Plaça Reial is one of the most beautiful squares in the city. Once home to a Capuchin monastery, today, the square is lined with arcades that are home to restaurants, cafes, and clubs.
| Plaça Reial | Tickets, opening hours & public transport |
|---|---|
| Price | Free |
| Adress | Plaça Reial |
| Public transport / metro | Metro: Liceu (L3) |
| Opening hours | N/A |
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- What is Plaça Reial?
- How to get to Plaça Reial?
- History and architecture Plaça Reial
- Food, drinks, dance and sleep
Custom bike tours along Barcelona’s higlights and hidden spots. Starting at €31.50
What is Plaça Reial?
Plaça Reial is one of the most beautiful and iconic squares in Barcelona. It doesn’t get much more quintessentially Spanish than the “Royal Square,” named in tribute to the Reyes Católicos—King Ferdinand of Aragon and Queen Isabella of Castile. Lined with stately palm trees that offer welcome shade from the summer sun, the square often comes alive with the sound of guitarists playing sweet melodies. And with no motorized traffic allowed, it’s a peaceful place to relax and soak up the atmosphere.
Its location – next to the crowded Rambla in the heart of the Gothic Quarter – makes it almost impossible to miss this square during your trip to Barcelona. At night, Plaça Reial gradually goes from drinks to dinner to dancing into the early hours. And in the morning you can just go back for your café con leche on a terrace!
How to get to Plaça Reial?
Metro: The easiest way is to take the metro to Liceu station, which is on line L3. There are other travel options as well, so we recommend to check Google Maps ahead of time.
Walking: From the city center, it’s a quick 5-10 minute walk to Plaça Reial.
Parking: You can park at the Eden parking lot on Carrer Nou de la Rambla, 12, which is just 100 meters from the square.
History and architecture of Plaça Reial
Construction of Plaça Reial began in 1848 on the site of the former Capuchin monastery of Santa Madrona. The original plans included a monument to King Ferdinand II of Aragon—better known as Ferdinand the Catholic—intended to stand at the center of the square. However, by the time Queen Isabel II visited in 1856, the bronze statue was still unfinished. To mark the occasion, a temporary plaster statue was installed instead. But the locals weren’t impressed; the plaster figure was soon destroyed. For a time, only the pedestal remained, but it was eventually removed as well in 1868.
Plaça Reial was designed by the Catalan architect Francesc Daniel Molina, whose vision gave the square its harmonious and elegant layout. While Plaça Reial is his most famous work, Molina also designed another notable public space nearby—Plaça del Duc de Medinaceli, also in the Gothic Quarter. He studied at the prestigious Escuela de la Lonja, the same art and design school where Pablo Picasso also received his early training.
The Capuchin monastery, which had been there since 1718, was demolished in 1835. Construction of the square began in 1848. Plaça Reial is one of the few “enclosed squares” in Barcelona, surrounded by buildings that primarily house restaurants, bars, and apartments, with a few alleys leading out.
Fountain
In 1876, a plan was made to place a large fountain on the square, modeled after French designs. The Font de les Tres Gràcies was temporarily moved to Rambla de Poblenou in 1892 but returned to its original location in 1926.
In one of his earliest municipal commissions, a young Antoni Gaudí was tasked by Barcelona’s city council with designing gas lamps for the entire city. Although the grand plan was never fully realized, two of his striking lanterns were installed in Plaça Reial, with three more placed in Pla de Palau. These lamp posts feature dark marble bases and are crowned with distinctive elements: two coiled snakes and a winged helmet—symbols of Mercury, the Roman god of commerce, travelers, and profit. Gaudí’s design also proudly incorporates the coat of arms of Barcelona.
Decades later, between 1982 and 1984, Plaça Reial underwent significant renovations led by architects Frederic de Correa and Alfons Milà, further preserving and enhancing this historic space.
Food, drinks, dance and sleep
As mentioned earlier, Plaça Reial is a perfect place to go out. Whether you crave a nice drink with a tapa or a hearty meal. We prefer to go to Glaciar (at number 3), one of the oldest bars on the square. This is a good place for a good beer and there are usually live performances on Thursday nights.
For fans of R&B, Hip-Hop, and Jazz, Jamboree (number 17) is the place to be. This club has two rooms dedicated to dancing every night of the week. Entry is €15, including a drink.
One of the most vibrant spots on Plaça Reial is Ocaña (numbers 13-15), a stunning venue where you can enjoy delicious food, relax on the terrace, or sip expertly crafted cocktails at their stylish bar. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, the energy shifts as the basement transforms into a lively club, keeping the party going until the early hours.
If you’re looking for a place to stay after a night out, the Boutique Hotel DO (number 1) offers luxurious accommodations—perfect if you’re ready to treat yourself and your budget allows.
You can find all our tips for delicious food in Barcelona here.
A special tip for collectors: Since the early 20th century, Plaça Reial has hosted a lively coin and stamp market. Every Sunday, from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM, dozens of stalls fill the square, offering not only coins and stamps but also secondhand clothing, vintage items, and unique household goods. It’s a treasure trove for collectors and curious browsers alike.
