Rents spiral and neighbourhoods lose charm as cities report tourist flat boom and surge in housing speculation a place from which the local population has been exiled in the interests of tourism and maturing investments Doorways have sprouted combination key safes a telltale sign of an apartment given over to tourist lets A 100-year-old apothecary and shirtmaker that stood on La Rambla for two centuries have been replaced by shops selling flamenco dolls and ceramic bulls and of neighbourhood stalwarts ceding to global chains Tourists on La Rambla in Barcelona. Photograph: JLImages/AlamyThe crisis – aggravated by the rising cost of living caused by property speculation and the boom in tourist flats – has become Spaniards’ biggest worry and the focus of the latest policy duel between the governing socialists and their conservative opponents in the People’s party (PP) The prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, outlined a 12-point plan in a speech last Monday to ease what he called the country’s “housing situation emergency” noting that social housing made up only 2.5% of Spain’s total stock compared with 14% in France and 34% in the Netherlands European and Spanish society will end up divided into two kinds of people,” he said “Those who get one or more houses from their parents and can spend most of their income on things like education and travel and those who spend their lives working to pay the rent and who end up as old people who don’t own the home they live in.” He said Spain had lacked a state housing policy for almost a decade before he came to power in 2018 and accused his PP predecessor of gambling instead on “an ideological neoliberal policy that had disastrous social and economical consequences” Sánchez, whose coalition minority government has already introduced a law allowing authorities to cap “disproportionate” rent prices in some areas announced the transfer of 3,300 homes and 2m sq metres of land to a newly created public company to construct “thousands and thousands and thousands” of affordable social housing units for young people and families He also proposed incentives for those who rent out empty properties at affordable prices and higher taxes and tighter regulation for tourist flats Perhaps his most eye-catching initiative, however, was for the introduction of a tax of up to 100% on properties bought by non-residents from countries outside the EU “In 2023 alone non-EU residents bought about 27,000 houses and flats in Spain,” he said they didn’t do it for their families to have a place to live The PP, which had unveiled its own housing proposals the day before Sánchez’s speech based mainly on tax cuts, said it would not support the government’s “xenophobic” measure in the regions it governs Sánchez suggested he was prepared to go still further saying his government was proposing to ban non-EU foreigners “from buying houses in our country in cases where neither they nor their families reside here and they are just speculating with those homes” “The prime minister used the words ‘housing emergency’ and I think that’s what it is in many ways,” said Ignasi Martí the director of Esade Business School’s social innovation unit and the head of its decent housing observatory and housing situations that just aren’t decent have become normalised over the past few years.” A banner on a house in Barceloneta Photograph: Pau Barrena/AFP/Getty ImagesSo why has it taken so long for the government and the PP to offer solutions all this has mainly affected vulnerable social classes but now it’s affecting the working class and the middle class,” said Martí that’s more potential voters who are being affected – middle class people realising they won’t be able to buy a flat and that renting is really hard and people not leaving home in Spain until they reach an average age of about 31.” He acknowledges that the 100% tax for non-resident but Martí suspects it may be more of an ideological move than a real solution “It’s not going to solve the problem,” he said “We’re talking about a number that’s not that huge and anyway you can’t impose that on EU buyers.” Claudio Milano, a researcher at the University of Barcelona’s social anthropology department and an expert on overtourism, said offering tax breaks to those who rent out their flats at affordable rates was not enough when there were 3.8m homes – 14% of the total supply – lying empty in Spain “They need to attack the problem much harder and they need to put an end to people buying flats to speculate,” he said and then we can start talking about tax breaks But the fire needs to be put out before we do anything else and to do that you need a ban on people buying flats for speculation.” a political scientist at Madrid’s Carlos III university said the question now was whether the socialists and the PP could agree on how best to address the housing crisis at a time of profound polarisation and within the constraints of Spain’s complex system of central both parties shared the same fundamental analysis: that Spain has a basic lack of housing Tourist on the balcony of their airbnb flat in Barceloneta. Photograph: Boaz Rottem/Alamy“One party is betting a little more on state intervention, and the other is betting a bit more on the market, as you would expect a party on the left and a party on the right to do,” said Simón. “But the diagnosis is relatively similar.” Sánchez’s proposals have been coolly received in Spain’s two biggest cities. The Tenants’ Union of Madrid described them as “insufficient, misguided and cowardly”, and said the government was prioritising landlords over tenants and “betting on construction as a long-term panacea” rather than addressing the immediate emergency. There was a similar response in Barcelona, where the rapid spread of tourist flats over the past 15 years has been a key factor in driving up rents and property prices. Jaume Artigues, a spokesperson for the residents’ association in Barcelona’s most populous neighbourhood, the Eixample – where there is one tourist flat for every 57 inhabitants – described the proposals as vague and “very generic”. But at least the government had recognised that speculation was the main cause of the housing crisis, he said, be it tourist flats or luxury apartments sold to investors. “The demand for more public housing hasn’t arisen because of an increase in population, but because the housing available is unaffordable, which leads to more evictions and in turn raises the demand for affordable public housing,” he said. “It’s a vicious circle, but the root of the problem is speculation.” This menu requires arrow keys to be able to use it. The menu has up to three levels: A pilot project is under way in three areas in the district of Ciutat Vella to raise awareness and give visibility to anti-social behaviour and bags of rubbish and old junk being dumped outside of the scheduled times, non-compliance with commercial waste collection, graffiti and urinating in streets. Data collected show that in these three areas, half of waste is left incorrectly, either in the wrong place or outside of the scheduled times. Campaign measures include the distribution of leaflets in local letterboxes and shops in the affected areas, information staff in streets to raise public awareness about the problems linked to waste management and the correct way to go about it. A specific digital campaign will also be launched, with full information also available in different languages on municipal websites. Besides giving leaflets and information to people in the street, the campaign staff will also indicate waste left incorrectly by marking it with visible stickers to draw attention to the infringement. The campaign aims to reach out to all members of the public and is particularly intended for local residents, users of tourist lets and temporary lets, as well as shops and restaurants, whether or not they have commercial waste collection. According to previously collected data, the three areas chosen for the pilot project account for between 53% and 86% of anti-social behaviour in the management of household and commercial bags of rubbish, junk and old furniture in the street. In other words, over half this waste is left incorrectly, either in the wrong place or outside the scheduled times. During these weeks, the cleaning and waste collection services will concentrate their activities first thing in the morning and first thing in the afternoon, so that all waste left outside the scheduled times and marked with stickers will be more visible. At the same time, daily cleaning with water will be maintained and the usual coordination of selective waste categories and once-overs applied. Open sessions on the cleaning service in all neighbourhoods The current stage of the pilot project now in place in Ciutat Vella as part of the Pla Endreça also includes a series of public sessions to explain to the four neighbourhoods in the district the way the service works and the steps applied in 2024. In another stage, and based on the data collected in this campaign, possible changes to cleaning in the area will be studied, as well as an increase in commercial inspections and eventually a specific campaign with fines by the City Police. Barcelona's city council will maintain the ban on night pub crawls in the city’s old town, the Ciutat Vella district.  This measure has been in place since 2012, and a new decree will keep it in force until at least 2028.  The measure prohibits the promotion, organization, and execution of drinking routes organized by establishments from 11 pm to 7 am.  The city council collaborates with advertising platforms to avoid the promotion of these activities.  Since 2022, the city council has given out 1,123 fines to leisure establishments for this reason. Fines for organizers or promoters can range up to €900 and city councilor Albert Batlle hasn’t ruled out even increasing the maximum amount.   In addition, Batlle mentioned that this measure might be implemented in other neighborhoods of Barcelona.   The city council has also extended the limitation of walking tours until the same year.   The groups of guided tours are limited to 20 people in the Ciutat Vella district and they are restricted from accessing certain overcrowded spaces such as squares or narrow streets.   The same regulation also bans the use of speakers for tours.   Get the day's biggest stories right to your phone The City Council has submitted a project that seeks to open an access from Wellington Street Barcelona continues the transformation of Parc de la Ciutadella with the creation of a new access from Wellington Street that will connect the area with the park through a new dream walkway: a bridge over the zoo This intervention will improve the connection between the Ciutat Vella core the Vila Olímpica and the Til-lers promenade consolidating the park as a more permeable The project is part of the Ciutadella del Coneixement Strategy which seeks to turn this emblematic green lung into a research and dissemination center of reference in Europe The new walkway will recover a historic access designed by Josep Fontserè integrating it into the current layout of the park This new “biodiversity promenade” will be at least 20 meters wide and have a total surface area of 26,000 m² and will extend from Wellington Street to Passeig de Picasso In order to connect the currently open part of the park with Wellington Street the promenade will have to cross a section that is currently occupied by the zoo This will be achieved by opening a new subway access to the zoo on Wellington Street which will be completely integrated into the park and which will force the new “bioversity promenade” to run above the zoo (although always at street level) and from which the zoo can be glimpsed This project will favor the connection between neighborhoods such as Vila Olímpica and will integrate public transport stations such as Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica and the streetcar improving accessibility for thousands of citizens The project will begin this January with the drafting of the executive project the works will be tendered in autumn and will start in the first quarter of 2026 with an estimated duration of one year and a total investment of 13 million euros The Zoo will remain open throughout the project but about ten facilities will be affected and some animals will have to move to the reserve that has been built on the site of the old Aquarama This last project included the recovery of a mythical bridge that is always talked about but never crystallizes: the one that is to connect the Parc de la Ciutadella with the promenade Barcelona is moving towards a greener and more connected future with a project that will change the heart of Ciutadella Park A new promenade that will link Ciutat Vella with the Vila Olímpica promises to revolutionize urban mobility access to green spaces and the relationship between the surrounding neighborhoods aims to transform the park into a European node of knowledge