Ever-chic and cosmopolitan Barcelona is often considered the jewel in Spain’s glittering crown. Defined by easy-going wide boulevards and an array of cultural centers, it’s a city that warrants weeks – if not years – of exploration and enjoyment.
For visitors, orientation around this large city is made easy by Las Ramblas, a collection of streets that cut a swathe through the center of Barcelona, running in succession from Placa de Catalunya to Port Vell. Evocative and energetic, the streets are potent with potential for the incoming visitor…
Hostels
Barcelona is a city that excels in hostels, with some of the top ranked hostels in Europe to be found here. What’s more, many of these top-quality joints are to be found either on or close to Las Ramblas, which makes exploring Barcelona’s central stretch all the more straightforward.
Hosteria Grau, for example, is situated about two minutes walk from Las Ramblas, not far from the Placa de Catalunya. A cozy and ever-so-slightly plush family run place, it is truly a hostel Barcelona is proud of.
Another such establishment is the Albareda Youth Hostel, which is about 200m west of the Monument a Colom (Las Ramblas’ southernmost point). Considered one of the very best hostels in Barcelona, it’s a trendy and popular all-mod-cons type of place, where backpackers come to chill, chat and (inevitably) party.
Placa de Catalunya
At its northern tip, Las Ramblas heralds the impressive Placa de Catalunya – a large plaza characterized by colored fountains, sculptures, cafes, and the thousands of people who frequent its cafes, restaurants, and open spaces on a daily basis.
Placa de Catalunya is particularly memorable at night, when its various parts are illuminated spectacularly.
Port Vell
On the face of it, Port Vell is a bit of a rich boy’s playground – the port itself is almost overflowing with large-scale yachts and the like. That being said, this is no out-of-bound’s elitist club; Port Vell can be traversed and enjoyed by all who visit.
Particular tourist attractions include shopping in the Maremagnum (a super-sized mall), an IMAX cinema, and Europe’s largest aquarium.
Shopping
Las Ramblas is basically a shopper’s paradise. There’s something here to tempt all forms of shopoholics, from those who like to cruise designer shops to those who are happiest bargaining and bantering around a market.
The streets of Las Ramblas are, themselves, a shopping district, with various street-vendors peddling all types of foods and trinkets. The sides of the roads, meanwhile, are lined with a number of recognizable brand name shops. For department-store consumption, Corte Ingles on the Placa Catalunya is probably the best bet.
Barri Gotic
Las Ramblas forms the western border of the Barri Gotic, Barcelona’s extravagantly attractive Old Town. This medieval district is a labyrinthine delight whose numerous alleyways herald chich cafes, numerous art galleries, and (of course) fascinating architecture.
The Picasso Museum, La Merce Basilica, and the (stunning) Cathedral of Santa Eulalia are particularly worth seeking out.
