La Rambla
La Rambla is the most touristic street in Barcelona. This 1.2 kilometer long promenade lined with plane trees joins two of Barcelona's most important points: Plaça de Catalunya and Plaça Portal de la Pau with the column bearing the monument to Christopher Columbus. The promenade is crowded during the day and until late in the night. Most of the time there are many more tourists than locals occupying the Rambla. For this reason also it has become a prime target of pick pockets during day and night and agressive prostitutes during early morning hours.
Placa de Catalunya
The Plaça de Catalunya is Barcelona's busiest square located in the centre of Barcelona. Some of the city's most important streets and avenues meet at Plaça Catalunya (e.g. La Rambla, Passeig de Gracia). This is the reason why it is always crowded with people as well as it functions as a hub for the city's public transportation. Below the square is the main subway junction - three metro lines and a city railway line. Many of the city's buses, as well as airport express and tourist buses stop here at the square.
La Boqeria
If you wish to taste, smell, feel Barcelona then go to La Boqueria market (The Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria). Easy to find-going down La Rambla on your right hand. This colorful and vibrant market is the biggest and most well known in Barcelona and will absolutely stimulate your senses. There is a lot of kiosk selling fresh fruits, juices, vegetables, cheeses, local meat and seafood, ham, nut, candies... La Boqeria is a nice spot for a quick bite or drink or souvenir and absoulte must when you are in Barcelona.
Monument to Christopher Columbus
One of the best-known symbols of the Barcelona is monument to Christopher Columbus which rises near the port at the centre of Portal de la Pau at the lower end of La Rambla. It was constructed in 1888 for the Universal Exhibition as a commemoration to return of Christopher Columbus from the New World to Barcelona where he reported Spanish sovereigns (queen Isabella I. and king Ferdinand V.) about his trip to the new continent. The statue is in bronze and about 8 meters high. An elevator rises to the top of the column and permits a fine panorama of the port of Barcelona.
Gran Teatre del Liceu
It is one of the most famous theatres in the world and one of the best in Europe as far as acoustics is concerned. The theatre is in la Rambla, in downtown Barcelona. The theatre was destroyed by fire twice in its history. First in 1861 and second in 1994 after which was fully restored to its former splendour. The auditorium seats 2292 persons which makes it second in Europe regarding seating capacity.
Miro's mosaic
The pavement mosaic by Catalan artist Joan Miro will make the walk through La Rambla even more interesting and nicer. The mosaic was created in 1976 and is located close the birthplace of Miro.