Placa d’Espanya is an important and popular cultural hub, and a central square, in the heart of Barcelona. It is one of the core plazas in the city, hosting a range of attractions including shopping centres, architectural landmarks and regular shows and events. It has important transport links, as one of the largest squares in Barcelona, many accommodations with stunning views over the lively area, and various tourist attractions.
The “Museu Nacional D’Art de Catalunya” is one of the most celebrated museums in Barcelona, exhibiting a range of historical and artistic styles and originally built for the famous 1929 Barcelona Exhibition. The most captivating attraction of Placa d’Espanya is The Magic Fountain, which combines music, light, and water in an impressive daily display. The Arenas de Barcelona is the perfect place for shopping, once an unused bullring, it is now a modern mall, with a spa, gym, cinema and many shops to explore. Visitors can find international modern architecture at the German Pavilion and old local architecture at the Poble Espanyol, through the 47-metre high Venetian Towers guarding the entrance to the square.
Placa d’Espanya is a key transport hub of Barcelona. Its station “Espanya” is on three separate metro lines and many buses travel there daily. Visitors can also access the square via train at the central station, and it has direct routes to the airport and the city centre, which is only a 10-minute journey away.
The 1929 Universal Exposition in Barcelona inspired the creation of Placa d’Espanya, and construction began in 1915. The city invested in the major monuments including the Spanish Village, as a cultural, creative and architectural representation of the nation. The square has always been a public area, used for public hangings until 1715, now is a central communal hub based on entertainment, leisure and history.