Catalonia Square is the centre of the city and one of the most important places in Barcelona. With a surface area of 30,000 square metres, it is one of the largest squares in Spain, as well as the meeting point between the old part of the city and the Eixample.
A must-see in Barcelona, Plaça de Catalunya is the starting point for some of the city’s main thoroughfares as well as a meeting point for visitors and locals alike.
Organise your travel itinerary with Passporter, completely free to use, easy and practical. Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers and choose the places that interest you most by adding them to your route map.
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History of the Square of Catalonia
The square was opened by King Alfonso XIII in 1927 and covers an area of 5 hectares. In the past, this space was a large esplanade outside the entrance gates to the walled city. The architects Pere Falqués, Puig i Cadafalch and Francesc de Paula Nebot were involved in its creation, and sculptures by such well-known artists as Clarà and Llimona were also placed there.
The square is also surrounded by six groups of sculptures representing the four Catalan capitals, wisdom and work. At one end of Catalonia Square there is also a monument to Francesc Macià, the President of the Generalitat of Barcelona, by Josep Maria Subirachs.
Surrounded by imposing buildings and with two large fountains that decorate the upper side, this large square has many sculptures such as La Deessa, by Josep Clarà, the Monument to Francesc Macià, by Josep Maria Subirachs and other works by artists such as Josep Llimona and Enric Casanova. Nowadays, this square is home to large shopping centres such as El Triangle.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see in the area around Catalonia Square in Barcelona?
Guarded by the large shopping centres, Plaça Catalunya is a place with a energetic atmosphere, full of life. It is Barcelona’s most central square and a meeting point for locals and foreigners alike.
Las Ramblas
La Rambla, also known as Las Ramblas, is one of Barcelona’s main thoroughfares and one of the city’s best-known landmarks. It is a pleasant 1.3-kilometre-long promenade that connects Catalonia Square with the Barcelona’s old port. Las Ramblas is always lively, packed with tourists and street performers who act as human statues. Lined with flower stalls and food and drink vendors, it’s a must-do walk if you’re in Barcelona.
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Boquería Market
The San José Market, better known as “La Boquería”, is Barcelona’s most famous market and one of its main tourist attractions. The Mercado de San José, better known as “La Boquería”, is a centrally located municipal market on Barcelona’s Las Ramblas. It is the ideal place to buy fresh produce, but nowadays the market has become an eye-catching tourist attraction.
The colourful Boqueria Market is a labyrinth of more than 2,500 square metres. It has more than 300 stalls offering all kinds of products typical of Barcelona’s cuisine. Eggs, meats, sausages, sweets, fruit juices… it’s hard to imagine a product that can’t be found in La Boqueria.
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Liceu Opera Barcelona
Opened in 1847, the Gran Teatre del Liceu is the oldest and most prestigious theatre in Barcelona. Over the years the theatre has retained its function as a cultural and artistic centre, becoming one of the symbols of the city. Better known as “El Liceu”, the theatre has witnessed prestigious works performed by the best singers in the world for more than 150 years. The best way to get to know the Gran Teatre del Liceu is to attend one of its performances.
Columbus viewpoint
Built in homage to the explorer Christopher Columbus, the Columbus Monument is an eye-catching 60-metre-high lookout located next to the port of Barcelona. The Columbus Monument is a huge Corinthian-style column on which stands a statue of Columbus. At the bottom of the column are several sculptures relating to the discovery of America and eight iron statues of lions on which tourists often climb.
Where to eat in Catalonia Square in Barcelona?
Catalan gastronomy and the cuisine of Barcelona is very rich in flavours and uses the quality produce of its market gardens. The typical dishes that can be found in Barcelona’s restaurants include a large amount of vegetables, oily fish and olive oil. Here is a selection of some of the best restaurants in the Square of Catalonia area.
- Restaurante Contempo
- The Greenhouse
- Macchina Pasta Bar
- Cèntric
- Café Zurich
Where to stay near Catalonia Square in Barcelona?
Located right in the centre of Barcelona, Plaça Catalunya is the starting point for most of the routes to around the city. That’s why staying near Catalonia Square is a great idea. Here is a selection of some of the best accommodation in the city located near the square.
- Hotel Casa Camper
- Olivia Plaza Hotel
- Hotel El Palace Barcelona
- H10 Madison 4* Sup
How to organise your visit to Catalonia Square Barcelona?
- Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
- Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
- Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited to the app so you can inspire other users.
If you have any doubts about how to plan your itinerary, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
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