Famous Places: A Walk Around Plaza de Catalunya, Spain

Plaza de Catalunya

The Fountains at Plaza de Catalunya create a beautiful centerpiece.

When I visited Barcelona, I created my travel itinerary for all the places I would visit. On my list were 15 places to visit including Plaza de Catalunya.

Ufuoma Akpotaire overlooking the Fountains at Plaza de Catalunya.
Ufuoma Akpotaire overlooking the Fountains at Plaza de Catalunya.

It is sometimes also called Plaça de Catalunya.

I included it on my list because I had seen pictures of this place online and I knew I must visit this place someday.

Plaza de Catalunya (6)
The Fountains at Plaza de Catalunya. Photo by Ufuoma Akpotaire.

What is Plaza de Catalunya or Plaça de Catalunya

Plaza de Catalunya is a large square in Barcelona. Its popularity comes from the fact that it is the busiest square in the city. It covers over 50,000 square meters.

I stayed at a hotel near the square. This allowed me easily visit the park and some other locations on my list with little commute time.

I can now confirm that it is an extremely busy place that is always buzzing with activity.

A Little History

The development of Plaza de Catalunya began after the city’s medieval walls were demolished in 1854.

Plaza de Catalunya in the Day Time
A view of the fountains at Plaza de Catalunya. Photo by Ufuoma Akpotaire.

It was officially inaugurated by King Alfonso XIII in 1927. The plaza was designed to be an open space reflecting the energy of the growing city.

Plaza de Catalunya birds
Birds at Plaza de Catalunya. Photo by Ufuoma Akpotaire.

I also learned that during the early 20th century, Plaza de Catalunya became a gathering place for citizens, especially for celebrations and political events.

Fun Facts

  • Symbol of Unity: Plaza de Catalunya brings together the old and new parts of Barcelona, making it a prime meeting spot.
  • Fountains and Statues: Shortly after arriving at my hotel, I took a walk around the park. I took a few pictures before I headed off to eat. I noticed a lot of fountains and statues at different corners of the park. I read the signs on the statues and learned that they were made by local sculptors.
Ufuoma walking around Plaza de Catalunya
Ufuoma Akpotaire walking around Plaza de Catalunya.
  • Celebration Hub: It is usually used for city events and celebrations. It is also a place people gather after soccer victories and during New Year’s festivities. During my visit, I attended a Barcelona soccer game at Spotify Camp Nou. After the game, some of the fans came to Plaza de Catalunya to celebrate.
Entertainers, Birds and People at Plaza de Catalunya. Photo by Ufuoma Akpotaire.

Notable Sculptures and Fountains

Some of the sculptures I saw were made by three local artists.

The first one was named La Diosa. It translates to The Goddess. It was made by a man called Josep Clarà. The sculpture looks like a nude goddess. It is near the central fountain and is one of the statues I had seen pictures of before visiting in person.

Walking in Plaza de Catalunya
People working at the Plaza de Catalunya. Photo by Ufuoma Akpotaire.

Another sculpture I saw in the park was named Barcelona and the Catalan Cities. This one was created by Eusebi Arnau and Josep Llimona. I would later see another sculpture made by Josep Llimona in front of the Parliament at Ciutadella Park.

And then there were the fountains! As I walked around, I observed each fountain and their beauty. Later that night, the fountains would light up and become even more beautiful.

Motorcycles Parked at Plaza de Catalunya
Motorcycles parked near Plaza de Catalunya. Photo by Ufuoma Akpotaire.

Admission Details

Is it free to visit? Yes! Plaza de Catalunya is a public space, free to explore day and night.

Motorcycles parked along Plaza de Catalunya
Motorcycles and Taxis around Plaza de Catalunya. Photo by Ufuoma Akpotaire.

What’s It Like to Walk Around Plaza de Catalunya?

When you take a walk around Plaza de Catalunya, be prepared to have all your senses engaged!

Plaza de Catalunya in the Day Time

The first thing I noticed was the pigeons, then the sounds of fountains, local chatter, and street performers.

Hotel Iberostar at Plaza de Catalunya
A view of the Iberostar located near Plaza de Catalunya. Photo by Ufuoma Akpotaire.

I also noticed that there were many shops, cafes and stores around the square including a huge Apple store. I visited a few of them to as I was hungry and wanted to taste the local cuisine.

Plaza de Catalunya in the Day Time

The stars of the Plaza de Catalunya are the pigeons! They were everywhere, I took lots of pictures of them. They were often surrounded by other tourists.

Pigeons at Plaza de Catalunya

Tips for Your Visit

I can confirm that it is a good idea to plan your itinerary with Plaza de Catalunya as the starting point if you are staying close to any of the hotels.

If you’re meeting up with friends who are at different locations, you can meet at the square and proceed to other places like La Rambla, Passeig de Gràcia, and the Gothic Quarter.

Holding a cup of Gelato

I enjoyed some Gelato and macarons from a shop close by.

Macaron

I was also able to buy some souvenirs.

Postcards of Places in Barcelona
Postcards of famous places in Barcelona

If you decide to sit and snack in the park, remember the park is known for its birds and birds like snacks!

Stroll along Plaza de Catalunya

I took a lot of photos and made videos at different times of the day and later at night. The videos I made at night did not come out great, but the photos are beautiful.

Plaza de Catalunya

You should also check to see if there are any events or celebrations that are planned around your time of travel.

Ufuoma viewing the Fountains from the top of a Iberostar
Ufuoma Akpotaire viewing the fountains from the top of a building.

As I stated previously, we had a soccer game during my trip and so the park was busy the night of the game.

Night Time at Plaza de Catalunya (2)
The fountains at Plaza de Catalunya at night. Photo by Ufuoma Akpotaire.

Nearby Attractions

From Plaza de Catalunya, it took me about four minutes to walk over to La Rambla. La Rambla is popular for its street performers, cafes, and markets.

Plaza de Catalunya at Night
Plaza de Catalunya at night. Photo by Ufuoma Akpotaire.

It took me a shorter time to visit Passeig de Gràcia, which is has a lot of Antonio Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces.

Night View around Plaza de Catalunya

It is also about a 14-minute walk from Plaza de Catalunya to Gothic Quarter, which I wanted to visit.

Plaza de Catalunya Night Lights

If you decide to take the metro, there are several lines in this area, making it convenient for travel.

Best Time for a Walk Around the Fountains at Plaza de Catalunya

Plaza de Catalunya is lively year-round, but it’s especially pleasant in spring and autumn when temperatures are mild.

Plaza de Catalunya at Night time

Early mornings are a bit quieter, while evenings have a more festive atmosphere, especially on weekends and during special events.

Night Time at Plaza de Catalunya
Front of the metro near Plaza de Catalunya at night. Photo by Ufuoma Akpotaire.
Have you taken a walk around the fountains at Plaza de Catalunya in Spain? Did you stay in any of the nearby hotels? Share your highlights in the comments and let us know what made your visit unforgettable!
About Ufuoma Akpotaire 57 Articles
Ufuoma Akpotaire is a passionate movie and music reviewer with a love for travel and culture. As the Senior Culture and Travel Editor at Verayea, she combines her enthusiasm for storytelling with her experience exploring new places. Through her reviews, she celebrates creativity and inspires readers to appreciate the connections between movies, music, travel, and global cultures.

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