Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker A hundred trees still remain to be planted in this phase The entire project is expected to be finished in 2027 Rendering of the proposed La Rambla redevelopment project. Image Courtesy of Barcelona City Council, under policy of fair useTo combat gentrification La Rambla's urban planning aims to prioritize residential use and preserving rights for long-term residents managing tourism pressures is addressed through dedicated spaces for monitoring and managing large gatherings A comprehensive signposting plan aims to facilitate navigation while supporting sustainable tourism narratives and highlighting La Rambla's heritage Related Article UNESCO World Capital of Architecture 2026: Barcelona and the Capacity of Architecture to Transform Reality The roadway is set to be reduced to a single 3.5-meter-wide traffic lane in each direction, supporting local resident access, bicycles, and public transport. Widening the pavements provides more pedestrian areas, and a dedicated service lane will be in the widest areas of the pavements, balancing pedestrian use with occasional service needs. Enhancements to the central pedestrian zones will include enlarging tree pits and improving the condition of existing trees. in an effort to fight over-tourism and alleviate the city's long-standing housing crisis 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 The Barcelona City Council has begun removing eleven merchant stalls on the city’s iconic La Rambla boulevard The full process—including dismantling the stalls and repairing the pavement—is expected to take a couple of weeks and is scheduled to finish on February 26 these merchants on la Rambla once sold birds and other animals they stopped selling birds and instead began selling souvenirs Later, in 2021, when the city council announced the eviction, the merchants filed legal appeals to halt the eviction, arguing that it was being carried out “solely for political purposes.” However, none were successful, as the licenses they had obtained in 1971 were expected to expire after 50 years, in 2021. Removing the stalls is part of a broader renovation project of the city’s famous boulevard. The project has a price tag of €55 million and is expected to be completed in January 2027. Get the day's biggest stories right to your phone v1.1.0. Copyright © 2025. Powered by EBANTIC. All rights reserved. SpainChevron CataloniaChevron BarcelonaChevron Nobu Hotel BarcelonaSave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links this city has a key card with your name on it These are our local experts' picks for the best of the best Read our full Barcelona travel guide here Every hotel review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that property our editors consider properties across price points that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination and sustainability credentials top of mind This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date 2024Almanac remains one Barcelona’s hottest hotels even though its seventh birthday is just around the corner (where does the time go?) it still looks brand spanking new: Everything is shiny and modern from the tech-forward rooms to the sauna and rooftop dipping pool Book a Terrace Suite with a separate living room and a sun-drenched wraparound terrace overlooking Gran Via one of Barcelona’s main thoroughfares—don’t worry It’s clear that tech is a big deal at Almanac temperature and curtains are all controlled from the in-room touch panels (which can be confusing until you get the hang of them) including our personal favorite: the in-room popcorn machine just begging you to Chromecast a movie of your choosing onto the giant flat screen TV 2024The culinary scene at Hotel Arts is top-notch: Two-Michelin-starred Enoteca restaurant is a culinary destination in its own right People come here from all over to try Chef Pérez’s elegant tasting menus that showcase his love of the most Catalan of umami flavors “mar i muntanya,” which translates as sea and mountain (or surf ‘n’ turf) But we are talking about far more epicurean combinations like scallops cooked in chicken stock or cuttlefish served with truffle if you're looking for a blissfully relaxing stay right next to the Mediterranean—with views to die for and plenty of outdoor space—combined with discreet If you imagined the Mediterranean mecca of Barcelona to be brimming with luxury beachfront hotels if you want to stay within easy striking distance of the city center in Barcelona’s Port Olímpic (Olympic Port) district Sofitel Barcelona Skipper strikes the perfect balance between luxury and affordability Slightly less flashy than Hotel Arts or W Barcelona—but considerably more accessible—this is the ideal stay for families and couples who want a comfortable base close to the beach without breaking the bank The rooftop terrace is the hotel’s crowning glory—or pièce de resistance if you will—with its panoramic Mediterranean views But you also get a fascinating snapshot of raw Barcelona life stealing glances into people’s terraces and the pretty—and gritty—reality of that Like a small-scale version of Versailles in the center of Barcelona and it shows in everything from the fancy doormen in top hats to the old-school room keys to the lavish fabrics and furnishings It is a stately grande dame hotel that has been one of Barcelona's leaders in luxury ever since it first opened in 1919 then El Palace’s Art Suites are among the prettiest money can buy Each one is inspired by a former prominent guest—from Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood dancer and actor Josephine Baker—and their particular artistic preferences There’s also a Roman-style mosaic bath for those Insta-worthy tub moments Lower floors are distinctly businesslike with their muted gray and white color palette and restricted views with the 12th floor and up offering eye-popping panoramas of Barcelona stretching all the way down to the Mediterranean the spacious 430-square-foot Junior Suites are worth the splurge with their massive bathrooms featuring free-standing tubs and walk-in showers big enough for two or more You might be surprised to learn that this is the area most Barcelona locals would prefer to live in While you’ll find fewer tourist sites around here with shopping at El Corte Inglés and L’Illa and FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium all mere minutes away and the Mediterranean beyond—some of Barcelona’s best The rooms are where the W really blows you away The “Fabulous” rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows The room is kitted out with innovative lighting that can transform the mood with a couple flicks plus an oversize work desk and a chaise longue for daydreaming and gazing Guests have been known to stay inside this room for the entire duration of their stay or the switch that allows you to control the window blinds without ever getting out of it there is something magical about waking up here Since then both the hotel and the area have had a glow-up Nobody will ever know which caused what but who cares since Nobu Barcelona is just a couple blocks away from some of the city's hottest local restaurants and wine bars and you can reach central Barcelona in a matter of minutes by cab Inside it’s a zen fantasy: a beautiful abstract tapestry highlights the impressive double height of the lobby The painting behind the reception desk–inspired by the Japanese ink art of sumi-e–is a motif that is carried across the hotel a running theme throughout the common areas and guest rooms 2023There is a reason why Mandarin Oriental Barcelona figures year after year not only on lists of the best hotels in Barcelona from the friendly doormen to the impeccable lobby and a lovely rooftop plunge pool all round out the experience at this totally-worth-the-splurge grande dame Rooms at Mandarin Oriental have a new look following a pandemic-era glowup the new palette blends all the hues of the Mediterranean from the elegant teal headboards to the snug terracotta armchairs The Deluxe Garden room is the most affordable in the house which—given that this is the Mandarin Oriental—means $600 and up Despite being on the smaller side (starting from 345 square feet) the room is flooded with light thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows new InterContinental Barcelona offers great-value yet elegant stays for travelers who don’t mind not being smack bang in tourist central The building may look a bit underwhelming from the outside but the chic and airy interior common areas with their high ceilings and statement art pieces This is an ideal base for outdoor activities in Montjuïc as well as for the Fira Barcelona Convention Center so expect a heady mix of relaxed holiday-makers The most popular rooms are the classic rooms with access to the Club InterContinental lounge they are some of the largest in the city at this price point while the added advantage of the lounge includes privileges such as private airport pick-up and transfer and complimentary drinks and snacks from 7 a.m you cannot overstate the value of a truly great location And nowhere competes with shiny new ME Barcelona in the convenience stakes ME Barcelona belongs to stylish ME by Meliá lifestyle brand “that seeks to fuse innovative style with local tastes.” At ME Barcelona this translates into a contemporary city hotel with plenty of social spaces to attract both visitors and the local community where the guest’s individual interests—be it in music You will never be more than a 10-minute walk from El Born the Barri Gòtic or the Gaudí masterpieces that line Passeig de Gràcia Even la Sagrada Familía can be reached on foot in only 30 minutes Yurbban Passage is located in a converted textile factory like so many of Barcelona’s other upscale hotels The best rooms in the house are the two premium rooms on the top floor The view from these private decks is jaw-dropping Favorite features here are probably the spa and roof terrace which set the hotel a cut above other four-stars in this price range from its old parquet floors to the wood-paneled ceilings and grand spiraling staircases The cotton theme runs through the orb-shaped chandeliers like cotton flowers; the 300-thread Egyptian-cotton sheets in the more minimal rooms; and the fact that guests can order candy-colored hand-stitched shirts from the very sharp concierge desk which is known as the Gossypium (the Latin name for the genus of plants that produce cotton) welcoming lobby combines cream and teal shades with warm fabrics and strikes just the right balance between contemporary and classic and surprisingly spacious