Barcelona › Places and landmarks
La Rambla
The tree-lined promenade from Plaça de Catalunya down to the sea, Barcelona’s busiest street.
La Rambla follows the bed of a seasonal stream that once ran along the medieval walls; its name comes from the Arabic for sandy riverbed. In the 18th century the walls came down and it became a promenade, with plane trees and a broad walk down the middle between two narrow roads.
For 1.2 kilometres it runs from Plaça de Catalunya to the port, past flower stalls, the Boqueria market, the Liceu and Joan Miró’s mosaic in the pavement.
More in Barcelona
Plaça de CatalunyaThe great square where the old town meets the 19th-century Eixample.
La BoqueriaBarcelona’s most famous market, under an iron roof just off the Rambla.
Gran Teatre del LiceuThe opera house on the Rambla, opened in 1847 and rebuilt after a fire in 1994.
Plaça ReialAn arcaded square with palm trees and lamps designed by a young Antoni Gaudí.
CathedralThe Gothic cathedral of Santa Eulàlia, with thirteen white geese in its cloister.
Plaça de Sant JaumeThe square where the government of Catalonia and the city hall face each other, on the old Roman forum.
Columbus MonumentColumbus on a 60-metre column at the bottom of the Rambla, pointing out to sea.
Gothic QuarterThe maze of narrow medieval lanes at the heart of the old town, on top of Roman Barcino.
Palau de la Música CatalanaA concert hall of Catalan Modernism, all mosaic, stained glass and sculpture.
Sagrada FamíliaGaudí’s basilica, under construction since 1882; it lies beyond this small map, in the Eixample.
CastellersHuman towers of up to ten storeys, built by teams standing on one another’s shoulders.
TapasSmall dishes to share at the bar: patatas bravas, pan con tomate, croquetas and anchovies.