Plaça d'Espanya
Plaça d'Espanya
4.5
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Top ways to experience Plaça d'Espanya
The area
Neighbourhood: Sants-Montjuíc
How to get there
- Espanya • 1 min walk
- Hostafrancs • 7 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
9,188 within 5 kms
Attractions
1,466 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
5,596 reviews
Excellent
2,791
Very good
2,202
Average
546
Poor
45
Terrible
12
Gaurav S
Glasgow, UK360 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
What a show... U can't miss this for anything.. 31st December show of fireworks at the place is something extraordinary. We really liked the music, fountain show and then themed fireworks, with social message of sea life... Plastic problem.
Written January 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arvind Kumar Yerram
Hyderabad, India1,422 contributions
Nov 2019
Undoubtedly this is one of the (if not most) busiest squares of Barcelona. Twin towers on either side of the road with a huge monument in the round about and the magical water fountain are the highlights of this area. Can get crowded during the fountain shows.
Written January 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James S
Toronto, Canada1,844 contributions
Sept 2022
Placa de Espanya is a major transit hub in Barcelona. Several major streets intersect here and there are numerous bus routes that head to various parts of the city. Underneath the ground there is a Metro station that serves three separate subway lines. There is also a regional railway station that has trains departing on a regular basis to Montserrat and elsewhere throughout the day.
The Plaza is a lot more than this and to be honest one would never know about the busy transit infrastructure underground by just looking at the place. At the very centre of the plaza is the Font monumental a la Placa D’Espanya. This is a massive fountain was constructed in 1929 for an international exposition by Josep Maria Jujol a collaborator of Gaudi.
Surrounding the circular plaza are several large and photogenic buildings including the Hotel Catalonia Barcelona Plaza, the Institut Municipal d’Educacio de Barcelona, and the Venetian Towers or Torres Venecianes. These twin pillars, built in the 1920s are the entrance to Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina which is lined by the Smart City Expo World Congress - Fira de Barcelona and terminates in the famous Magic Fountains at the foot of the Montjuïc National Palace.
On the other side of the Plaza is the Arenas de Barcelona. This was originally built as a bull fighting arena and is now a major shopping centre. The top floor has a restaurant with impressive views of the city. There are also movie theatres if for some reason you’ve run out of things to do and see in Barcelona.
As I said this is a major transport hub to help one get where they’re going, but it’s also worth it to take the stairs up and have a look around.
The Plaza is a lot more than this and to be honest one would never know about the busy transit infrastructure underground by just looking at the place. At the very centre of the plaza is the Font monumental a la Placa D’Espanya. This is a massive fountain was constructed in 1929 for an international exposition by Josep Maria Jujol a collaborator of Gaudi.
Surrounding the circular plaza are several large and photogenic buildings including the Hotel Catalonia Barcelona Plaza, the Institut Municipal d’Educacio de Barcelona, and the Venetian Towers or Torres Venecianes. These twin pillars, built in the 1920s are the entrance to Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina which is lined by the Smart City Expo World Congress - Fira de Barcelona and terminates in the famous Magic Fountains at the foot of the Montjuïc National Palace.
On the other side of the Plaza is the Arenas de Barcelona. This was originally built as a bull fighting arena and is now a major shopping centre. The top floor has a restaurant with impressive views of the city. There are also movie theatres if for some reason you’ve run out of things to do and see in Barcelona.
As I said this is a major transport hub to help one get where they’re going, but it’s also worth it to take the stairs up and have a look around.
Written October 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PaulB27August
The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield, UK6,687 contributions
Jun 2020 • Solo
Bullfighting isn't for everyone, however, it is a part of Spanish history and culture.
This development which overlooks the impressive Placa de Espana, Montjuic and plenty of other important sites due to the wonderful 360° view.
There are numerous shops, restaurants and leisure facilities here, including the world famous Human Bodies exhibition.
I will return and try one of the many eateries. Keep an eye out for forthcoming reviews
This development which overlooks the impressive Placa de Espana, Montjuic and plenty of other important sites due to the wonderful 360° view.
There are numerous shops, restaurants and leisure facilities here, including the world famous Human Bodies exhibition.
I will return and try one of the many eateries. Keep an eye out for forthcoming reviews
Written June 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia19,455 contributions
Aug 2022
Placa de Espana is Barcelona's biggest square. It's set just beneath the Monjuic hill and Museum of Catalonian art (MNAC) on a huge roundabout. Driving around it is pretty hectic and stressful with several traffic lights around it.
The middle of the square is adorned by a nice monumental fountain representing the Guadalquivir, Ebro and Tagus rivers as the biggest on the Iberian Peninsula.
The huge circular edifice, now the Arenas shopping mall, used to be Barcelona's first bullring, until it was moved to another location and then finally banned. Great views of the square and MNAC from the mall's top floor.
The twin Venetian towers are replicas of Venezia San Marco's bell tower. They were put here in 1929 for the World expo marking the entrance to fair grounds, Palace museum, and today for the highly popular magic fountain.
The middle of the square is adorned by a nice monumental fountain representing the Guadalquivir, Ebro and Tagus rivers as the biggest on the Iberian Peninsula.
