Barcelona

Travelers' Takes

Rates and Deals

Ramblas

More Photos
Julieta
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
21
Reviews
41
Photos
Sort by: Most Recent|Positive|Negative|Most Useful
1-5 of 21
Editor Pick

la Ramblas

  • February 8, 2008
  • Rated 4 of 5 by MichaelJM from Nottingham, England
la Ramblas

La Rambla, a 1.2 km tree-lined thoroughfare, means intermittent water flow and the name originate from the Arabic word RAMBLA translated as “sandy river bed”. This e Romantic sounding La Rambla is the “legendary Raval District” which well into the 1980’s was an extremely depressed uncared for part of town. I might more precisely describe it as Barcelona’s slum and it became notorious as the City’s red light district, Chinatown – an area to avoid if you wanted to escape town with your reputation intact and your wallet secure. Yes, the area was reputed as an area of pick-pockets and naire-do-wells.

But there’s been a transformation (although it still carries its reputation for an area where tourists will be preyed upon) and now stylish cafes and fashionable boutiques have moved into the area. The long straight alleys, often culminating in petite diagonal squares (called xamfras) are home to some interesting specialist shops and the xamfras scattered with tables and chairs with smartly attired waiters anxious to gain your custom.

This area was developed in the hasty expansion of the City in the 19th Century and now it looks as if the City has done its best to recover the disenchantment of this interesting area. The broad boulevard, “La Rambla” is the main thoroughfare, with the network of small streets hanging off this central spine, stretching from the Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes (one of the city’s main traffic routes) right down to the water’s edge next to the Monument to Christopher Colombus.

During the day time this is just a very broad passage way but at night it comes to life. At night, indeed every night that we were there, this boulevard was crammed with people (beware pickpockets is the advice) and a place of real excitement. It wasn’t unusual for roller bladers to be manoeuvring their way through the crowds and some of the main squares seemed to be regular venues for excited skateboarders. The small kiosks selling newspapers, flowers and fast food take on a life of their own with their lights adding to the character and excitement of the area. If you expect the boulevard to become less busy you’ll have to try it out during the early hours of the morning because we were still having to “fight the crowds” around 2.00 am!!

Off the main “drag” the small alleyways were a Pandora’s box of delights with small specialist shops and expensively exclusive fashion shops. There are a number of cheaper, more affordable clothes shops on the edge of La Rambla which although a wee bit more expensive than the UK offer some less common designs.

Once in la Ramblas district you're in the heart of Barcelonona's gothic area. At the centre is the Cathedral which dates back to 1298 and dominates one of the tiny squares. Unfortunately it was closed when we were in town so we could only marvel at the external construct and imagine what delights might be held inside.

Interstingly there are still remains of early Roman settlement in this area - keep your eyes closely peeled for the old Roman walls in the Placa de Berenguer.

A fascinating part of town that will give a whole range of experiences and architectural sights.

From journal La Ramblas and Spanish Food

Ramblas and Plaça Catalunya

  • July 19, 2007
  • Rated 3 of 5 by Celia Coene from Alameda, California
Ramblas and Plaça Catalunya

True, you won't find many locals to practice your Catalan with on La Rambla. Nevertheless, Barcelona wouldn't be Barcelona without it. La Rambla is a sight to see for its entertainment such as human statues of all kinds, puppeteers, musicians, and dancers that line up the street to entertain the tourist and make a few dubloons. The big pedestrian boulevard connects Plaza Catalunya to Port Vell. Take a rest and sit at one of the cafés outside with a glass of Sangria and just do some people-watch. As long as you steer clear of the restaurants, which may just make your day.

At one end of La Rambla is Plaça Catalunya, the hub of Barcelona, and an enormous roundabout where all the main boulevards merge. It separates Las Ramblas and the Barri Gotic with the very large Passeig de Gracia and the area of Eixample, more frequented and inhabited by locals. Plaza Catalunya is always lively. This is where you will find the tourist office, on the center part of the roundabout. This is also where you can pick up the open roof two-level touristic bus for a tour of the popular places. Buy your passes at the tourist office for that. While you're there, also pick up the Barcelona Card (about 17 euros) which gives you discounts on all the major attractions that you will want to visit anyway. On the square you will also find the big and swanky department store El Corte Ingles which has about 8 floors of absolutely everything, all neatly presented for an ultimate shopping experience.

From journal Barcelona: You 'Gaudi' See This!

Editor Pick

La Rambla

  • July 18, 2006
  • Rated 3 of 5 by Red Mezz from Inverness, Scotland
La Rambla

It seemed to me that, in Barcelona, all roads lead to La Rambla.

As I've mentioned more than once in this review, Barcelona can be a rather tricky place to navigate if you try to do it in a hurry, or rely too much on guide books for assistance, and so as I made my way around the city, trying to take in the sights, shoot as many photos as possible, and still keep track of where I was going, I often found myself doubling back towards La Rambla, which is in no way a bad thing.