The new promenade will connect Wellington Street with Paseo de Picasso integrating Ciutadella Park with its surroundings This connection will not only facilitate transit between Ciutat Vella and the Vila Olímpica but will also improve access to the park for thousands of citizens who until now could not enjoy direct access it will promote a civic-cultural axis between Carbonera offering an alternative interior route that complements the seafront The scale of the project is impressive: a 26,000 m² promenade with permeable materials that respect the design of the park and a minimum width of 20 meters The existing monumental trees will not only be preserved ensuring a green and sustainable continuity One of the great advantages of the new access will be the greater integration of the Barcelona Zoo with the rest of the park and the city This emblematic space is undergoing a major transformation sustainability and environmental education for children The Zoo will not only be a place to observe animals but also a center for outreach and experiences that connect visitors with nature The walkway will have an underpass inside the Zoo stairs and vegetation to ensure an accessible and fluid experience and the space dedicated to parking will be reduced but part of a broader strategy: the Citadel of Knowledge This ambitious project seeks to turn the park and its surroundings into an international benchmark for scientific research and dissemination Among the most important milestones are: With an overall investment of 290 million euros it is expected that 80% of the project will be completed by the end of this term and that in a decade it will become a world-class space This project will not only benefit the inhabitants of Barcelona but will also position the city as a European benchmark in sustainability will gain a new meaning by becoming a meeting place for citizens the drafting of the executive project will begin and construction will start in 2026 with an approximate duration of one year The access through Wellington Street is not a new idea This walkway was part of the original design of the park it was removed to make way for the current access to the zoo this historic structuring element will be recovered returning the park to its original essence marks a before and after in the history of the Ciutadella together with the rehabilitation of buildings such as the Umbracle ensure that this emblematic space of Barcelona will continue to be a green lung and a cultural and scientific reference Ciutadella Park will not only gain in accessibility and sustainability but will consolidate its position as a vital hub for research biodiversity and the connection between neighborhoods Barcelona is taking a firm step towards the future Stock images by Depositphotos La venta de la nuda propiedad Copyright © 2022 Salirporbarcelona , All rights Reserved. Created by JEZZ Media An open international student competition is seeking low-carbon urban concepts to boost urban liveability on 11 sites around the world [Deadline: 20 March 2025] The C40 Students Reinventing Cities Competition invites multidisciplinary teams of students and young people to draw up green and inclusive concepts for a range of prominent urban sites Participating cities putting forward sites for the global design ideas challenge include Amman According to the announcement: ‘C40 has launched the fourth edition of Students Reinventing Cities to engage the next generation of professionals in city climate action and sustainable design practices Rome and Tshwane – are seeking students’ solutions to reimagine urban areas into green and thriving neighbourhoods over 3,000 youth across over 330 universities have been involved in the program to date in informing city planning and raising global ambition for greener and more inclusive cities.’ C40 Cities is a network of major cities representing more than 650 million people and one quarter of the global economy The campaign group focuses on tackling climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks in urban settings wellbeing and economic opportunities of local residents Now in its fourth edition, the latest C40 Reinventing Cities contest for professionals launched for applications in February last year calling for concepts to regenerate a series of underused sites across 15 of the world’s greatest cities Every year a parallel student contest is also held alongside the professional open call The latest competition – supported by FedEx IKEA and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation – invites students to rethink a series of urban sites which could play a leading role in boosting urban sustainability while improving quality of life for local residents Competition sites include the narrow passages of Barcelona’s historic Ciutat Vella district the Büyükçekmece Lake Natural Habitat Park in Istanbul and the riverfront Marvila neighbourhood of Lisbon The overall winners of each contest will receive an official certificate signed by the Mayor of the city and the executive director of C40 Additional awards may be given at each city's discretion Hutchison Ports is recruiting a design team for its new £9 million… An open international contest is being held for a major €27.5 million… An international design and build contest is being held for 25 new… The UK Research and Innovation Science and Technology Facilities Council (UKRI-STFC) has… This new consultative body will ensure the effective implementation of the Ciutat Vella Agreement supporting and collaborating on the definition of its strategies The council includes members from organisations institutions and representatives from the neighbourhood movement with former city councillor Maravillas Rojo serving as vice-chair With a budget of €225 million allocated for investments during the current term, the actions covered by the agreement will focus on benefiting five key target groups prioritised in the district: residents, workers, families, young people, and the elderly. Barcelona City Council has agreed to suspend licenses to open new cannabis shops, mobile phone accessory stores and nail salons in the city's old town, the Ciutat Vella district.  The measure, published in the Official Gazette of the Province of Barcelona and in the Municipal Gazette, also includes a one-year ban on new permits for any kind of commercial initiative on La Rambla, the city's most famous boulevard.  The council says the aim is to avoid commercial "monoculture" aimed strictly at tourists.  The bans will be valid for one year, with the possibility of a one-year extension, with the council planning to draw up in-depth regulations in the meantime.  Barcelona council has also begun to draw up a new land use plan for the district and La Rambla.  According to the council, the measure aims to "maintain the economic stability of the local community, promote a balance in local trade," and, as a consequence, help to ensure the "day-to-day commercial offering to the citizens of Ciutat Vella" is guaranteed.  The council emphasized the need to "protect" local trade, "diversify the economic activity of the district" and be able to draw up new regulations for commercial activity in the historic district that lies at the center of the Catalan capital.  The first Ciutat Vella land use plan – and the first in Barcelona – was approved in 1992, coinciding with the city hosting the Summer Olympics. The current plan dates from 2018 and is valid for all of Ciutat Vella, except La Rambla, which has its own specific regulations.  "We cannot fail to regulate commercial practices that clearly prioritize those people passing through over those who live here, and that protect businesses that end up monopolizing the district," Albert Batllé, Barcelona councilor for Ciutat Vella said during a press conference. Reacting to the news announced by the city council, many local politicians welcomed the measure, but many said that it should include other initiatives too. These were some of the requests made by pro-independence Esquerra Republicana that sad that banning licenses "should be a first step," Elisenda Alemany, party spokesperson, said. She believes there should be "more capacity to investigate if the businesses mainly focused on tourists are complying with the law." "We want to work for legislation that gives us social cohesion, which is what the neighbors are asking for," Damià Calvet, from the center-right wing TriasxBCN party, said. Meanwhile, the conservative People's Party leader, Dani Sirera, considered that the measure "is not enough" and urged the cabinet to "take the necessary measures to shut down these shops." "It is fundamental to put an end to the worsening of the neighborhood and the drug consumption on the streets," Sirera added. he has been covering Barcelona-related news for the newspaper Ara.  Facades of the street Carrer d’en Botella in the Raval neighbourhood © Ajuntament de Barcelona / Laura Guerrero Federico García Lorca once said that the essence of “great eternal and incorruptible” Barcelona was found in Ciutat Vella which he described as having “a Gothic side where you can hear Roman fountains and 15th-century lutes where the accordions of sailors from all over the world could be heard and there was a nocturnal flurry of painted lips and laughter at dawn” Ciutat Vella is both the district that contains the majority of Barcelona’s hotels and cultural attractions and the one with the lowest per capita income and life expectancy Ciutat Vella has been a tough puzzle to solve – and this holds true for the current administration The government led by Jaume Collboni has made it a priority this term to drive a comprehensive transformation of the district a specific tool has been created: the Pact for Ciutat Vella this body aims to foster dialogue among the district’s various stakeholders and develop a roadmap to transform Barcelona’s central neighbourhoods over the next decade the goal is for Ciutat Vella to take a hard look at itself in the mirror – not only to recognise its flaws but “We need to harness our strengths to act as a lever for change to address the district’s challenges” The Pact was officially unveiled on 10 July but it had already been months in the making we engaged with more than 170 organisations The objective is to outline a strategic action plan by 2025 The first step will be a joint diagnosis of the district working sessions and meetings will be held to define the main challenges and how to address them These efforts will focus on four key pillars: people – covering areas such as health housing and culture; public space – with discussions on safety mobility and urban planning; economy – addressing critical issues like commerce tourism and unemployment; and community bonding – aimed at restoring district pride and social cohesion Some key figures will guide this diagnosis According to the 2024 District Observatory with over 47,000 living in the Raval neighbourhood one of Europe’s most densely populated areas Life expectancy in the district remains the lowest in Barcelona (82.4 years) as does per capita household disposable income (€15,157 While the district has the city’s lowest ageing index more than 1,070 residents aged 85 or older live alone in Ciutat Vella 80.3% of the district’s housing stock predates 1960 Walking through the district completes the picture with drug dependency and homelessness standing out as the most visible social problems on the streets These issues contribute to another notable finding from the District Observatory: in 2023 10,590 residents across Ciutat Vella’s four neighbourhoods received assistance from social service centres This constitutes 11.1% of all social service interventions in Barcelona a disproportionately high figure given that Ciutat Vella accounts for just 6.4% of the city’s population Unlike other cities where the most vulnerable populations are concentrated on the outskirts This makes Ciutat Vella a district of stark contrasts It is one of the city’s primary tourism hotspots Nearly one in three hotels in Barcelona is located in these neighbourhoods which host a substantial share of the tourists visiting the Catalan capital This dynamic has a direct impact on residents who not only contend with overcrowding of certain streets but also witness a significant transformation in their commercial landscape The proliferation – now somewhat contained – of souvenir shops cannabis stores and mobile phone case shops illustrates this shift Housing remains one of the most contentious areas in this clash of interests As both a tourist hub and a vulnerable district Ciutat Vella continues to register some of the highest eviction rates in the city The issue of perceptions warrants a separate discussion residents of Ciutat Vella rated their satisfaction with living in their neighbourhoods at 6.41 out of 10 the lowest score among the city’s ten districts When asked about the most serious problems Santa Caterina i la Ribera districts all highlighted insecurity as the biggest concern The statistics back