Las Ramblas Barcelona
Las Rambla Barcelona, also known as La Rambla de Barcelona, is the most famous pedestrian avenue in Barcelona, Spain. Located in the city centre, it stretches for about 1200 metres from the Plaça de Catalunya to the city's waterfront and the statue of Christopher Columbus. Las Ramblas attracts many tourists because of its special atmosphere, with its mixture of souvenir stands, bird shops, newspaper shops, flower shops, musicians, painters and street artists, such as the living statues, and it is a meeting place for all the people of Barcelona, who like to stroll under the plane trees.
Las Ramblas Barcelona or La Rambla?
In Spanish, "La Rambla" is usually used to refer to the famous pedestrian avenue in Barcelona, while "Las Ramblas" is a more general term that can refer to several streets called "ramblas" in different Spanish cities.
In fact, all cities have their Ramblas, for example "La Rambla de Valencia" in Valencia. However, in common practice, the term "Las Ramblas" is now used to refer to La Rambla in Barcelona, due to its fame and popularity as a tourist destination. This is also the strength of Barcelona!
Video tour of Las Ramblas
Different sections of Las Ramblas
The word ramblas means "dry rivers" in Arabic. And in fact the Rambla of Barcelona was built from the 17th century on the bed of a dry river, the "riera d'en Malla".
From Plaça de Catalunya to Port Vell, the Rambla changes its name into five distinct sections:
Rambla de Canaletes, named after its fountain, the site of celebrations of FC Barcelona's victories.
Rambla dels Estudis, because this section was the site of the Estudi General, the city's centre of higher education founded in 1450, and today it is the site of newsagents.
Rambla de les Flors or Rambla de Sant Josep, the only place in the city where flowers were sold in the 19th century and still are today. There is also the famous Boqueria market.
Rambla dels Capucins or Rambla del Center, named after the former convent of the Capuchin friars, at the Liceu.
Rambla de Santa Mònica, which goes down to the port and to the parish church of the same name. Today it is home to the Santa Mònica Arts Centre and the Wax Museum.
History of the Ramblas
In the 16th and 17th centuries, the Rambla was a stream surrounded by walls. The Ramblas were built from 1766 onwards when the city decided to extend its boundaries outside its medieval walls. The wall was destroyed and the Rambla came into being with the construction over the decades of family homes, convents, churches, study centres, shops, etc.
Over time, the Rambla became more and more popular and saw the appearance of flower and bird stands, shops, cafés, public benches, fountains and pretty street lamps installed by the town council.
In 1859, trees were planted on the Ramblas to provide shade for walkers. These plane trees have become an emblematic feature of the Ramblas in Barcelona.
Closer to home in 1963, the Ramblas were redesigned to improve traffic flow in the city. Traffic lanes were added on both sides of the promenade without destroying the spirit of the place, that of strolling and meeting people.
Where is Barcelona's Rambla?
Address: La Rambla, 75, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
Metro: Liceu, Drassanes
When and how to visit Las Ramblas?
Las Ramblas is a busy and relatively dangerous avenue with pickpockets and a bad atmosphere late at night.
Some tips:
> To visit Las Ramblas in a pleasant way, take advantage of your morning between 10 and 12 o'clock, which is the least busy time.
> Watch your back, especially your pockets and handbags. There are some very good pickpockets at work 24 hours a day.
> Avoid all restaurants and cafés in this area, especially those with tables on La Rambla. They know you are passing through and the prices and quality of service are incredibly poor. Prefer the neighbouring streets.
> Do not go at night or late at night. It's not dangerous but not very well frequented either... Just avoid it if you are alone.
Ramblas tourist circuit
Here are some places to discover on or near the Ramblas.
Take advantage of our good addresses such as restaurants and shops. This is also part of discovering a city
> We recommend the best Las Ramblas Barcelona hotels. On Las Ramblas, or even better just next door (it's less noisy), there are some real gems to stay in. You're right in the city centre, a stone's throw from many attractions and cultural venues. Ideal for visiting a large part of the city on foot.
1 - Plaça Catalunya
2- Church Betlem***
3- Palace Virreina**
4- Boqueria Market***
5- Gran Teatre del Liceu*
6- Royal Square. Plaça Reial*
7- Maritime Museum.
View Larger Map
4 comments
to visit! - DocSplus (16 Mar 2023 - 12:06)
It's still a nice walk to the Port Vell which is also worth seeing.
vivir un sueño!! - malika (29 May 2012 - 08:30)
las ramblas son unas de las maravillas de toda Espana y no solo de Barcelona. podràs disfrutar de un màgnifico paseo gustando los colores, los perfumes y del continuo ir y venir de gente que caracterizan esta calle...podras saborear tapas deliciosas, reirte y hacerte fotos con los mimos màs artisticos y extravagantes de siempre y conocer sin embargo gente de cada ezquina del mundo... si viajais a Barcelona no podeis olvidar de pasar por aqui!!!
Me gusta las ramblas ! :) - sylvia (14 May 2012 - 09:00)
hola ! no soy de catalunya, pero me gusta mucho Barcelona y las ramblas ! ♥ :) invito todo el mundo ir en este ciudad ! :D porque es la mejor ciudad del mundo ! :)
saludo - bella (10 Jun 2011 - 12:15)
Questo posto è molto bello e meraviglioso! spero che ogni persona che arriva in Barcellona, vada subito a visitarlo.. Io ci sono andata e sono rimasta a bocca aperta. un saluto a tutti! :)