Plaça Catalunya

Catalonia Square is Barcelona's city centre

Plaça de Catalunya in Barcelona, Catalonia Square in English, is a vast square created when the city walls were demolished in 1854. When we talk about the centre of Barcelona, we're talking about this square. It is - in fact - located at the convergence of several of the city's most important districts, such as Eixample, Raval  and the Gothic Quarter. So it's a geographical reference point for Catalans and tourists alike. The aerobus, for example - which links Barcelona airport to the city centre - drops you off or leaves from this square. It's also where the Hop-On Hop-Off bus stops.

Plaza Catalunya - Barcelona

For the people of Barcelona, it is more of a meeting point and a passageway between the different parts of the city.
For everyone, it's a place for shopping, with the square and its adjacent streets packed with brand-name shops, department stores, fashion boutiques and other popular names. The emblematic El Corte Inglés stands in one of its corners. But we could also mention El Triangle, Fnac, C&A, Zara and many other brands. It's also where you'll find the Barcelona Tourist Office, the start of the Ramblas that leads down to the sea, and the entrance to the Gotic quarter and its nearby cathedral.

Where is Catalonia Square  in Barcelona?

How do I get to Catalonia Square in Barcelona?

Catalonia Square is a hub for public transport in Barcelona.
Plaça de Catalunya is a hub for different modes of transport, including the metro. Plaça de Catalunya" is one of the busiest metro stations in the Catalan capital. It is a transfer station where several metro lines converge, making it easily accessible from different parts of the city.

The following metro lines serve Plaça de Catalunya:
Line L1 (Red): This line runs from Hospital de Bellvitge to Fondo, crossing the city from north to south. You can take this line to places like Arc de Triomf, Plaza Urquinaona, Marina, Plaça d'Espanya, etc.
Line L3 (Green): This line runs from Zona Universitària to Trinitat Nova. You can take this line to places such as Passeig de Gràcia, Diagonal, and Parc Güell.
Line L6 (Violette):  This line connects Sarrià to Plaça de Catalunya.
Line L7 (Brown):  This line runs from Plaça Catalunya to Av. Tibidabo. You can take this line to places like Avenida Diagonal and the Tibidabo theme park.

>> All information on Metro Barcelona

Plaça de Catalunya is also served by several Renfe suburban train lines and numerous bus routes:
Trains: R1, R3, R4, R7, Si and S2
Buses: 24, 55, 67, A1, A2, D50, H16, N1, N3, N4, N5, N6, N7, N8, N9, N11, N12, N15 and N28

History of Plaça de Catalunya

"Plaça de Catalunya" is the phrase to remember for anyone wishing to get around Barcelona. This lively square with its bars, restaurants, street performers, shops and even pigeons has a long history, of course.

Less than two centuries ago, this was an undeveloped area outside Barcelona's ancient fortifications. In the 1850s, the city of Barcelona decided to extend its territory beyond these fortifications and build a new central square. Work on the square began in 1860, under the direction of the Catalan architect Josep Fontserè. Its initial design was based on neoclassical ideas, with gardens and statues. Over the years, however, the square's appearance was changed several times. It was opened to the public in 1864. Major changes were made to the square for the 1888 Barcelona Universal Exhibition, which was held that year. The gardens were redesigned and fountains were added. This was followed by the construction of the Barcelona-Tarragona railway station in 1902 and the Plaça de Catalunya metro station in 1926.

Plaça de Catalunya - Barcelona

Today, the star-shaped square features a number of fountains that are refreshing in summer, including the Canaletes Fountain, statues and sculptures including the very cubic monument in honour of Francesc Macià, President of the Generalitat de Catalunya, a statue of the Woman (Estatua de Mujer)...

The Plaça de Catalunya is often the venue for cultural events, political demonstrations and celebrations such as concerts, parades and festivals.

Plaça de Catalunya - Barcelona