up this perception: in 2023 Ciutat Vella was the district with the highest number of crimes recording 451 offences per 1,000 residents it’s important to take into account that it is also the most visited district by tourists so the crime rate per resident doesn’t reflect the sheer volume of people passing through it each day the work required by the Pact for Ciutat Vella is vast it is set in one of the city’s most diverse districts Foreigners make up over half of the population (52.3%) it was also the district with the lowest voter turnout Ivan Pera acknowledges that there is much work to be done but rejects the idea that Ciutat Vella is a lost cause He laments how the district has been “stigmatised” “It has been stigmatised to the point that it feels as though the city centre has moved up leaving what’s below as a territory full of tourists and problems” he believes the Pact for Ciutat Vella represents an opportunity to transform the district decisively over the next decade he acknowledges that residents cannot afford to wait that long for solutions That’s why he advocates a two-pronged approach: on one hand the City Council’s day-to-day work – with €225 million allocated for investments in Ciutat Vella during the current mandate alongside ongoing projects like the Pla Endreça [Urban Renewal Plan] the renovation of La Rambla and Via Laietana and the creation of a new Plan of Uses; and on the other the long-term initiatives that the Pact will introduce The challenge of the Pact is to drive a significant transformation in the district that unlike previous plans – such as the one that led to the creation of MACBA and the CCCB in the 1980s or the one that eventually resulted in the new Rambla del Raval – doesn’t just focus on surface-level urban projects but goes deeper it will be necessary to bring together the district’s stakeholders who will be involved in the Pact Pera highlights the importance of having them work together in a shared space citing the example of residents and restaurant owners coming together to discuss issues such as street noise limits using philosopher Francesc Torralba’s words to creating a “table of unlikely alliances” where diverse groups can find common ground local organisations have approached the project with caution as “Ciutat Vella is a district with many problems,” though he wishes progress could be faster also hopes the Pact will give the district a boost but warns against relying solely on “security-driven” solutions He calls for a strengthening of social services and further investment in existing programmes Enric Canet from the Casal dels Infants del Raval agrees stressing that the most important priority is to “keep people in the district” and ensure they can live “with dignity” the Associació de Veïns i Veïnes del Barri Gòtic have raised concerns that the participation of local entities might be “merely symbolic the Pact is now entering its critical phase It has an Advisory Council made up of 22 figures closely linked to the district – from former councillors to representatives of local organisations institutions and the neighbourhood movement – as well as members of the City Council It will ensure that the measures for Ciutat Vella’s transformation are properly executed Subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date with Barcelona Metròpolis' new developments First published: January 15, 2025 02:37 PM The Ciutadella park, which includes the Barcelona Zoo and the Catalan parliament, will get a new access to the city, connecting the neighborhoods of Ciutat Vella and Vila Olímpica.   Inhabitants, students from the nearby Pompeu Fabra university and visitors will be able to enter the park via Wellington Street without detouring around the zoo.  Park visitors will access through a bridge built above the zoo installations while the zoo visitors will access the installations from under the new construction.  This new entrance aims to make the park more accessible, as well as to better blend the green spaces within the city.  "We'll try to make the Ciutadella more accessible and the zoo more open to the city and more integrated within the park," Jaume Collboni, Barcelona mayor, said during a press conference on Wednesday.  Access to the nearby tramway station Wellington and metro L4 at Ciutadella Vila Olímpica station will also be facilitated.  The access via Wellington Street was initially planned in the initial project of the park by architect Josep Fontseré and existed until the 1950s, when it became an exclusive zoo access. This new pathway, provisionally called Biodiversity pathway, is part of a remodeling plan of the park, the 'Ciutadella Knowledge Hub' project.  With the idea of creating a scientific center of innovation within Ciutadella park, new research centers on biology or NanoSciences, for instance, will be built.  The city council collaborates with the Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST) and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) in the Knowledge Hub project.  Collboni said the aim is "to create an area where science, knowledge and culture are represented."  New buildings are under construction, among which the Fish market, a new research complex at the Wellington future entrance, and a new central library next to the train station Estació de França.   Both will be connected with the new pathway through the park.  This new path is also an opportunity for the Knowledge hub to integrate with the Barcelona Zoo, letting children be informed on nature and biodiversity.  The construction of the pathway will take place in two phases. The first part of the project will focus on the entrance above the zoo, as well as renovating the zoo entrance.   The inferior path through the zoo should be completely immersed into nature, integrating the existing greenery, press release says.  The second phase will prolong the pathway up to the other side of the park, progressively reducing the Parliament parking space towards a green area.  In total, it will be a 26,000 m2 path, with a portion of at least 20 meters wide.  The pathway will cost €13 million while the overall project of the Ciutadella Knowledge hub requires an investment of €290 million.   "This new path will be a reality in the spring of 2027," Jaume Collboni said.  Construction work should begin in the first trimester of 2026. Different physical materials have also be created with a QR code taking users directly to the catalogue The idea behind the initiative is for the economic impact left by tourism in the district of Ciutat Vella to have a positive effect for the iconic shops and businesses established in the area and for the flow of visitors to be an opportunity for all of them enabling their products to reach more people Similarly, the catalogue also promotes hotels involved in local economic development and which can facilitate information on economic activity linked to the local area and giving vitality to neighbourhoods The catalogue started being distributed in hotels in August and the intention is for it to be extended to facilities in the city too the Tourism Consortium is expected to able to make it available to more visitors soon The ban on pub crawls in the Ciutat Vella district has been prolonged until 2028 as they are considered contrary to positive community life and neighbourhood peace The new decree imposes a strict ban on the promotion organisation and holding of any kind of pub crawl in Ciutat Vella between 11 pm and 7 am It also prohibits the advertising of these activities through any medium and imposes fines of up to €900 on those responsible Barcelona’s Guàrdia Urbana has been able to fine nightlife establishments for promoting alcohol consumption 586 in 2023 and 129 in the first half of 2024 The Tourism Board is also working with digital platforms that advertise leisure activities in the city to prevent the promotion of pub crawls These efforts have already resulted in the removal of around fifty such advertisements from these websites this year Controls to limit tourist groups in public spaces in the district The decree restricting the mobility of groups of pedestrians on guided tours in the Ciutat Vella district has also been extended until 2028 in order to maintain the balance between economic activity and the quality of life of the district’s residents and to ensure that the regulation is applied effectively This restriction applies to groups accompanied by a guide for tourist purposes in Ciutat Vella and limits the number of groups in overcrowded areas such as squares and narrow streets The decree also prohibits the use of loudspeakers for explanations and encourages the use of radio guides to minimise the acoustic impact Activities that do not comply with the decree can be fined up to €1,500 with repeat offenders facing fines of up to €3,000 pairs of civil enforcement officers have been patrolling the streets of the district to inform tourist guides about the decree and to notify the Guàrdia Urbana of any violations the officers registered 3,828 tourist groups at key points and found that 114 groups (about 3% of the total) were in violation of the decree Barcelona is moving towards an essential improvement in its primary care system with the Gothic Quarter taking center stage The initial approval of the Special Urban Development Plan (PEU) for the transformation of a building located at Plaça Carles Pi i Sunyer 8-10 marks the first step for this space to house the future Gòtic Primary Care Center (CAP) The news has been welcomed by residents of the Gothic Quarter who have long been asking for improved access to health services The building that currently houses municipal offices will be adapted to become a modern and accessible health center This new CAP will be larger and will be prepared to serve a greater number of patients which will reduce the number of trips to other areas in search of basic health care deputy mayor and Ciutat Vella district councilor “with this step we are moving forward so that the residents of the Gothic Quarter can improve their access to the most basic health care” Batlle also stressed that this project is part of a larger effort to prioritize primary care throughout the Ciutat Vella area The project not only seeks to improve access to healthcare but also aims to transform the building in a comprehensive manner The renovations will include improvements in accessibility and sustainability which is key to the city’s new urban planning policies ownership of the building will remain public ensuring that the CAP will be under municipal control Not only will it become a health care space but it is also contemplated the possibility of adding other complementary uses such as teaching It is a commitment to a multifunctional space at the service of the community but part of a broader plan of the city of Barcelona to improve primary care in various neighborhoods Batlle also recalled that work is underway on a new primary care center in Barceloneta in a building that was recently acquired by the City Council the CAP of Raval Nord is also in the process of being relocated to the Capella de la Misericòrdia This drive to improve primary care centers not only seeks to solve current saturation problems but also to prepare the city for future needs Barcelona is committed to improving access to public healthcare an unavoidable priority during this mandate The initial approval of this PEU in the Gothic Quarter is not an isolated event During the last joint commission between the Barcelona City Council and the Generalitat de Catalunya it was agreed to prioritize several actions on primary and community health care facilities in the city in different stages of preparation or execution work is underway on the feasibility of five additional centers including the future location or expansion of the CAP Gòtic The city is determined to make further progress in improving its healthcare infrastructure and this new CAP will be a key example of that progress this announcement represents the hope of having a health care center just around the corner without having to travel out of their area for basic care This initiative also relieves the burden on other centers in the surrounding area The city of Barcelona is transforming itself to ensure that each neighborhood has the necessary infrastructure to respond to growing health demands The CAP Gòtic is a crucial step on that path and its creation will not only strengthen primary care but will be a model for future projects throughout the city This first step towards the creation of the new CAP Gòtic is a clear example of the City Council’s commitment to improving the quality of life of its citizens prioritizing access to essential services such as medical care Work has already been carried out on the Ciutat Vella Agreement during the first year of this term of office cultural and economic stakeholders in the district and will run until the end of the summer next year when the first steps will start to be applied Work will be based around four main areas: All