La Rambla is a kilometre-long street in Barcelona filled with cafes, restaurants, shops, ice-cream parlours, pizza places, street artists and characters of every stripe. The street separates two significant neighbourhoods in the Old Town (Ciutat Vella) from one another, with El Raval located to the west and Barri GГІtic to the east of La Rambla. Las Ramblas are often pluralized, because the street itself is actually divided into five sections: Rambla de Canaletes, Rambla d'Estudis, Rambla de Sant Josep, Rambla de Caputxins, Rambla de Santa MГІnica. Locals rarely refer to them by their specific names though. It is fun to stroll down the avenue while noticing subtle changes that mark the boundaries of each section.
Several metro stops are conveniently placed at strategic points along the way, but the street itself is largely pedestrian and can be walked in its entirety in less than half an hour. Do not miss famous buildings and sights on the way, including Palau Guell, the Liceu Opera House, and La Boqueria, the world-famous farmers market. La Rambla itself is a source of a lot of entertainment, what with its human statues, fortune-tellers, merchants selling handmade jewelry, flowers and exotic pets, souvenirs. Beware of pickpockets and scam artists - they are part of the scene as well.
