Plaça de Catalunya
The Plaça de Catalunya is one of the largest and busiest squares in Barcelona. With an area of approximately 50,000 m2, the square is the second largest in Spain. The square is the starting point of the famous La Rambla street and is therefore very central in the city.
Although the square is a very busy crossing point, it is also very lively and there is a lot to see. There are a number of benches, fountains, statues and lots of flying pigeons. The statues on display in the square were designed for the 1929 World’s Fair. The city council of Barcelona organised a competition for the best sculptors and the winning works of art are in the square. At the time, 16 winning sculptures decorated the square, but only eight of them are still on display today.
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Shopping and catering
The square is also certainly a good place to go shopping or have a drink. Around the square there are several shopping streets such as the Portal de l’Àngel and Carrer Pelai. You will also find department shops such as El Triangle or El Corte Inglés. It is certainly advisable to enter El Corte Inglés and enjoy the views from the top floor. You can also stop off at the restaurant for a coffee break. Would you prefer to have a cup of coffee like the locals do? Then it is highly recommended that you take a seat at Café Zurich. This café, which has been in existence since 1920, is the meeting place for Barcelonians and the ideal place to see and experience the square.
A main axis
It is not difficult to get to the square. The square is the starting point of several districts and streets and will probably pass you by. For example, the Rambla, the Porta de l’Àngel and the Passeig de Gràcia start from the square. The square is also the starting point for the neighbourhoods of El Gótico, El Raval and L’Eixample. Are you looking for a tourist information point? You can find it underground! Near the entrance to El Corte Inglés you will see two large pillars with an “i”. Here you will find the entrance to the tourist information point.
Public transport
Apart from the fact that the square is a real attraction in itself, it is also an important point for public transport. Many bus, train and metro lines converge on the square. The Catalunya metro station is located in the metro and can be reached via several entrances, including the Rambla Catalunya, Passeig de Gràcia, Ronda Sant Pere and Plaça Catalunya itself. The metro lines that converge on this station are L1, L3, L6, L7 and the FGC (local train network) lines S1, S2, S5 and S55.
In addition to the metro station, you will also find the railway station under the name Plaça de Catalunya. Here different railway lines from Rodalies meet. On the surface you will find bus stops in the square and you can take several bus lines. It is good to know that there are also night buses that leave from the square.
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