these actions focus on benefitting local people in the four neighbourhoods in the district The agreement has been launched with the presence of more than 180 organisations from the socio-economic and cultural make-up of the district Public participation and the involvement of the community in Ciutat Vella is actually one of the pillars of the agreement which seeks to set out the strategy for transforming this area over the next ten years For the drafting and the follow-up of the entire strategy the Ciutat Vella Agreement will take on board as many opinions The municipal government wants to involve local stakeholders directly or indirectly linked to the district with an inclusive and democratic vision The agreement starts with a annual budget of 228 million euros The other three million will be used to reinforce social and prevention policies The city seemed to have lost its most genuine promenade for ever or at least that’s what a lot of people thought The Km_Zero team won the ideas competition to improve the Rambla with a project that sets out to catalyse collective hope in its rebirth as people prefer to call this avenue to stress its multiplicity and diversity and out of respect for the traditional and more widespread name – will be redesigned thanks to the Km_Zero team that won the contest for the comprehensive improvement of this all-important Barcelona street a former city councillor and a resident of Ciutat Vella She receives us on the ground floor of the Palau de la Virreina where she’s been working with her team for weeks and where all residents are welcome to join in Itziar González speaks to us of the changes she foresees in the avenue and the horizontal method she wants to use so that everybody who wants to can take part A year from now the main guidelines will have to be decided and the work could begin The natural element of the trees is essential The trees are very close together and because of that they’ve grown very tall in search of the light So from the balconies you can see the avenue I’m talking as a resident now; it’s a shame having trees all around you without being able to enjoy them We already have very specific reports on the condition of the trees Objective: to get away from the tourist monoculture When we talk about getting away from the monoculture we do so as a general challenge: our city shouldn’t be so specialised We can’t have parts of the city that are exclusively for the use of a single group of people the people of Barcelona carry the Rambla in their hearts The reason people give for not coming here is precisely that they find the Rambla too targeted on the tourist trade The challenge before us is to get the people of Barcelona to reconnect with the idea that the Rambles are home to the most collective expression of the city a setting for demonstrations and rebellions and a central space between two intense neighbourhoods: the Raval and the Gothic Quarter All of this is what makes it a must to rescue the promenade as a place where the people of Barcelona can live life actively Objective: make the economic circuit visible and redistribute the benefits We don’t know enough about what’s happening in the Rambles We’re stuck with a series of stereotypes: there are lots of tourists There are too many negative comments against the Rambla and our team is convinced that the best way is to neutralise the negativity a bit by being objective What we’re saying is that we don’t know much about the economic circuit in place there We don’t know the real activity it generates Do the restaurants here do their shopping at the Boqueria market How does this awesomely unique device for city construction we call the Rambla feed economic processes for the rest of the city is an expert in the analysis of the employment situation in the world of tourism To generate this collective debate we could gather all the information and sort through it We believe that’s the best way to combat the negativity Anyone who thinks that slamming the Rambla helps to change it is wrong Will rents for flats be included in the economic circuit The avenue was planted with plane trees so that the roots would retain the earth when there were floods The fact that the trees are in straight lines is a feature of it the volume of residents will guarantee community dynamics Let’s look at what’s happened with Portal de l’Àngel The regulations didn’t allow department stores to open if there were residents above I remember from when I was a councillor: somehow or other I talk about this in my book Per no perdre peu which brings Alexandre de Cirici’s Barcelona We don’t want this to happen in the Rambla as well But according to figures by SOS Rambles there are very few Now we feel like privileged intermediaries You speak of dealing subtly with security issues Certainly there are measures that will affect our work Now the challenge facing Km_Zero is to find a non-defensive way to protect the Rambla We’re very much against making the Rambla an enclosed precinct In Plaça de Catalunya there’s a geological problem In Plaça de Catalunya there’s what’s called a talus Between the Barcelona plain and Ciutat Vella there’s a difference in height It shows very clearly in Carrer d’Estruc and Carrer de les Moles in the respective connections with Carrer Fontanella The nicest way to end the Rambles is at the Golondrines pleasure boats I want to tip the wink to our colleagues on the Golondrines who are members of the board of Amics de la Rambla (Friends of the Rambla) and have always been very committed to the avenue and its continuation isn’t via the Rambla del Mar but bordering Passeig de Colom facing the sea There are several military buildings on the seafront Could the city take them over to put them to new use It’s an idea: putting these buildings to collective We’ve also got the Civil Government building it’s obvious that the Rambla reconnects with a seafront and consequently it has to be able to grasp Barcelona’s maritime nature to rescue it from the mercantilism of the port which once again turns its back on the city How many outstanding buildings are there on the Rambla There are more than 30 individual listed buildings: the Antiga Foneria de Canons (Old Cannon Foundry) the Palau de la Virreina (Virreina Palace) the Casa dels Paraigües (Umbrella House)… From the point of view of the urban landscape the Rambla is something to be protected and showcased as a cultural and environmental space There are lots of stories to be found in the sgraffiti that were done on the façades to disguise the addition of extra storeys to the original buildings there’s a sgraffito with some little angels looking down and saying ‘There are four of us now’ Where else in Catalonia can you find so many facilities where culture-related activities go on together in one place Starting with the Institut Municipal de Cultura (Municipal Institute of Culture) itself hotels where important people connected with contemporary history have stayed – such as the Continental establishments like the Beethoven music shop We’re making a map of all the facilities connected with culture The idea of the Rambla as a cultural space is fundamental we’re thinking up a possible strategy for drawing up joint programmes One classic dilemma: are we going to get rid of the traffic or not The Ciutat Vella mobility plan is being debated now and we’ve got to fit in the proposal that is most in line with the general strategies And we’ll end up deciding between us all how the presence of cars should be organised There are important questions to be considered And now a question about method: how do you get people to cooperate a book by Frederic Perers published by the City Council about the street pavement tiles with lettering on them Another book that appeared at the same time was Emilio Farré-Escofet’s Escofet disseny i arquitectura en la creació de valor In a single month two views on how the city is urbanised were presented and both of them show there was a moment when industrial initiative recognised the chance to contribute to the general interest through urban improvement the City Council made house owners pay for the cost of building pavements outside their property but gradually it took over the expense of all the city’s urbanising And this is where Frederic Perers detects that the administration’s bureaucratic machinery is often blind When the democratic town councils took power and street names were updated the plaques on the façades were changed but the names on the pavements weren’t touched you could find a plaque on a façade that said ‘Diagonal’ but on the pavement was the name ‘Avenida Generalísimo Franco’ Voreres contains an artistic action by Perers in which he rescues some abandoned lettered pavement tiles and rearranges them to spell out the slogan ‘Els carrers seran sempre nostres’ (The streets will always be ours’) This is exactly the spirit behind the work of Km_Zero We want to return a finesse and a closeness to the administration that bureaucracy often doesn’t allow And it needs to put itself in the shoes of other agents and not accumulate so much decision-making power Because running the city isn’t the same as constructing the city The actual ideas competition for improving the Rambla required the creation of an interdisciplinary team We’ve invited people who have already been working in Ciutat Vella for some time and know it well who drew up the plan called ‘Queda’t a Ciutat Vella’ (Stay in Ciutat Vella) who collaborated with the MACBA as director of its public programmes and has been working for some time on the role of culture as a constructor of public space I myself was Councillor for Ciutat Vella and I live 20 metres from the Rambla was jointly responsible for re-urbanising the dockland promenades on Moll de Barcelona and Moll de la Barceloneta and Lona Domènech’s studio signed the restoration of the space around the Carmen Amaya fountain in La Barceloneta and the remodelling of Passeig de Sant Joan Traditionally the name of the promenade is remembered in the plural But in the administration it’s ‘La Rambla’ We’ve chosen to call it ‘Les Rambles’ because they’re many and diverse Some people want one Rambla and others want another on the basis of our analysis we saw that the Rambla is outside the city walls and that spaces were generated at the gates: Rambla dels Estudis a chain of points spatially centred on themselves is that there should be a concatenation of ‘Rambles’ that break with the central passageway devoted almost exclusively to the tourist trade It’s the case of the Apple establishment on Plaça Catalunya which attracts masses of people because there’s good Wi-Fi on the pavement outside when Councillor Gala Pin presented our Km_Zero team to residents and organisations a man called for day centres for old people and nursery schools We believe that if you carefully study routes to school there’s more chance that residents will want to come back We take an all-round view which at the same time respects the existing patrimonial surroundings If we have to work below street level to improve the condition of the plane trees There are tunnels and shelters down there that will have to be taken into account We’ll also focus on a study of housing and conditions in the buildings The residents who asked us to take part in the competition will audit our work and make sure that when the whole process is over there won’t just be improvements in the street that lift they’ve been asking for for so long The great hope is that we will finally be able to do things together – residents City Council and experts – to show that it’s possible to redirect current trends in the Rambla Too many people have already given up the Rambla as a lost cause And we see this project as a chance to realise the collective hope of rescuing it from its disenchanting inertia It’s up to the team not to betray this hope The great obstacle will be the presence of people with an individualist view of what should be done people who don’t accept the rules of the cooperative game We want the whole process to be transparent and public so that decisions can be taken collectively and discussed openly We defend dynamic planning that adapts to the new and changing challenges arising in an epicentre of globality like the Rambles In fact I owed the Ciutat Vella district one year of work as I resigned as councillor in my third year So I’ll have fulfilled my commitment to work for Barcelona for four years I announced my intention to start work on an all-round operation in the Rambles and look: ten years later it looks as though I’ll be able to help make it come true The study noted the need for broader action in various spaces most of them considered noise stressed areas (ZARE): the surrounding areas will be analysed to address sources of noise that can be improved The first measures of the plan will be implemented in the final quarter of 2024 This entails greater control of music premises to ensure they abide by permits plus more emphasis on the training and awareness of staff and