Plaça de Catalunya – Catalonia Square

Plaça de Catalunya, the heart of Barcelona

The Barcelona audio-guided tour places you in the very heart of the city, on Plaça Catalunya. A true nerve centre, it is here that the great shopping streets converge and where the people of Barcelona meet, amid fountains, statues and permanent bustle.

The crossroads of the city

The square links the old town to the Eixample, the nineteenth-century extension district, and concentrates bus stops, metro access and major shops. It is the favoured place for great events as for great popular demands, a space where the pulse of Barcelona beats. Its fountains and sculptures also make it a landmark appreciated by visitors.

What there is to see

Vast and open, the square is lined with imposing buildings, including the rounded Corte Inglés department store. To enjoy a fine panorama of the city, you can take the lift up to its cafeteria, on the top floor. Plaça Catalunya is also the ideal starting point to set off down the Rambla and discover the historic centre.

Practical information

Plaça Catalunya is between the old town and the Eixample, in the centre of Barcelona. It is a public space freely accessible at all hours and on the level, served by the metro and many bus lines. It is a convenient starting point for exploring the city.

Why is Plaça Catalunya important?

It is the centre of Barcelona, where the great shopping streets converge and where the city's great events and gatherings are held.

Where can you find a viewpoint over the square?

From the top-floor cafeteria of the Corte Inglés department store, reached by lift, which offers a fine panorama of the city.