Colom – Museu Marítim stop
Barcelona Bus Turístic takes you to the Columbus Monument, which was erected pointing seaward at the confluence of the old harbour and La Rambla, the city’s most emblematic street.
A stroll around the bottom of La Rambla
The Colom – Museu Marítim stop of the Red Route of Barcelona Bus Turístic not only allows you to see the famous sculpture erected in homage to the explorer Christopher Columbus, but also to visit the majestic Royal Shipyards building that is home to the Maritime Museum of Barcelona, and walk up La Rambla from its bottom section, which was the nerve centre of 19th-century Barcelona.
This section of La Rambla, known as La Rambla de Santa Mònica, is home to Arts Santa Mònica art centre, which conserves the cloister from the convent over which it was built, and the Wax Museum, located in a 19th-century Neoclassical building.
And if you go into the bottom part of the Raval district, you will discover one of Europe’s best Romanesque cloisters at Sant Pau del Camp Monastery and one of the first projects undertaken by Antoni Gaudí, Palau Güell, the facade of which features two monumental gates adorned with wrought iron figures.
What to see
Columbus MonumentThe monument in homage to the explorer Christopher Columbus is erected in front of the port of Barcelona between La Rambla and Passeig de Colom.
Maritime Museum of Barcelona – Barcelona Royal ShipyardThe impressive Royal Shipyards are home to a museum on Barcelona’s maritime culture.
Palau GüellAntoni Gaudí’s first major work, where he experimented with some of his most characteristic building elements.
Sant Pau del Camp MonasteryA Benedictine monastery built outside of the old city walls is home to one of Europe’s most singular Romanesque cloisters. It was built in the late 10th century beyond the protection of the walled enclosure in the ‘camp’ or countryside, from which it takes its name.
Barcelona Wax MuseumLocated in a Neoclassical palace built in 1867, Barcelona Wax Museum has more than 200 figures of famous and historical people. In addition to its display of wax figures, you can also appreciate the historic and artistic value of the 19th-century building that is its home.
Gran Teatre del LiceuThe Gran Teatre del Liceu, known locally as El Liceu, is considered to be one of the world’s most important opera houses.
La Rambla de Santa MònicaFrom the 17th century to the mid-19th century this section of La Rambla and its adjacent streets lay at the centre of life in Barcelona.
Arts Santa MònicaA cultural centre for exhibitions and conferences was built over the old Convent de Santa Mònica at the bottom of La Rambla.
Restaurante Los Caracoles – Casa BofarullA restaurant with more than 180 years of history that has served its snails to the 20th century’s biggest celebrities. The entrance to one of the city’s oldest restaurants is located on the corner of a block in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona next to a chicken rotisserie.
Grill RoomA restaurant in the heart of the Old Town has preserved its striking Modernista facade for more than a century. Located in a building constructed in 1902, the Grill Room has maintained its official décor both on the facade and in its interior.
Fonda EspañaDesigned by Domènech i Montaner, Ramon Casas and Eusebi Arnau, Fonda España, also known as Hotel España, is a real Modernista gem. In addition to enjoying a meal in Fonda España’s dining room, you can also explore the entire hotel on a guided tour.