Plaça de Catalunya, Barcelona

About Plaça de Catalunya

When Barcelona pulled down its medieval walls in the 19th century and began building the new Eixample district, a stretch of open ground was left between the old and new cities. It gradually became the main square, and it took its present form, with fountains, lawns and sculptures, for the 1929 International Exposition.

The square covers about 5 hectares, one of the largest in Spain. Beneath it is a major transport hub of metro, suburban train and airport bus stations, so almost any trip across the city passes through Plaça de Catalunya.

What to see on the square

In the middle is a large mosaic star set into the paving, surrounded by lawns, palms and two fountains. Around the edges stand bronze and marble sculptures by leading early 20th-century Catalan artists, including Josep Clarà's famous *Goddess*.

The square is ringed by grand bank buildings and a department store whose rooftop café looks over the whole square and the city to Tibidabo. By day people meet friends, feed the pigeons and rest on benches, and on holidays there are concerts and fairs.

What to see on and around the square

• The mosaic star — the pattern in the centre.
• The fountains — two fountains among the lawns.
• Sculptures — Clarà's Goddess and others.
• The department store roof — the square from above.
• Top of La Rambla — the Canaletes fountain nearby.
• Passeig de Gràcia — the avenue to Gaudí's houses.

Where to go from the square

To the south runs La Rambla, with the Canaletes fountain at its top, then the Boqueria and the Gothic Quarter. To the north rises elegant Passeig de Gràcia, lined with boutiques and modernista houses including Casa Batlló and Casa Milà.

To the east, Portal de l'Àngel leads to the cathedral and Carrer de Fontanella to the Palau de la Música. It's all within 5 to 15 minutes on foot, which makes the square ideal for staying and meeting up.

Tips

The square and the metro beneath it are busy and, sadly, popular with pickpockets, so keep your things close, especially at the metro exits and the Aerobús stop. Don't feed the pigeons unless you want to be the centre of their attention.

If you need a toilet, a coffee or a phone charge, the department store on the square is handy, and the tourist office with maps and information is here too. In the evening the square is lit, and in summer groups and buskers sit on the lawns. It's one of the most convenient areas to stay: everything is close and transport runs everywhere.

Places in Barcelona: compare and choose

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Nearby and on the way

43

Palau de la Música Catalana

Barcelona, Spain

1 h · Paid · 8 min walk

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44

La Boqueria

Barcelona, Spain

45 min · Free · 10 min walk

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53

Barcelona Cathedral

Barcelona, Spain

50 min · Paid by day · 11 min walk

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55

Casa Batlló

Barcelona, Spain

1 h 15 min · Paid · 12 min walk

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How to do it right

• La Rambla and Passeig de Gràcia start here.
• The Aerobús stops here.
• See it from the department store roof.
• Watch your things by the metro.

Questions