Skip to content
  • AB
    • About Us
    • Barcelona Apartments
    • Contact Us
  • Tourist Guide
    • Places
    • Food and Drink
    • Nightlife
    • Shopping
    • Museums
  • Things To Do
    • Activities
    • Events
    • Day Trips
    • Tours
    • Outside Barcelona
  • Visiting Barcelona
    • Accommodation
    • Useful Information
    • Neighborhoods
    • Gaudí
    • Bars, Cafés and Restaurants
    • Summer
  • Spanish life
    • People
    • Culture
    • Traditions
  • EnglishEnglish
    • SpanishEspañol
    • FrenchFrançais
    • ItalianItaliano
    • GermanDeutsch
    • DutchNederlands
    • RussianРусский
    • Chinese (Simplified)简体中文
Menu
AB Blog
  • AB
    • About Us
    • Barcelona Apartments
    • Contact Us
  • Tourist Guide
    • Places
    • Food and Drink
    • Nightlife
    • Shopping
    • Museums
  • Things To Do
    • Activities
    • Events
    • Day Trips
    • Tours
    • Outside Barcelona
  • Visiting Barcelona
    • Accommodation
    • Useful Information
    • Neighborhoods
    • Gaudí
    • Bars, Cafés and Restaurants
    • Summer
  • Spanish life
    • People
    • Culture
    • Traditions
  • EnglishEnglish
    • SpanishEspañol
    • FrenchFrançais
    • ItalianItaliano
    • GermanDeutsch
    • DutchNederlands
    • RussianРусский
    • Chinese (Simplified)简体中文
Hit enter to search or esc to close
Home  >  Bars, Cafés and Restaurants • Culture • Food and Drink • Home • Places • Things To Do • Tourist Guide • Useful Information • Visiting Barcelona  >  Plan for the Future: The history of the Arenas de Barcelona

Plan for the Future: The history of the Arenas de Barcelona

 

In light of the current situation that the world finds itself, there is a need for sensibility and responsibility, as the COVID-19 virus has halted travel plans for the foreseeable future. The most important thing for everyone now is to respect the measures in place and prioritize health and well-being. 

That is not to say that we should not have anything to look forward to for when normality resumes in the future. Therefore, we would like to give you the chance to learn about the Arenas de Barcelona, a bullring transformed into a shopping centre, so that you can consider it as a future place to visit in Barcelona. In the meantime, we are hoping for good health to all and hope this blog can take your mind off things.

arenas de barcelona night

Found on Plaza Espanya, the Arenas de Barcelona stands as a shopping centre that gives locals and tourists everything they need. With an array of shops, there are also many restaurants and bars for shoppers to spend a day in this historic building. However, with a more sinister past, what is currently a place of relaxation and enjoyment, was once a more gruesome spot. Here is the story behind the Arenas de Barcelona!

The start of the Arenas

intro to arenasBack in 1900, the Arenas de Barcelona opened its doors. The architect was Catalan, named August Font i Carreras. Its design was Moorish-inspired and has lots of colourful features and grand, horse-shoe shaped entrance. Reports suggest that the original building could seat 16,000 spectators. These would come to initially watch free-fights, usually being boxing matches between local fighters. 

Then, in 1927 Pedro Balañá, a local entrepreneur, bought the arenas and converted them into a bull fight arena. Then, during the Spanish Civil War, it was occupied by an antifascist militia, before the city fell. 

Under the Franco regime, bullfights were common and the arenas were also used for concerts. Then, in reflection of the regions’ lack of reception for this Spanish tradition, bullfights stopped here in 1977. This meant that only El Monumental was Barcelona’s last functioning bullring, being stopped with the Autonomous Community’s prohibition law in 2012. Before closing in 1977, arguably the most famous duo to have performed a concert here were Carlos Santana and Paco de Lucia.arenas de barcelona view

Conversion

Little went on after 1977, that is until 1999, when plans were approved to transform this building into an entertainment and shopping centre. Building work would soon follow and many features of the arenas would change to reflect the modern feel of Barcelona. This would include a panoramic lift to the newly created rooftop terrace, a dome that would cover the shops and restaurants inside the Arenas. In a truly wonderful way, this conversion was completed in 2011 and has become an important figure in Barcelona for all the right reasons.exterior arenas

Shops and other entertainment

Over the 6 floors of the arenas, some 100 shops, restaurants and bars are found. In 2015, it was recorded that some 10.5 million shoppers visited the arenas over the year and those numbers have been similar year on year. With brands like Mango and Celio, there are some great clothing shops to be found in the Arenas de Barcelona. In addition to this, if you are into biology and all things science, then you can have an amazing experience at human bodies. Whatever you are looking for here, you will find it at the Arenas de Barcelona. As for another form of entertainment found here, there is the multicines cinema. With some 13 screenings to choose from and free parking for a film, this is an ideal place to visit one a weekend or midweek!interior arenas de barcelona

Restaurants and bars 

As for food, to break up a day of shopping. The two main sites for eating are found in the lower ground floor and the roof terrace. On the ground floor there is a food court, with some typical restaurants and eateries found, such as Subway among others. For a more fancy evening, then you must go to the rooftop terrace and take in the stunning 360 panoramic views of the whole city. As you admire these, keep an eye out for the restaurants on offer as there is plenty of variety for you to choose from. Afterwards, you can go for a drink or just admire the city as sunset approaches!arenas restaurant

