Las Ramblas (the promenades) cover an area of 1,5 km from Catalunya Square to the Columbus Memorial in the old port of Barcelona. Until the end of the 18th century it was a riverbed, located next to the walls of the Gothic Quarter. These walls were demolished and the riverbed paved to become the "Ramblas" - coming from "ramla", an Arab word that refers to a sandy area. The five stretches of Las Ramblas or La Rambla refer to buildings, monuments or activities: dels Canaletes (channels), dels Estudis (studies), les Flors (flowers), dels Caputxins (Capuchin monks) and Santa Monica (the saint).

Even though most Barcelonese consider nowadays the Paseo de Gracia to be the most important avenue in the city, for many years La Rambla was the main boulevard for the daily walks and the big events. For foreigners it still is the place to be. Here you will find many buildings and institutions full of history, such as the Liceu opera theatre, the Poliorama theatre, the Science Academy, the Bethlehem Church, the Virreina Palace, the Moya Palace or the outstanding Boqueria Market. There human statues, jugglers, musicians and portrait painters get together. This area is packed with flower, magazine and other shops, pubs and restaurants with terrace from where you can enjoy its intense action and busy daily life.

Plaza Cataluña-Monumento a Colón