It’s been called ‘the greatest market in the world’ and in many ways it is. Barcelona’s Boqueria market is the largest in Europe and the best in the city. Located right on Las Ramblas, La Boqueria goes beyond a place to do your weekly shop; it is a showcase for the Spain’s vast array of seasonal produce, an inspiration for local chefs, a stage for local community events and increasingly a top tourist attraction. Traders of all sorts have been peddling their wares at La Boqueria’s site since the 17th century when the city was still walled, though the soaring glass and iron structure you see today dates from the mid-19th century. Inside, there is logic to the market’s layout; in the centre you’ll find the ‘illa de peix’ (island of fish) where pearly-white cuttlefish, bucket-loads of prawns and scary-looking monkfish glisten on seas of ice. Around the edges you’ll find fruit and veg, with exotic fresh fruit juices sold at the Rambla-facing stalls. In between you’ll wander through everything in-between, from tiny paradas selling only eggs or bananas and another with every sort of fungi under the sun (Petras, Nº 867, they also specialise in edible insects). Perhaps logically ...

A little over a kilometre in length, Las Ramblas is the "Champs Elysées" of Barcelona. It begins around the Port Vell and stretches north to Plaça Catalunya. To the east of Las Ramblas is the Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter) and to the west is an area called Raval. Las Ramblas is mostly set aside for pedestrians although there are two narrow roads that are one way in opposite directions on each side of the main central Las Ramblas Boulevard. Much of central Barcelona has been set aside for pedestrians, making Barcelona one of Europe’s most tourist friendly cities. The ramblas has 1 metro station, right in the middle of the stretch called "Liceu". The "Gran Teatre del Liceu", just opposite the station is an ancient opera house that can be visited at certain times see the Liceu Website. If you decide to book a Barcelona holiday rental in the Las Ramblas area you will be at the heart of fun and excitement: with live music, painters and living statues, Las Ramblas is certainly the most colorful stretch of street in Barcelona. Shopping and eating in Las Ramblas is fun but expensive. The quantity of tourists ensures that the prices remain high ...

The Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic or Barrio Gotico) is the epicenter of Barcelona and if you decide to choose your Barcelona holiday rental here you will always be walking distance to the Ramblas, the Cathedral, the Old Port, Plaza Catalunya, Picasso Museum and the Borne Barrio. This short professional travel video is a good introduction to the sights that await you in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. Want to know more? Holiday Velvet recommends: The Barcelona Gothic Quarter Morning Walking Tour Photo Credit: **Mary** | Holiday Velvet has many Barcelona holiday rentals and Gothic Quarter apartments.