About Us

La Rambra

La Rambla or Las Ramblas is an iconic and busy street in central Barcelona, popular with both tourists and locals alike. A 1.2 kilometer-long tree-lined pedestrian mall in the Barri Gòtic, it connects Plaça Catalunya in the center with the Christopher Columbus monument at Port Vell.

With rich history enriched by numerous invasions and visits by foreigners, this cosmopolitan has many things in store for tourists to enjoy. The past remnants of Barcelona as evident from Barcelona’s most splendid Gothic and modernista buildings can be witnessed from the comforts of the various Barcelona hotels available nearby. So if you want to take a twist of the Flamenco or a stroll by the sun-kissed shores and of course to visit La Rambla just get booked to any Barcelona hotels of your choice and enjoy!!

The RAMBLA is, of course, the best known landmark of Barcelona, and deservedly so. Meandering down from the Pl. de Catalunya to the Columbus statue. Usually full of street theatre, cafés and market stalls, it serves as the emotional hub of Barcelona.

The Rambla was originally just a torrent (Rambla comes from the Arabic "ramla", torrent). The Rambla was originally a small stream flowing just outside the city walls. In the 16th century convents and a university were built along the river. The plane trees, the most common species of tree in the city (introduced in 1859) stand out in this street. The historical evolution of this street has divided it into five sections, the Ramblas de Canaletes, dels Estudis, de Sant Josep, dels Caputxins and de Santa Mónica.

In the 19th century the city wall was torn down and buildings were erected along the now dried up river. The original buildings were torn down but they are remembered in some of the names of the five different parts of the Rambla. Even though it is one continuous street, it actually consists of five 'ramblas'.

• Rambla de Canaletes - this is the first walkway you come to when strolling down the Ramblas. The kiosks sell newspapers from all over the world. You´ll find the Font de Canaletes (a small fountain) here, where Barça football fans (known as cules) gather to celebrate their team's victories. According to legend, if you drink from this fountain you´ll return to Barcelona one day. You´re also likely to come across performers playing rock or Andean music surrounded by crowds of bystanders. It's a very cosmopolitan area.
• Rambla dels Estudis - Nowadays, the name doesn't really reflect the nature of this stretch but in the 15th century it was site of the city's first university, subsequently torn down in the 19th century. One of the first buildings worth noting is the Teatre Poliorama, located to the right. After crossing the street Pintor Fortuny, also located to the right, you reach the Betlem Church, at the corner with Carme street.
• Rambla de Sant Josep - this part of Las Ramblas, which goes from Carrer Carme to Carrer Hospital, is also known as La Rambla de les Flors (the Rambla of flowers) because of its profusion of floral kiosks. The tradition of these little stands harks back to the Middle Ages: this where knights once fought each other (and were then regaled with flowers, of course). In the 19th century, this section of the Ramblas was a meeting point where women chatted and men read the newspaper.
• Rambla dels Caputxins - the Rambla dels Caputxins is named after a now demolished building: a Capuchin monastery. The most interesting building on this rambla is the Gran Theatre del Liceu, a building decorated in modernista style. Another one is Plaça Reial, a 19th century lively square with tall palm trees and street lamps designed by Antoni Gaudí. Opposite the Plaça Reial, in the Carrer Nou de la Rambla is the Palau Guëll or Guëll Palace, one of Gaudí's first residential buildings.
• Rambla de Santa Monica - Centre d’Art Santa Mónica (Santa Mónica Art Centre), right next to the church bearing the same name. In the past, the centre was home to a convent; today is holds a variety of exhibitions.

After seeing La Rambla you will understand that Barcelona is old city, without doubt, one of the nicest and most romantic of Europe. Its small streets, shops, the air you breathe, everything invites you to wander around, getting to know every place of this charming area.

© Copyright