La Rambla Walking Tour (Self Guided), Barcelona

One of the main streets in central Barcelona, La Rambla is popular with tourists and locals alike. Connecting the city’s old port with Plaça de Catalunya, it is filled with cultural and historic landmarks, as well as many terraces, restaurants, shops and street artists. Spanish poet, Federico García Lorca once said it was “the only street in the world which I wish never ended.”

Start your tour from the historic Columbus Monument at the shoreline – a wonderful place for walking, on a street lined with palms trees facing the sea. From there, head to the Maritime Museum, located inside the Barcelona Royal Shipyard, which is over 700 years old. Its star attraction: A full-size replica of the Royal Galley, built in 1568 and formerly part of the Fleet of the Holy League. The best bit, without a doubt, is that you can actually walk onto it!

Fancy other fun diversions? The recently renovated Barcelona Wax Museum is cozy and doesn't feel at all institutional, encouraging visitors to get up close and take photos with the waxworks. New installations such as the hurtling glass elevator and the interactive corridor are brilliant. You can learn something, too, but the educational touch is very light, with a much greater emphasis on an enjoyable experience.

Be prepared to see quite a few interesting toys at the Erotic Museum – a place that shares a bit of information about the history of sex from early times until modern days. Antoni Gaudi’s Guell Palace is also definitely worth visiting, especially if you're into exquisite Gothic architecture and the most dramatic, intricate interiors.

Interesting during the day, Plaça de Catalunya is prettier at dusk when the fountains are lighted, so make that your final stop as there are many perspectives for photo shoots, plus loads of shopping and eating to be experienced in the surroundings.

Take this self-guided walking tour to explore the most famous sites on Barcelona’s La Rambla!