quarters at this centrally located five-star gem Tech is a priority here: Chromecast is installed on the flat-screen TVs and bedside controls to open and close the blinds and activate the do-not-disturb sign And all rooms include access to the swanky Despacio spa where you can slow down and relax after a day of urban exploration You'd think a room labeled Cosy would be cramped but I was pleasantly surprised by the sense of space The One’s smallest room class is unconventionally expansive The Cosy room probably has the best price-quality ratio of any five-star hotel room Built to blur the line between place-for-tourists and place-for-locals colossal windows thaw the barrier with local life outside The ceilings stretch higher than a supermodel’s legs its tropical plants could rival Jack’s beanstalk for size This four-star’s impact goes to a galaxy way above The seventh-floor pool terrace offers satiation in the form of cooling dips and waiter service—for your pressing cava-and-olive needs—between 12 p.m Maximum vacation glow comes via the Seventy Lifting Facial where organic cosmetics by local brand Scens are massaged in using skin-perking Kobido techniques Ronda Sant Antoni sits on the border of the trendy Sant Antoni neighborhood the considerably scruffier Raval district and the queer-friendly part of the Eixample The rooms get plenty of natural light from the large while the top-floor suites are well worth splashing out on for their private terraces and open-air bathtubs as well as plenty of details that hark back to the Catalan art nouveau This is an ideal base for young people with an interest in nightlife and trendy bars and restaurants While the Poolside Standard is an excellent option for budget travelers each featuring its own private outdoor bathtub and terrace and a spectacular bedside view across the city Brummell works with Istanbul-born Seyma Ozkaya Erpul the woman behind local favorites Funky Bakery and Funky Eatery Ozkaya has set up her own in-hotel bakery from where she distributes sweet and savory danishes and the highly addictive and ultra-cheesy Basque cheesecake The hotel reopened in mid-2024 under new management following a major refurb and decidedly Mediterranean vibe (to replace the rather corporate—dare we say combined with a soft color palette of warm terracotta All the furniture is bespoke and inspired by the Catalan Noucentisme movement–from the lighting to coffee tables and headboards Bathroom amenities and a house scent from the Barcelona-based Carner perfumiers fill the space with a deliciously sensual aroma one of the five Courtyard Large Terrace rooms at this renovated modernist mansion downtown—you can treat yourself to a private terrace and lots of direct sunlight for an affordable rate Though the service at Casa Bonay can be spotty at times the excellent bars are still worth a visit for stiff drinks and friendly locals The best rooms in the house are the Courtyard Large Terrace rooms and plenty of that beautiful Spanish sunlight The only drawback is that the rest of the hotel overlooks you Perfectionists will spot small signs of wear and tear creeping into that new-hotel gloss but original hydraulic floor tiles (with wild geometric patterns) and statement sliding doors keep design buffs focusing on the wows Monument is a chic hotel in a glitzy location It would be easy to find a hotel this impeccable somewhat intimidating but Monument’s courteous staff will put you at ease from the moment you step through the door When you learn that Spain’s most Michelin-starred chef Martín Berasategui has been put in charge of gastronomy at Monument you will not be surprised that the culinary offering here is a cut above the rest one of only two three-Michelin-starred restaurants in central Barcelona but by no means underwhelming one-star Oria to the generous à la carte breakfast and fabulous weekend brunch both served on Monument’s splendid Verbena rooftop terrace this is the place to impress even the pickiest of gourmands and a heated rooftop pool with 360-degree views stretching from the old port all the way to the top of Montjuïc The view of the rooftops and streets toward the back of the hotel is peaceful unlike the buzz of tourists and street vendors on the other side The 1898 combines exceptional public spaces with solid rooms all slap-bang in the middle of Las Ramblas in an unbeatable Gothic Quarter location a stone’s throw from the marina but the accommodations are seriously comfortable—the Hypnos beds are the same sort favored by the British royal family so expect to wake up feeling like a prince or princess Lauded chef Marc Gascons serves Catalonian specialties made from locally sourced products at the hotel's Informal restaurant Don’t miss the soft gnocchi with truffle in winter Make time to head up to the Rooftop de Informal terrace where you can gaze out at the marina from your spot in the pool Should you dare to make eye contact with the door handle you sense that he’s poised to throw himself at it in order to save your hand from the indignity of touching its weighty naturally—the atmosphere is more art gallery than hotel Brushed concrete walls and floors could be stark; but here they're elegant The elegant Passeig de Gràcia is next door placing Gaudí’s Casa Batlló a five-minute walk from your breakfast and putting you within credit-card-tapping distance of the city’s best designer shopping the Alma is like your friend who wears a simple T-shirt and jeans and still manages to turn every head The common spaces will make you want to check in and never leave whether it's by the roaring fire in the red velvet library in winter or the sunny rooftop plunge pool come summer The plush furnishings and red velvet curtains and armchairs are present throughout the hotel which come in sizes ranging from small to medium the Wittmore’s rooms don’t offer views of Barcelona’s distinctive architecture or the port—instead they all face the inner courtyard and vertical garden since was named after a character from The Royal Tenenbaums and the feeling that you’re in someone’s decked-out private apartment rather than a hotel this is one of the best deals around for those wishing to stay on the emblematic Passeig de Gràcia you're encouraged to treat it like your home There’s an “honesty bar” (pour yourself a drink and leave the money in the jar) is partially built into the city’s ancient Roman wall and impeccably laid out; some have even been built into an ancient Roman defense tower without being stuffy—you’ll find foie gras and caviar five-star boutique hotel—and you’re willing to splash the cash—there’s no better spot in Barcelona than the Mercer This has always been one of the city’s seedier areas which these days also means it's rather hip The lobby is black and white and red all over most of which come with a lounge area either incorporated into the room itself or located in a separate space across the hall Many rooms have views of the interior vertical garden while others have balconies facing the street Apart from 24/7 complimentary snacks on the ground floor there is also an honesty bar on the roof terrace Casa Camper shares its premises with Dos Palillos a Michelin-starred Japanese “tapas” bar by chef Albert Raurich off one of the prettiest squares in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter The comfy rooms are to a certain extent customizable to your own preferences including a menu of different bed linens and pillows The best room in the house is definitely the Junior Suite with its views of the charming Sant Felipe Neri Square below This spacious room is all done up in sophisticated neutral tones and delicate fabrics And do not leave without booking a table at A Restaurant for top-notch Catalonian cuisine with global influences Staying in an actual medieval castle is the kind of thing you probably dreamed about as a small child and now's your chance to make it come true timeless cream décor offset by striking modern artworks including the signature bright-white staircase The Edition Barcelona is right on the border of the city's enchanting medieval Old Town and the Modernist Eixample neighborhood The location is within easy stumbling distance of the city’s buzzing bar and restaurant scene and close enough to the historic squares and narrow winding alleyways of El Borne and the Gothic Quarter to allow you to check them out before the crowds descend you could easily walk past Motel One’s boxy modern façade without noticing it is a riotous party with geometric textiles and imaginative chandeliers—plus a huge bar that could get you swinging from them Each of Motel One’s 71 European hotels adheres to the same philosophy: that a budget price point shouldn’t mean dreary shoebox-sized spaces in lieu of interesting design While every bedroom has the same dimensions (so if you’ve stayed in one Motel One you’ll know exactly what you’ll get in another) A completely average and nondescript hotel in Barcelona can easily set you back 200 euros a night in peak season it does so with design panache—and a damn good bar while the seniority shows a little in the fancy staircases and posh doormen the hotel still manages to feel distinctly modern not tacky or tired The 430-square-foot Junior Suite Passeig de Gràcia is spacious and offers killer views of the iconic boulevard below The color scheme is understated (muted creams and beiges) and the ceilings are very high The Majestic itself may be more than a century old but the room is stocked with all the requisite contemporary luxuries from a Nespresso machine to complimentary Wi-Fi It’s the kind of room that’s so gorgeous and comfy you may want to cancel your dinner plans and ordering room service with their matching luggage sets and four-figure shoes come to this grande dame on the Passeig de Gràcia for the spacious suites Torre Melina is a relaxing oasis just 20 minutes from central Barcelona Every guest room at Torre Melina is bright and spacious and almost all (at least from the fifth floor and up) have impressive views of either the city or the mountains.The smallest Deluxe rooms are generously sized at 320-square-feet you’ll find what Meliá calls its RedLevel rooms referring to those that come with a host of perks included: from unlimited complimentary access to the Beso pool club (other hotel guests have to pay an additional fee that is redeemable against food and beverage orders) one-way transfer between the hotel and Plaza Catalunya and even complimentary 24-hour rental of an electric Audi up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world Japanese climber Taisei Homma recently repeated La Rambla 5.15a (9a+) in Siurana, Spain. Originally bolted and climbed