La Rambla is the most famous and beloved pedestrian street in Barcelona. It’s a magnet for many guests of the city, there they can have a nice promenade, take a break from pompous historical landmarks and get immersed into the contemporary Catalan culture.
At some point, La Rambla was dotted with churches and monasteries. But today, they could be scarcely traced. Today, the most important pedestrian thoroughfare of Barcelona bursts with fashionable stores, cosy cafes, souvenir and flower shops, theatres, exhibition spaces and various entertainment for tourists.
La Rambla starts at Catalonia Square and stretches for 1.2 kilometres to Portal de la Pau Square with a monument to Christopher Columbus. Essentially, it consists of five independent boulevards that flow one into another creating an illusion of a singular space. Each one of them is full of landmarks and objects that will leave you with bright impressions and pleasant memories of your trip to Barcelona.
Rambla de Canaletes is a popular meeting place for Barcelona residents. It was named after a drinking fountain installed there in the 19th century. They say that those who drink from its cast-iron faucets will come back to Barcelona sooner or later.
Rambla dels Estudis (Boulevard of Studies) got its name from a university that used to be situated there in the Middle Ages. A popular among tourists theatre Poliorama is located on this boulevard. Besides theatre performances, it hosts music concerts, flamenco shows and other cultural events.
Rambla de les Flors (Boulevard of Flowers) is an unofficial name of Rambla de Sant Josep. It’s famous for being the site of the biggest flower market in the city. La Boqueria, a food market with the largest selection of products in Barcelona, is also located there.
Rambla dels Caputxins, named after a former Capuchin monastery, starts with a bright and unusual Umbrella House, officially known as Casa Bruno Cuadros. Furthermore, the first city theatre Principal and the Liceu opera house are also situated there and open to the public.
La Rambla ends with Rambla de Santa Monica, named after the convent of St. Monica that used to decorate the western side of the boulevard and since has been turned into an arts centre.