Plaça d'Islàndia

Plaça d'Islàndia is a small, triangular square in Barcelona, located in the Navas neighborhood of the Sant Andreu district. It rarely appears on standard sightseeing routes, yet it offers a good look at everyday life outside the city's tourist core.

Where is it located?

The square has an unusual triangular shape, framed by three streets: Bofarull, Espronceda, and Palència. This layout reflects the urban fabric of this part of Barcelona, where the street grid is far less regular than in Eixample. Navas is a quiet, residential area away from the main tourist circuit, which makes it appealing to travelers looking for an authentic slice of the city.

How to get there?

The easiest way in is by metro or city bus — Navas and Sant Andreu are well connected to the center, with the nearest stops just a short walk from the square. Visitors coming on foot from central Barcelona should expect a longer walk, since the neighborhood sits outside Ciutat Vella and Eixample. It works well as a stop while exploring Sant Andreu, for instance combined with a walk along the former route of the Rec Comtal canal.

What will you see?

The centerpiece of the square is a fountain that shoots a jet of water upward — a nod to the geysers associated with Iceland, the country the square is named after. Rows of trees surround the fountain, planted along the historic path of the Rec Comtal, an old irrigation canal that once supplied farmland north of Barcelona. The combination of greenery and simple street furniture creates a calm resting spot, typical of a local neighborhood square rather than a grand civic boulevard.

The square was designed by architects Andreu Arriola Madorell and Carme Fiol i Costa, both known for numerous public-space projects built in Barcelona during the city's intense modernization period following the Olympic Games. It was inaugurated on April 11, 1995, with Iceland's president Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, Barcelona's mayor Pasqual Maragall, and city councilor Antoni Santiburcio in attendance — a detail that hints at the diplomatic, symbolic weight given to this otherwise modest neighborhood square.

When to visit?

The best time to see the square is during the day, when the fountain is running and its "geyser" effect is visible, and when the surrounding trees provide shade in warmer months. Spring and autumn make for the most comfortable walks through Navas, avoiding the peak summer heat while still enjoying full greenery. There are no seasonal events tied to the square, so any time of year works about equally well — it's the time of day, not the month, that matters most here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Plaça d'Islàndia distinctive? It's a triangular neighborhood square in the Sant Andreu district, known for a fountain that references Icelandic geysers and rows of trees planted along the route of the historic Rec Comtal canal.

Why is the square named after Iceland? The name honors Iceland, symbolically tied to the fountain's geyser-like jet of water; the square was inaugurated with Iceland's president Vigdís Finnbogadóttir present.

Is it worth a detour from the usual tourist route? It's a local, residential spot rather than a headline attraction — worth a visit if you're already exploring Sant Andreu or Navas and want a quiet place to pause.

Who designed the square? It was designed by architects Andreu Arriola Madorell and Carme Fiol i Costa, who worked on numerous public spaces across Barcelona.