by German climber Alex Huber in 1994 as a 35-metre 5.14c, it was later extended by Dani Andrada to become what it is today. Andrada didn’t make the first ascent though – instead it was opened by Ramón Julián Puigblanque in 2003. Since this FA, La Rambla has gone on to become one of the most popular 5.15a routes in the world. It’s seen repeats from many top climbers including Chris Sharma, Adam Ondra, Alex Megos, Margo Hayes, Stefano Ghisolfi, Jacopo Larcher, Seb Bouin, Chaehyun Seo, and Michaela Kiersch, among many others. In 2017, Hayes famously made history by becoming the first woman to climb 5.15a with her ascent of the historic line. La Rambla is Homma’s hardest sport route redpoint to date. In 2023 he spent time projecting the route, coming back this year to finish it up. He’s best known for his comp climbing resume. He has been a lead climbing specialist on the World Cup circuit since 2018, regularly competing in events around the world for Team Japan. He has one gold, five silvers, and one bronze Lead World Cup medals to his name. A post shared by 本間大晴 (@taisei_homma) A post shared by Esteban Lahoz (@esteban.ele.eme) Get the digital edition of Gripped for your chosen platform: it’s inevitable at some stage that you’ll wind up on the chaotic and there are many attractions in the vicinity Here’s our pick of things to do along the most famous street in the Catalonian capital This famously chaotic thoroughfare teems with pedestrians sauntering lazily laughing at the ‘living statues’ and stopping for caffeine-hit cafe con leche (milky coffee) at terrace tables along the way Sure it’s touristy – they say that if you’re a visitor you walk along it if you’re from Barcelona you cut across it – but it’s still a lot of fun To locate Miró’s masterpiece keep your eyes peeled as you near Liceu Metro and Liceu Theatre and you’ll spot the tile that the great man signed @jorgefdezsalas / Unsplash Book a Walking Tour Signing up to be led around by a local expert is sure to be stimulating – your guide is bound to be a fountain of knowledge spilling saucy secrets and dispensing well-I-never facts that the name Las Ramblas derives from Arabic and means sandy riverbed In the 10th and 11th centuries that’s what it was coursing with flood water from the mountains beyond or just invite a local show you around the area you’ll leave feeling that bit more clued-up about the place which is what the best city weekends are all about Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $800 on our unique trips See privacy policy you can hire a bicycle from as little as €5 a day – with or without crossbar you choose – and you’ll conquer Las Ramblas so much more effortlessly than on foot For that paltry sum they throw in a lock as well as a map of Barcelona marked with the big sights and the best routes pedalling through the shady backstreets of edgy Raval is an essential weekend experience; as is discovering the stony @jorgefdezsalas / Unsplash Gran Teatre del Liceu Tours Founded in 1847 is the most celebrated opera house in the city for live performances You couldn’t be further from the touristy scrum so make a booking for operas such as Otello modern-dance nights or classical-music concerts Attending a performance is not the only way to see Liceu although these are on hold during Covid-19 import PrebidBidService from "/v1/js/PrebidBidService.js"; import AmazonBidService from "/v1/js/AmazonBidService.js"; window.addEventListener('intersecting',async (e) => { const element = document.querySelector('[data-id="in_article_2"]'); const slot = element.getAttribute('id'); if(e.detail.slotName !== slot) { return; } let promises = []; if(window.canRunPrebid) { const prebidService = new PrebidBidService(); promises.push(prebidService.requestPrebidBids(null [slot])); } if(window.canRunAmazon) { const amazonService = new AmazonBidService(); promises.push(amazonService.fetchBids(null [slot])); } if(promises?.length) { await Promise.all(promises).then(() => { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); }); } else { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); } }); La Boqueria Market @yogianona / unsplash La Boqueria Tours The way to the heart of any visitor to a new city is through its most-celebrated markets. In Barcelona, that means La Boqueria – through the wrought-iron gates on Las Ramblas It’s been in business since 1836 as the city’s freshest best grocery store – and an hour of aimless wandering will fire your senses: there are lurid traffic-light displays of fruit and vegetables; ice-banks of glittery fish; curtains of blood-red hung meat; and masses of perfumed blooms You can settle in for seafood and tapas at the small cafes and stalls indulging in a bottle of crisp white local wine It’s also a great place to try street food and take a cooking class Spain’s grand department store brand is El Corte Inglés – and the Barcelona outlet commands a whole block on Plaça de Catalunya at the opposite end of Las Ramblas to the Columbus statue Dating from the early 1960s – and remodelled along the way – it is a mighty as this multistorey shrine to consumerism sells the lot and the food hall in the basement is heaven for collectors of tins from around the world – the vivid cans of Ortiz sardines are attractive enough to give as gifts back home Despite centuries of change along its length Las Ramblas has held on to some photogenic and historic dining establishments that deserve your time and your camera-lens focus which has been run by the present owners since 1928 and managed to keep turning out flavourful food even during the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) And duck into Pasteleria Escribà – arguably the most famous patisserie in town – for a morning coffee and a croissant as you watch the world go by You can’t leave Barcelona without a stash of memories of its abundant art and architecture Among the beautiful galleries in the vicinity lies the Centre d’Art Santa Mònica (CASM) Opened in 1988 in time for the city’s Olympic-era renaissance in 1992 it’s a spectacular space – formerly a convent The Renaissance cloister within is a fine place to idle when you need a breather from the exhibits Artists from around the world are featured and there’s an attractive cafe-restaurant with an open-air terrace @frns / Unsplash MACBA Tours This all-white glass-fronted beauty holds a permanent collection of Spanish and Catalan art including pieces by Miquel Barceló and Joan Rabascall international big names such as John Cage and Jean-Michel Basquiat can also be admired Fittingly located in the cool Raval District the museum hosts a heady roster of conferences activities and special events to highlight contemporary art Christopher Columbus monument Memorial Kamira / Shutterstock Christopher Columbus Monument Tours Towering over the lower end of Las Ramblas is this 60m (197ft) tall monument – raised in 1888 in honour of Christopher Columbus whose controversial bronze figure crowns the memorial supposedly pointing towards America (they say it’s actually Mallorca) where there’s an observation deck for 360-degree views of the city import PrebidBidService from "/v1/js/PrebidBidService.js"; import AmazonBidService from "/v1/js/AmazonBidService.js"; window.addEventListener('intersecting',async (e) => { const element = document.querySelector('[data-id="in_article_5"]'); const slot = element.getAttribute('id'); if(e.detail.slotName !== slot) { return; } let promises = []; if(window.canRunPrebid) { const prebidService = new PrebidBidService(); promises.push(prebidService.requestPrebidBids(null [slot])); } if(promises?.length) { await Promise.all(promises).then(() => { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); }); } else { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); } }); Boadas Bar this 1930s wedge-shaped sliver of a cocktail bar is Barcelona’s coolest – and oldest it was founded by a barman who learnt his trade at Hemingway’s Floridita Bar in Havana they mix and pour traditional combinations behind the sexy curve of the brass-and-dark-wood bar It always feels like a secret – particularly if you slip in during the day for a cheeky mojito or three Remodelled in the late ’90s/early 2000s in the heart of the formerly down-at-heel Raval area this is now a vast and lovely palm tree- and cafe-lined plaza with a weekend craft market and plenty of people-watching opportunities the enormous Cat by Fernando Botero looks happy enough to be here head up to the roof bar of the hotel Barceló Raval – which dominates the area like a huge metal drum – for excellent margaritas al fresco maziarz / Shutterstock Spain Trips and Tours Discover more of Spain and Europe with our carefully curated trips marvel at the Alhambra Palace in Granada or see Gaudi’s finest work at the La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona on these vacation packages in Spain Jo Fernandez-Corugedo contributed additional reporting to this article See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Autumn See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in July Guides & Tips How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Santander Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in November See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Summer See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in September Food & Drink The 5 Best Food Markets in Madrid See & Do Top Things to Do Around Las Ramblas Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in December Architecture Spain’s Most Impressive Bullrings Guides & Tips How to Attend a Bullfight in Spain See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in October US: +1 (678) 967 4965 | UK: +44 (0)1630 35000 tripssupport@theculturetrip.com © Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd Barcelona has always been a vibrant destination for food lovers but there is one event that captures the culinary essence of the city like no other: Tast a la Rambla 2025 This annual celebration attracts both locals and tourists eager to explore the flavors and innovative offerings that renowned chefs and restaurants present One of the most exciting aspects of Tast a la Rambla 2025 is its location this festival achieves a unique atmosphere by fusing the hustle and bustle of the city with world-class culinary experiences becomes a great outdoor feast where the senses are awakened with every bite and every aroma The event not only seeks to offer a first-class culinary experience but also aims to establish a bridge between gastronomic tradition and innovation Attendees have the opportunity to sample a variety of dishes that reflect the region’s rich gastronomic culture all while enjoying