La Rambla, Barcelona (must see)
Pulsating with energy, particularly during the peak tourist season, La Rambla is the most famous street in Barcelona and one of Europe鈥檚 most lively urban promenades. Stretching 1.2 kilometers from Catalonia Square to the Christopher Columbus Monument at the Old Port, it cuts through the Gothic Quarter and El Raval neighborhoods. Legendary Spanish poet Federico Garc铆a Lorca famously described this bustling thoroughfare, teeming with colorful shops, charming pavement cafes, souvenir kiosks, and an eclectic mix of visitors, as 鈥渢he only street in the world which I wish would never end.鈥�
La Rambla is composed of several smaller sections, known collectively as 鈥淟es Rambles.鈥� These include Canaletes Rambla, known for its fountain; Rambla of Studies, the site of a former Jesuit university; Rambla of Saint Joseph, home to a flower market; Rambla of the Capuchins, featuring the Liceu opera house; and Rambla of Santa M貌nica, named after a local convent.
Originally a sewage-filled stream, La Rambla鈥檚 name comes from the Arabic word for "sand," dating back to the times when it functioned as a rainwater drain. By the late 14th century, the city expanded its walls to include La Rambla, which later transformed into a lively promenade.
Over time, La Rambla became a hub for festivals and commerce. Trees were planted along its path in 1703, with plane trees, in particular, added in 1859. Notable local landmarks include the Liceu Grand Theatre, Barcelona's renowned opera house, and the Palace of the Viceroy, a Baroque mansion now hosting exhibitions and events. The street also features a Joan Mir贸 pavement mosaic and connects to the famous La Boqueria market, offering a plethora of local delicacies, as well as the Royal Square popular for its nightlife.
Prices at La Rambla are a bit steeper than elsewhere in the city, but then again, excitement comes at a price, and La Rambla sure gives tonnes of it.
Tip:
As you stroll along, remain vigilant against the occasional presence of pickpockets鈥攌eeping your eyes open is always a good idea.
For excellent food at more affordable prices and the opportunity to savor your meal in a relaxed setting, venture to the Santa Caterina market, just a 10-minute walk away from La Boqueria.
La Rambla is composed of several smaller sections, known collectively as 鈥淟es Rambles.鈥� These include Canaletes Rambla, known for its fountain; Rambla of Studies, the site of a former Jesuit university; Rambla of Saint Joseph, home to a flower market; Rambla of the Capuchins, featuring the Liceu opera house; and Rambla of Santa M貌nica, named after a local convent.
Originally a sewage-filled stream, La Rambla鈥檚 name comes from the Arabic word for "sand," dating back to the times when it functioned as a rainwater drain. By the late 14th century, the city expanded its walls to include La Rambla, which later transformed into a lively promenade.
Over time, La Rambla became a hub for festivals and commerce. Trees were planted along its path in 1703, with plane trees, in particular, added in 1859. Notable local landmarks include the Liceu Grand Theatre, Barcelona's renowned opera house, and the Palace of the Viceroy, a Baroque mansion now hosting exhibitions and events. The street also features a Joan Mir贸 pavement mosaic and connects to the famous La Boqueria market, offering a plethora of local delicacies, as well as the Royal Square popular for its nightlife.
Prices at La Rambla are a bit steeper than elsewhere in the city, but then again, excitement comes at a price, and La Rambla sure gives tonnes of it.
Tip:
As you stroll along, remain vigilant against the occasional presence of pickpockets鈥攌eeping your eyes open is always a good idea.
For excellent food at more affordable prices and the opportunity to savor your meal in a relaxed setting, venture to the Santa Caterina market, just a 10-minute walk away from La Boqueria.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Barcelona. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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La Rambla on Map
Sight Name: La Rambla
Sight Location: Barcelona, Spain (See walking tours in Barcelona)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Barcelona, Spain (See walking tours in Barcelona)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Barcelona, Spain
Create Your Own Walk in Barcelona
Creating your own self-guided walk in Barcelona is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Montjuic Walking Tour
Montjuic is a hill in Barcelona which offers a variety of great attractions of historic, cultural, and architectural value. Here, you can watch a spectacular water show at the Magic Fountain of Montjuic, visit the place where matadors faced the bulls in the past, and explore the ancient Montjuic Castle with its breathtaking views.
A convenient start point, Placa d'Espanya is the second... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.0 Km or 3.1 Miles
A convenient start point, Placa d'Espanya is the second... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.0 Km or 3.1 Miles
Antoni Gaud铆's Masterpieces Walking Tour
Antoni Gaudi, a seminal figure in the Catalan Modernism movement, is one of the top architects of the 20th century. The unique technique and use of natural forms in his works stand out from the pack and have left an indelible mark on the face of Barcelona.
Our journey through Gaudi's Barcelona begins at the G眉ell Palace, by far the most budget-friendly of his projects. Located near La... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
Our journey through Gaudi's Barcelona begins at the G眉ell Palace, by far the most budget-friendly of his projects. Located near La... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
La Ribera Walking Tour
La Ribera is a culturally rich, historic area of Barcelona鈥檚 Old Town; somewhat less touristy than the Gothic Quarter (which one should really visit as well) and quite unspoiled, authentic and pretty. Centuries ago, it was a very well-to-do neighborhood inhabited by aristocrats, merchants, wealthy sailors, and Jewish money-lenders. Today, it is regarded as the Soho of Barcelona 鈥� a popular... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
La Rambla Walking Tour
One of the main streets in central Barcelona, La Rambla is popular with tourists and locals alike. Connecting the city鈥檚 old port with Pla莽a de Catalunya, it is filled with cultural and historic landmarks, as well as many terraces, restaurants, shops and street artists. Spanish poet, Federico Garc铆a Lorca once said it was 鈥渢he only street in the world which I wish never ended.鈥�
Start... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Start... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Barcelona Introduction Walking Tour
According to legend, Barcelona was founded by the mythological Greek hero Hercules on one of his expeditions, when a storm hit his boats. The first eight boats managed to escape without damage, but the ninth was lost at sea. Hercules found his lost friends some days later on the coast, all safe and sound. The boat's crew, taken by the beauty of the coastal landscape, decided to stay. On that... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.7 Km or 3.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.7 Km or 3.5 Miles
Barcelona Shopping Walk
A long-time prime cultural destination, Barcelona is also en route to becoming one of Europe's top shopping spots. Each new day, fashionable designer stores, from well-known international brands to local start-ups, are filling the city streets. If you're a fan of shopping, you're in for a treat when visiting this beautiful city. Here are some of the most popular shopping locations... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
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