Barcelona Area Guide: Placa Espanya

Placa Espanya is a lovely plaza just out of the centre of town, where many of the main roads in Barcelona, such as Gran Via and Parallel intersect.   It is also home to Barcelona’s old bull-fighting ring which is now nothing but a shell, albeit quite a beautiful one.

The main draw to Placa Espanya is the Palau Nacional which is the Museum of Catalan art, stands regally up on the side of Montjuic.  It’s stunning and there is never a better time to see it than when it is lit up at night with the Magic Fountain in front.  The Magic Fountain is a free music and light show based around the fountains and takes place from (3 May to 30 September) Thurs until Sunday from 21:00 to 21:30, (5 October to 3 November) Fridays and Saturdays from 19:00 to 21:00 and (11 December to 1 May) Fridays and Saturdays from 19:00 to 21:00.

There is a lot to be seen around and on Montjuic.  To start with the Fira are large halls leading up to the Palau Sant Jordi, where there are various events and conventions every month.

Turn right just before the steps up to the Palace and you will find the Caixa Forum which is a large, spacious art museum which always has a good and varied program and entrance is free.

Go on a little further and you will see the Mies Van de Rohe Pavilion which was architecturally far beyond it’s time when it was built in 1929.  Keep on going and there is Poble Espanyol that, like the Pavilion was built in 1929 for the World Fair.  Poble Espanyol is a strange village of houses built to represent the architectural styles of the different parts of Spain.  Entrance is 8 euros and there are restaurants, craft shops and a museum of modern art.  During the night several bars and clubs make the area come alive.

There is also a bar up on Montjuic called Casa de Migdia, it has gorgeous views out to see and a chilled Café del Mar atmosphere.  It’s best to take a taxi if you don´t want to have to walk quite a way up hill, ask for the Mirador del Migdia and it’s a 2 minute walk away.

Placa Espanya is well connected to the centre of Barcelona by metro.  The centre of town is a 10 minute ride away, or you could walk there is 30-40 minutes.  Sants Estacio is also a 15 minute walk away.  Sants is one of Barcelona’s main train stations and has direct trains to the airport and to places like Sitges on the coast.

Hotels Near Placa Espanya

Click A Hotel Name Below To Read Our Review Of That Hotel

B Hotel Barcelona - 3 stars
Catalonia Hotel Barcelona - 4 stars
Fira Palace Hotel - 4 stars

Related Pages

Barcelona Neighbourhood And Hotel Guide - Guide to the main Barcelona neighbourhoods and hotels listed for each area. Photos, descriptions makes it easy for you to know where to choose your hotel.

Barcelona Hotel Reviews - Read our independent reviews of over 100 Barcelona hotels

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