Plaça Catalunya

Las Ramblas, Barcelona –

First-time visitors looking for the perfect place to begin their explorations of Barcelona will do well at Plaça Catalunya, an enormous and centrally located square.

The historic Barri Gòtic, the bustling and gritty El Raval, and the sprawling expanse of L’Eixample all meet here, as do more than a half dozen of the city’s main thoroughfares – including Las Ramblas – making the square a popular meeting point for both long-time denizens and guidebook-toting tourists.

Constructed in its current form in the mid-1920s, the wide oval-shaped area is dotted with numerous mosaics and sculptures, including a large inverted staircase that honors the political struggles of former president Francesc Macià, a white marble nude of “La Deessa o l'Enigma” (The Goddess or the Enigma), and ornate fountains that are beautifully illuminated at night.

Shoppers make their way to the plethora of nearby stores, including major retail chains like FNAC and El Corte Inglés, while hungry visitors enjoy dining options that range from the glorious kitsch of a nearby Hard Rock Café to the prestigious Ohla Gastrobar in the five-star Ohla Hotel.

Constantly busy, the area features several trees around its inner perimeter to help waylay the never-ending whirl of traffic, as well as copious benches great for people-watching or just lazing about in the sun.

Concerts, fairs, and other events are regularly held on the grounds, especially during major holidays, but no matter the time of year, Plaça Catalunya remains the heart of this Catalonian city.