General Information

Plaça de Catalunya is one of the two main squares of Barcelona (The other one is Plaça d’Espanya). It is a beautiful, huge site with a very long history. The place also has a national significance for Catalan people.

Plaça de Catalunya connects Ciutat Vella and Eixample, the old city and the extension built in the 19th century. This area is very touristic, and most of the tourists that visit Barcelona will pass here. It is recommended to read some information about the area prior the visit.

History of Plaça de Catalunya

Until the 19th century, when Barcelona began to extend to north and Eixample was built, Plaça de Catalunya did not have a very important role in the life of the Catalan city. In the last two hundred years, different important political meetings and speeches were organized in this square (for additional information – History of Barcelona).

Tips and Recommendations for Visiting Plaça de Catalunya

• Close to Plaça de Catalunya there is a locker room where you can leave your luggage. It can be very useful when you arrive to Barcelona without reserving a hotel room in advance or when you have to check-out earlier than you leave the city. The address of the room is carrer Estruc nr 36 (for additional information – Locker in Plaça de Catalunya).
• The beautiful fountain in the center of Plaça de Catalunya is open only during the summer time.
• In the area of Plaça de Catalunya there are a lot of restaurants and coffee shops where tourists can spend a nice time. Furthermore, you can combine your trip to the square with a shopping spree in the famous El Corte Ingles commercial center, or in the fashion boutiques situated on Passeig de Gracia (for additional information – Bars and restaurants in Barcelona and Shopping in Barcelona).
• Plaça de Catalunya is accessible for people with disabilities. Public transportation is also wheelchair-friendly in the area. Although most of the metro stations in Barcelona are not accessible by wheelchairs, the metro station near Plaça de Catalunya has an exit with a lift (for additional information – Accessibility in Plaça de Catalunya and Accessibility in Barcelona)
• Due to the information point and the numerous activities organized in Plaça de Catalunya, it is one of the main touristic places in Barcelona, Mark it on your map!  Moreover, families and large groups can use it as a meeting point.

Tips for Transportation to Plaça de Catalunya:

• It is very easy to get to Plaça de Catalunya by public transportation (bus, metro, tourist bus). Additionally, the bus from the airport stops near the square. It is not recommended to arrive there by a car because parking is very expensive there. Moreover, there can be heavy traffic in the area (for additional information – Parking Near Plaça de Catalunya, Car Rental in Barcelona, Car Rental in Spain and Arriving from El prat airport to Plaça de Catalunya).

• Nearby there is a station of the Hop-on Hop-off bus red and blue lines (for additional information – Hop-on Hop-off Bus Map).

Tips for Kids & Families in Plaça de Catalunya:

• Plaça de Catalunya is highly recommended for kids and families due to many interesting and colorful activities, street shows and guided tours especially designated. Moreover, families can spend a nice time with feeding doves or playing with cats (for additional information – Kids and Families in Plaça de Catalunya and Kids and Families in Barcelona).

• If you visit this area during the evening it is highly recommended to try Gaudi’s Pedrera: The Origins – Night Show, which is located close by (for additional information – Visit Barcelona at Night).

Tips for “what to see” near Plaça de Catalunya:

• Although Plaça de Catalunya does not offer many attractions, it is situated in the center of the city so most of the general guided tours in Barcelona pass through there and numerous trips that go outside the city exit from Plaça de Catalunya. Besides this, it is close to the famous attractions of the Gothic Quarter, Eixample, Passeig de Gracia and La Rambla area (for additional information – Attractions and Tours near Plaça de Catalunya and Attractions and Tours in Barcelona).
• It is recommended to combine your trip to Plaça de Catalunya with a pleasant walk in the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic), La Rambla area and Eixample.

Tips for Hotels near Plaça de Catalunya:

• Hotels near Plaça de Catalunya are very popular among tourists due to the square’s location. It is situated in the center of Barcelona, and most of the attractions are approachable easily from there. Besides this, the area is the center of the city’s public transportation. Recommended hotels in the area: Catalonia Plaza Catalunya, Hotel Medium Monegal, Catalonia Portal de l’Angel. The hotels in this area are more expensive than in other parts of Barcelona, and the area is usually noisy and overcrowded (for additional information – Hotels near Plaça de Catalunya and Hotels in Barcelona).

Recommended Blogs and Articles About Plaça de Catalunya:

• Plaça de Catalunya – The Centre of Barcelona at ShBarcelona
• Plaça de Catalunya: The Heart of Barcelona at The MBA Blog