a stroll through one of the city’s most emblematic streets the festival has decided to go one step further towards inclusivity and sustainability The organizers have worked to make the event as sustainable as possible minimizing environmental impact by using responsible resources and opting for recyclable materials a strong emphasis has been placed on including menu options for everyone with vegetarian and gluten-free alternatives ensuring that absolutely all visitors can enjoy themselves without worry as spaces have also been created for new culinary talents to showcase their innovative proposals This approach not only diversifies the options available but also provides recognition and opportunities for those who are just starting out in the culinary world This year’s edition is not exempt of outstanding names in the kitchen Chefs who have been setting trends in Barcelona’s culinary scene for years will be present as well as new promises that seek to redefine what we know as haute cuisine This combination of talents promises an unforgettable gastronomic experience a true demonstration of what Barcelona has to offer the world The attendance of these figures ensures dishes that surprise for their audacity and the use of local ingredients The mixture of the traditional and the avant-garde in each dish reflects the current state of gastronomy in the city Not everything at Tast a la Rambla 2025 is just about eating The event is completed with a series of activities that enrich the attendee’s experience From culinary workshops where you can learn new tricks and techniques to live demonstrations where chefs prepare their favorite specials the festival offers a complete immersion into the world of gastronomy live music and performances complement the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the event These presentations help maintain a constant flow of positive energy ensuring that all attendees have an enjoyable and memorable experience Tast a la Rambla 2025 is not only a delight for the senses but also generates a significant economic impact on the city Attracting thousands of visitors each year the festival boosts tourism and supports local businesses This event is a clear demonstration of how gastronomy can be an economic and cultural engine for a global city like Barcelona it reaffirms the city’s relevance as a gastronomic center to be reckoned with putting Barcelona on the map as a world-renowned culinary destination It also fosters the exchange of ideas between chefs and food lovers further enriching the city’s culinary legacy Tast a la Rambla 2025 is much more than a gastronomic event; it is a celebration of culture it brings together people from all over the world to share their love for food and for Barcelona it is a must-attend event for anyone who wants to experience the best of cuisine in an incomparable setting Stock images by Depositphotos La venta de la nuda propiedad Copyright © 2022 Salirporbarcelona , All rights Reserved. Created by JEZZ Media After moving to the mainland to pursue a master’s degree from Cornell University and working in corporate America, Enrique Questell Pereira is excited to be back in his hometown as the new Owner-Operator of Chick-fil-A La Rambla. The Chick-fil-A PlayTM  App is your home for free, family-friendly shows, games and activities designed to create more time with your favorite people. The Catalan Mossos d'Esquadra police arrested two people accused of public disorder in Barcelona during celebrations for FC Barcelona's Copa del Rey victory over Real Madrid in the early hours of Sunday Around 2,700 people gathered at the Canaletes fountain in La Rambla to party after Barça won 3-2 in Spain's Copa del Rey final held in Seville on Saturday night it is tradition for culés to party in Canaletes Local Guàrdia Urbana police started to evacuate all celebrations around 4:00 am the two arrested started throwing bottles at police Despite a tie that took the game to extra time, Barça won the final in the last 10 minutes of the game. Hansi Flick's team drew 2-2 during the first 90 minutes, but a goal by Koundé put an end to the final when there were five minutes left in the game. Barça player Pedri scored the first goal of the night during the first half of the game. The Catalan team led the match until the second half, when Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé and Aurélien Tchouaméni scored two goals in quick succession. Ferran Torres scored the tying goal in minute 83. The Chick-fil-A La Rambla Restaurant Will Bring Approximately 120 Full and Part-Time Jobs to the Community; Honors 100 Local Heroes with Free Chick-fil-A Entrées for a Year 2024) – A second Chick-fil-A® restaurant will begin serving the Ponce community and surrounding Southern region of Puerto Rico on Thursday Chick-fil-A has selected Ponce native Enrique Questell Pereira as the independent franchised Owner-Operator of Chick-fil-A La Rambla Questell Pereira will be responsible for all day-to-day activities of the business including employing approximately 120 full- and part-time Team Members serving guests and cultivating relationships with local organizations and businesses tailoring philanthropic efforts to meet the Ponce community’s needs “I’m honored to have the opportunity to open the second Chick-fil-A restaurant on the south side of the island and make my restaurant a place of care and growth for the Ponce community Team Members and my neighbors,” Questell Pereira said “I have a passion for developing talent and helping them grow to their fullest potential and hope to inspire the next generation of leaders in Puerto Rico through mentorship excellent hospitality and great service.” Chick-fil-A La Rambla is recognizing 100 local heroes from SER de Puerto Rico and San Cristóbal Cancer Institute making an impact in the Ponce area by providing them with free Chick-fil-A entrées for a year Chick-fil-A also has a breakfast platter exclusively at its Puerto Rico restaurants hash browns and the customer's choice between chicken breast Additionally, on the island, Chick-fil-A restaurants serve coffee 100% grown and roasted in Puerto Rico Chick-fil-A Team Members are trained barista-style to hand-brew four coffee options: latte For the latest news and updates on Chick-fil-A La Rambla, visit the local restaurant’s Facebook page. For more information about Chick-fil-A and stories about the Brand’s food, people and customers across the country, visit chick-fil-a.pr The Chick-fil-A PlayTM  App is your home for free games and activities designed to create more time with your favorite people Sentenced for the crime of belonging to a terrorist organization. Mohamed Houli was convicted to 53 years in prison by Spain's National Court back in 2021 Houli was temporarily transferred to the Spanish Congress' committee investigating the 2017 terrorist attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils which left 16 deaths and over 300 people injured Months after the committee started in November Houli said that "Spain's intelligence agency knew about the Ripoll imam's plans and allowed him to brainwash us." The imam of Ripoll is considered the mastermind of the attacks in La Rambla Boulevard and Cambrils' Passeig Marítim seafront boulevard Es-Satty had been interviewed by the CNI while he was in prison in Castellón and before he went to live in Ripoll. According to a report by the Spanish secret services, he was ruled out as a potential collaborator as they did not trust his information as I was aware of any consequences I could face so I do not have anything to lose," he told MPs in the Prim room named after Catalan general Juan Prim i Prats "I say this not to make me less responsible for the events but for those who approved the imam's doing as he wished and doing what he had planned." Houli said that another member of the terrorist group had told him that es-Satty himself had advised him to leave the premises "as some CNI agents were getting there." "This is the only thing I can say," he added Spain's Guàrdia Civil temporarily transferred Mohamed Houli to Congress under strong surveillance measures including armored police officers seated by MPs At the committee, held in Catalan and Spanish languages, Houli said that he "felt forced" to say that the terrorist group planned to attack Barcelona's unfinished Sagrada Família basilica, despite the fact he did not know of the plans. Houli was part of the group of people at the house in Alcanar, south of Catalonia, that exploded a few days before August 17, 2017, when the attacks were perpetrated. He said that at the moment of the blast, there were three people, "but I do not know if the imam had escaped through the window or not, they say that they are not aware if he is dead or alive, I do not know it either," he told MPs. The convicted argues it was es-Satty who radicalized them: "I cannot explain it, but everything starts with the imam. We were very well-integrated children who had never caused any harm." Before Houli started his statement and answering MPs questions, members of the People's Party left the committee. They consider the "cost" to public funding this committee is causing is just "ridiculous and a lack of dignity to the chamber." "All this spectacle is just to pleasure those who, thanks to his votes, allow Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez continues in government against all Spaniards' wills," Rodríguez said. First published: November 29, 2024 12:51 PM The renovation works currently ongoing on Barcelona’s iconic La Rambla boulevard have uncovered several archaeological finds that shed light on the city’s history. Among the most notable discoveries are the walls of the former Estudi General, segments of medieval fortifications, and 18th-century water collectors. The work is being carried out in segments to guarantee pedestrian access and public services while allowing for documentation of the finds. According to Òscar Matas, the archaeological director overseeing the first phase of the project, this initiative is unprecedented in scale for La Rambla. "It gives us a comprehensive view, which is very valuable," he told the Catalan News Agency (ACN). Xavier Maese, the technical lead of Barcelona's Archaeology Service, echoed this sentiment, and noted that potential discoveries were anticipated in the project’s planning phase. The renovation process is unique due to La Rambla's status as a bustling and emblematic street, meaning the work must be conducted segment by segment, slowing the whole process down. "Access for emergency vehicles, pedestrians, and regular traffic must be maintained," Matas explained. "We excavate one side first, then