Plaça d’Espanya is one of the most famous squares of Barcelona. Several streets converge there, for example Avinguda Paral·lel, Gran Via and Avinguda Maria Cristina, the avenue leading to the mountain of Montjuïc, where you can visit various museums, gardens and the famous Olympic Ring, with stadiums and sports facilities built in 1992 in occasion of the Olympic Games.
At the end of the street you will find the famous Magic Fountain of Montjuic, offering a magic show of lights, music and colors every weekend for free. For further information see our section Barcelona for free.
You will also see a large space dedicated to Congresses and Exhibitions, and the Fira de Barcelona (Barcelona’s Fair), organizing exhibitions, conferences and trade shows all over the year.
Plaça d’Espanya was built for the International Fair of Barcelona that took place in 1929 by the architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch, in collaboration with Guillem Busquets and Antoni Darder.
How to get there - Public transport
- Metro: L1 and L3, stop Espanya
- Buses: 9, 13, 27, 30, 38, 50, 53, 56, 57, 65, 91, 109, 157
Monuments in Plaça d’Espanya
Central Monument
Right in the center of the square you will see a stunning fountain and a large monument, designed by one of Gaudì's partners, Josep Maria Jujol.
All ornamental elements of this monument have a specific meaning, as it is a tribute to water, each sculpture is a reference to an ocean or one of the Seas surrounding Spain.
The three columns supporting the monument are representing, religion , arts and heroism. On top you will see three bronze victories, made by the sculptor Tomas Llovet.
Venetian Towers
The Venetian towers were built by Ramon Reventós in 1929 and are located in Avinguda Maria Cristina which takes you to the famous Montjuic area.
They form a sort of gateway to the exhibition center in Barcelona managed by the Fira de Barcelona.
Magic Fountain of Montjuïc
The Magic Fountain is located between Montjuïc Hilland Plaça d'Esapanya and offers a unique show of music, water, light and colors, a real must-see during your stay in Barcelona. Check out our page dedicated to the magic fountain to find out more about the show.
Bullring Les Arenes
The Plaza Toros (Bullring) is another emblematic building of the city built in 1900, and the main scenery of bullfighting during the years.
This extraordinary building has also had many other uses along its history, including: rallies, zarzuela and opera shows, boxe fights and even military barracks during the Spanish Civil War.
It has currently been transformed into a Shopping Mall, nevertheless its original facade of red brick and beautiful ceramic decorations is still entirely preserved.
The bullring Les Arenes is also very special because it is one of the few buildings of Barcelona having a Moorish Art style of decoration and structure.
As the final stop we recommend you to check out a beautiful park nearby, the Parc de L' escorxador, where you will have the chance to see the original sculpture by Joan Miró called Dona i Ocell (Woman and Bird).