Plaça de Catalunya

The Basics

Learn about the rich history and fantastic architecture of Barcelona on any number of sightseeing tours that leave from Catalunya Square. Head south to traverse the tiny streets of the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic), or head north to explore the Eixample district’s modernist buildings. Delve into the artistic aspects of the city and learn about Barcelona’s famous sites such as Antoni Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia and Park Guell.

Catalunya Square is a strategic starting point for, or simply a stop on, many private and group full-day tours of Barcelona as well as shorter walking, biking, and sidecar tours. Hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses stop here as well.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Catalunya Square is a must-visit for first-time visitors to Barcelona.

• This is a common meeting place for many visitors and locals, so be sure to know the exact location within the square to meet your group.

• Wear good walking shoes and bring sunscreen for walking tours during the warmer months.

• The square is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.

How to Get There

Catalunya Square is located in downtown Barcelona and is the main transport hub in the city. Catch the L1, L3, L6, or L7 lines at the metro station here, as well as a number of city buses and the Aerobus. The main arteries of La Rambla and Passeig de Gracia both start from the square and lead out to the city.

When to Get There

The best times to visit Catalunya Square—and Barcelona and southern Spain in general—are during the shoulder months of May, June, September, and October. These months are generally less crowded and less rainy. If you are headed to Catalunya Square for a tour, arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to ensure time to locate your group amidst the crowds.

Where It All Comes Together

When the medieval walls of the city came down in the 19th century, plans to create a great public space for Barcelona began. Catalunya Square was designed to combine the historic Gothic Quarter and the more modern Eixample district, and essentially bring Barcelona together. The final design consisted of a 12-acre (5-hectare) area filled with fountains, trees, benches, and a number of monumental sculptures.

Ways to explore

Learn about the rich history and fantastic architecture of Barcelona on one of the many sightseeing tours that leave from Plaça de Catalunya. Some traverse the tiny streets of the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic), while others head north to explore the Eixample’s modernist buildings. Biking, Segway, and sidecar tours typically combine the square with other Barcelona highlights, such as Antoni Gaudí’s La Sagrada Familia, the famously unfinished modernist masterpiece, and the nearby Las Ramblas, which is a popular stop for food tours thanks to its markets and restaurants.

Accessibility

Generally, even surfaces and open spaces make the square easy to navigate in wheelchairs.

Age limits

None

What to pack

There’s little to no shade in Plaça de Catalunya, so if the forecast is sunny, pack an umbrella, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunscreen.

What to wear

Comfortable shoes and secure pockets are a must for exploring this often crowded area.

Not allowed

Overnight camping, fires, littering

Amenities

Benches, water fountains, kiosks

Address

Thanks to its central location, Plaça de Catalunya is easy to reach via public transportation. It’s also a stop on many hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tours, which let you disembark whenever an attraction captures your interest.

Driving

The roads surrounding Plaça de Catalunya are often congested with large tour buses, and parking is limited, so make the most of its second-to-none public transportation connections and avoid driving.

Public transportation

The nearest metro station to Plaça de Catalunya is Catalunya on lines 1 and 3, and trams R1, R3, R4, R7, R12, and RG1 also stop here. You can also take bus routes 19, 22, 24, 52, 55, 59, 62, 27, D50, H16, V13, and V15.

Best times to visit

Visit the square from early evening for the most vibrant atmosphere, when street performers typically make an appearance.

Best days to visit

Plaça de Catalunya bustles all week-long, but weekday lunchtimes and weekends see the largest crowds.

Best months to visit

Plaça de Catalunya is the epicenter of many celebrations throughout the year, including the huge street party for La Mercè at the end of September.

Special events

During the holiday season, Plaça de Catalunya hosts a Christmas festival full of festive performances.