La Rambla is the main tourist avenue and the most famous street in Barcelona. The street is also called Las Ramblas because it has several sections with different names. La Rambla runs from Plaça Catalunya to Barcelona’s Port Vell marina. It is located in the old town called Quitat Vella and borders the Raval and Gothic areas of the old town. Las Ramblas is a popular getaway for visitors to Barcelona due to its central location and lively atmosphere. Find your hotel in Las Ramblas.
It is estimated that there are between 80 and 100 million pedestrians on La Rambla each year. Spanish friend and poet of Salvador Dali, Federico García Lorca, once said, “It’s the only street in the world that I hope never ends.” Lorca said it in the 1930s and La Rambla has changed a lot since then. But we think he’ll still love it.
Today, several visitors find La Rambla crowded with tourist shops. But La Rambla is still special and I can’t say I’ve actually been to Barcelona. On a sunny day, La Rambla is such a sea of people when viewed from Plaza Catalunya, but there’s always room for one or two more.
One of the sights of La Rambla is the humans. Residents, tourists and people make Las Ramblas special, so don’t miss strolling down Las Ramblas to enjoy the atmosphere of this famous Barcelona alley.
The reason for the name Las Rambla Street
In the late 18th century, the old medieval walls collapsed and the first buildings began to appear along Las Ramblas, transforming the streets into tree-lined streets. Although now officially called La Rambla, it actually consists of six streets, each with its own name. That’s why you’ll often hear the street’s name, Las Rambla
The best 6 districts of Rambla towards Plaza Catalunya
- The Canaletes La Rambla
- Dels Estudis La Rambla
- The les Flors La Rambla
- Dels Caputxins La Rambla
- De Santa Mònica La Rambla
- Rambla the Mar
1. The Canaletes La Rambla
The name Rambla de Canaletes comes from an old 14th-century north wall called Canaletes. With the exception of a very short section of Av Parallel, Barcelona’s medieval walls no longer exist. The Canaletes Wall was where water pipes passed through the wall to supply drinking water to the medieval city of Barcelona.
This part of Las Ramblas had a famous drinking fountain called the Font de les Canaletes. The current fountain is by no means unique, but legend has it that anyone who drinks from the Font de les Canaletes will always return to Barcelona. Rambla de Canaletes is also part of La Rambla, where Barça fans traditionally gather at the Canaletes Fountain when Barcelona FC win a big title.
2. Dels Estudis La Rambla
The site is named after a mid-15th-century building called the Estudi General or Universitat. It was demolished in 1843, but the name remains. At one time, La Rambla had over 140 licensed street performers. Today, their number has been reduced to 12 at the same time. They make a colourful and lively addition to La Rambla’s contemporary culture.
3. The les Flors La Rambla
In the 19th century, it was the only place in Barcelona where you could buy flowers. You can now buy flowers all over Barcelona, but La Rambla de les Flors still has plenty of flower stalls. Another less common name for this stretch is Rambla de San Josep due to the nearby Plaza Santa Josep. Attractions in this part of La Rambla are the La Boqueria food market and the former palace, now the artistic centre of the Palau de la Virreina.
4. Dels Caputxins La Rambla
In the 19th century, it was the only place in Barcelona where you could buy flowers. You can now buy flowers all over Barcelona, but La Rambla de les Flors still has plenty of flower stalls. Another less common name for this stretch is Rambla de San Josep due to the nearby Plaza Santa Josep. Attractions in this part of La Rambla are the La Boqueria former palace and food market, now the artistic centre of the Palau de la Virreina.
5. De Santa Mònica La Rambla
This part of Barcelona’s La Rambla takes you to the harbour promenade and the monument to Cristobal Colón (Christopher Columbus in English, Cristofor Colom in Catalan), built for the 1888 World’s Fair. The place’s name, La Rambla, derives from the Santa Monica church, which has been the site of the convent of the Augustins Descalso (Barefooted Augustinians) since 1626 and is now the centre of the Santa Monica arts. There is a permanent art market and often a craft market. This is also where La Ramba’s human statues are now located. Find the Barcelona Wax Museum on the left.
