Las Ramblas, Catalonia, Spain

3James S 5:00 PM Oct 6, 2022

TAWDRY, TOURISTY BUT STILL WORTH THE WALK
La Rambla is probably the second most known attraction in Barcelona, after the Sagrada Familia. Surprisingly considering it’s a simple street that is just over a kilometre long. The street runs north northwest from the harbour ending at Placa Catalunya a major square and borders on and divides two of older neighborhoods in the city, El Ravel to the southwest and the Gothic Quarter to the northeast. The street is very pedestrian friendly with a wide central tree lined promenade flanked by service roads that are restricted to buses, taxis and service vehicles. There is also a Metro or subway line running underneath the street. La Rambla was originally a stream bed used to allow sewage to flow out of the nearby hills into the seas. As the city grew and expanded throughout the Middle Ages it was slowly incorporated into a street. Over time several large churches and other religious institutions were established along it. Various conflicts over the centuries took their toll on most of these. One of the best examples remaining is the Esglesia de la mare de Deu Betlem, or Betlem Church located about midway on the street just above the Mercado de La Boqueria another attraction. These days in keeping with its present status of a tourist attraction, many of the beautiful buildings with ornate wrought iron balconies have new tenants. Many are occupied by hotels, souvenir shops, banks and money exchanges, bars, and an endless supply of restaurants offering both local cuisine and a variety of well-known North America fast food chains. Even the central promenade is not immune, as numerous patios have been set up with food and drink mysteriously appearing from some nearby alley. Vendors both with and without shops, beggars and pick pockets also ply their trade here. When the sun sets the activity on La Rambla doesn’t end. There are numerous nightclubs in the some of the surrounding buildings and the party continues for those interested until the sunrise.

3Alyssa Kaeser 5:00 PM Jan 23, 2022

Worth Visiting
Las Ramblas is a major tourist attraction in the city of Barcelona, comprised of many shops/restaurants. Be careful, there are lot's of pick pocketers and people trying to sell you cheap junk all along the strip. Many of the restaurants are tourist traps, meaning they are mediocre and overpriced. Las Ramblas is worth taking a stroll down, but was a less than thrilling part of our trip.