Ask anybody who’s going to go to Barcelona where they would like to stay, and the usual reply is “close to Las Ramblas”. This Barcelona promenade is the most famous street in the town, and is essentially an old river bed. The Barri Gotic or Gothic locale used to be the old Barcelona (know in Roman times as “Barcino”) and has a wall running around the city to guard it, wit the key 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 bisects the old town – leaving El Raval (from Arabic meaning outside the walls) to the left and El Gotico to the right. The name “Las Ramblas” is basically plural – meaning many ramblas all collected together. Ramblas has even coined its own word “ramblear” meaning to walk / ramble as many neighbors and visitors do on weekends.
From the city’s main square – Plaa Catalunya – down to the Port and the monument of Christopher Columbus, Las Ramblas epitomises Barcelona and is a colourful, twenty four hour street where you will find a mixture of neighbors and travellers alike. All of the promenade is dotted with paper kiosks which are open 24 hours, and is the number 1 place to get your hot-off-the-press copy of the local and world stories. Find your Hotel Barcelona next to the town Center and enjoy your stay in Barcelona.
Beginning from the pinnacle of Plaa Catalunya, and walking down to the port (also this is a little downhill) we first have Rambla de Canaletes – named after the fountains at Plaa Catalunya. This part of Las Ramblas is a favorite for the local pensioners to gather and set the world to rights, as well as the classic hang out for the FC Barcelona fans after a victory ( particularly if it’s over their sour rivals Real Madrid ).
Next in the continuing transition is Rambla de los Estudios (studies), which joins the Catalana Library on Calle Hospital, and is where the beginning of the street performers and human statues las Ramblas has gotten so feted for, start to appear.
Rambla de Sant Josep is so named for the famous market of Saint Joseph, also more commonly known as “La Boqueria” – presumably Europe’s largest food market selling absolutely everything eatable under the sun. This stretch is closely followed by Rambla de los capuxinos – some of the city’s finest and oldest cafs sit next to the impressive Liceu Opera house and have been inspiration to many a visitor and writer to Barcelona. What smarter way to stop and write a postcard than with a caf con leche here!? This part is also known as rambla de les flores, because of the many flower sellers crammed into the small space here, and is a dazzling place to go to during the saint George’s day celebrations ( the guardian 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 untouched on close by Parallel street. Here the city’s many artists and caricature painters plant their stalls together with the typical 3 cup fraudsters who never fail to attract interest. Crowning the base of Las Ramblas and the entrance to Port Vell ( “the old Port” is Christopher Columbus monument – indicating towards Las Americas. Look for fantastic and cheap Ferienwohnungen Barcelona next to the Columbus monument.
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