Strolling La rambla in Barcelona

If you’re visiting Barcelona, chances are you’ll be strolling down La rambla at least once during your stay.

This busy, tree-lined, central thoroughway leading to the sea is filled with all day and late into the night. The name comes from the Arabic word ramla, meaning the dried-up river bed. In the 13th century, a wallalong a river following the course of the modern-day La rambla.

Aside from the shops and cafes, there are also interesting sites along the way, such as the dragon that once guarded an umbrella shop.

There is also a colorful mosasic by Miro, located about halfway along the passageway, close to the Liceu metro station.

A beautiful square just of La rambla is the Placa Real, built in the 1850s and filled with palm trees and carriage lamps designed by Antonin Gaudi.

It’s a pleasant place to stop and sit by the fountains, or at one of the numerous cafes,  to watch the world pass by.

Off of La rambla, close to the Placa Real, is one of  Antonin Gaudi’s first major works – the Palua Guell. He restructured this building in 1889, in a Neo-Gothic style. For more about a visit to this interesting residence, see my earlier post.

At the end of La rambla is the monument to Christopher Columbus, a 60 meter/200 foot observation tower built in 1888, offering impressive views over La rambla, the sea and the city. See my earlier post on visiting this interesting monument.

Enjoy your stroll on La rambla, this busy Barcelona thoroughway.