Ask anybody who’s going to visit Barcelona where they’d like to stay, and the common reply is “close to Las Ramblas”. This Barcelona promenade is the most famed street in the city, and is really an old brook bed. The Barri Gotic or Gothic area 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 1/2 way down the particular 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 city – leaving El Raval ( from Arabic meaning beyond the walls ) to the left and El Gotico to the right. The name “Las Ramblas” is essentially plural – meaning many ramblas all collected together. Ramblas has even coined its own word “ramblear” meaning to stroll / 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 epitomizes Barcelona and is a colourful, 24-hour street where you can find a mix of neighbors and tourists alike. The whole of the promenade is dotted with paper kiosks which are open twenty-four hours, and is the best place to get your hot-off-the-press copy of the local and international news. Find your Hotel Barcelona next to the city Center and enjoy your stay in Barcelona.
Starting from the top of Plaa Catalunya, and walking down to the port ( also this is slightly downhill ) we first have Rambla de Canaletes – named after the fountains at Plaa Catalunya. This part of Las Ramblas is a favourite for the local OAPs to collect and set the world to rights, as well as the typical hang out for the FC Barcelona fans after a victory ( particularly if it’s over their bitter rivals Real Madrid ).
Next in the continual transition is Rambla de los Estudios ( studies ), which joins the Catalana Library on Calle infirmary, and is where the beginning of the street performers and human statues las Ramblas has become 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” – allegedly Europe’s biggest food market selling everything edible under the sun. This stretch is closely followed by Rambla de los capuxinos – some of the city’s finest and oldest cafs sit alongside the impressive Liceu Opera house and have been inspiration to several a visitor and writer to Barcelona. What easier way to stop and write a postcard than with a caf con leche here!? This part is often referred to as rambla de les flores, due to the many flower sellers crammed into the small space here, and is a dazzling place to visit in the saint George’s day celebrations ( the patron saint of Catalunya ) as roses are historically given on this day.
The final stretch is Rambla de Santa Monica – named from the old Portal de Santa Monica still untouched on nearby Parallel street. Here the city’s many artists and caricature painters plant their stalls along with the everyday three cup conmen 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 – pointing out towards Las Americas. Look for fantastic and inexpensive Ferienwohnungen Barcelona next to the Columbus monument.