Placa Reial

Arguably Barcelona’s most iconic square, the Placa Reial (or ‘Plaza Real’ to give it its Spanish name), is a beautiful quadrangle in the Gothic Quarter flanked on each side by ochre houses with wooden shutters and decorated with palm trees, Gaudi-designed streetlamps, public seats and a bronze fountain.

One of the city’s social hubs, there’s always something going on in Placa Reial, as well-dressed tourists tuck intoplates of paellaand sip their sangrias on the terraces of the many restaurants that line the plaza, whilst backpackers crack open an illegal can of beer sold under the policemens’ noses by impish immigrants.

As day turns to night, clubs likeOcaña, Sidecar and Jamboree quickly fill up with backpackers and other party animals as the plaza becomes a centre ofBarcelona’s nightlife.