Placa reial: Plaça Reial (Barcelona) – All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Plaça Reial (Barcelona) – All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5

4,121 reviews

Excellent

Very good

Average

Terrible

permia

Ireland38,537 contributions

Charming with telling history

Feb 2023 • Couples

One of the most charming and vibrant spaces in the city, it was great to relax for a time amongst the lovely surrounds.

A centrepiece is the attractive fountain with figures of Three Graces under the canopy. All around are elegant buildings atop grand porticoes.

A further attraction is the decorative street lamps designed by a young Antoni Gaudi.

Written April 8, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Nomad_in_Transit

Copenhagen, Denmark25 contributions

Beautiful place to stay

May 2022

Placa Reial is just off the Ramble in the Barri Gotic and the square is a beautiful oasis. It is lined with restaurant and bars under the colonade and gives it a feeling of a city within the city.

The square hosts a book market from time to time, and its centre piece is the fountain by Gaudi, who was a very versatile artist. From the windows of our hotel in south west corner, we had a splendid view of city life. My favourite place for paëlla, Les Quinze Nits, is one of the many restaurants along the colonnade.

Written April 8, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

nsander219

Chelmsford, UK585 contributions

Nice Compact Square

Mar 2023

Lovely square to sit (at a bar with a drink) and people watch. All sorts pass through this square. Note the two Gaudi lamp standards. Ringed all around with restaurants it gets very busy.

Written March 28, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

NICHOLAS T

Dubai, United Arab Emirates5,612 contributions

Lovely square

Mar 2023 • Couples

This is a great square just off Las Ramblos.

There is a ring of bars and restaurants around the edge of the large central area, which has a lovely fountain and lots of palm trees.

It is a great place to grab lunch or a drink and watch the world go by away from madness of the Main Street.

Written March 23, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

JnVSydney

Greater Sydney, Australia17,519 contributions

Busy square. …..

Nov 2022

The home to one of guadi’s first works, The lamp post, also where a lot of walking tours start from, and during our visit they had a lovely artisan market.

Written December 10, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

𝓝𝓪𝓽𝔂 ® 👑

Moscow, Russia111,166 contributions

Plaça Reial

Jul 2022 • Couples

The square was built in the 19th century, designed by Francesc Daniel Molina i Casamajo. Previously, this place was the old Capuchin monastery of Santa Madrona, which burned down in 1835. The square was originally planned to be called the “Square of the Heroes of Spain”, but for political reasons it acquired its current name.

Written December 8, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

JRMADA

United States3,355 contributions

Love The Architecture

Dec 2022

This is a really cool square. It looks worn out and a bit stained, but that is where its charm is. We can tell without trying that the food here is not the best as the restaurants look like tourist traps, but the vibe of the square is appealing. This place is probably good for drinks, but not for food. Someone here mentioned “secluded” and it is all but secluded. This is off Las Ramblas and nothing that is near Las Ramblas is secluded.

Written December 7, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

BalkrishnaShroff

Mumbai, India19,372 contributions

A Grand Square !!

Oct 2022

If you are tired of fast life of la Rambla, then this beautiful historical square is the place to relax and charge your batteries. There are a lot of bars and restaurants here beside museums. A great place to chill.
Worth seeing…

Written November 13, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

juliaandadam123

Ashford, UK1,635 contributions

Loved it

Oct 2022 • Family

We loved sitting here and passing the time in a little restaurant. Hidden away in the gothic quarter, just behind the Cathedral.

Written October 27, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

George S

Miami Beach, FL1,008 contributions

Picturesque square

Oct 2022 • Couples

A quiet picturesque square in the Gothic Quarter right off the Ramblas. You can gaze on all the beautiful palm trees while dining in the many restaurants surrounding it.

Written October 15, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Showing results 1-10 of 1,398

What to do in Plaza Reial?

Visiting

10/13/2021

by Christine

3 min read

Plaza Reial is one of the most emblematic and recognizable plazas in Barcelona, joining ranks with Plaza Espanya and Plaza Catalunya. Just off of Las Ramblas and located in the heart of the historical center of the city, this plaza has been an important place to meet and relax since the 19th century. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, there are plenty of things to do and see in one of Barcelona’s favorite plazas.