users paying particular attention to joint responsibility If stages do not achieve the established goals new measures will be applied that are increasingly more restrictive set out over a progressive calendar through to the end of 2026 Besides the specific measures in six priority areas the District Office for Ciuta Vella continues to work on various fronts to reduce noise from the main sources in the city the main means of addressing these will be through awareness campaigns managing the balance between activities and local people’s right to rest The plan includes the creation of a monitoring commission with residents and representatives from commercial and economic sectors, within the municipal action strategy in the Ciutat Vella Agreement Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information 2017 at 11:26 AM EDTBookmarkSaveIt’s no easy task to preserve the character of a popular historic neighborhood without turning it into an arid Let the market run riot and any tourist area can quickly become a tawdry souvenir shop retaining only the tatters of its former charm If a city pushes too hard to preserve an area’s character the neighborhood risks becoming a lifeless stage set a Potemkin Village devoid of the humdrum daily life that used to exist behind the immaculate facades Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in November See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Summer Valencia’s atmospheric Old City district is packed with pretty cobble-stoned streets pavement cafés and architecture that spans the ages and belies the city’s strong Arabic influences With so much to see you could spend days just exploring this one small part of town But if time is short or you just need some inspiration here’s our list of the top 10 sights in this incredible area Across from La Llotja you’ll see the enormous Central Market, which is a must for any foodie and one of the top food experiences in Valencia This 1920s’ building is home to one of Europe’s oldest with mostly local shoppers picking up their fresh produce A walk around the market stalls is a great way to experience local life among piles of oranges grab a bottle of wine to take home and stop for a wedge of creamy tortilla at the market’s one very popular Valencia’s silk museum occupies the stunning 15th century building of the College of High Silk Art artworks and other exhibits take visitors on a journey through Valencia’s Golden Age when it was an important center for the silk trade Seek out the peaceful courtyard café around the back of the building accessed through an arched portal in the medieval walls Behind the museum is the site of a ruined medieval hospital where one of the tiny chapels still stands amid peaceful gardens Next to the cathedral is one of Valencia’s most interesting museums. Go underground to see the former site of a 20-year archeaological dig, right in the heart of the city, now kept under a glass roof at the Almoina Archaeological Museum You’ll see walls and treasures from every period of the city’s history Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $800 on our unique trips See privacy policy The little square next to the Cathedral is famously picturesque with its smooth stone floor and pretty fountain There are a couple of cafés here that are perfect to while away an hour over coffee or tapas From here you can walk up the Carrer dels Cavellers to see more stunning architecture before landing in the quirky El Carmen neighborhood in the north of the Old Town Along Carrer dels Cavallers you’ll find a small church known as Valencia’s answer to the Sistine Chapel The spectacular 17th century frescoes that cover its ceiling have recently been restored to their former glory The most impressive building on the central Town Hall Square isn’t the Town Hall itself but the Post Office With its grand domed roof and elaborate exterior this could be the most intricate Post Office you’ll ever see The correct name of the building is the Palacio de Comunicaciones although it is better known locally as the Edificio de Correos y Telégrafos The palace was inaugurated by King Alfonso XIII and Queen Victoria Eugenia at the beginning of the 20th century and completed in 1923 Clare Speak is a travel journalist from Manchester England who has been living out of a suitcase for the past decade She currently writes about all things Spanish from her base in Valencia Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in November See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Summer Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in December Guides & Tips How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Santander See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in October See & Do Top Things to Do Around Las Ramblas See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Autumn See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in September Architecture Spain’s Most Impressive Bullrings See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in July Food & Drink The 5 Best Food Markets in Madrid Guides & Tips How to Attend a Bullfight in Spain US: +1 (678) 967 4965 | UK: +44 (0)1630 35000 tripssupport@theculturetrip.com © Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd The Ashura is the recognition of the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain, commemorated by Shia Muslims on the tenth day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar year This was the day when the forces of Yazid ibn Muawiya viciously murdered Imam Husayn and his 72 companions in Karbala (Iraq) The day of Ashura is a solemn day of mourning and a protest against all kinds of oppression on which Shia communities across the world carry out processions as an expression of empathy with oppressed people These processions differ depending on the country’s culture but they all include sermons and memorial songs The people taking part beat their bodies to symbolically relive the suffering and sadness of the historical events and therefore the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson He is considered the second Imam of Shi’a Islam after Ali the title of ‘Imam’ is bestowed on leaders of the Islamic community who are directly descended from the Prophet Imam Husayn is part of the ahlu al-bayt (house or family of the Prophet Muhammad) and embodies the struggle for peace and justice against tyranny and oppression In his martyrdom he endured the most severe of ordeals and hardships for a sacred cause Shi’ism is a branch of Islam that accepts Ali ibn Abi-Talib as the Prophet’s legitimate successor considering his descendants to be the rightful leaders of the Muslim community The presence of the Shi’a community in Barcelona was consolidated during the 1980s with the association of a group of Lebanese Muslims It was not until the arrival of people from Pakistan in the late 1990s that there was a marked increase in the number of Shiites in the city and it was then that the first centre of worship associated with this branch of Islam was opened Today, Muslims who practise Shi’ite Islam in Barcelona have their own mosque: Centre Islàmic Al Qaim It is a community made up mostly by people from Pakistan particularly from the north of the country who follow the Twelver branch of Shia Islam which awaits the reappearance of the Twelfth Hidden Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi who will return at the end of time to re-establish justice in the world Aristos is a Newsweek science and health reporter with the London He is particularly focused on archaeology and paleontology although he has covered a wide variety of topics ranging from astronomy and mental health Aristos joined Newsweek in 2018 from IBTimes UK and had previously worked at The World Weekly He is a graduate of the University of Nottingham and City University You can get in touch with Aristos by emailing a.georgiou@newsweek.com. Languages: English either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a medieval manor house and evidence of a 19th-century chocolate factory at a site in Spain The discoveries were brought to light during restoration work on a building at the address Plaça de la Llana the capital of the autonomous region of Catalonia in northeastern Spain The building that stands at the address today—located in the city's old town (known as the Ciutat Vella)—dates back to the 19th century But archaeological investigations at the building have documented walls arches and doors attributable to a large medieval house from the 14th century the Barcelona Archeology Service (ICUB) said in a press release this one helps us to understand our history a little bit better," Laia Macià Plaza The archaeological works at the address were initiated amid plans to restore the building to accommodate apartments The works are being conducted by archaeologists from the company Global Geomática SL under the supervision of the ICUB and the Archaeological and Paleontological Heritage service of the Generalitat the 14th century home was owned at the time by the Pia Almoina—a charitable institution linked to the Church that was founded in the year 1009 to provide food to the poor "As the institution grew older and popular it became common for some people in Barcelona to leave some of their properties to the Pia Almoina in their will," Plaza said "It probably got to own the building in Llana square thanks to one of those donations." Sources indicate that the medieval home was converted into a hostel in the 15th century This hostel ceased operations in the 16th century when the property owner carried out a major renovation project to adapt the building to the style and fashions of the time the old manor house was divided into three different properties The archaeologists documented a set of seven ceramic vessels from this period although it is not yet clear what they once contained the space was occupied by a factory where chocolate was produced told Catalan news outlet Betevé that thanks to the findings made during the archaeological investigations the documentation referencing the chocolate factory was eventually uncovered This documentation includes an almanac from the 1888 Barcelona Universal Exposition in which the factory at Plaça de la Llana The exposition was Spain's first international world's fair The archaeological investigations at Plaça de la Llana have led to the recovery of certain elements related to this factory These finds include lead plates that would have been used to make the labels for the chocolate products the archaeological evidence we find [reveals] the structures that existed but [understanding] what they were really used for is something really hard to know—and it usually requires a lot of research work outside the field," Plaza told Newsweek "Finding the lead plates gave us the clue to know for sure.. that all the deposits and structures that we had at first attributed to some unknown productive process were "Barcelona had several chocolate factories in the 19th century which is interesting because powdered milk didn't exist yet and chocolate was still an expensive luxury product We also know that our factory took part in the 1888 Barcelona Universal Exposition.
