Enjoy a mix of Spanish life on Barcelona's Las Ramblas

Las Ramblas is the 1.2 kilometre-long main shopping street in Barcelona connecting the Placa Catalunya with the city's port.

The street is a leafy avenue which bustles with a mixture of ordinary shops, newsagents, street performance, and market stalls. It was originally a small stream which flowed into the port, hence its name which means "an intermittent water flow".

By the 19th century the river had dried up and buildings were built along its edge.

Las Ramblas has been described by travel blogger roadjunky.com as Barcelona' "Portobello Road" and the blog advises visitors to "people watch" and enjoy the variety of street performances.

The blogger reveals that the most common form of performance is the human statues, some of whom are dressed as ninjas, angels, harlequins and there is also a cowboy.

Other attractions along the road include the Canaleta fountain which, according to local legend, will ensure those that drink from it return to the city over and again.

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and has more than 1.5 million residents.