# Plaça d'Espanya, Barcelona > Plaça d'Espanya is a vast circular square at the foot of Montjuïc, built for the 1929 International Exposition. It's known for its two brick Venetian Towers, beyond which an avenue leads to the Magic Fountain and the Palau Nacional. In the middle stands a monumental fountain, and beside it the former Arenas arena has a viewing terrace on its roof. It's free and the gateway to Montjuïc. Web page: https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/placa-d-espanya - City: [Barcelona](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona), Spain - YesGo score: 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 25 min - Opening hours: Always open - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Free, 24 hours - Highlights: The Venetian Towers, the fountain, the palace view - Viewpoint: The Arenas shopping centre roof - Time needed: 20–30 minutes - Nearby: The Magic Fountain, MNAC, Montjuïc - Location: Espanya metro (L1, L3) - Coordinates: 41.37504, 2.14911 - Facts checked: 11.11.2026 ## Key facts - **1929** — built for the International Exposition (source: English Wikipedia) - **≈ 47 m** — height of the Venetian Towers (source: English Wikipedia) - **Jujol** — designed the central fountain (source: English Wikipedia) - **2011** — the old arena became a shopping centre (source: English Wikipedia) ## About Plaça d'Espanya The square was laid out for the **1929 International Exposition** as the grand entrance to the exhibition grounds on Montjuïc. It became one of Spain's largest squares, where several major avenues meet and traffic and buses circle constantly. Its landmarks are the two brick **Venetian Towers**, about 47 metres high and modelled on St Mark's bell tower. They flank Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina, which rises to the [Magic Fountain](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/magic-fountain) and the Palau Nacional. In the evening, when the fountain runs, the whole axis is lit up. ## The fountain and Las Arenas In the centre stands a monumental **fountain** designed by **Josep Maria Jujol**, Gaudí's assistant, decorated with sculptures representing the rivers and seas of Spain, columns and bronze figures. It's ringed by lawns and flowerbeds, but with the traffic you can only reach it by the pedestrian crossings. On the edge of the square is a round neo-Moorish building with horseshoe arches, the former **Arenas** arena from the early 20th century. In **2011** it was turned into a shopping centre behind its historic façade, with a circular **rooftop terrace** of restaurants looking over the square, the towers, Montjuïc and the city. ## What to see on the square - **The Venetian Towers** — the gateway to Montjuïc. - **Jujol's fountain** — sculptures of Spain's rivers and seas. - **Las Arenas** — a neo-Moorish front and rooftop terrace. - **Avinguda Maria Cristina** — the way to the Magic Fountain. - **Palau Nacional** — the view at the end of the avenue. - **Exhibition halls** — buildings from the 1929 Exposition. > **The best view** Go up to the roof of the Arenas shopping centre by lift, where you can walk all the way round the terrace. You'll see the square, the towers and the palace on the hill. Another good view is from the steps by the Palau Nacional, looking down on the square. ## Where to go from the square The square is the main gateway to **Montjuïc**. Between the towers, an avenue of fountains leads in 5 to 7 minutes to the Magic Fountain, and outdoor escalators continue up to the [National Art Museum of Catalonia](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/mnac) and the Barcelona Pavilion. Buses up the hill leave from here too. Across the square begins the **Sants** district with the main railway station, and to the north the Eixample. The airport express bus stops here, and FGC trains leave for Montserrat, making it a handy base for trips out of town. ## How to get to the square 1. Metro: **Espanya** station on lines L1 and L3, exiting right onto the square. 2. FGC trains (R5, R6 and others) from Plaça d'Espanya, including to [Montserrat](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/montserrat). 3. The Aerobús from the airport stops on the square. 4. From Sants station, a 15-minute walk. ## Tips The square is a busy traffic junction, so only cross at the crossings. The best time to visit is the evening, when the Magic Fountain runs and the towers and palace are lit. Even without a show, it's worth walking up the avenue to the palace for the sunset view. Las Arenas has cafés, restaurants and a supermarket, handy for a snack or water before exploring Montjuïc. The square is hot and short on shade in summer, so come in the morning or towards evening. There are plenty of mid-range hotels nearby, convenient for exploring the city and beyond. ## Checklist Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser. - [ ] Walk between the Venetian Towers - [ ] Go up to the Arenas roof - [ ] Walk on to the Magic Fountain - [ ] Ride the escalators up to the palace - [ ] Look down on the square from above ## Places in Barcelona: compare and choose Places in Barcelona rated by YesGo. - [La Rambla](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/la-rambla) — YesGo score 51/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · Free - [Arc de Triomf](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/arc-de-triomf-barcelona) — YesGo score 51/100 (Yes, go) · 20 min · Free - [Park Güell](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/park-guell) — YesGo score 50/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 45 min · Paid - [Gothic Quarter](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/gothic-quarter) — YesGo score 46/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 45 min · Free - [Montjuïc](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/montjuic) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Free - [Plaça de Catalunya](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/placa-de-catalunya) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free - [Parc de la Ciutadella](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/parc-de-la-ciutadella) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · Free - [Plaça d'Espanya](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/placa-d-espanya) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 25 min · Free - [Barceloneta](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/barceloneta) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · Free ## Don't mix it up Barcelona's Plaça d'Espanya isn't Seville's Plaza de España, which has a semicircular palace and a canal. ## Tips - The gateway to Montjuïc. - See it from the Arenas roof. - Evenings: the fountain and lights. - Trains to Montserrat leave here. ## Questions ### What is there to see at Plaça d'Espanya? The Venetian Towers, Jujol's fountain, Las Arenas with its rooftop and the view to the Palau Nacional. ### How do I get to Plaça d'Espanya? By metro to Espanya, lines L1 and L3. ### Where is the best view of Plaça d'Espanya? From the Arenas rooftop or the steps by the Palau Nacional. ### How do I walk from the square to the Magic Fountain? Along the avenue between the towers, 5 to 7 minutes. ### Can I get to Montserrat from here? Yes, FGC R5 trains leave from Plaça d'Espanya station. ## How we checked Facts from English Wikipedia. Walking times are approximate. ## Sources - English Wikipedia: Plaça d'Espanya, Barcelona - Barcelona City Council tourism portal, barcelona.cat --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.