It's the first chocolate factory that we unveil in the city thanks to an archaeological excavation." Archaeologists continue to excavate the subsoil at the site and are conducting studies of the building to learn more about its evolution we're now excavating some older remains and we hope we will be able to link the structures we're finding with the documented historical uses of the building," Plaza said Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering ET: This article has been updated to include additional comments from Laia Macià Plaza Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground Newsletters in your inbox See all Perhaps the most exciting district of the city Thanks to municipal leadership and the work of neighbourhood representatives, the regeneration of Ciutat Vella, which got under way in 1980, has successfully tackled the problem of urban desertification that has affected other European city centres. Today, about 115,000 people live in Ciutat Vella, as opposed to the 7,400 residents of the City of London or the almost 17,000 people who live in Paris’s first arrondissement. In the picture, Plaça de Joan Coromines, behind the Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona.Photo: Vicente Zambrano From the point of view of public action, we can work to make all neighbourhoods equally attractive: decentralise public spending, incentivise businesses to set up everywhere and generalise the frequency of public transport. From the point of view of design, property developers should be obliged to build houses to last, using local materials, with large, multi-purpose rooms and with frontage that respects the urban landscape to provide square metres with a high added value. Political posters in London’s Liverpool Street, among them one protesting against the gentrification affecting the city centre.Photo: Dani Codina Today, about 115,000 people live in Ciutat Vella, as opposed to the 7,400 residents of the City of London or the almost 17,000 people who live in Paris’s first arrondissement. In the picture, Plaça de Joan Coromines, behind the Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Barcelona, like other European cities, is subject to intense gentrification pressures in some of its most emblematic neighbourhoods. In this dossier, with the help of leading specialists in urban issues, we review the particularities of this phenomenon. Neoliberal policies have transformed traditional urban spaces for socialising, which have been taken over by mercantilism. Gentrification, far from being neutral, is in fact a process that is defined in terms of class and therefore of conflict. To prevent residents being driven out of their neighbourhoods, Barcelona must follow three courses of action: civilise the property market, build up public housing stock with a well-balanced geographic distribution and turn to social co-production of mixed residential solutions. Here we describe the experiences, new or established over time, of eight cities that are standing up to the phenomenon of gentrification. () Diversos municipis que han emprès iniciatives de creació d’espais verds han generat noves desigualtats o han exacerbat les que ja existien. Com abordar els efectes indesitjables i inequitatius de l’urbanisme verd? Gentrified neighbourhoods are an object of desire for many tourists and, at the same time, the presence of tourism reinforces gentrification processes. Far from being a seasonal phenomenon located in specific spaces, tourism competes for resources with the other citizens, leading to the displacement of the resident population. Women in particular suffer the real-estate violence generated by gentrification. Public regulation of the property market ought to incorporate gender as an indicator of vulnerability. At the same time, labour legislation should be changed to protect reproductive and care work. La Ribera, Gràcia, Poble-sec, Sant Antoni and the area around the Rambla del Poblenou are the most gentrified areas in Barcelona, according to the results of a pioneering study that will help develop preventive policies. Text description provided by the architects Gentrification is cruel to the historical centres of cities diverse and well-equipped neighbourhood is becoming a highly coveted luxury It's necessary to regulate the real estate market and mass tourism to democratize access to housing in densely populated areas in addition to multiplying its share of affordable housing how to build housing in the developed centre if it is the place where the available space is more expensive and scarce cities are proposed to fill in the cavities of their built-up teeth It understands vacant lots, properties that have not exhausted their buildability and even excessively large public spaces as places of opportunity to house residential units that using modular prefabrication with criteria of urban achieve faster execution that is more economic fair and sustainable than conventional public housing previously used as an extension of the adjacent public space it houses the extension of a nearby sanitary facility and it contains a total of twelve accommodations of which eight are one-bedroom and four are two-bedroom apartments All the accommodations have a minimum of two facades The northwest facade opens onto a courtyard that contains the vertical nucleus of accesses facing a narrow street, is clad with wooden balcony doors of vertical proportion like the buildings of most of the historic centre the four largest accommodation units have wider openings The facades are ventilated and their thermal insulation gives the building the best energy-efficient features Its exterior walls have been resolved with a translucent polycarbonate cladding clear skin increases the luminosity of the accommodation while subtly reflecting the surroundings thereby improving street lighting without compromising the privacy of its inhabitants You'll now receive updates based on what you follow Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors If you have done all of this and still can't find the email Barcelona has long been one of southern Europe’s top tourist destinations with around 8.5 million visitors in 2019 alone And as most Covid restrictions are lifted and travel picks up tourists are once again flocking to the city center’s old narrow streets and alleyways told Catalan News from La Rambla boulevard a street visitors love and locals often try to avoid at all costs a tourist from Florida who said he came out of “boredom,” described the city as “fairly nice” and was impressed by its public transport system but said he wished more people spoke English for his “convenience.” Barcelona as a whole and its Ciutat Vella district have long struggled to grapple with the delicate balance between catering to the “convenience” of visitors and the businesses that benefit from them and considering the needs of residents who do not have a stake in the industry In a city where tourism accounts for around 15% of the GDP and employs some 115,000 people has its return been good for business?  who works at an ice cream parlor on La Rambla seems to think so It’s a simple equation: whenever cruise ships arrive “a lot of people come” and his shop “sells a lot more on those days,” he explained He’s not alone: Catalonia’s hotel and restaurant associations believe the end of travel restrictions augurs well for them.  a shopkeeper at the Gothic Quarter’s ‘Some Day…’ clothing store If there are no tourists…” her voice trailed off “We would prefer ‘quality tourists’ who spend money not those who are here to party or who just spend a day here,” she added acknowledging that it must be a “difficult” issue for the council.  and say there aren’t as many visitors as before the pandemic due “The price of the hotels and everything is very expensive,” said Jobanjeet who works at a Ciutat Vella souvenir shop not far from Maite’s store Daniel Pardo is a long-time Ciutat Vella resident. A member of the Gothic Quarter’s neighbors’ association as well as the Tourism Degrowth Assembly, he works at the ‘Caixa d’Eines i Feines’ people can go to borrow tools or find out about services provided by local professionals from plumbers to electricians or photographers.  “I was just at the eviction attempt of a low-income woman,” Pardo told Catalan News explaining why he was a few minutes late to the interview “Luckily enough we were able to stop it - or Although noisy, crowded, streets are frustrating, he says the “more visible effects” of mass tourism are not its most serious: “Evictions like the one we just saw earlier are.” Tourism - and tourist apartments - in trendy offered a glimpse into what life in the neighborhood could be like without so many visitors: “In the Gothic Quarter urban spaces were used mainly by neighbors and we would see kids playing in [tourist hotspots like] Plaça Reial or in front of the cathedral.”  Ciutat Vella was quieter and the stores that stayed open had to cater to locals to get by But now that restrictions have been lifted and tourists are back the city’s gone back to business as usual.  Pardo is far from the only person voicing complaints Tourism should “probably be regulated a bit,” Isabel told Catalan News while walking her dog near the Picasso Museum “It bothers me that there are so many people and I have to find streets that aren’t as busy.” “There are a lot of people and you can’t walk in the streets,” he said And as much as tourism may have become an essential pillar of Barcelona’s economy in the years since the 1992 summer Olympics activists like Pardo call for greater diversification especially given the industry’s poor working conditions - long many of them paid under the table - as well as the amount of waste and pollution it generates.  from a distance it might look like many other neighborhood markets - except the products it sells are not basic necessities but clearly geared towards visitors: fruit smoothies bull-shaped sangria bottles… On the day Catalan News reporters visited the market nearby trash cans were overflowing with disposable plastic cups that had very recently held exotic fruit juices can tourism in its current form be considered sustainable and businesses alike could possibly see eye to eye on Barcelona is still far from figuring it out Every day in Barcelona the encirclement of noise is declared the municipal government seeks to curb the night noise that does not let the neighbors rest and advanced one hour the closing time in terraces of Ciutat Vella around 50 bars and restaurants in the area will have to close their doors at 11 p.m The hourly limitation of the terraces in some squares and streets of Ciutat Vella has already entered into force according to the resolution published in the Official Gazette of the Province of Barcelona terraces and bars will only be able to open until midnight on weekdays and only until 1:00 a.m The establishments directly affected are located in the areas considered to have acoustic stress during nighttime hours in Ciutat Vella Nou de Sant Francesc between Escudellers and Rull Also Carabassa between Escudellers and Rosa Escudellers passage between Escudellers and Josep Pijoan streets Joaquim Costa between Torres i Amat and del Carme Ferlandina between Joaquim Costa and Plaça dels Àngels This measure is one of those already being implemented in the district as part of the plan to reduce noise pollution in squares and streets food retail establishments of less than 150 square meters must close at 22:00 hours the hours of prohibition of skateboarding in and around Plaça dels Àngels have been extended from 10 pm to 8 am has promoted a series of actions to ensure the rest of the residents of Ciutat Vella he has indicated that agents of the Guardia Urbana will monitor compliance with the reduced hours rule Rabassa defended these actions and described them as “essential actions” that had to be taken for public health and neighbors’ rest The objective is to act not only in Ciutat Vella but also in other neighborhoods that also suffer from the noise problem The Barcelona Restoration Guild announced that it will launch a protest campaign against the municipal government’s decision They do not share the advance of the night closure in the terraces of Ciutat Vella and other parts of the city An ambitious project is under way to turn one of the world’s most overrun streets into an the ‘immersive art centre of southern Europe’ Once a byword for the worst excesses of overtourism, Barcelona now aspires to be a role model for other cities that once put all their eggs in the tourist basket It is reinventing itself and reclaiming public space for the city’s residents “The crisis has exposed the weakness of a model based on one economic sector the oldest and most-visited part of the city “La Rambla is the centre of this economic monoculture and we’re working towards bringing local people back to the city’s most emblematic street.” He added: “Ciutat Vella can be a role model of how to move from a monoculture to something more diversified that employs and caters to the needs of residents through creating jobs in culture Tourism accounts for around 15% of Barcelona’s GDP but in Ciutat Vella it feels the entire area is dependent on tourists Many businesses haven’t reopened since the March lockdown many never will and the latest lockdown measures will be the kiss of death for still more To rent signs are proliferating throughout the city centre ‘La Rambla Photograph: Stephen BurgenWhen it comes to discussing what has gone wrong no one disputes the diagnosis; what is surprising is the unanimity about the cure from politicians to private investors and market stallholders agrees: culture is what will lure Barcelonans back to La Rambla “If we want Barcelonans to come back, we have to offer them something they like and that interests them,” said Fermín Villar, president of Friends of La Rambla the local residents’ and business association from high culture at the Liceu opera house to popular culture.” This may sound utopian at a time when Covid-19 has forced theatres to go dark and music venues to close in what feels like an exercise in social archaeology the absence of tourists has revealed La Rambla for what it is – or was – not just a seething mass of souvenir hunters but a boulevard home to three theatres and an international opera house several music venues and the offices of the Catalan ministry of culture The flagship of this cultural revolution will be the grand Teatre Principal which opened in 1603 but has been closed since 2006 Now a consortium led by local businessman José María Trenor has raised €35m to refurbish the theatre into a multi-function performance space hosting hi-tech immersive experiences The Teatre Principal on La Rambla will be refurbished into a multi-function performance space Photograph: Meritxell Arjalaguer“The aim of this project is