Ask anyone who is going to go to Barcelona where they'd like to stay, and the common response is "close to Las Ramblas". This Barcelona promenade is the most renowned street in the city, and is really an old river bed. The Barri Gotic or Gothic Neighbourhood used to be the old Barcelona (know in Roman times as "Barcino") and has a wall running around the city to guard it, wit the main entrance the iron gates 1/2 way down the Ramblas, and know known as Portaferrissa (literally "Iron door"). Flanking Barcino to the left was countryside and the Roman church of Sant Pau del Camp (Saint Paul of the countryside) which now is in the heart of the Raval.

Las Ramblas now bisects the old city - leaving El Raval (from Arabic meaning outside the walls) to the left and El Gotico to the right. The name "Las Ramblas" is basically plural - meaning many ramblas all collected together. Ramblas has even coined its own word "ramblear" meaning to walk / ramble as many locals and visitors do on weekends.

From the city's main square - Plaa Catalunya - down to the Port and the monument of Christopher Columbus, Las Ramblas epitomizes Barcelona and is a colourful, 24-hour street where you'll find a mixture of locals and visitors alike. The whole of the promenade is dotted with newspaper kiosks which are open 24 hours, and is the number 1 place to get your hot-off-the-press copy of the local and world news. Find your Hotel Barcelona next to the city Center and enjoy your stay in Barcelona.

Beginning from the top of Plaa Catalunya, and walking down to the port (also this is slightly downhill) we first have Rambla de Canaletes - named after the fountains at Plaa Catalunya. This part of Las Ramblas is a favorite for the local pensioners to gather and set the world to rights, as well as the typical hang out for the FC Barcelona fans after a victory ( especially if it's over their sour rivals Real Madrid ).

Next in the continuing transition is Rambla de los Estudios (studies), which joins the Catalana Library on Calle infirmary, and is where the beginning of the street performers and human statues las Ramblas has become so known for, start to appear.

Rambla de Sant Josep is so named for the famous market of Saint Joseph, also more generally called "La Boqueria" - allegedly Europe's largest food market selling everything edible under the sun. This stretch is closely followed by Rambla de los capuxinos - some of the city's best and oldest cafs sit next to the electrifying Liceu Opera house and have been inspiration to several a visitor and writer to Barcelona. What easier way to stop and write a postcard than with a caf con leche here!? This part is often referred to as rambla de les flores, because of the many flower sellers crammed into the little space here, and is a superb place to visit in the saint George's day parties ( the patron saint of Catalunya ) as roses are historically given on this day.

The final stretch is Rambla de Santa Monica - named from the old Portal de Santa Monica still intact on nearby Parallel street. Here the city's many artists and caricature painters plant their stalls together with the typical three cup fraudsters who never fail to attract interest. Crowning the base of Las Ramblas and the entrance to Port Vell ( "the old Port" is Christopher Columbus monument - indicating towards Las Americas. Look for amazing and inexpensive Ferienwohnungen Barcelona next to the Columbus monument.
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