Plaça Reial, Barcelona

Plaça Reial attracts a very mixed crowd. By the time we were there we saw tourists taking photos of the fountain or having a good look around, locals and expats having a drink on the terrace, street performers, and immigrants who pass by selling beer (illegally) on the street. So, during the day most of the visitors are tourists, but in the evenings you will find more locals who are attracted to the many restaurants and bars. Plaça Reial is a great place to visit during the day or in the evening, at any time of the year.

We learned from a local that whether you’re in the mood for a coffee on a sunny terrace or dancing all night in the basement of one of Barcelona´s best clubs, the Plaça Reial is to the place to do it. We rather enjoyed the particular vibe and saw some resembles with the Plaza Garibaldi in Mexico City, which probably is not a coincidence. Just keep in mind that Placa Reial is one step down from La Rambla on the list of Barcelona tourist traps and is only 30 seconds away from it, making it the perfect escape from the hustle of Barcelona's most famous street. Have fun!

1 more image

Without a doubt is the Plaça Reial the busy centre of the Gothic Quarter town and a true tourist trap. But is this a good reason to avoid it and not visit it? No, not at all. You can also put this main square in the tip section "Must see"! And I can also tell you why :) The Plaça Reial (plaza Real in Spanish) is one of Barcelona’s most iconic squares. It has been remodeled several times since then and has so many unique characteristics that it is instantly recognizable to anyone who has ever been there. The plaza is decorated with some palm trees which gives it a Mediterranean feel. We immediately noticed two iron street lamps and once were home we learned that these lamps were designed by none other than a young Antoni Gaudí, and are said to be his first public works. We wished we knew when we were actually there!

The plaza is surrounded by pastel colored neo-classical buildings and in the center you´ll find the Fountain of Three Graces that represents the daughters of Zeus. Like I said before, the Placa Reial is a well-known touristic attraction, especially at night. On the plaza are a large number of restaurants and some of the city's most famous nightclubs including Sidecar, Jamboree or Karma. It is also known for its many outdoor venues and is a popular meeting place during the summer.

1 more image

The famous Placa Reial lies right in the middle of the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. Despite several changes undergone in the 19th and early 20th century, some of the buildings here date from medieval times, from as far back as the Roman settlement of Barcelona. So, it’s fair to say that it is a bit of a medieval village and it is now very attractive. The main road towards the Placa Reial is a bit hidden in between to the buildings of La Rambla. It is situated behind an archway as you walk towards the sea, so it’s rather easy to pass by, which of course is a huge shame!

Once hiking your way around in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona we simply didn’t want to miss out on this important square (called Plaça Reial) on which a few beautiful historical buildings are situated. Plaça Reial is the natural centre of the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona: a stage for various minor and major events, a reference point, a meeting place and the starting point or destination for walkers who want to discover the city. Historically speaking, the square began to operate in a shape and size similar to what we see today in the early years of the 19th century.

2 more images

Placa Reial was very close to our hotel and we had the chance to visit it a few times during our stay in Barcelona. The fountain, the palm trees and the restaurants create a relaxing ambiance and this square is crowded anytime of the day.

1 more image

This large square located off of La Rambla is filled with people at night enjoying the restaurants and bars that line the square. Also famous for the lights around the square designed by Antoni Gaudi, amoung his first public works. There is a sister square, Placa Garibaldi in Mexico City. It is home to one of the more famous restaurants in Barcelona, Les Quinze Nits, where there was a long line waiting to get in at around 8 PM. The fountain is named after the Three Graces.

1 more image

Royal square (or Plaza Real) is located a short way from famous Rambla street. The square was projected in the middle of 19th century, mostly in Classical style. Some parts of it, like lamps and arcade were designed by Gaudi.

Place is a royal one, as in 19th century here was a representational palace of Spanish Royal family.

It is one of the most popular places in old part of Barcelona, it is written that in Sundays they here stamp and coin market here, but pity on Sunday we already took a flight back to Vilnius.

Place Reial in Barcelona is a popular square just off the Ramblas that was built in 1848 where it was originally the cloister of a convent. The square is a social focal point especially at night and the fountain in the centre is often packed with tourists and locals alike. All around the square are a number of very popular restaurants or bars, be prepared to wait for a table.

September 2005

4 more images

19th century Plaza Real / Plaça Reial / Royal Plaza is in fact a part of the Barri Gotico and maybe the first plaza that you may encounter in Barcelona because it usually is the meeting point of some walking tours and it's on La Rambla - the main activity avenue of Barcelona.

The elaborate lantern that may caught your eyes standing at the plaza was actually Antoni Gaudi's first commissioned work - at least according to our free walking tour guide.

You'll find lots of people here during the day, it's the meeting/starting point for the Barri Gotico walking tour as well as the Gaudi tour. In the evening as well because it houses some of Barca's nightspots.

The plaza is designed by Francesc Daniel Molina i Casamajo.

Since I was staying beside the Metro Parallel, I could easily take the metro to station Liceu BUT I don't, I normally take a leisure 10-minute walk along Carrer Nou de la Rambla, it's almost at the end of this street.

Placa Reial is a lovely square by day and a must on an evening for a meal

A wonderful place to eat and relax whilst admiring the fantastic architecture surrounding the square. It is also the best place to escape the madness and prices of La Ramblas, being just a minute's walk off to the east about 3/4 of the way down from Placa Catalunya.

The Plaça Reial (Royal Square) and its Royal Palace were the heart of the Catalan power in Medieval Times. This urban space was created at the beginning of the XIV century following king Marti l’Humà’s wishes. But its buildings are older: the palace was built in the XIIth century as the residence of the counts of Barcelona and later of the kings of the Catalan- Aragonese crown. Later it would be enlarged by king Jaume I. It has a beautiful façade formed by different sequences of arches that end with the King Marti Tower. A legend says that King Marti ordered to construct this tower tall enough to be able to breath fresh air (in Medieval times people’s hygiene was not like in our days).
Inside the Royal Palace, we can visit the Tinell Saloon, (XIVth century) where Columbus was received by the Catholic Kings before and after discovering America. On the left side there is the Palace of the Lloctinent (XVIth century) which was used for a while as archive for the Catalan-Aragonese Crown (nowadays you can find it in Almogavers Street); on the right side there is the Saint Agueda’s Chapel (also XVIth century), small but very interesting. Don’t forget to take a picture of the beautiful Renaissance staircase.

Palau Reial:
from Tuesday to Saturday 10-14h /16-20h
Sunday 16-20h