to create an experience that can become a destination in itself,” said the project’s promoters “We want to become the immersive art centre of southern Europe An experience for adults and also for kids where art and content go hand in hand.” a nonprofit organisation representing more than 220 businesses universities and other institutions in the city “Once the city understands that the culture industry is also an asset for tourism we will be able to convert the Teatre Principal into a new attraction for residents and visitors alike,” he said “The regional government also plans to convert the Foneria de Canons Both Hernández and Villar believe that what is needed is a public-private consortium dedicated to revamping La Rambla as similar bodies have done with 42nd Street in New York and Madrid’s Gran Via an urban plan drawn up in 2018 for remodelling La Rambla has been dusted off It envisages expanding the pedestrian space linking the boulevard to the adjacent barrios of Ciutat Vella and el Raval and creating a green space at the end near the old port But with Covid-related costs draining the public purse it’s not clear where the council will find the estimated €400,000 needed to carry out the first stage of the plan Before it all but sank under the waves of tourism The market has stood on this site for 180 years and it too is having to reinvent itself “It has never been a barrio market,” said Capdevila, “because La Rambla has never had many residents.” (It had a mere 680 at the latest count.) La Boqueria’s strength, he said, is that it sells products you can’t find anywhere else in the city, and this is what he hopes will attract Barcelonans back – now they don’t have to vie with the crowds. Barcelona prides itself on its gastronomy but there are few establishments on La Rambla where a discerning diner would choose to go. According to Villar, however, Barcelonans have never gone there to dine. “They used to come for an aperitif in Plaça Reial and then go off to eat somewhere in the barrio,” he said. And with mass tourism, they stopped coming altogether. Rabassa said restaurants and other businesses will have to make themselves attractive to local people or go out of business. “If they think they can survive this crisis using the same model, they haven’t understood the situation,” he said. Everyone agreed that rents are too high and have to come down to attract residents and commerce. The obduracy of landlords, most of them local people, and their refusal to lower rents even as tenants are evicted or businesses go to the wall, remains one of the ugliest features of the pandemic. Before the virus struck, an estimated 100 million journeys were made along La Rambla each year. The the street is, above all, a business, said Villar. He added that quality tourism shouldn’t be confused with who spends the most money. A stag party swilling overpriced pints are spending a lot of money, but aren’t the sort of visitor the city wants to attract. “What’s needed is control – control over alcohol, drugs and the sex trade,” said Villar. “If we don’t have that, we’ll end up like Tijuana. We need respectful tourism. We’ll know we’ve won when someone on TripAdvisor says: ‘What a lousy city – you can’t buy alcohol in the street’.” Hernández agreed: “The opportunity is there and it’s urgent. If we don’t do it, someone else will. Barcelona has the opportunity to show that famous streets such as La Rambla can survive the pandemic through private-public initiatives that are compatible with both local and global needs.” Legislation to sanction guides not respecting rules with fines of up to €3,000 Barcelona has regulated walking tours around the city but more specifically in the Ciutat Vella neighborhood New measures will limit attendees to less than 30 people per tour group and even fewer in certain areas and establish 24 one-way streets in the city center The new decree was published on Thursday and could sanction guides who do not follow the rules with fines ranging from €1,500 to €3,000 The law is expected to come into effect around July 23 after the public exhibition and appeals timeframe tour guides will have to use audio guides and confirm they will not use speakers in order to reduce noise pollution.  Other measures include ensuring safe and accessible tours All these will have to be clearly marked in the tour’s predicted route Other good practices expect not getting new tourists along the way and planning a new mobility plan to give enough capacity for passengers to hop on and off of the buses All of the new regulations mentioned above will be in place across the city the city center will have specific and more strict measures.  and Barceloneta’s site with several beaches will see a limit of less than 15 people per group.  audio guides will be mandatory and there will be 24 one-way streets and squares Tours will have to do shorter explanations in several monumental hotspots with the city council and the Catalan government HQs buildings literally "Grave of the Mulberries," a memorial square honoring those dead while defending the city during the Spanish Succession war in 1714 Other places that will have extra limits are the plaça de Sant Felip Neri square named after the founder of the Orfeó Català choral society.  tours will have to leave half of the street when walking in one of the one-way streets groups will walk in a line of two people maximum.  says they agree with tourists visiting the city tourism must be regulated for locals not to be affected.  "Tourism in Ciutat Vella does not regulate itself and the new decree allows [the city council] to get rid of the bad practices," Jordi Rabassa said.  thousands of people are visiting Catalonia 1.85 million travelers visited the territory triple the data registered in the same period last year according to data released by the Spanish Statistics Institute (INE) on Thursday.  The number rose in May pushed by the arrival of overseas tourists only 180,053 international visitors came to Catalonia Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Barcelona The mothership of this small gourmet hamburger chain opened its third space in Ronda Universitat in 2013 The original bears the name 'Little' because the new Bacoa while still carrying on with its trademark excellence and informality Owner Brad Ainsworth is betting that thinking locally will pay off: with the change of seasons Bacoa offers burgers made with products grown nearby This is where they started ramping up the marketing with big ideas like the chair that holds your bags and the piece of card that holds your burger so it stays together better and you don't get your hands dirty.Like its founders this burger house is half Spanish and half Australian they combine the atmosphere of an Australian barbecue with the quality and patience of Mediterranean ingredients On the menu you'll find burgers made with organic Pyrenean veal They're made into scrumptious combinations such as the house burger made with bacon with Cabrales blue cheese and carmelised onion cooked over a low flame for five hours They also have a meat-free options that won't disappoint vegetarians and vegans.There's an invariable factor across all the Bacoa establisments: everything is home-made from scratch and chips made from potatoes that are cut by hand daily and never frozen The result is something that's always delicious and well-crafted Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! facebooktwitterspotifytiktokAbout us Contact us Time Out Worldwide There are now at least 1,231 homeless people living on the streets of Barcelona – up over 15% in a year – according to the Arrels Foundation's latest census which reported a similar figure in 2020 at the height of the pandemic who scoured many of the city's streets the night of June 15 found that just under a third of these people while around a quarter are in the Eixample district (297) and 15% live in Sants-Montjuïc (183).  Arrels has seen the number of people sleeping rough increase steadily since 2016 when they carried out their first annual census the figure has increased once again.  calls on authorities to allocate more funds towards a problem affecting more and more people every year Only 2% of all housing in the Catalan capital – Spain's "eviction capital" – is subsidized and it is home to some of the country's most expensive real estate. And access to the public housing that does exist should not be conditioned, Arrels argues, to financial means, health, or drug and alcohol use.  According to Arrels, Barcelona should also open smaller shelters across the city instead of the "massive" facilities with long waiting lists that it currently has.  This community centre specialises in photography and they put on some hundred trimestral workshops in line with their three specialities There are three rooms available for rent as well a matchbox of a bar where you’ll sometimes find Ferran Adrià himself enjoying their fried anchovies and trademark tomato And if you have the stamina to seek out a refuge in the busiest part of the Gòtic 6) has first-rate 'seitons' (white vinegar–cured anchovies) and finely sliced ham This sleek boutique hotel has a cool European vibe a splendid rooftop terrace and a great location at the heart of the city.  Although this is a larger-scale boutique hotel (with 91 rooms) From the designer furniture to the promotion of slow food and the plant-lined rooftop terrace hosting DJs and aperitif sessions The bedrooms are light and have a cosy European loft vibe with fittings made from natural materials and elements in bright colours to keep things interesting while additional services include personal yoga sessions and access to the nearby Holmes Place gym and pool and decorated with wooden furniture and large plants; its innovative At lunchtime there’s a good value set menu while in the evening you can choose between á la carte and a tasting menu either head to the Lobby Bar or to the rooftop Pulitzer Terrace; both offer drinks Location: Cunningly located on a small street that gives onto Plaça Catalunya at the Pulitzer you can enjoy the buzz of being in the city centre but slip away from the serious crowds to get to the hotel It’s easy to walk to many of Barcelona’s sights and while you’ll find a lot of familiar high-street shops in the immediate surrounds you can also head quickly to more individual areas such as El Raval and Sant Antoni La Esquina: The name of this café-restaurant means ‘The Corner’ in English and it sits just on the corner to the left of the hotel It’s a great place to while away the time people-watching as you snack and sip your way through gourmet coffee the dishes are made with care using excellent products and can be accompanied by biodynamic wines or craft beers Sephora: If you have any kind of penchant for beauty products you doubtless already know this line of shops This particular Sephora was recently subject to a transformation that is the first stage in a redevelopment of all the company's European stores making it even more of a temple for worshippers of cosmetics and skincare As well as new audiovisual and digital elements facilities you can get your shopping experience off to a novel start by taking a slide down to the lower ground floor premises.  