Walking Trip: Placa de Catalunya, La(s) Rambla(s) and Port Vell

As per Google maps, a walk from Placa de Catalunya to Port Vell, just past the Columbus monument takes about 16 minutes (1.4km).  However, due to sight-seeing and having some snacks, it took us about 2 hours to do so.

 

Placa de Catalunya

Placa de Catalunya is a large square in central Barcelona that is generally considered to be both its city center and the place where the old city and the 19th century-built Eixample meet. 

Some of the city's most important streets and avenues meet at Plaça Catalunya: Passeig de Gràcia, Rambla de Catalunya, La Rambla or Portal de l'Àngel, in addition to Ronda de Sant Pere, Carrer de Vergara or Carrer de Pelai. The plaza occupies an area of about 50,000 square metres. It is especially known for its fountains and statues, its proximity to some of Barcelona's most popular attractions, and for the flocks of pigeons that gather in the centre. [Wiki]

Placa de Catalunya

La(s) Rambla(s)

La Rambla

La Rambla is a street in central Barcelona, popular with tourists and locals alike. A tree-lined pedestrian mall, it stretches for 1.2 kilometres (0.75 mi) connecting Plaça de Catalunya in the centre with the Christopher Columbus Monument at Port Vell. La Rambla forms the boundary between the quarters of Barri Gòtic, to the east, and El Raval, to the west.

La Rambla can be crowded, especially during the height of the tourist season. Its popularity with tourists has affected the character of the street, with a move to pavement cafes and souvenir kiosks. It has also suffered from the attention of pickpockets and, especially towards its southern end, sex workers.

La Rambla can be considered a series of shorter streets, each differently named, hence the plural form Les Rambles (the original Catalan form; in Spanish it is Las Ramblas). [Wiki]

La Rambla Map

Rambla de Canaletes


This part of La Rambla is where the Font de Canaletes can be found.  There can be lots of fountains in La Rambla but this would be the first fountain on the right coming from Placa de Catalunya.  This is also the site of celebration of FC Barcelona victories.

They were saying that if you drink water from this fountain, you would be able to go back to Barcelona... and so, we did. :)

Barcelona Tourisme information

Font de Canaletes

Inscription (by Google translate):
if you drink spring water gutters you will always love about Barcelona. and away you went. always returns

Beware of pickpockets.  We were almost victimized by this guy.  He's got a companion that's on our other side.  Good thing we noticed them before they even got closer.

Rambla dels Estudis

Church of Bethlehem

Church of Bethlehem

Rambla de Sant Josep

Also known as Rambla de les Flors.

La Boqueria

I've seen Escriba (Antigua Casa Figueras) from a scene in the Taiwanese drama Meteor Garden 2. I was looking for the strawberry short cake that the main characters tried but can't find it there, well it was about 10 years ago. So I just tried the other sweets. I must say, it's delicious!

Escriba

Escriba

Rambla dels Caputxins

Teatre del Liceu

Rambla de Santa Monica

Teatre Principal

Museu de Cera

Building before crossing the street to
Columbus Monument and Port Vell

Here are some other pictures of the streets and side streets of La Rambla.

Placa Reial

One of the side streets	Iglesia de San Jaime
Casa Bruno Cuadros Local residents call this building the "Casa dels Paraigües" which means "House of Umbrellas."	A fountain on one of the side streets

Some paintings being sold along La Rambla

Port Vell

Crossing to Port Vell from La Rambla, the Columbus monument can be seen and serves as somewhat a rotunda.  Had we known at that time that there's a viewing gallery at the top, we might have spent a bit more time here.


At the end of La Rambla is the Port of Barcelona.  This includes Port Vell and Rambla del Mar.

Port of Barcelona

Rambla del Mar

Port Vell