Plaça Espanya Barcelona is a large public square that was built for Barcelona’s 1929 International Exposition. Plaça Espanya is also known in Spanish as Plaza España. The square meets Avda Parallel, Gran Via de les Cortes Catalanes, the C-31 and N-340 main roads. Plaça Espanya is also about a 10-minute walk from the main RENFE station, Barcelona Sants. The FIRA exhibition center is also situated directly on the main square of Plaça Espanya which is also a major transport interchange hub for the metro and commuter train services.
The square is close to the MNAC Museum, and the Magic Fountains of Montjüic which were also constructed for the 1929 exposition. Two large Venetian towers stand on each side of the street on the Plaça Espanya. These were also built for the 1929 exposition, and both towers stand at a height of 47 meters high. There is also a splendid fountain in the middle of the square designed by Josep Maria Jujol, a collaborator of Gaudí.
Plaça Espanya also has a historic bullring, which has now been converted to a shopping center. The exterior of the bullring has been preserved in its original brickwork. The shopping center is called Arenas and has several floors dedicated to shops, restaurants, and cinemas. It is a unique chance to actually go shopping inside, what was, a historic bullring. The Arenas shopping center can attract over 10 million visitors each year.
Is Plaça Espanya Barcelona Worth Visiting?
Many people wonder if it is worth visiting Plaça Espanya, and the answer is yes. The square is a major area of historic interest and busy city life. If you visit Plaça Espanya, you are very close to numerous nearby attractions and museums. Furthermore, the incredible Magic Fountains of Montjüic are very close by.
Looking at Plaça Espanya from a distance, you can’t help but be slightly amazed. The two Venetian towers feel like a large gateway, and the historic monument in the center feels very grandiose. Taking into consideration that the square is not a public space, rather a place where many busy roads meet. This means that there is a lot of traffic and noise from passing cars and buses, part of the rhythm of Barcelona urban life. Whether you prefer a quieter historic square in the Gothic Quarter or the hustle busy of Plaça Espanya, depends on each individual.
One thing is for sure, you can spend a few hours viewing Plaça Espanya and exploring the nearby attractions. To answer the question, is it worth visiting Plaça Espanya? I would say yes if you have enough time. Barcelona has many incredible sights to visit, Plaça Espanya is one of them. However, it makes sense to visit with priority such places as The Sagrada Família, Guell Park and The Gothic Quarter. Once you have visited the must-see attractions in Barcelona, and you have some spare time, then a visit to Plaça Espanya is recommended.
Plaça Espanya, A Major Transport Hub
Along with Plaça Catalyuna and a few other places, Plaça Espanya Barcelona is a major transport interchange with the metro lines 1 and 2 meeting the commuter lines 8, S4, S8, and S33. The commuter railway lines R5, R6, R50 and R60 are also present at Catalyuna station.
The station at Plaça Espanya opened in 1926 and the metro line 3 was added to the station in 1975. Today, the Espanya interchange has passenger numbers of between 5 and 6 million each year. Above ground, many of Barcelona’s buses stop at Plaça Espanya. The Aerobus airport shuttle bus also stops at Plaça Espanya going to and from Barcelona Airport.