the other. It’s not possible to dig across the full width, so we work in small sections." While this method is less invasive, it is also slower and more complex. "We encounter fragmented archaeological sites, which complicates the excavation due to space constraints and the nature of the project itself," he added. Archaeological finds have been uncovered at various points along the Rambla. Remains of the Estudi General de Barcelona have been found, including walls from a building constructed in 1536. This institution, a precursor to the University of Barcelona, was integrated into the medieval city walls and occupied the upper La Rambla area, near modern-day Plaça de Catalunya. In the early 18th century, the building was converted into a military barracks before being demolished in 1843 to make way for the Isabel II gate. A section of the La Rambla wall from the late 14th century was discovered on the corner of Plaça de Catalunya. This wall extended to Drassanes, encircling the present-day Raval neighborhood. Six pillars from a 16th-century bronze cannon foundry, Real Fundición de Artillería de Bronce de Barcelona, were unearthed. The foundry, established by the city council to defend Barcelona, was dismantled in the late 18th century when La Rambla was transformed into a boulevard. Part of the northern tower of the medieval Boqueria gate was found, a key component of the city’s defenses from the mid-14th century. This gate and the La Rambla wall no longer had a defensive purpose after the Raval wall was constructed later that century. Three stone water collectors were identified around the Carrer del Cardenal Casañas area, with ceramic pipes indicating they carried clean water. These are believed to date to the 18th century when La Rambla was being urbanized. Over 300 meters of this water collection infrastructure has been documented so far. A segment of the mid-14th-century medieval wall around Plaça del Teatre was uncovered, following the course of a former stream and doubling as a retaining wall during floods. Evidence of past floods, such as accumulated materials like earth, stones, and medieval ceramics, was also found here. Mauricio Chandler | Barcelona and humanity will die because art is what makes us human; otherwise we would be animals." This poignant quote from Marco Garrido reflects his concern about the waning public interest in music on La Rambla boulevard in Barcelona's city center which does not bode well for him and other street performers With a history dating back to the late 19th century Barcelona's street performers characterize the city's vibrant landscapes From living statues to rappers and singers street performers practice their art across various mediums and are a recognizable staple of La Rambla.  street performers have had to adapt to shifting public interests and social dynamics and residential complaints have added to artists troubles making it more difficult for artists who rely on donations from pedestrians and passersby to make a comfortable living With Plaça Catalunya square and La Rambla undergoing rapid change in the aftermath of Covid-19 and artists have also come to negatively affect street performers whose art functions as their primary form of income navigating bureaucratic tape regulating where and when artists can perform and remaining committed to long hours with little pay are becoming common and overwhelmingly necessary measures for Barcelona's street performers to support themselves.  the money earned from playing could easily be outweighed by that of a part-time job.  Pointing to a decline in interest from younger audiences as well as the stringent enforcement of limits on the hours and locations artists can perform performers feel pressure to find alternative forms of income or even abandon their crafts altogether reflects some of the sentiments that underlie many artists' decisions to leave street performing behind the people are not enjoying the music the same way people don't want to pay for a good band"  With public interest seemingly plateauing and regulations remaining unchanged the exodus of street performers has consequently left a dearth of art on portions of La Rambla that have traditionally been sites of artistic expression.  City regulations have taken a steady toll on pay and overall quality of life for street performers over time Barcelona metropolitan transport (TMB) and the city council in collaboration with the Street Musicians association (AMUC) established a series of rules that addressed performances in Barcelona's streets and subways.  These regulations restricted the locations where musicians could perform specifically within the subway and the La Rambla area artists were required to obtain a license and pass a quality control test to be authorized to play while aimed at maintaining a certain standard of performance gradually made it more challenging for street performers to earn a living as changing audiences and demographics outpaced the versatility of regulations over the last decade this has meant adhering to stringent policy over extended periods of his career When asked how he navigates this regulation Alexis commented "There are some fundamental requirements to perform in the metro or on the street including requesting permits and filling out specific paperwork to fill out the form and go through the process." street performers have been part of La Rambla but as Alexis and many more discussed with Catalan News the current situation makes it difficult to foresee a future without obstacles to stability.  Recent plans to begin renovations on La Rambla boulevard have also contributed to street performer´s financial and regulatory worries this summer and into the foreseeable future.  Construction has been underway for months at the end of the street, and more recently the boulevard has experienced . Full renovation is expected to be completed by January 2027. Meanwhile,artists will need to time their performances around construction schedules as well as assigned time slots. While La Rambla boulevard’s renovations will enhance the street’s walkability and ecology, the question of how performers will weather the current and upcoming obstacles associated with La Ramblas changes remains unanswered. La Rambla boulevard has fully bid farewell to one of its most charismatic elements for Barcelona residents: the 'ocellaires' or 'bird vendors' stalls after the city council evicted the last five vendors on Monday morning The closure follows a judicial ruling and comes after six vendors were already evicted on August 21.  Earlier in July a judge temporarily suspended the closure of the shops to further examine the case.  later rulings from up to five different courts backed the city council's decision.   The city council wanted to evict the merchants as part of a reform of La Rambla that began in June and aims to change the perception that the boulevard is strictly for tourists.  Known in Catalan as 'ocellaires' or 'old bird sellers,' the merchants on La Rambla used to sell birds and other animals.  In 2009, they stopped selling birds and now sell souvenirs, ice cream, tickets, and sweets.  Back in 2016, the city council already floated the idea of dismantling the stalls, and on June 14, 2021 they told public tender winners that they would not extend the contracts that started on 1971 for 50 years. The works on La Rambla boulevard near the port ended on Saturday The area goes from Santa Madrona Street to the Christopher Columbus statue by the sea A statement says the renovated area has made La Rambla "more comfortable the works on the other parts of La Rambla boulevard continue to reform "one of the most famous streets in the city." The refurbishment has modified around 23,000 sqm and changed Drassanes Avenue to improve connectivity between the seaside as well as extend La Rambla towards the port area the change has created a new square to "push forward meet ups." The renovation is expected to be completed in January 2027, taking three years instead of the originally planned six. The €55 million renovation will result in a completely new La Rambla, more comfortable, greener and more pedestrian-friendly, according to the city council. When the work is completed, there will be a single lane in each direction and more space for pedestrians. Tourism: The danger of being too successful Founder and director of the Lola Domènech_architecture and landscape studio she combines her professional practice with lecturing She is a professor at the School of Architecture of Barcelona (ETSAB) and the La Salle School of Architecture (ETSALS) an associate lecturer at IE University in Madrid and teaches project design in the Master’s programme in Interior Space Design Private Perimeters at the Elisava School of Design.  one of Barcelona’s most iconic thoroughfares is undergoing a transformation led by the KM_Zero team aiming to reclaim it for local residents while preserving its cultural identity and value The project seeks to save the promenade from the impact of mass tourism prevent the exodus of residents and turn it into a greener Alongside enhancing mobility and accessibility the proposal includes the creation of green spaces the preservation of historic elements and support for local businesses The aim is to transform La Rambla into a vibrant authentic space with a forward-looking vision moving away from a model driven solely by tourism been places of connection and socialisation From the foundation of the earliest cities architecture and urban spaces define the unique character of our cities which are constantly evolving and transforming urban design – especially in historic and heritage city centres – faces new global challenges: on the one hand It is in the most emblematic and unique areas of the city that these challenges must be addressed in all their complexity Architecture and urban planning can solve many of the issues associated with modernising urban infrastructure and promoting climate resilience and comfort Additional urban strategies are needed to address related issues culture and the socio-economic effects of mass tourism we have a dual responsibility: to enhance our architectural and urban context with a forward-looking perspective that responds to current challenges while respecting the historical and cultural heritage of each place It must be supported by parallel management strategies to achieve meaningful change Tourism has significant positive economic impacts on certain sectors but it also brings serious negative consequences for residents as a whole These include the displacement of locals from their neighbourhoods the dominance of tourism-related businesses overcrowding