Opening times

Store opening hours: Monday – Saturday, 10:00 am to 10:00 pm. (June to September). Monday-Saturday, 09:00 am to 21:00 pm. (October to May)

Restaurant and leisure establishment opening hours: Sunday – Thursday, 10:00 am to 1:00 am. Friday, Saturday and bank holiday evenings 10:00 am to 3:00 am

Car park opening hours: 24 hours

Metro: Plaça Espanya (L1, L3)

Tags: barcelona activities barcelona attractions barcelona culture barcelona tourist guide things to do in barcelona visiting barcelona
Owen Mawer

Owen is an International Business and Spanish student at the University of Leeds currently working as a Digital Marketing Intern at AB Apartment Barcelona. He is a contributor to Apartment Barcelona's blog, as well as their social media channels.

LinkedIn
Previous Article Day trips near Barcelona: Discover Tarragona in a day
Next Article Sustainable Barcelona: Contributing to a Greener Future

Subscribe Now to Our Newsletter, It's Free! Get the best content delivered straight into
your inbox!

Related Posts

best tapas restaurants in barcelona

The Top 7 Most Gourmet Tapas Restaurants Barcelona

Barcelona is home to some of the best tapas restaurants, we have given you advice on the cheapest places to enjoy tapas, so now you can check out the most gourmet tapas restaurants in the city.

Read More about The Top 7 Most Gourmet Tapas Restaurants Barcelona
Posted By AB Apartment Barcelona Posted on May 24, 2022
0
most authentic chinese restaurants barcelona

The most authentic Chinese restaurant in Barcelona and recommended dishes

Barcelona provides some of the most incredible gastronomy in the world. If you love authentic Chinese food, let us advise you on where to find it and the best things on the menu.

Read More about The most authentic Chinese restaurant in Barcelona and recommended dishes
Posted By AB Apartment Barcelona Posted on May 19, 2022
0

2 Comments

  1. Honaunau, Hawaii
    April 5, 2020 at 8:29 am

    I enter your website regularly almost every day. You have some great articles. I Love Your Suggestions. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Hollie - Apartment Barcelona Writer
      June 23, 2020 at 10:23 am

      Hi there, thanks for your kind words! We aim to provide insightful contributions about life in Barcelona, things to see and do, as well as information around it. Giving you a well-researched article to plan your trip to Barcelona with. Best, Owen and the rest of the team at AB Apartment Barcelona

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest

Find an apartment

The Weather in Barcelona

Weather – Tutiempo.net

  • Popular
  • Recent
  • Las Ramblas, Barcelona
    The Tourist Tax in Barcelona – All You Need to Know November 20, 2012
  • montjuic
    The Magic Fountain of Barcelona October 2, 2013
  • pacha-barcelona
    Barcelona Nightlife – The Best Bars and Clubs in Port Olímpic August 5, 2016
  • The Wonderful Works of Gaudí in Barcelona June 20, 2012
  • best tapas restaurants in barcelona
    The Top 7 Most Gourmet Tapas Restaurants Barcelona May 24, 2022
  • most authentic chinese restaurants barcelona
    The most authentic Chinese restaurant in Barcelona and recommended dishes May 19, 2022
  • where to find art nouveau in Barcelona
    The Top 6 Places to Find Art Nouveau in Barcelona May 17, 2022
  • barcelona night
    Great Places to Visit on a Summers night in Barcelona May 12, 2022

Subscribe

Subscribe now to our Newsletter, It's Free! Get the best content delivered straight into your inbox!

More top Barcelona tips

Tweets by @ApartmentBCN
Facebook Twitter YouTube
Follow us on Instagram

    About us

    AB Apartment Barcelona is an online tourist apartment agency with more than 1000  Barcelona apartments to rent for both short and long-term stays.

    From luxury apartments in Barcelona to studios and from Ramblas apartments to beach apartments in Barcelona, we have a great choice of accommodation in a wide variety of locations across the city. We now also offer apartments in Costa Dorada and Sitges.

    Whether you are coming to Barcelona on a short break, vacation, or even if you want to move here, you will find the perfect home-away-from-home with AB Apartment Barcelona.

    Social Media

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Google+
    • Instagram
    • YouTube

    Categories

    • Accommodation 17 Posts
    • Architecture 48 Posts
    • Bars, Cafés and Restaurants 175 Posts
    • Culture 165 Posts
    • Day Trips 95 Posts

    Recent Posts

    • best tapas restaurants in barcelona
      The Top 7 Most Gourmet Tapas Restaurants Barcelona May 24, 2022
    • most authentic chinese restaurants barcelona
      The most authentic Chinese restaurant in Barcelona and recommended dishes May 19, 2022
    • where to find art nouveau in Barcelona
      The Top 6 Places to Find Art Nouveau in Barcelona May 17, 2022
    • barcelona night
      Great Places to Visit on a Summers night in Barcelona May 12, 2022
    Apartment Barcelona
    • Privacy Policy
    • Tourist Guide
    • Things To Do
    • Visiting Barcelona
    • Spanish Life