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The Ramblas of Barcelona: the main tourist point of the city.
The Ramblas of Barcelona is a very busy tourist point. It’s always full of people walking along it.
Our advice is to start at Plaça Catalunya (Catalonia Square) and go downwards toward the harbour. While you walk along it you can see the living statues, the Boqueria market, the Liceu Opera, the wax museum, the erotic museum, or simply have a drink in one of the bars. You can spend a whole morning walking along the Ramblas.
We have structured the next section by order of the most interesting places you can find while walking from Plaça Catalunya to the harbour.
Detail of Casa Batlló’s roof (Batlló House). Plaça Catalunya (Catalonia Square)
Plaça Catalunya is going to be your starting point. We can say that it’s the nerve centre of the city, since it has become a meeting point for many people during the past years. There are different underground lines, bus routes, the Generalitat railway, the state railway, and the union point of the red and blue route of the Bus Turístic. Moreover, there is a ticket office for the Bus Turístic, where you can ask for information. They are very friendly!
In Plaça Catalunya, the quantity of pigeons will never stop surprising you; it’s always full of them! You can sit on a bench; buy cool water in one of the small stands or even lie down on the grass and sunbathe! Around the square, you can find different recreational options, like shopping centres and bars.
On one side of the square you will find the Ramblas and on the opposite side you have the famous Paseo de Gracia (Gracia Boulevard), Barcelona’s most impressive avenue, full of all the most expensive and chic boutiques of the city. In Paseo de Gracia, we can also visit the Casa Batlló and Gaudí’s La Pedrera.
The Canaletas Fountain
The Canaletas fountain is probably the most famous fountain in Barcelona. Built in the 19th Century, it’s situated in the Ramblas, close to Tallers St. It’s very small and sometimes difficult to see but, it’s an obligatory stop. Why? This is where all the supporters of the Barcelona Football team (Futbol Club Barcelona) get together to celebrate all the titles the team wins. Tradition says that any tourist that drinks from this fountain will come back to city sooner or later.
Human Statues
Maybe one of the most meaningful or eye-catching things you can see in the Ramblas are the Human Statues. There are a lot of people who decide to try their luck in the Ramblas and show the passers-by their ability to stay still, just like a statue. When you give them a coin, they move. There are all different types of statues: clowns, Egyptians, militaries, fairies, etc. As you walk along the Ramblas, you’ll find many of them!
Shows
A part from the human statues, there are many people who go to the Ramblas to show their abilities, like dancing, theatre, speech, songs, etc. Simply set your eyes where there is a crowd and you have probably found a great show. You’ll have a great time. The only thing is that when the show finishes, they are going to ask for money. This is just up to you.
The Boqueria Market
The Boqueria market is the most important and most beautiful market in Barcelona. It’s on the right hand side of the Ramblas and you’ll see it because its entrance is just stunning and it’s always full of people. It stands out thanks to its more than 300 stands. Always crowded, in the Boqueria you’ll find the most amazing things you have ever seen. But it also stands out because of its architecture: a structure based on jonic columns, where its stained-glass windows and metal pillars are a clear reflection of Barcelona’s modern and surprising architecture.
The Liceu
The Grand Liceu Theatre, popularly known as “El Liceu”, is the oldest theatre of the city and it’s considered one of the most prestigious in the world, especially due to its operas. It was built in 1845 and at present it’s a public theatre that must be visited by all tourists since it has performances all year around. In 1994 it suffered a terrible fire and it had to be totally refurbished. As you walk through its rooms, along its corridors, or sit on one of its seats you can breathe and feel the atmosphere of the wealthy class of the beginning of the 20th century.
The famous Mapfre Towers in the Olympic Village in Barcelona.
Plaza Real (Real Square)
The Plaza Real is situated on the left hand side of the Ramblas, past the Liceu. It’s a meeting point for many different people because it has many terraces and bars, where you can sit down and have a drink. It was built in 1848. The two streetlamps in the middle were designed by Antoni Gaudí.
The Erotic Museum
Another museum that won’t stop surprising you. As you can tell by its name, the museum is dedicated to eroticism and offers information about the theme, from the old days up to now, everything illustrated with photos, drawings, objects, etc.
Wax museum
The Barcelona Wax Museum is a very entertaining museum, and perfect for visiting it before leaving the Ramblas, since it’s situated near the end. In the museum you can find more than 300 figures of historical and famous people made out of wax. The figures are grouped by theme or historical moment.
We have reached the end of our route. Throughout the morning you will probably have seen the most magical, surprisingly and original part of the city of Barcelona, a place where you can see people from all over the world and from different cultures and where you can see shows, people, alternative museums and symbols of the city.
And now… we’re going to Montjuïc!
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