in historic centres and conflicts over shared spaces This is not a problem unique to Barcelona; cities such as Paris La Rambla – a cultural axis and backbone of the historic centre – has long been internationally recognised as a symbol of the city’s identity the various uses of La Rambla – newsstands and flower stalls along the central promenade and palaces and cultural buildings lining its course – have created a rich diversity of activity and a vibrant urban complexity serving its citizens the character of the city’s heart has undergone significant transformations Among the most pressing issues are the loss of residents overcrowding and the dominance of tourism-focused businesses along the central promenade and at street level The impact of tourism has led to a decline in the value and identity of one of the city’s most emblematic thoroughfares and its historic centre an international competition was held and won by the multidisciplinary team KM_Zero The competition was thoughtfully designed with an innovative dual approach: firstly The KM_Zero team worked closely with residents technical experts and other stakeholders to build consensus around the renewal project and bring to life one of its central aims: reclaiming La Rambla for the people of Barcelona restoring the identity of this thoroughfare This phenomenon has eroded the city’s historical and cultural image and alienated its residents The effort to reclaim La Rambla focuses on transforming it into a shared public space the Comunitat Rambles was established during the project’s development This group ensures that the space remains a collective asset free from being entirely shaped by commercial dynamics the environment and tourism management invite the Comunitat Rambles to oversee public policies aimed at redressing the balance in tourism The focus now must be on a new model of city: one that is lively diverse and inclusive – a city that is authentic and real avoiding the globalised model created solely for tourists The proposal advocates for a contemporary urban regeneration that is practical resilient and respectful of the urban context architectural heritage and cultural facilities Several accessibility studies have shown that Barcelona’s residents move across La Rambla in a transverse manner – from the Gòtic to the Raval neighbourhood – whether to move between neighbourhoods or to visit cultural venues such as the Teatre Poliorama La Virreina or the Centre d’Arts Santa Mònica most visitors walk along La Rambla in a longitudinal direction To improve both longitudinal and transversal accessibility the project rationalises the use of public space transforming La Rambla into a traffic-calmed axis that prioritises pedestrians The pavements and central promenade are widened while traffic is limited to one lane in each direction with designated loading and unloading zones operating during restricted hours the project also proposes the installation of an adapted inclusive and unified pavement stretching from facade to facade helping to create a coherent and harmonious urban space as a whole The project also addresses accessibility issues at both the seafront and mountain ends the central promenade extends uninterrupted to Columbus monument thanks to the removal of the cross-lane that connected to the Drassanes [Royal Shipyards] and the scattered flowerbeds This change opens up a spacious square-like area in front of the Maritime Museum of Barcelona which is integrated into the area with biodiverse plantings of trees and shrubs incorporating most of the existing greenery The central promenade now connects with the sea which highlight the former city gateway (on Carrer Ample) and the Maritime Museum one of the city’s key cultural institutions an important Cultural Asset of National Interest the pavements are widened to accommodate the heavy flow of pedestrians the project seeks to enhance the surrounding urban context it proposes the creation of three main squares around three iconic locations known for their architectural and heritage significance: Portaferrissa-Virreina Each of these spaces is designed as a unique pedestrian-prioritised platform forming a continuous sequence of squares that promotes transversal movement Recognising the historical significance of La Rambla also involves marking and showcasing the five former city gates the pavement – uniform from facade to facade along the entire length of the promenade – features a distinctive two-tone design (using porphyry and granite) that marks the locations of these old gates: the Santa Anna – Canuda gate the Pla del Teatre gate (Carrer d’Escudellers) and the gate on Carrer Ample we must plan the city of today with a vision for the future The climate change crisis we are currently facing also compels us to consider the creation of a resilient urban space – one that celebrates the existing trees and introduces new biodiverse green areas (at the end of the axis and in Pla del Teatre) The expansion of the central promenade will improve the conditions of the historic tree canopy (mainly plane trees from the Devesa de Girona park) through the creation of larger soil aeration and the integration of an automatic irrigation system This approach will help address the suffocation and soil compaction that the trees currently suffer from The start of this project was marked by a deeply challenging moment following the terrorist attack in August 2017 in which 16 people lost their lives and over a hundred were injured the KM_Zero team was tasked with incorporating the Memorial for La Rambla 17A into the pavement of the Pla del Os where the community spontaneously gathered to mourn This event also necessitated the integration of anti-terrorism security measures which have been included in the project through the installation of special bollards to ensure pedestrian safety Urban renewal also involves streamlining and rethinking the use of public space The flower stalls and news kiosks are an essential part of the historic iconic and distinctive urban landscape of La Rambla historically situated in front of the Boqueria market will remain in the same area in recognition of the original florists who started their trade at this spot the plan proposes their restoration (designed by Pep Alemany and Enric Poblet FAD Award 1972) and their relocation along the promenade in line with the criteria established in the approved Special Plan With the urbanisation project now underway the restoration of La Rambla has already begun The next step is to roll out the strategies outlined in the plan to tackle tourism management investment in culture and the revitalisation of local putting Barcelonians at the heart of it all Subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date with Barcelona Metròpolis' new developments April 23 is known as the most romantic day of the year in Catalonia. Instead of Valentine’s Day, Catalans celebrate Sant Jordi, a day of gifting books and roses, and spending time with loved ones.   The feast day of Sant Jordi, the patron saint of the territory, is the “most festive workday of the year,” according to Barcelona city councillor working in culture, Xavier Mercé, as indeed the day is not a public holiday, even though it can easily feel like it is.  The number of stalls across Catalonia this year will double those that took to the streets in comparison with how the day was before the pandemic. Barcelona will see around 450 book stalls and another 50 selling roses.  The Book Chamber of Catalonia, the institution that brings together the guilds and associations of publishers, booksellers, distributors, and the graphic industry of Catalonia, held a press conference on Wednesday in the Catalan capital. Organizers are “optimistic” for the day to come and “proud” of the preparatory work put in.  Passeig de Gràcia, with an enormously high density of bookshops and libraries in the surrounding blocks, will be the central node of the festivity once again, while La Rambla will also feature book and rose stalls as tradition, despite the ongoing construction works. A “Ronda Literaria”, a type of ‘Literary Street’, will stretch from the Jardins de Gràcia down to Santa Mónica on La Rambla.  In addition, authorities have developed a new safety protocol, given the scale of the day and the amount of people expected on the streets. Organizers explained that due to the dimension of the spaces involved, this new protection plan was put in place, which coordinates with the Civil Protection authorities as well as firefighters and ambulances.  Organizers believe that Sant Jordi this year will be another big success, and that the fact that the day falls midweek, on a Wednesday, it is expected to be another decentralized and well dispersed festivity. There will be seven locations in the Catalan capital for hosting book and rose stalls, with others set up in the central parts of cities and towns across Catalonia.  In the Catalan capital, the spaces for books and roses will once again be present in seven districts of the city.  All areas for stalls will be given more space to make things more comfortable for the public, done with the intention of decentralizing the festival and bringing it closer to as many people as possible, as well as dispersing crowds as much as possible and guaranteeing a more accessible and safer experience for both the public and stallholders. There will be more stalls than last year, with around 500 in total. It’s expected that there will be 448 official book stalls and another 52 selling roses. In total, the Sant Jordi festivities will span across an area of more than 3,500 meters. By district, the book stalls will be distributed as such:  One of the factors that makes the day so special is that it is celebrated up and down all of Catalonia. In Girona, the day will once again be celebrated around the Rambla, where the city's bookstores will set up their stalls. In Vic, possibly the town with the most bookshops per population in the country, all the bookshops will set up in the town’s most emblematic space, Plaça Major. In Manresa, bookshops and florists have a traditional space, the Passeig de Pere III, in front of the Casino, with a separate area for author signatures. In Reus, the party will be held in the most iconic square in the city, Plaça del Mercadal. In Lleida, bookshops will once again gather in the Rambla de Ferran and the Avinguda de Francesc Macià, in the heart of the city. In Tarragona, as is tradition, bookstores and florists will gather on La Rambla, in five sections that they have reserved there, and the organizations in the others. In Tortosa, the book stalls will be on a route from Carrer de Sant Blai to