Table of Contents

Grab a drink

Photo by Spiterman via VisualHunt

Plaza Reial is filled with bars and restaurants where you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a drink and the atmosphere. Start your days off with a hot cup of coffee and see the sun make is way over the city, or have a nice cold beer after a day full of sightseeing and walking around Barcelona’s Gothic neighborhood. Plaza Reial is an ideal place to meet and have a drink with friends due to its location, lively ambiance, and beautiful scenery.

Related article: Small plazas to grab a beer and a snack

Enjoy a bite to eat

There are many restaurants to choose from in Plaza Reial that will give you a taste of some of Barcelona’s most-loved dishes. No trip to Barcelona is complete without trying paella, and Les Quinze Nits or MariscCo both serve up excellent examples of this Spanish favorite that consists of rice, seafood, and meat. For dinner, you can sample some tapas at Santa Mónica or Restaurant Tobogán, which both serve some of the best Spanish and Catalan dishes for visitors to try.

Related article: What are the most important plazas in Barcelona?

Take some great pics

Photo by pedroarnal via VisualHunt

Plaza Reial is so iconic because it is one of the most beautiful plazas in Barcelona, and for many reasons. The bubbling fountain, shady palm trees, and amazing architecture and design make it a choice spot for many visitors to take pictures that will remind them of their trip to Barcelona for years to come. Snap some pics of the one-of-a-kind streetlamps that were designed by Barcelona’s beloved Antoni Gaudí, or take a picture seated in front of the fountain, which is a must in Plaza Reial.

Experience Barcelona after dark

Barcelona is known for its long nights and amazing nightlife, so it should come as no surprise that Plaza Reial is a spot that is known for those looking to let loose when the sun goes down. Grab a cocktail at Rei de Copes or Ocaña and then get ready to dance the night away at Karma, a great example of Barcelona’s discotecas. Plaza Reial is known as a great hang out on party nights like New Year’s Eve and Festa Mercè, so make sure that you are there to witness the fun and excitement firsthand!

Looking for an apartment in the city? ShBarcelona is the answer.

*Main photo by Oh-Barcelona.com via VisualHunt

About the author

Christine

Christine is a traveler, teacher, writer, and beach-lover, exploring Barcelona one tapa at a time!

View all posts

Barcelona’s Royal Square – Guide Barcelona ТМ

Barcelona’s Royal Square cannot leave any of its visitors indifferent. The area is very aesthetic and fits perfectly into the style of the Old Town of Barcelona. The beauty of Barcelona’s Royal Square is highlighted by a fountain, lanterns and palm trees. Placa Reial is remembered for a long time, even if you have visited it briefly.

Royal Square is always crowded, it is a square that sinks into the heart and soul of a person. This square is loved by Barcelona residents and tourists.

History of the Placa Reial

Around 1835, the religious buildings in the city were destroyed. The Royal Square was built just on such a vacant site, once there was a Capuchin monastery in this place, which was demolished, leaving a large wasteland. The architect Francisco Daniel Molina conceived and realized the idea of creating the Royal Square for the rise of the monarchy.

Barcelona’s Plaza Reial

Plaza Reial is a very cozy place that makes you want to stay longer. The square appeared on this site in 1848, after the monastery that stood here burned down. On the one hand, due to its location, the square should not have turned out to be so attractive, rather, on the contrary, it should have become a passing place. But when a talented architect got down to business, everything changed.

Here:

Once there was a monastery of the Capuchin order.
Once upon a time, the talent of the famous Gaudí appeared for the first time.
Never deserted.

Gaudí Lanterns

The decoration of the

Placa Reial in Barcelona has been incredibly popular since its construction. The area attracts with thoughtfulness of the constituent elements of the overall composition. The square is located a little away from the Rambla, but you don’t have to look for it, this is where most of the tourists go.

Placa Reial in Barcelona

A building of four floors that frames the square, makes it very comfortable, limits the area and makes it an architectural object in its own right. It adjoins the Gothic Quarter and the Rambla, while creating a sense of self-sufficiency. In the arcade along the entire perimeter of the building there are countless open cafes, famous nightclubs, restaurants.

It was on the Royal Square that Gaudí first showed his talent by creating lanterns for the square that harmoniously fit into the overall composition.

Fountain of the Three Graces

The fountain is a must-have in every square in Barcelona. On Royal Square, this is the “Three Graces”, an unforgettably exquisite fountain. Next to the fountain are palm trees, not at all a typical decoration of the squares.

