Point of interest
La Rambla y el Barri Gòtic
in Barcelona, Spain
The city's most famous promenade and the medieval maze of the Gothic Quarter, full of squares and bars.
Where it is
The La Rambla promenade runs from Plaça de Catalunya down to the harbour, bordering the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic), the historic core of the old town, to its east.
Address: La Rambla, 08002 Barcelona
What it is
La Rambla buzzes with street performers, flower stalls and cafés, while the Barri Gòtic invites wandering past the cathedral, hidden squares and narrow lanes. Both are among Barcelona's most visited spots, and visitors should watch for pickpockets in the crowds.
History
La Rambla follows the line of a former seasonal stream outside the medieval walls and grew into the city's main promenade from the 18th century onward. The adjoining Barri Gòtic preserves traces of the Roman city of Barcino along with medieval lanes and squares.