I think it is the flow of people in the city that gives La Rambla the feeling of being the true heart of the city. Almost where ever you go, there is a stream of people rushing past you, and if you let yourself be turned and fall into their ranks, you will almost certainly find yourself standing in the market centre of this city.

If you come to Barcelona with kids, this is certainly a place to keep an eye on them. The amount of people moving about this little area, along with all of the performers and vendors it's very easy to get separated from people. I highly recommend that when you get there, before you start to browse, you set up a meeting place for if you get separated. It's just good sense. But once you have done that, the street is your oyster, and it's one ripe with pearls.

Most market streets I have been to in the world have the disappointing affect of actually having the same things you find everywhere else. And most of it being of little interest. So many times I have wandered up to local markets hoping to find something a bit different and walking away feeling let down. Completely not the case with La Rambla.

It's a long and busy stretch of street packed full with vendors for just about everything you can imagine. There's no point in having in a look unless you allow a couple hours for browsing, there is just so much. And some truly excellent street portrait artists as well. It all feels like a slightly tamer version of an ancient Mediterranean market place, and is well worth stopping to have a look at, an excellent place to pick up trinkets to take back home.

From journal Caught Up in the Bewitching Charms of Barcelona...

Editor Pick

Las Ramblas

  • April 5, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Drever from Ayr
Las Ramblas

Las Ramblas is the biggest and best pedestrian experience one can imagine - the culmination of culture and activity in Barcelona. You want colour? You want humanity? You want to shop? You want to while away time? Las Ramblas awaits you. This famous avenue is a bustling centre from the early morning to the wee hours of the night.

You can find nearly everything under the sun on Las Ramblas and its street performers are spectacular. There are: lizards in cages, huge bunches of roses, newspaper sellers, Chinese buildings with dragons, unbelievably elaborate water fountains, artists doing portraits, street cafes, flower sellers, break-dancers and prostitutes touting for business after dark. Added to these are mime artists, puppeteers with skeletons dancing to Blue Suede Shoes, horses and traps and living statues. The human statues are creative and eerily 'real'! The street attracts tourists in their milling thousands and unfortunately beggars.

This colourful strip of Barcelona divides the old town from the new. Here the city wall once stood by the banks of a stream running through the centre of the old city. The space created with the wall’s removal in the 19th century, the riverbed and existing paths combined to create this wide avenue. The tree-lined island between the traffic lanes is now full of entertainment to satisfy even the most jaded of travellers. It is also a tourist trap with prices to match - food and drink are three times more expensive than anywhere else. On ordering a Pepsi I felt robbed when the bill arrived. Speaking of robbery there is a good chance of that happening as well. My first experience of someone trying to lift my wallet happened here. Take my tip and don’t bring it.

Las Ramblas stretches for one mile. It runs from Placa de Catalunya, a main square full of shops, restaurants, and banks, found at the centre of the city, down to the Columbus Monument on the waterfront. The avenue has five distinct sections, each with its own name and characteristics. First is Las Ramblas de Canaletes, named after the Font de les Canaletes. Folklore has it that whoever drinks from this fountain will forever keep returning to Barcelona. This is where you will find many, but not nearly all, of the Ramblas’ street performers.

The next section is Las Ramblas dels Estudis, after the Estudi General, or Universitat. Along its length bird and small animal sellers ply their trade. Further down is Las Ramblas de les Flors, where a jungle of florists and their colourful stands line the streets with exotic bouquets. Here also is found the century-old Boqueria Market where you can find the freshest produce, meat, fish, and dried fruit around.

Las Ramblas del centre comes next followed by Las Ramblas de Santa Monica, which comes out directly on Barcelona’s port. At the seafront Las Ramblas de Mar takes over. On and around this pier are the beach, an aquarium, restaurants, movie theatres, as well as popular nightclubs.

From journal A City Break in Barcelona

Famous street of barcelona

  • November 15, 2005
  • Rated 5 of 5 by laeti82l from cork, France

If I could suggest the nicest street of Barcelona:

- La Ramblas: a lot of animation, people dressed up, mini shop, caricature, pets shop... really nice and famous

- el passage maritim: you could make a round on boat with 'the golondrinas' or visiting the port...

- Barceloneta and the Beaches: the beaches are nice but is you go farest close to the forum you'll find the Malibu beach as we called it, nice sand, volley ball player, ...naturist beaches also for every tastes

- The cuidadella: nice parc to enjoy a walk, pic nic or just being in a barc on the lake, usually the place where 'el dia de la tierra' is celebrating every year

- El barrio gothico: you'll find the nice cathedral, smallest street , nice shop and hotel... full of story

- El born: fantastic area day by night, restaurant, Picasso museum, nice shop, really atipical place...

- El passaje de Gracia: expensive street of the city where all the great trend are like Chanel, Gucci, Versachi... enjoy to make windows shopping...

From journal The heart of Barcelona

Sort by: Most Recent|Positive|Negative|Most Useful
1-5 of 21

Compare Barcelona Rates

1. Enter travel information

City

2. Select websites to compare rates

Each selected website will open a new window.

Barcelona Travel Deals