La Rambla is an iconic and busy street in central Barcelona, popular with both tourists and locals alike.
It's a 1.
2 kilometer-long tree-lined pedestrian mall in the Barrio Gòthic, it connects Plaça Catalunya in the center with the Christopher Columbus monument at Port Vell.
Usually full of street theatre, cafés and market stalls, it serves as the emotional hub of Barcelona.
Spanish poet Federico García Lorca once said that La Rambla was "the only street in the world which I wish would never end".
Unfortunately, this no longer rings true.
Though world famous, La Rambla isn't necessarily everything it's cracked up to be.
If once-upon-a-time it's where the locals went to buy their pets, it's little more than a circus of on-lookers and over-priced sangria these days.
If anything a quick stroll through is enough to say you've been there, and you're better off eating your paella at one of the beachside restaurants along Marina Village.
Today, La Rambla is a crowded tourist trap in Barcelona, especially during prime time tourist season.
Most of the time, there are many more tourists than locals occupying las Ramblas -- this has changed the shopping selection, as well as the character of the street in general.
For this reason also, it has become a prime target for pickpocketing.
Lots of unwary tourists have had their wallets stolen on this street.
Most recently robbery has also become an issue, even during daylight hours.
Based on this, La Rambla is not really worth a visit.
But, being localized very central in Barcelona you are likely to visit it in one way or another during your stay in Barcelona.