Arenas de Barcelona, Barcelona
On the northern side of Plaça d'Espanya you'll find the magnificent Moorish-style Arenas de Barcelona. Originally constructed in 1900 as a bullring, it underwent a remarkable transformation and reopened in 2011 as a stylish shopping and leisure center. One of its notable features is the horseshoe-shaped entrance adorned with exquisite tiles.
Interestingly, despite its initial purpose, bullfighting never gained significant popularity in Barcelona as anticipated, leading to the last bullfight taking place in 1977 and the arena remaining unused for an extended period. Presently, it not only houses a wide range of popular brands and specialty shops but also serves as a versatile venue for various events, including concerts. A particularly memorable concert was held in 1966, featuring the legendary performance of the Beatles.
On the upper level, visitors can enjoy a panoramic walk-around promenade encircling the dome, offering 360-degree views of the surroundings. Inside, the building boasts four floors filled with shopping options, entertainment facilities, including a cinema, gym, and an array of restaurants, with some located on the top-floor promenade.
Tip:
For direct access to the top, you can take the panoramic elevator for €1, which can be reimbursed by enjoying a meal or other offerings at the restaurants located on the upper deck.
Interestingly, despite its initial purpose, bullfighting never gained significant popularity in Barcelona as anticipated, leading to the last bullfight taking place in 1977 and the arena remaining unused for an extended period. Presently, it not only houses a wide range of popular brands and specialty shops but also serves as a versatile venue for various events, including concerts. A particularly memorable concert was held in 1966, featuring the legendary performance of the Beatles.
On the upper level, visitors can enjoy a panoramic walk-around promenade encircling the dome, offering 360-degree views of the surroundings. Inside, the building boasts four floors filled with shopping options, entertainment facilities, including a cinema, gym, and an array of restaurants, with some located on the top-floor promenade.
Tip:
For direct access to the top, you can take the panoramic elevator for €1, which can be reimbursed by enjoying a meal or other offerings at the restaurants located on the upper deck.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Barcelona. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Arenas de Barcelona on Map
Sight Name: Arenas de Barcelona
Sight Location: Barcelona, Spain (See walking tours in Barcelona)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Barcelona, Spain (See walking tours in Barcelona)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Barcelona, Spain
Create Your Own Walk in Barcelona
Creating your own self-guided walk in Barcelona is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Montjuic Walking Tour
Montjuic is a hill in Barcelona which offers a variety of great attractions of historic, cultural, and architectural value. Here, you can watch a spectacular water show at the Magic Fountain of Montjuic, visit the place where matadors faced the bulls in the past, and explore the ancient Montjuic Castle with its breathtaking views.
A convenient start point, Placa d'Espanya is the second... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.0 Km or 3.1 Miles
A convenient start point, Placa d'Espanya is the second... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.0 Km or 3.1 Miles
Antoni Gaudí's Masterpieces Walking Tour
Antoni Gaudi, a seminal figure in the Catalan Modernism movement, is one of the top architects of the 20th century. The unique technique and use of natural forms in his works stand out from the pack and have left an indelible mark on the face of Barcelona.
Our journey through Gaudi's Barcelona begins at the Güell Palace, by far the most budget-friendly of his projects. Located near La... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
Our journey through Gaudi's Barcelona begins at the Güell Palace, by far the most budget-friendly of his projects. Located near La... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
La Rambla Walking Tour
One of the main streets in central Barcelona, La Rambla is popular with tourists and locals alike. Connecting the city’s old port with Plaça de Catalunya, it is filled with cultural and historic landmarks, as well as many terraces, restaurants, shops and street artists. Spanish poet, Federico García Lorca once said it was “the only street in the world which I wish never ended.”
Start... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Start... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Barcelona Shopping Walk
A long-time prime cultural destination, Barcelona is also en route to becoming one of Europe's top shopping spots. Each new day, fashionable designer stores, from well-known international brands to local start-ups, are filling the city streets. If you're a fan of shopping, you're in for a treat when visiting this beautiful city. Here are some of the most popular shopping locations... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Picasso's Barcelona Walking Tour
Pablo Picasso – the great Spanish painter and sculptor – developed his style in Barcelona where he spent the formative years of his life, from the ages of 14 to 23. It is said that when the master spoke nostalgically of home, he actually meant the Catalonian capital, despite having been born in Malaga.
This self-guided walk will take you to the Picasso Museum, the bar-restaurant and the art... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
This self-guided walk will take you to the Picasso Museum, the bar-restaurant and the art... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
Barcelona Introduction Walking Tour
According to legend, Barcelona was founded by the mythological Greek hero Hercules on one of his expeditions, when a storm hit his boats. The first eight boats managed to escape without damage, but the ninth was lost at sea. Hercules found his lost friends some days later on the coast, all safe and sound. The boat's crew, taken by the beauty of the coastal landscape, decided to stay. On that... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.7 Km or 3.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.7 Km or 3.5 Miles
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