# Plaça de Catalunya, Barcelona > Plaça de Catalunya is Barcelona's main square and its heart, on the line between the old town and the Eixample. La Rambla and Passeig de Gràcia start here, the airport bus stops here, and metro and train lines meet beneath it. The square has fountains, sculptures, lawns and pigeons, and it's free to wander. It's the handiest starting point for any walk. Web page: https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/placa-de-catalunya - City: [Barcelona](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona), Spain - YesGo score: 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 20 min - Opening hours: Always open - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Free, 24 hours - Highlights: Fountains, sculptures, the top of La Rambla - Transport: Metro L1, L3, trains, Aerobús - Time needed: 15–30 minutes - Nearby: La Rambla, Passeig de Gràcia, the Gothic Quarter - Location: City centre, Catalunya metro - Coordinates: 41.38703, 2.17008 - Facts checked: 11.11.2026 ## Key facts - **≈ 5 ha** — one of Spain's largest squares (source: English Wikipedia) - **1929** — its present look dates from the Exposition (source: English Wikipedia) - **La Rambla** — and Passeig de Gràcia start here (source: English Wikipedia) ## 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. > **A handy starting point** Plaça de Catalunya is a great place to start the day: down La Rambla to the sea and the Gothic Quarter, up Passeig de Gràcia to Casa Batlló and Casa Milà, or east to the Palau de la Música. The airport bus and the tourist buses stop here too. ## Where to go from the square To the south runs [La Rambla](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/la-rambla), with the Canaletes fountain at its top, then the Boqueria and the [Gothic Quarter](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/gothic-quarter). To the north rises elegant **Passeig de Gràcia**, lined with boutiques and modernista houses including [Casa Batlló](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/casa-batllo) 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. ## How to get to the square 1. Metro: **Catalunya** station on lines L1 and L3, plus FGC and Rodalies trains. 2. From the airport, the **Aerobús** express terminates here, about 35 minutes. 3. On foot from Passeig de Gràcia or La Rambla. 4. Most night bus lines pass through the square. ## 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. ## Checklist Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser. - [ ] Find the mosaic star in the centre - [ ] See the square from the department store roof - [ ] Drink from the Canaletes fountain - [ ] Walk up Passeig de Gràcia - [ ] Keep your things close by the metro ## 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 - [Plaça de Catalunya](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/placa-de-catalunya) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free - [Montjuïc](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/montjuic) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · 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 Plaça de Catalunya and Plaça d'Espanya are different squares. Plaça d'Espanya is at the foot of Montjuïc, with two towers and a big fountain. ## Tips - 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 ### What is there to see at Plaça de Catalunya? The mosaic star, fountains, sculptures and the view from the department store roof; La Rambla and Passeig de Gràcia start here. ### How do I get from the airport to Plaça de Catalunya? By the Aerobús express, about 35 minutes. ### Which metro station is at Plaça de Catalunya? Catalunya, on lines L1 and L3, plus FGC and Rodalies trains. ### How long do you need at the square? 15 to 30 minutes; it's more a starting point for walks. ### Is Plaça de Catalunya a good area to stay? Yes, one of the most convenient: everything is close and transport runs everywhere. ## How we checked Facts from English Wikipedia. Journey times are approximate. ## Sources - English Wikipedia: Plaça de Catalunya - 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.