Catalunya Square (Plaça de Catalunya) Tours and Activities

Old and new Barcelona meet in Catalunya Square (Plaça de Catalunya), the famous plaza in the heart of the city. Two massive avenues, La Rambla and Passeig de Gracia, converge here too, as do many walking tours and other groups. The square is located near some of Barcelona’s top attractions and is filled with cafés, bars, and restaurants.

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.