongside the impressive Liceu Opera house and have been inspiration to many a visitor and writer to Barcelona. What better way to stop and write a postcard than with a café con leche here!? This part is also known as rambla de les flores, due to the many flower sellers crammed into the small space here, and is an amazing place to visit during the saint George's day celebrations (the patron Saint of Catalunya) as roses are traditionally given on this day.
The final stretch is Rambla de Santa Monica – named from the old Portal de Santa Monica still intact on nearby Parallel Street. Here the city's many artists and caricature painters plant their stalls along with the typical 3 cup scammers who never fail to attract interest. Crowning the bottom of Las Ramblas and the entrance to Port Vell ("the old Port" is Christopher Columbus monument – pointing out towards Las Americas.
Las Ramblas now dissects the old town – leaving El Raval (from Arabic meaning beyond the walls) to the left and El Gotico to the right. The name "Las Ramblas" is actually plural – meaning many ramblas all collected together. Ramblas has even coined its own word "ramblear" meaning to stroll/ramble as many locals and visitors do on weekends.
From the city's main square – Plaça Catalunya – down to the Port and the monument of Christopher Columbus, Las Ramblas epitomises Barcelona and is a vibrant, 24-hour street where you can find a mix of locals and tourists alike. The whole of the promenade is dotted with newspaper kiosks which are open 24 hours, and is the best place to get your hot-off-the-press copy of the local and international news.
Starting from the top of Plaça Catalunya, and walking down to the port (also this is slightly downhill) we first have Rambla de Canaletes – named after the fountains at Plaça Catalunya. This part of Las Ramblas is a favourite for the local pensioners to collect and set the world to rights, as well as the typical hang out for the FC Barcelona fans after a victory (especially if it's over their bitter rivals Real Madrid!).
Next in the seamless transition is Rambla de los Estudios (studies), which joins the Catalana Library on Calle Hospital, and is where the start of the street performers and human statues las Ramblas has become so famous for, begin to appear.
Rambla de Sant Josep is so named for the famous market of Saint Joseph, also more commonly known as "La Boqueria" – supposedly Europe's biggest food market selling absolutely everything edible under the sun. This stretch is closely followed by Rambla de los capuxinos – some of the city's finest and oldest cafés sit alongside the impressive Liceu Opera house and have been inspiration to many a visitor and writer to Barcelona. What better way to stop and write a postcard than with a café con leche here!? This part is also known as rambla de les flores, due to the many flower sellers crammed into the small space here, and is an amazing place to visit during the saint George's day celebrations (the patron Saint of Catalunya) as roses are traditionally given on this day.
The final stretch is Rambla de Santa Monica – named from the old Portal de Santa Monica still intact on nearby Parallel Street. Here the city's many artists and caricature painters plant their stalls along with the typical 3 cup scammers who never fail to attract interest. Crowning the bottom of Las Ramblas and the entrance to Port Vell ("the old Port" is Christopher Columbus monument – pointing out towards Las Americas.
About the Author
David Brydon is an Englishman living in Barcelona, Spain. He is married and has 2 children. He has been working in the vacation apartment rentals business for 7 years. David writes about Cheap Barcelona apartments.
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