Another small but quite original detail that distinguishes the Royal Square from all other squares in the city is cast-iron balls that somehow resemble huge cannonballs. The author placed the balls around the perimeter, along the arches.

Fountain of the Three Graces

Antoni Gaudí’s Lanterns on the Placa Reial

In 1878, Gaudí received his degree in architecture. History has preserved the phrase of the director who gave him a diploma: “I don’t know, gentlemen, to whom we present a diploma – a genius or a madman!”

“Looks like I finally became an architect,” said Gaudi, according to the same legend.

At the same time, Gaudí took part in the creation of the Ciutadella Park, he proved himself by pleasantly surprising the city authorities with the use of wrought iron when decorating the entrance of the park.

And in 1879, Antonio received an order to install two lanterns on the Royal Square.

The square received an invaluable gift from a budding craftsman.

Made from corrosion-resistant materials and placed on massive stone bases, six-horned lanterns designed by the young Antonio Gaudí y Cornet are considered a unique decoration of the square.

The winged helmet of Mercury and another element of the attributes of this god: two snakes wrapping around a pillar – a caduceus – all were used by Gaudí in the design of the square for a reason.

As planned, it was assumed that the buildings surrounding the square would be inhabited by merchants, and Mercury, as you know, is the patron of trade.

Useful information: address, how to get there

The Royal Square in Barcelona is located near the Rambla.

There are two ways to get to the square by public transport:

Metro: Drassanes and Liceu, green line 3.
Bus: 14, 59 and 91, stop: Gran Teatre del Liceu.

Are you going to Barcelona? Don’t forget to buy tickets to local attractions to avoid queues. You can do this at the link on the official ticket platform.

Royal Square of Barcelona on the map

How to avoid queues at Barcelona attractions. Tickets for Sagrada Familia and Park Güell skip the line.
How not to be deceived by local taxi drivers. Order a taxi in advance with fixed rates online. The most reliable service for ordering a taxi – KiwiTaxi .
Excursions in Barcelona with locals will help you get to know this city for real. The best way to get comfortable in an unfamiliar city is to walk around it with a person who has lived here for many years.
We advise you to take out travel insurance so that there are no unpleasant surprises while traveling to Barcelona.

Barcelona City Pass is a one-stop card that makes organizing your holiday in Barcelona easier and saves a lot of time and money.
Barcelona Hotels: is our selection and recommendations.
Bus Turistic is a tourist bus and a great way to get to all the necessary monuments of Barcelona quickly, with a breeze and comfort.
Drimsim is a universal international SIM card and a free travel application. Best prices, fast internet and worldwide calls.

Royal Square in Barcelona – barcelona-excursii

Plaza Real in Barcelona is known to anyone who has been to the Catalan capital at least once. Why? Yes, because everyone who
visited Barcelona, without fail, according to the time-honored ritual, I had to walk along the “Barcelona Arbat” – Ramblas , or, in a simple way, the Rambla – and the Royal Square directly, with a wide passage with the Rambla, is just communicated.

In a word, it is impossible not to notice the Royal Square. And noticing – it is impossible not to visit the Royal Square to make sure: yes, this is really one of
the most beautiful and picturesque squares in Barcelona – if not the most-most!

What is Plaza Reial in Barcelona – at the level of experience and sensations? These are endless porticos and arcades on all four sides of the closed space of the square, in the shade of which
there are terraces of countless cafes, bars and restaurants.

This is a lot of hotels and apartments – from the most democratic to fancy five-star boutique hotels – such as hotel Do . This is live music, which entertainment venues on the Royal Square are famous for, moreover, the music is very different – from flamenco to
jazz, for which club 9 is especially famous0076 Jamboree .

This is the fountain “Three Graces”, the side of the stone bowl of which is polished by a million international pops into an absolute mirror – since, for example, I do not know a single person who, being on
Royal Square, I would not consider it sacred to capture myself for a long time against the background of the aforementioned fountain . ..

The Royal Square in Barcelona is a pair of lanterns designed by the young Antoni Gaudí installed
here at a time when no one could even imagine that this stubborn, blue-eyed and red-haired Catalan would make Barcelona an architectural Mecca…

The Royal Square in Barcelona is Sunday markets where they sell numismatics and just all sorts of junk, and at the same time, as it sometimes seems, those wonderful little things that thieves just stole
tourists on the Rambla.