Plaça de l'Àngel, Carrer de l'Àngel, Plaça d'Agustí Querol, Carrer de la Rosa and Plaça de la Cinta. In Amposta, they will be concentrated in Plaça de l'Ajuntament, where the stalls of the local bookstores will set up. In Torredembarra, stalls will set up in the square that connects the two most commercial streets, with a space marked out for bookstores and florists. In Banyoles, they will stop in Plaça Major, in a space shared with organizations. In Premià de Mar, organizations, florists, and bookshops will share space in Plaça de l'Antic Ajuntament, in the old town and three streets that lead to it. In Tremp, both bookshops and organizations set up stalls of books, roses and handicrafts on Rambla Dr. Pearson, with local activities and authors. In La Seu d'Urgell, the City Council plans to fill Passeig Joan Brudieu with stalls from the city's bookstores and florists, as well as a space for associations. In Vilafranca del Penedès, the bookstores will be located on the Rambla de Sant Francesc, where they will share space with the town's entities. In Ascó, the party will be located in Plaça de l'Església, where the City Council organizes activities. Street merchants on Barcelona's iconic La Rambla boulevard will not be evicted - at least for now The merchants had until Thursday to hand over their keys or face eviction but a judge has temporarily suspended the closure of the shops The city council wants to evict the merchants as part of a reform of La Rambla that began last month and aims to change the perception that the boulevard is strictly for tourists. Known in Catalan as 'ocellaires', or 'old bird sellers', the merchants on La Rambla used to sell birds and other animals. In 2009 they stopped selling birds and now sell souvenirs, ice cream, tickets and sweets. The 'ocellaires' do not intend to hand over the keys, claiming that there is no court order forcing them to do so.   The city council gave them 10 days to hand over the keys and said it would take further legal action if they did not comply. The court now has three days to rule on the matter, and until it does, the eviction is suspended. Since 2021, when the eviction was announced, the merchants have filed several legal appeals, none of which have been successful. They have now appealed to the European Court of Human Rights. The traders believe that the eviction is being carried out "solely for political purposes and not with the support of the courts." They are calling for a negotiated solution and warn that if the eviction goes ahead, around 100 people will be left without work. "When someone takes a problem to a judge, the relation with the public administration is only through the courts. This happens when someone pushes to the limit and files a complaint. The judge will tell us what to do next, and we'll need to obey their ruling," mayor Jaume Collboni said.  After the eviction, the stalls will be demolished to leave more space for pedestrians. The renovation is expected to be completed in January 2027, taking three years instead of the originally planned six. The €55 million project will result in a completely new La Rambla, more comfortable, greener and more pedestrian-friendly, according to the city council. A zero-emission ferry shuttle service linking Barcelona's seafront with La Rambla boulevard will begin operating on Thursday powered by both solar energy and electric charging The 10-minute ride will connect two key docks of the Barcelona port: one at the end of La Rambla boulevard and the other on the beach of San Sebastià The service will begin on July 4 and will run 12 hours a day have a cruising speed of 10 knots and can cruise continuously for 8 hours The president of the Barcelona port Lluís Salvadó said the bus will provide transportation for the nearly 3,400 people who work in the old port which is home to important companies such as Desigual Beachgoers will also benefit from the service as they will be able to reach San Sebastià beach Authorities emphasized that the project will help integrate the port with the city and "alleviating" traffic around the Columbus Monument area The new service comes ahead of the America's Cup sailing competition, which begins on August 22. The competition has led to a major transformation of the port, with a total investment of €300 million between the city and the port. "We are immersed in a process of transformation, reconnecting the city with the sea, something that has not been seen since the '92 Olympics," said Mayor Jaume Collboni at the launch of the service. Collboni said the launch of  'Bus nàutic' was done in "record time," and that the project had been in the works for more than 15 years and was "accelerated" by the America's Cup. It is just one of the many projects the local government will unveil in the next two months before the competition begins. "The next 50 days will be hectic. We are in the final stages of completing the 20 operations in the port," said Salvadó. The shortest month of the year brings with it one of the longest celebrations of the calendar; Carnaval will be celebrated in different Catalan cities and towns this week.  and the Burial of the Sardine are just some of the fantastic high jinks Catalans will get up to this week.  also known as Fat Thursday with the arrival of the Carnival King and it will last until the following Wednesday there will be around 40 different parades happening across the different neighborhoods of the Catalan capital alone Check out the Catalan News guide below to make the most of these exhilarating festivities.  ‘Fat Thursday’ marks the beginning of the celebrations and is the day when people are encouraged to indulge in fatty foods such as botifarra d'ou (egg sausage) and truita (omelet) or coca de llardons (pork crackling cake).   As far as festivities are concerned, Thursday is a great day to get your carnival groove on. In Vilanova i la Geltrú, a coastal town south of Barcelona, there will be what locals call 'La Merengada' - a massive meringue food fight Children (and more than a few adults) will gather at 5:30 pm in front of Blanch bakery on Avinguda Francesc Macià to partake in the annual sticky dessert hurling ritual.  there will be 'Arribo' parades all over Catalonia as the king or queen of Carnestoltes "arrives" to take part in the fun.  Sitges, north of Vilanova i la Geltrú on the Garraf coast, and a rival of Vilanova for who has the best carnival celebrations, is famous for its opening parade, but Barcelona and other towns will have their own ones too.  The show in Sitges starts at 7.15 pm at La Fragata. In Barcelona, the cosmic-themed arrival parade for Queen Belluga kicks off at 5:15 pm. But watch out! Normally the parade starts down La Rambla boulevard, but due to the ongoing works, the fun will all go down in the Sants area, with the parade starting at Plaça Bonet i Muixí. Towns like Vilanova i la Geltrú celebrate the 'Arribo' on Friday, not Thursday, as do several Barcelona's districts, some of which will have their own smaller parades, as Les Corts's festivities, which start at 5:00 pm at Plaça de Comas.  In Raval, the parade Ravalstoltada will start at 6:00 pm at the Rambla de Raval.  Friday in particular is a big deal for schoolchildren in Catalonia as it is a day they'll be sure to dress up for parades in their hometowns. This comes, of course, after a week of very specific attire at school: pajama day, mismatched socks day… you get the picture. It's also one of the nights you're most likely to see adults out in costume at a club or bar.  On Saturday, several parades will take place all over Barcelona throughout the day.   In the Eixample district, the LGBTIQ+ collective’s parade will start at Pl. De Universitat square at 5:30 pm.  Meanwhile, in Solsona, Carnival is done differently. On Saturday, the traditional 'mata-ruc' donkey-killing ceremony will take place. This, thankfully, is not as appalling as it sounds: it's only a fake donkey that's hung from the church bell tower.  The expression ‘mata-rucs’ was once used disparagingly about the residents of Solsona, but has now been reclaimed, and on Saturday, an ‘Honorary Mata-rucs’ will be proclaimed. Head to the very aptly named Plaça del Ruc square at 7:30 pm to witness this peculiar tradition.  Sunday is a big day for parades as there is usually more than one in the same city or town on this day.  For those whose clothes didn’t get dirty enough at 'la merengada', there will be a candy-throwing war known as 'la Comparsa' on Sunday in Vilanova i la Geltrú.  In the city of Sant Celoni, the traditional ‘Ball de Gitanes’ will take place on Sunday on the Plaça de la Vila square. The dance dates back to 1767, although it is pagan in origin and was traditionally performed in the Catalan Vallès region.   In Sitges, there will be a parade for children at 12 noon, and another for adults at 7.30 pm.  Monday is usually the day of rest after a weekend of Carnival madness, but this is not always the case! In Roses, a town on the Costa Brava, it's actually the last day of Carnival. Unlike the rest of Catalonia's sardine burials, Roses is on Monday. The town will also be hosting an 'arrossada popular' rice meal for the community. In some places, such as Vidreres near Girona and Ponts near Lleida, Tuesday (‘Mardi Gras’ in much of the Carnival-celebrating world but just Carnival Tuesday or 'Dimarts de Carnaval' here) is the day locals eat 'ranxo' stew, a special meat and vegetable stew made from the ingredients residents bring to the town square.   Also not to be missed is Sitges' Extermination parade on Tuesday night, one of Catalonia's most popular Carnival processions. Beginning at 9 pm, expect to party all night.   Before that, Sitges are putting on a kids’ carnival parade at 12 noon.  Carnival comes to a close with the symbolic burial of the sardine ('enterrament de la sardina') on Ash Wednesday, or 'Dimecres de Cendra', as revelers put an end to the period of excess before Lent. In the Catalan capital alone, Ciutat Vella, Sants-Montjuïc, Les Corts, Horta-Guinardó, Nou Barris, Sant Andreu, and Sant Martí will all be burying sardines - more than enough fish funerals for Barcelona residents and visitors to pick from! 備受香港人喜愛的西班牙餐廳「La Rambla by Catalunya」之前關掉灣仔店，最近經過翻新後重新於中環　IFC Mall 開業，餐廳以煥然一新的空間、復刻「Catalunya」經典美味的菜單，以及滿滿西班牙式的熱情款待，滿足不同場景聚會。 2013年開業的 Catalunya 位於摩理臣山，像間隱藏於西班牙小鎮中的小店，氣氛 cozy 又溫馨。餐廳由世界頂級餐廳「elBulli」團隊帶領，當時將創新的西班牙飲食理念帶到香港，成為飲食界話題，也影響不少後期在香港開業的西班牙餐廳。Catalunya 憑創新的西班牙菜式迅速成為熱話，此次轉型為 「La Rambla」，於中環 IFC 以奢華形象示人，餐廳的創辦人Gerald Li表示，希望能帶回那股充滿社交與活力的西班牙氛圍。 這次的翻新由文化潮流達人 Kevin Poon 及行政總廚 Rafa Gil 主導。Rafa 曾是「Catalunya」創始團隊的一員，後來在「Netflix」全球廚藝競賽節目「Final Table」中嶄露頭角，獲得國際認可。