Returning to las Ramblas, we walked the remaining few blocks of the boulevard, which gets nicer the farther you walk. It passes by the famous fresh market, La Boqueria. Founded about two hundred years ago, it's one of the largest and busiest markets and Spain, and as usual we enjoyed touring the vegetable stands.

Las Ramblas cuts through the heart of an elegant part of town. While the once attractive main boulevard has been ruined by tourism, there are lots of interesting bits and pieces off the street. Placa Reial, pictured here, is a nineteenth century square filled with palm trees and interesting cafes. We hung around here for a bit then continued our Ramblas rambling.

After the museum, we walked up las Ramblas, the most famous street in Spain. Notwithstanding its fame as a world class walking street, I had low expectations for it. I had expected something along the lines of the Rastro flea market in Madrid, so I was pleasantly surprised that it was a bit more entertaining. But just a bit. The street itself is very elegant, wide and lined with some interesting, though variable, architecture. But the whole street is mobbed with tourists, and the shops sell endless variations of tourist crap, while the cafes serve mediocre tourist food.