Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
PERFECT SQUARES
1. PLACA REIAL
Thearcaded
PlaçaReial
,
intheheartoftheBarriGòtic,isuniqueamongBarcelona's
squares, with its old-world charm, gritty urbanization and Neo-Classical flair. It is
hometomajestic,mid-19th-centurybuildings,Gaudílampposts,aslewofhappening
bars and clubs, and an entertaining and colourful crowd of inner-city denizens.
Google Map
2. PLACA DE CATALUNYA
Barcelona's nerve centre is the huge Plaça de Catalunya, a lively hub from which all
the city's activity seems to radiate. This square is most visitors' first real glimpse of
Barcelona.Theairportbusstopshere,asdoRENFEtrainsandcountlessmetroand
buslinesaswellasmostnightbuses.Thesquare'scommercialswaggerisevidentall
around, headed by Spain's omnipresent department store, El Corte Inglés (for fur-
therdetailssee
DepartmentStores
)
.Pigeonsflutterchaoticallyinthesquare'scentre,
livelyPeruvianbandsplaytoboomingsoundsystemsandhordesoftravellers-from
backpackerstotourgroups-meanderabout.Themaintouristinformationofficeis
here too.
Google Map
View photo
3. PLACA DEL REI
One of the city's best preserved medieval squares, the Barri Gòtic's Plaça del Rei is
ringed by grand buildings. Among them is the 14th-century Palau Reial (for further
details see
Conjunt Monumental de la Plaça del Rei
)
, which houses the Saló del
Tinell, a spacious Catalan Gothic throne room and banqueting hall.
Google Map
4. PLACA DE SANT JAUME
Weightywithpowerandhistory,thisistheadministrativeheartofmodern-dayBar-
celona. The
plaça
is flanked by the city's two key government buildings, the stately
Palau de la Generalitat and the 15th-century Ajuntament. See
Plaça de Sant Jaume
.
Google Map
