After Amsterdam, we flew to Barcelona. We arrived mid-morning and had a full day ahead of us to explore the city.
Since the apartment we were renting was on a parallel pedestrian-only street to Las Ramblas, we spent most of the day walking around the area. The apartment was great with only one complaint. It was on the fourth floor with no elevator which made it difficult to carry two large luggages to the unit and downstairs again when we checked out.
Pedestrian Street parallel to Las Ramblas
A fruit market, kiosks and other stalls, cafes, a theatre, and trees line Las Ramblas which makes a pretty, pedestrian-friendly, promenade to walk. It is a busy, vibrant, and touristy area of Barcelona, stretching 1.2 km. It is also the central most boulevard which cuts through the heart of the city centre. Barcelona chose to pedestrianize Las Ramblas by restricting traffic to two narrow one-lane streets flanking the central boulevard. Las Ramblas is then surrounding by larger roads servicing the periphery.
Side street from Las Ramblas
Las Ramblas
On our walk on Las Ramblas, we had a look around the Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, often referred to as La Boqueria. There was a lot of dried fruit, sweets, fresh fruits and juices, along with delis meats, being sold. We bought some dates and some fruit juice to try as a snack.
Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria
Las Ramblas is anchored by Port Vell at the southern end and Plaça Catalunya at the north.
Port Vell is the waterfront harbour in Barcelona and part of the Port of Barcelona. It was built in 1992 when Barcelona was preparing to host the Olympics. Since the 1992 Olympics, Port Vell has now become a tourist attraction containing a mall containing shops, a multiplex cinema, bars and restaurants, and an aquarium.
North end of Las Ramblas
Monument
Plaça Catalunya, anchoring the northern end of Las Ramblas, is a large square that is considered the city centre. It is the area where the old city (Gothic Quarter and Raval) meet the 19th century-built Eixample meet.