6. Rambla the Mar
In 1992, a sixth section of La Rambla, named La Rambla de Mar, was added, leading to the Maremagnum shopping centre. Next to the Maremagnum shopping centre is the famous Barcelona Aquarium, one of the largest in Europe.
Best hotels on Las Ramblas
- Hotel 1898
- Yurbban Ramblas Boutique Hotel
- Hotel Arc La Rambla
- Royal Ramblas Hotel
- Sonder DO Placa Reial
- Hotel Cuatro Naciones
- Hotel Continental Barcelona
- Le Meridien Barcelona
- Hotel SERHS Rivoli Rambla
- Hotel Bagues
Places to visit on and around Las Ramblas
- Liceu opera house
- La Boqueria market
- Plaça Reial square
- Pasteleria Escriba
- Palau de la Virreina
- Wax museum
Top 8 Most well-known streets in Barcelona Spain
- Las Ramblas – The Absolute Most Popular Street in Barcelona
- Passeig Del Born – The Medieval-Looking Street
- Carrer Dels Mirallers – The Spooky Street
- Carrer de Montcada – Baroque Style Street and The Renaissance
- Carrer Dels Escudellers – The Local’s Favorite Spot for Street Food
- Carrer Del Bisbe – orginal Street of Medieval Barcelona
- Passeig de Gràcia – Street Fashion of Barcelona
- Enric Granados – A Far Cry from the Hurly-Burly of Ramblas
1. Las Ramblas – The Absolute Most Popular Street in Barcelona
This is probably the most famous street in Barcelona. And for good reason.
2. Passeig Del Born – The Medieval-Looking Street
The second most famous street in Barcelona has to be the elegant Passeig de Gracia. This street is Barcelona’s most famous designer shopping avenue with the highest concentration of designer brand stores and a top tourist attraction in Barcelona, including the modernist buildings Casa Mila and Casa Batllo. Famous architect Antoni Gaudí.
3. Carrer Dels Mirallers – The Spooky Street
Carrer dels Mirallers is a small street next to the gothic church of Santa Maria del Mar. If you are looking for the jewels of Barcelona, this street is one of them. Rumour has it that demonic ghosts roam Mirallers Street in Barcelona
4. Carrer de Montcada – Baroque Style Street and The Renaissance
This boulevard is flanked by medieval Renaissance and Baroque palaces with huge entrances leading to ornate courtyards. All these palaces testify to the rich and beautiful history of Barcelona’s medieval centre. Aristocrats and merchants who made their fortunes from maritime trade built magnificent mansions in Carrer de Montcada. This medieval mansion has stood the test of time.
5. Carrer Dels Escudellers – The Local’s Favorite Spot for Street Food
For an authentic Barcelona experience, head to Carrer del Escudellers to fill your gastric and quench your thirst. The nightlife is lively and there are many good pubs and restaurants.
6. Carrer Del Bisbe – orginal Street of Medieval Barcelona
Carrer del Bisbe is one of the most famous old streets in the city. It was the main street of Barcelona in the Middle Ages. Carrer del Bisbe, or Bishop’s Street, is next to the city’s famous Gothic Cathedral. It is located on both sides of the house of gothic and neo-gothic design.
7. Passeig de Gràcia – Street Fashion of Barcelona
Passeig de Gràcia is a avenue that runs from Plaza Catalunya to Plaza Diagonal. A location where history and high fashion coexist. Passeig de Gràcia is the main shopping area of Barcelona and one of the most famous streets in Barcelona
8. Enric Granados – A Far Cry from the Hurly-Burly of Ramblas
Located in the Center of Barcelona, just three blocks from Passeig de Gràcia, this street is virtually unknown to the millions of tourists who visit the city each year. Enric Granados is humble and charming, far from the hustle and bustle of the Ramblas. It starts near the university on Consell de Cent Street and ends on Diagonal Street.
