Placa Reial is a beautiful and lively square in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, close to La Rambla. It is a popular tourist attraction, especially at night, when it hosts many restaurants, bars and nightclubs. The square has a fountain, palm trees and streetlamps designed by the famous architect Antoni Gaudí.
The Placa Reial is open every day of the year, but the opening and closing hours of the different establishments may vary. Generally, the restaurants and bars are open from noon to midnight or later, while the nightclubs are open from 10 pm to 6 am. You can check the websites of each place for more information.
To get to Placa Reial, you can take the metro line L3 and get off at Liceu station, which is just a few steps away from the square. You can also walk from other nearby attractions, such as La Boqueria market or the Cathedral. Alternatively, you can take a bus (lines 59 or V13) or a taxi.
There are several tours that include Placa Reial in their itinerary, such as walking tours of the Gothic Quarter, bike tours of Barcelona or hop-on hop-off bus tours. You can also join a guided tour of the square itself, which will explain its history and architecture. You can book these tours online or at the tourist office.
Some of the things to see in Placa Reial are:
- The fountain of the Three Graces, which stands in the center of the square and represents three goddesses of Greek mythology.
- The streetlamps by Gaudí, which are decorated with winged helmets and dragons and were installed in 1879.
- The Hotel Roma Reial, which is a historic building that dates back to 1871 and has hosted famous guests such as Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí.
- The nightclubs Jamboree, Sidecar and Karma, which offer live music and entertainment of different genres, such as jazz, rock and salsa.
- The flamenco show at Tarantos, which is one of the oldest and most authentic venues for this traditional Spanish dance.
Some tips for visiting Placa Reial are:
- Be careful with your belongings, as the square can be crowded and there may be pickpockets.
- Avoid eating or drinking at the terraces that face the square, as they tend to be overpriced and low quality. Instead, look for places in the side streets or inside the porticoes.
- Enjoy the atmosphere and the diversity of people and cultures that you can find in the square.
Some prohibitions for visiting Placa Reial are:
- Do not litter or damage any of the monuments or buildings in the square.
- Do not disturb or harass any of the residents or workers in the square.
- Do not consume alcohol or drugs in public spaces.