The Royal Square in Barcelona is tall palm trees, in the crowns of which an endless bazaar of parrots constantly sounds, of which, as you know, there are a great many in Barcelona. These parrots are screaming
so that sometimes they block the lively rumble of the crowd – they shout with such desperate force that it seems that they just stole a wallet full of money from them – moreover, from everyone at once! However, this bird cry
limitedly fits into the eternally noisy and crowded atmosphere of the Royal Square – and even gives it an additional charm.

And, since this is the second time I’ve mentioned “purses stolen”, it’s time to explain: the Royal Square is far from the safest place in Barcelona. Everything is explained by her
location: this cute island in the Empire style is inserted into Gothic Quarter and exits, as we already
they said, at the Ramblas , on the reverse side of which is the most “hooligan” area
Barcelona – Raval.

If I were asked in one sentence to define the essence of the Royal Square in Barcelona, \u200b\u200bI would say this: it is a good square for good people, built at a bad time and in a bad
location .

In order to make it more clear what I mean, sit back comfortably on the same “fountain stone” – and let’s briefly recall the history of this place.

Despite the venerable age of the area in which it is located, the Royal Square itself is a real “child”, because it appeared on the map of Barcelona relatively recently – in the middle of the 19th century. This is very
contributed to the anti-clerical performances of 1835 in Barcelona, during which a considerable number of monasteries were burned and destroyed.

They also intended to burn the monastery of Santa Madrona, which in those years was exactly on the site of the current Royal Square – however, in the end, they limited themselves to expelling the Capuchin monks, and
the building of the monastery became the property of the city.

For some time, the building of the monastery was used for different purposes (as a school and a theater), however, in the end, the mayor’s office of Barcelona decided that it was better to demolish the monastery after all – and build it in its place
a beautiful, Empire-style square – with porticos, balustrades, bas-reliefs, pilasters, fountains and other luxury unthinkable for the slum Gothic quarter.

Why? For what? Yes, because we should not forget that we are talking about the 19th century, when Barcelona experienced an incredible rise in industry, and, as a result, the class finally took shape.
big bourgeoisie. This “bourgeoisie” needed to live somewhere, and Barcelona at that time was still in captivity of the fortress walls, and the place was, to put it mildly, tight. So they decided to arrange a kind of bourgeois
an oasis amid the horrendous proletarian poverty of the Gothic Quarter – just like in Paul McCartney’s album “Flowers in the Mud”.

At the competition announced by the City Hall, the project of the architect Francesc Daniel Molina y Casamajo won, who was entrusted with the construction, which lasted from 1848 to 1859. The name of the area –
Royal – far from accidental: it was decided to name it in honor of the King of Spain Ferdinand the Seventh – and, by the way, Ferran Street, which runs next to the Royal
area.

As for the fountain “Three Graces” – initially no such graces were planned on the Royal Square. After all, the square is “royal”, and dedicated, moreover, to a particular king: therefore, according to
originally, the center was supposed to be decorated with an equestrian statue of Ferdinand the Seventh. Then, however, the city authorities cooled down and changed their minds, realizing that this was perhaps too much for Barcelona.
It is unlikely that this statue would have been able to stand on the square for more than a year.

This is how the fountain “Three Graces” appeared. made in 1867 by Antoine Duren, designed by Joaquim Visconti. Fountain dedicated to Aglaya, Euphrosyne and Thalia. The fountain was installed in 1876, and
three years later, the square was decorated with lanterns by Antoni Gaudi and, one might say, acquired completeness
masterpiece.

But here’s the problem: by the time this happened, the project had lost all relevance for those for whom it was actually intended – that is, for bankers, textile industrialists,
merchants and other “bourgeois”.

This is explained by the fact that in Barcelona, finally, the medieval city walls were destroyed, and the city was released onto a previously empty plain, which turned into an urban area.

Plaça Reial (Barcelona) – All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

What to do in Plaza Reial?

Grab a drink

Enjoy a bite to eat

Take some great pics

Experience Barcelona after dark

You may also like

About the author

Christine

Barcelona’s Royal Square – Guide Barcelona ТМ

History of the Placa Reial

The decoration of the

Fountain of the Three Graces

Antoni Gaudí’s Lanterns on the Placa Reial

Useful information: address, how to get there

Royal Square of Barcelona on the map

Royal Square in Barcelona – barcelona-excursii