La Rambla (Las Ramblas)
La Rambla is the best known and most characteristic tree lined avenue in Barcelona. It runs from Placa de Catalunya to the Mirador de Colom , a tall column with a statue of Columbus on the top. The Mirador de Colom is on the sea front by the Port Vell (Old Port of Barcelona).
Public transport
Nearest stations: Catalunya main line RENF station
Metro station Catalunya Lines 1, 2, 3, 6 & 7.
Metro station Liceu Line 3
Metro station Drassanes Line 3
Buses number 14, 17, 18, 22, 24, 57.
Ciutat Vella
La Rambla is within the Ciutat Vella the old heart of the city of Barcelona, also includes in the Ciutat Vella are the following neighbouring areas, the gothic quarter , La Ribera , El Raval all popular tourist areas of Barcelona
Attractions in or near La Rambla
Allow 3 hours to walk the full length of La Rambla and to view the attractions
La Rambla is full of Street performances, mime artists, street vendors, buskers and living statues. As in anywhere that can be crowded be aware of pick pockets.
La Rambla actually consists of 5 sections under different street names that run end to end.
Starting at the Placa de Catalunya and ending at the Mirador de Colom by the sea front they are:
Rambla de Canaletas
- Font de Canaletes a 19th century iron drinking fountain. This is a city landmark
Rambla dels Estudis
- Flower bird and domestic animal stalls
- Reial Academia de Ciencies i Arts (Royal academy of Science and Art)
- Human statues
- Iglesia de Belen. An old Jesuit church with a gothic interior
Rambla Sant Joseph
- The beautiful Palace of the Virreina, information office on ground floor
- Mercat of Sant Josep (Boqueria market) A wrought iron building used as a covered public traditional market selling a wide selection of high quality food
- Museu de l'Erotica, a private collection of erotic art and items
- Joan Miro Mosaic pavement dating from 1976.
Rambla dels Caputxins
- Teatre de la Liceu (Liceu theatre and Liceu opera house), One of the finest opera houses in Europe, rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1994.
- Palau Guell. This palace was designed by Antoni Gaudi for Count Eursebi Guell in 1886. Gaudi was give an unlimited budget to build this residence and meeting place for social and community events. Visit the museum de les Arts del Espectacle, the roof to see the magnificent roof top, and tiled chimneys and the subterranean stables.
Photograph Palau Guell Photograph Palau Guell and Casa Batilo
- Casa Batilo. An apartment block also built by Antoni Gaudi.The balconies are designed to look like bones. The building facade is covered in bright multi coloured tiles.
- Placa Reial is located to one side as you head into the Barri Gotic . The square has a central iron fountain and lamp posts by Gaudi
Rambla de Sta Monica
- Centre d'Art Santa Monica
- Reials Drassanes. Medieval dockyards and the Museum Maritim. On your right just before reaching the colom
Columbus Column Monument (Monument a Colom)
Description of Columbus Monument
- A very Ornate 1888 Corinthian 87 mt high column topped with a single 7mt high statue of Christopher Columbus.
- Ornate 1888 Corinthian column topped with a statue of Christopher Columbus, who is said to be pointing toward America, in fact he is pointing to Algeria
- Take the lift to the top for magnificent views of the harbour and the City of Barcelona.
- Built in 1888 for the World Expedition.
- Christopher Columbus disembarked here in the Port Vell (Old port) when he returned from his historic discovery of America.
Location of Columbus Monument
- On the sea front at the bottom of La Rambla
- Nearest Metro stations: Drassanes
Placa de Catalunya
Location At the top end of of La Rambla
Nearest Metro stations: Catalunya
Mainline railway
Buses Around 28 different bus routes
- One of the main transport hubs of Barcelona. All the main roads radiate from here or very nearby
- La Rambla
- Passeig de Gracia
- Pelai
- Fonanella
- Rda.de la Universitat
- Rda.St.PereCorts Catalanes ( 1 block away)
- Av.Pportal de l'Angels
- Centrally situated between the Barri Gotic (Gothic quarter) and the nightlife area of L'eixample.
- A place to sit and do some people watching. In the past there was a charge to sit, now free.
Things to see
- Tourist Information office
- Casa Pascuali i Pons. A neo gothic building built in 1890 by Enric Sagnier. Located on the corner with Passeig de Gracia
- Casa Rocamora slightly further up Passeig de Gracia
- Palau de la Musica, a World Heritage site and a must see landmark. 5 mins walkway