The huge circular edifice, now the Arenas shopping mall, used to be Barcelona's first bullring, until it was moved to another location and then finally banned. Great views of the square and MNAC from the mall's top floor.
The twin Venetian towers are replicas of Venezia San Marco's bell tower. They were put here in 1929 for the World expo marking the entrance to fair grounds, Palace museum, and today for the highly popular magic fountain.
Written September 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JennyTull
8 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
Top notch show, managed to get in without paying which was neat. Only down side it’s a bit of a bun fight to get a good view. Quite honestly they should think twice about letting anyone in if they are going to put someone on their shoulders. If I had paid I’d be mighty peeved to have had my view obstructed. Mainly by young un’s who probably also got in free and didn’t care anyway. I’ll pay for a seat next year.
Written January 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raintree_Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand4,287 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
The Placa d'Espanya is a grand square with a large traffic circle surrounded by artistic structures built for the 1929 exhibition. It has an impressive large fountain in the middle, but no water running now for three years due to the prolonged drought. The area is difficult to fully enjoy because of the heavy traffic and few areas for pedestrians.
Written June 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OZS_ATW
Budapest, Hungary3,728 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
Place d'Espagnya is surrounded by iconic buildings like the two Venetian towers, the old Arenas bullring, and the Fira de Barcelona. In the middle of the square there is a monumental fountain called the Font dels Tres Mars which symbolizes the three seas surrounding the Iberian peninsula.
A must to see!
A must to see!
Written July 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Family5GetAway
St. John's, Canada320 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
Visited here on the way to the museum. It is a very high traffic area, but boasts so much to see it is worth putting up with the high levels of traffic. A number of iconic buildings and the spectacular view as you walk towards the museum. Unfortunately none of the fountains were operational due to the ongoing drought, but still spectacular to see. Easy access from public transportation.
Written May 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steviefull
Kidderminster, UK2,013 contributions
Feb 2020
Not really a destination but somewhere you are bound to pass by going elsewhere.
Not a lot to say other than the two pillars leading into the statue in the middle of the roundabout are quite impressive and dominate the area long with the shopping centre nearby. A good area to see at night.
Don't go out of your way to go here but theres plenty nearby that you will probably go and see anyway.
Not a lot to say other than the two pillars leading into the statue in the middle of the roundabout are quite impressive and dominate the area long with the shopping centre nearby. A good area to see at night.
Don't go out of your way to go here but theres plenty nearby that you will probably go and see anyway.
Written March 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there usually a long line to pick up Trans Montserrat tickets purchased online at the Montserrat Reception Point in the FGC station in Plaça d’Espanya?
Or Is it better just to go to the machine and purchase?
Written August 11, 2023
렝이나
Busan, South Korea
hola.
Is there a luggage storage near España station?
'm going to take a train and go to Montserrat.
Written July 3, 2019
talagay12
Jerusalem, Israel
היי , באילו שעות בערב המזרקות פועלות והאם הן פועלות בכל ערב?
Written October 24, 2018
Martina S
Island of Malta, Malta
Hi. I need to use the Placa Espanya train station in order to catch the R5 train to Montserrat. Most probably I shall be arriving to Placa Espanya via metro on L3.
Are both the L3 and R5 platforms in the same building or would I need to exit the station when I arrive with L3 and then re-enter from another entrance for the R5 train please? Thanks!
Written August 24, 2018
Hello,we got to the station,placa espania,it is located under a huge traffic island,or round about,with several entrances,all leading through walkways,we asked at the first kiosk,where ticket office was,bought tickets to Monseratt,and were directed to the platform some distance away.so go early,trains ran every hour.
Time tables on internet.
Written August 24, 2018
Martina S
Island of Malta, Malta
Hi. I need to use the Placa Espanya train station in order to catch the R5 train to Montserrat. Most probably I shall be arriving to Placa Espanya via metro on L3.
Are both the L3 and R5 platforms in the same building or would I need to exit the station when I arrive with L3 and then re-enter from another entrance for the R5 train please? Thanks!
Written August 24, 2018
Same building. Once you get down from metro, just follow the signs, it is easy.
Written August 24, 2018
what time are the fountain light shows?
thank you.
Written February 6, 2017
passeró il capodanno 2017 a Barcellona, cosa mi consigli da vedere e dove mi consigli di passare il cenone ? grazie
Written December 5, 2016
Ti consiglio di affittare una vespa con gps incorporato .vai da VIA VESPA prenoti via internet e giri la città senza problemi , spendendo poco .per il cenone vedi se il ristorante El Patron e ' aperto .la paella è' squisita .
Written December 8, 2016
We used Airbnb and stayed near Saint Antoni Market. Great location , accessible to everything and our apartment was two bedroom and a large rooftop terrace, amazing views of the city and half the price of a hotel! Super easy access to Placa Espana by Metro--right across the road from the apartment! We love Barcelona and hope you do too!! Cheers!
Written February 22, 2016
gailm1882015
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Can you walk to the port of barcelona from museum of national art catalunya, noticed there was a road behind museum and wondered if this led to port
Written February 23, 2015
Yes you can, It takes about 45 min. Also, you can take the Funicular directly to the beach front station (Port Vell)
Written February 23, 2015
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