Chök: With a full name of 'Chök this is a place that wears its sweet heart on its sleeve doughnuts and the like that are made without additives and only quality Urban Outfitters: One of the official clothes stores for the young and trendy has its Barcelona branch just a minute's walk from the Pulitzer Good for: The unashamedly cool and hip: that’s you if you love contemporary European style And even if you don’t really fit that profile but do enjoy staying in places that focus on comfort Time Out tip: While El Corte Inglés is not everybody’s cup of tea this rather old-fashioned department store has recently renovated its ninth-floor restaurant which now includes numerous ‘stands’ where you can get dishes such as freshly made paella grab a window table and admire the city from a new perspective Bars and restaurants in these parts of Ciutat Vella must close a 2 am while terraces must close at 11 pm throughout the week Other measures to be implemented include a limit on the number of modules per terrace and a prohibition on joining tables together limiting them to four people or a family group so that larger groups move inside the premises Food and drink stores will have to close at 10 pm Tables and chairs will also need to have plastic feet and chains used to secure elements on terraces must be plasticised The plan also includes limits on concerts and events in these streets and restrictions on the introduction of new activities Inspection plans and monitoring tasks will also ensure establishments comply with the maximum capacity for all activity Cleaning services will be bolstered so that establishments dump glass in containers during the day and not at night with more staff laid on for this purpose until the year is out The plan also involves a greater City Police presence in these streets The measures only affect these spaces in the district and are set to come into force once all the relevant administrative procedures have been completed The plan to cut noise comes after results from sound meters in these locations in Ciutat Vella showed that permitted thresholds were consistently exceeded by 3 decibels at night which is bathed in Mediterranean light and sunshine for much of the year The streets and squares are packed with gothic as well as ornate art nouveau buildings — don’t miss the Central Market of Valencia which showcases a dazzling array of local produce the park that curves around the centre along the old course of the diverted Turia river grand residences and elegant townhouses all over the city — you can stay in the old town or in a cool neighbourhood such as Ruzafa; in places close to the Turia Gardens Here are some of the best hotels in Valencia Palacio Santa ClaraEXPEDIA£££ | POOL | Best for architectural elegance contemporary look while retaining Valencian art nouveau features both inside and out A perfect central location means you are surrounded by shops and can walk to many sights and museums — this is a place you can easily pop back to if you forget your sunglasses or need to give your phone a quick charge Up on the roof there is a small pool with a stylish sundeck and bar just right for a couple of hours’ relaxation after a busy day exploring the city the Modernista lounge bar is handy for coffee Hospes Palau de la MarBOOKING.COM£££ | SPA | POOL | Best for lounging in luxury The five-star Hospes Palau de la Mar has one of the best spas in the city and the cool calm vibe filters right through the elegant 19th-century residence where original features include the grand marble staircase in the lobby Next to the Turia Gardens and a short walk to sights this is the perfect choice if you like discreet glamour and a bit of pampering — you may well spot a famous face or two as well The 66 rooms and suites are sumptuous yet understated Book ahead for creative Valencian cuisine at the popular Ampar restaurant A terrace at the Petit Palace RuzafaBOOKING.COM£ | Best for fashionable surroundings If you like staying in cool neighbourhoods with a local feel but still want to be central where the elegant streets are lined with independent bars Rooms are simply decorated in white and blue Some have terraces with loungers for sunbathing and others sleep up to five The hotel is close to Joaquín Sorolla station handy if you are arriving by high-speed train from another Spanish city Perks for guests include bikes and MiFi devices for internet access throughout the city without worrying about roaming charges Palacio VallierBOOKING.COM£££ | Best for romantic opulence In a prime location on a pretty little square near the cathedral the five-star Palacio Vallier has 31 rooms and suites and stands on the site of a Roman perfume factory The elegant 19th-century palatial building has been revamped in art deco style with a smart black Some rooms have balconies and four-poster beds and all have gorgeous marble bathrooms the Lladro suite has original ornate decorative elements and features pieces from the eponymous Valencian ceramic brand Las Arenas Balneario ResortEXPEDIA£££ | SPA | POOL | Best for a luxe urban beach break The five-star Las Arenas opened more than a century ago as a grand spa hotel Most of it has been rebuilt to create a 21st-century resort complex Half of the 253 rooms and suites face the Mediterranean with large balconies for gazing at the sea views An outdoor table at the Sorolla restaurant is one of the best places in town for a paella and there are plenty of tempting spots for a cold beer or a cocktail You are likely to spend a lot of time in the pools and the spa though — there are tons of treatments to choose from yoga and Pilates sessions with a personal instructor The Caro hotel’s plunge poolBOOKING.COM£££ | POOL | Best for architectural heritage the Caro occupies the palatial former home of the Marques de Caro and incorporates substantial Roman and Moorish architectural elements including part of the 12th-century city walls Each of the 26 rooms are different and many have beamed ceilings and open-brick walls — the duplex Tower Room is perhaps the most unusual The smart Alma del Temple restaurant has a Mediterranean menu (with a good set lunch) and the plunge pool with sun beds feels like a secret little oasis NH Collection Colon ValenciaBOOKING.COM££ | Best for discreet luxury You might be right in the middle of the action here on the main shopping street but thanks to top designer Lorenzo Castillo it’ll feel more akin to staying in a smart private club art deco lobby to leave the city behind and sink into a leather armchair in the bar or zoom up to the roof terrace for a cocktail The 47 rooms are decorated in three distinctive styles: French with illustration of exotic birds; and English with down-to-earth russet and mustard hues Marques HouseEXPEDIA££ | Best for Valencian exuberance An attractive 19th-century building in a great central location houses this fun boutique hotel A Mediterranean sun-sea-and-sand palette plus plenty of space and light make the 29 rooms a joy to spend time in but you can also relax on the roof terrace the Café Madrid is a Valencian institution that has been going for more than 80 years — albeit now with a fresh contemporary look — and is where the signature Agua de Valencia cocktail (a zingy mix of vodka cava and orange juice) was invented in 1959 bars and restaurants within a 15-minute walk you can really make the most of your stay in Valencia here • Best things to do in Valencia• Spain’s best cities for food Melia PlazaUK.HOTELS.COM££ | POOL | Best for being in the thick of it It doesn’t get more central in Valencia than the Plaza del Ayuntamiento and the Melia Plaza occupies a prime corner of the square This is a strategic base for exploring the city and the buzzy lobby bar is a popular meeting place Some of the rooms have balconies from which you can survey Valencia’s hustle and bustle in all its exhilarating glory The gym and sauna give onto the roof terrace where there is a hydromassage pool as well as loungers — it’s warm enough to sunbathe in Valencia for much of the year BalandretBOOKING.COM£ | Best for seaside chic Stay at the boutique Balandret and you can run straight into the sea stroll along the promenade or just watch the world go by from a terrace table — without having to pay a fortune staying by the beach makes a lot of sense — you can get into the centre in about a quarter of an hour by tram A cool Mediterranean colour scheme of pale blues greys and taupe creates a sort of Scandi seaside vibe esparto lampshades and baskets of oranges lend a warm Mediterranean feel Some of the 21 rooms have sea views and three share an interior terrace — great for a group of friends of a family trip with little extras to make them feel special A penthouse terrace at Helen Berger Hotel & BarUK.HOTELS.COM££ | Best for urban Mediterranean style The four-star boutique Helen Berger has 34 individually designed rooms in mid-century modern style with wooden floors and midnight blue The two penthouse rooms have wonderful terraces with space for both sunbathing and sundowners — and are great if you are travelling with a child fresh produce and has an appealing menu of Spanish and international dishes with plenty of spicy options — the fixed-price lunch and Sunday brunch are both good value right in the centre of the city and handy for shopping Only YOU ValenciaBOOKING.COM£££ | Best for fashionable stays the five-star Only YOU is a hub for Valencia’s cool crowd who gather for cocktails in the Trotamundos bar dinner in the SLVJ Japanese fusion restaurant or brunch in El Mirador — where there are sweeping views across the city Hair straighteners and nail dryer lamps come as standard in the mid-century modern rooms The hotel even has an in-house tailor and florist should you unexpectedly need to prepare for a special moment The terrace at Barcelo ValenciaUK.HOTELS.COM££ | SPA | POOL | Best for rooftop vibes Overlooking the City of Arts and Sciences by the Turia Gardens and a short bus or taxi hop from both the beach and the centre minimalist design and the restaurant is renowned for its seafood and rice dishes But the irresistible lure here is the tenth floor where the rooftop bar on the wraparound terrace is a happening place to hang out on a warm evening You can also survey the rather spectacular cityscape while working out in the gym soothing your aching muscles in the spa or cooling off in the plunge pool Westin ValenciaBOOKING.COM£££ | SPA | POOL | Best for facilities and service The five-star Westin Valencia is a haven of classic elegance in a quiet location near the Turia Gardens ten minutes’ walk from the historic centre and close to the Mestalla stadium indoor pool and good restaurants — the huge shady courtyard is a favourite haunt for Valencians for drinks lunch or dinner — this is one of those luxury hotels where you can spend all day relaxing in peace if you feel like it are comfortable and spacious with classic decor — no wacky design here One Shot Palacio Reina Valencia 04UK.HOTELS.COM£ | Best for arty design Federico García Lorca and Robert Capa have all stayed at this elegant it has been totally revamped and is now part of the One Shot group reasonably priced hotels with zesty contemporary design in several Spanish cities chairs in bright blue and yellow stand out like artworks against the black and white colour scheme while sumptuous beds and sleek bathrooms add to the luxe vibe There is an arty feel throughout the property and temporary exhibitions are held throughout the year Casual VintageEXPEDIA£ | Best for families The Casual group has a great range of budget accommodation in Valencia with five hotels to choose from in its stable Each has a different theme and at the Vintage the rooms have quirky decor based on different decades; the best are the 1980s rooms with a big balcony and those in the star category which are larger and have a coffee machine and other extras Slap-bang in the centre of the city in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento Casual hotels are family-friendly and provide a free baby pack with a cot • Best unexplored Spanish cities• Spain’s coolest coastal hotels Inspired to visit Valencia but yet to book your trip? Here are the best packages from Tui and BA Holidays Sign up for the Times Travel Newsletter here Academic institution that focuses on philological studies and Catalan literature The academy has an extensive library with over 70,000 titles and publishes various works related to its programme Archive Urbanism-Landscape Bodega Berlanga aims to be that kind of a place where you can have a few quiet beers with some good friends There's value on making the good stuff great here You'll be licking your lips over the local craft beer Fort (brewed in L'Hospitalet) on tap they've got quality tinned treats from Asturias and Andalucía among them delicacies such as cabrales cheese paté and venison paté Also on the menu are Iberian cold cuts and sheep's cheese such as the spectacular Aperitivo Berlanga you get a little tapa with every drink order Everything seems to have lined up nicely to guarantee a good time at Bodega Berlanga The New York Dolls played Sidecar for the venue's 25th anniversary back in 2007 and they declared it to be either just like the iconic seat of punk dance and drinks venue in Plaça Reial is still the below-ground temple of indie rock in Barcelona they'd tell unmentionable tales of the US Sixth Fleet in the 1970s and much better (or worse) stories of locals on a big night out The Euskal Etxea Cultural Centre brings a bit of the Basque Country to Barcelona. At the centre they offer classes in the Basque language as well as host workshops, films, concerts and literature events. You can also try Basque delicacies in the adjoining restaurant Some of the best local and international bands have played in this underground bar and thousands of music fans have had a blast working up a sweat on the dance floor The bar at the Sidecar Factory Club is a Barcelona classic that's full of history with a heartbeat that sounds like a guitar solo if you look through the red-lit windows that make a Kubrick-esque contrast with the whiteness of the furniture you can just make out tables covered with posters announcing concerts that have come and gone.The bar above the club has had its own identity for a while now: with Pablo the Sidecar bar hosts its own programme of concerts exhibitions and DJ sessions as well as mixing up good cocktails but the band Nueva Vulcano played there as well And they've filled the space full of concert photos that were taken by a different photographer each month: from Xavier Mercadé in February to Rosario López and Aitor Rodero in July DJs who have played tracks in the bar include Wences you can get a well-crafted Tom Collins for just €6 Quite the bastion of Barcelona life right here in its own corner of Plaça Reial