翻新後的空間設計靈感來自西班牙建築大師 Gaudí 的風格，採用了更鮮明的色彩、設計感十足的西班牙瓷磚，以及傳統西班牙紅磚，營造出既熱情奔放又不失優雅的空間感，向西班牙文化致敬。 行政總廚　Rafa Gil曾於「El Celler de Can Roca」、「Mugaritz」及「Arzak」等世界頂級餐廳歷練，這次他為「La Rambla」設計的全新菜單，帶回「Catalunya」最受歡迎的經典菜式。回歸的經典菜式包括「牛油果龍蝦卷」、「塞哥維亞西班牙乳豬」及 「西班牙式炸丸子」，同時推出一系列全新創意菜式，如「加大碼鯷魚牛油多士」、「西班牙香腸扁豆燉菜」、「熟成 Rubia Gallega丁骨牛排」，以及「紅酒燉牛尾鵝肝撻」。「Catalunya」儀式感十足的西班牙乳豬秀亦將回歸，大廚會於餐桌旁即席以瓷碟切割乳豬，隨後摔碎瓷碟，為客人帶來獨特的用餐體驗。 「La Rambla」同時是西班牙頂級伊比利火腿品牌「Joselito」 在香港的官方大使。「Joselito」由José Gómez親自監督，其火腿被譽為「全球最佳伊比利火腿」，至少熟成60 個月，僅選用100% 純橡果餵養的伊比利黑毛豬，確保「 La Rambla」能為本地西班牙風乾火腿愛好者帶來無與倫比的美味體驗。 Rafa Gil 所創作的菜式均以高質當造食材為主，加上其創意與時尚精緻的擺盤，為客人帶來新派加泰隆尼亞美饌。菜式回歸本源，氣氛當然也是加泰隆利亞經典。尤其 Catalunya 與香港人一樣非常著重儀式感，所以 Rafa Gil 決定將再次帶來瓷碟切西班牙乳豬show，由大廚在客人餐桌旁即席以瓷碟切乳豬，隨後摔碎瓷碟，務求予客人有驚艷之感。 La Rambla by Catalunya地址：中環國際金融中心三樓3071-73 電話：+852 2661 1161 Thousands of people took to the streets in Barcelona's Raval neighborhood on Tuesday night to protest against the eviction of the Antiga Massana building earlier that day took part in the demonstration organized by groups and collectives that had been occupying the building and using the space Organizers claimed 10,000 protesters attended the rally which began shortly after 7.30 pm on Rambla del Raval Two people were arrested and nine police officers were slightly injured in clashes between law enforcement and protesters.  The arrested are accused of throwing stones and burning trash containers police charged with batons to disperse the participants Demonstrators tried to get close to the Antiga Massana building but were unsuccessful due to the heavy police presence Earlier on Tuesday, five people were arrested and 19 police officers were slightly injured in protests following the joint Guàrdia Urbana and Mossos d'Esquadra operation to evict the occupied building. Protesters claim that around 50 people were injured in the disturbances on Tuesday morning, with "multiple people bruised, head injuries and various fractures." Police found the old Massana school building empty when they arrived early on Tuesday morning but protesters quickly gathered as word spread amoing the groups that used the building. The building, owned by the city council, was vacant at the time of the eviction but has been occupied since 2020 by various collectives and local organizations in the Raval district. These groups had advocated for the continuation of the space's community uses via a formal agreement with the council. Former mayor Ada Colau had initiated negotiations with the collectives, who requested the space be formally ceded to them before the 2023 municipal elections, but Colau said that this was not possible due to administrative timelines. The Socialist-led council voted in after the elections has been in favor of reclaiming the building. The eviction was criticized by left-wing BComú and praised by the conservative PP and far-right Vox. In October, in response to a request from BComú, mayor Jaume Collboni emphasized that the city's public buildings, like the Antiga Massana, should have a public use and "be enjoyed by everyone." The renovation work on Barcelona’s emblematic Rambla is uncovering fascinating fragments of the city’s history. are uncovering fascinating fragments of the city’s history From medieval walls to 18th century hydraulic systems these archaeological excavations offer a new perspective on the evolution of this iconic avenue has witnessed the urban transformation of Barcelona over the centuries Recent excavations document this evolution highlighting its role as a defensive center All this has been possible thanks to archaeological work carried out in segments to ensure the flow of people and services The renovation of the Rambla not only seeks to modernize this space but a key part of the urbanization project Although the work is carried out in segments due to the importance of maintaining the passage of emergency vehicles the archaeological methodology is guaranteed in each discovery The findings not only expand our knowledge of Barcelona but also underline the importance of preserving and valuing historical heritage in urban projects La Rambla reaffirms itself as a space where past and present coexist offering locals and visitors a unique experience of living history highlights the city’s ability to adapt to modern times without forgetting its roots will come new discoveries that will continue to enrich the historical narrative of Barcelona La Rambla boulevard 'old bird vendors' or 'ocellaires' street merchants are now something of the past as the city council started dismantling seven unused shops on Tuesday Works will last around two weeks and coincide with the famous boulevard's renovation after a request by firefighters and civil protection Stalls were located between La Rambla 100 and 114 on the Besòs side and the two on the Llobregat side of the boulevard between numbers 79 and 87 Besòs side is the one on the right when going from the sea to Plaça de Catalunya This is one of the ways of dividing Barcelona based on the surrounding rivers the seven stalls were closed due to the owners' leave or because the tender had ended The other eight flower stalls will continue their normal activity In September, the city council forced the clousure of such stalls after a judicial ruling and came after six vendors were already evicted on August 21.  Back in 2016, the city council already floated the idea of dismantling the stalls, and on June 14, 2021 they told public tender winners that they would not extend the contracts that started in 1971 for 50 years. to reopen it in the remodeling project of La Rambla This has been announced by the Barcelona City Council, which has acquired the Capital Theater to become public property, in an operation that seeks to strengthen La Rambla as a cultural hub of the city. After more than five years closed, the building will reopen in autumn 2027 with a dual function: it will once again be a stage space and will also house the offices of the Central Services of the Barcelona Library Consortium. In this new phase, the Capitol will retain its two theaters, with seating capacities of 402 and 198 respectively. Their management will be decided by public tender, as is the case with other municipal facilities such as El Molino or Paral-lel 62. In addition to stage programming, the building will also serve as the administrative headquarters of the Library Consortium, which will enable the City Council to save the cost of current rents and improve the distribution of work, training and logistics spaces for the library network. Some 900 m² are expected to be made available for these new uses. The city’s mayor, Jaume Collboni, has announced that the works will be ready in 2027 and celebrated the Capitol’s recovery as a “great day for Barcelona, the theater and La Rambla”. The Capitol opened as a cinema in 1926 and was converted into a theater in 1997. It closed its doors after a flood in July 2019, and the last performance took place on March 12, 2020, just before the confinement by Covid-19. Throughout its career it hosted 379 shows, more than 14,000 performances and more than 2.7 million spectators. To make this action possible, the City Council will promote a Modification of the General Metropolitan Plan (MPGM) to requalify the properties at 7 and 9 Santa Anna Street and at number 2 Fontanella Street. The agreement with the property of the building contemplates an exchange of urban uses that will allow the transfer of the Capitol to the City Council. In exchange, the Fontanella 2 property, also owned by the current owner, will have a different use that will generate a capital gain to finance much of the rehabilitation of the theater and the adequacy of the offices of the Consortium of Libraries. HomeDestinationsInterestsTop Places to Travel by MonthSearchMenuBest time to go to Barcelona Catalan answer to the carnival season is more than fun. It's spectacular! The carnival begins with the extravagant arrival of King Carnestoltes, the “King of Carnival,” on Fat Thursday (Jueves Lardero). This event, often staged in the Gothic Quarter and other central areas, kicks off the week with a burst of humor and irreverence as the king’s satirical speech sets the tone for the festivities. Accompanied by his seven ambassadors, King Carnestoltes makes an appearance at Pl. Real and La Rambla at 6 pm. The anticipated parade steps off from La Rambla at 6:45 pm. A standout event, La Taronjada, takes place during the weekend in the Born district. This playful “battle of oranges” (now symbolic with confetti and balloons) harks back to medieval times. Families and visitors can enjoy the vibrant spectacle, which combines parades, live performances, and traditional dances. Barcelona Carnival promises an unforgettable experience for locals and travelers alike. By watching the parades, tasting local delicacies, and joining the revelry, anyone can feel the vibrant spirit of Barcelona! Isabella Noble This old-school tavern at the north end of leafy La Rambla has been a beloved Palma meeting spot since the ’40s People typically come here for the house variat And while it’s tough to find variat in Mallorca that isn’t mostly seafood Bodega La Rambla offers a great vegetarian version with mushrooms Pack in with the locals for a sit-down lunch in the wood-toned dining room or join the standing crowds at the bar for some delicious snacks TapasSpanish Mercat When you need lunch fast after wandering around old town TapasMallorcan Sant Jaume You’ll likely have to wait in line at La Rosa Vermutería for a glass of house vermouth and a giant tortilla pintxo Arxiduc laid-back wine bar in Arxiduc that’s great for raciones and tapas Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience The MICHELIN Guide's top tips for the best restaurants and everything you shouldn't miss in Barcelona some of the most surprising and impressive gastronomic offerings in the world it's not for nothing that Barcelona is the Spanish city with the most MICHELIN Stars If you'd prefer to start the day with something sweet with great bakeries like Escribà located in the middle of La Rambla Behind the building's spectacular modernist façade you can find creations from the mind of Christian Escribà the fourth generation of this family of bakers authentic works of haute patisserie in an individual format are a must.Less than 10 minutes' walk away you'll find the Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona (MACBA) this 20,000 square meter space is home to some of the most interesting exhibitions in the city It has a bar open non-stop from 1pm until late at night as well as a terrace in the Plaza dels Àngels To end the day, a last drink on the rooftop of the Hotel Pulitzer Barcelona will allow you to contemplate the city from one of its best vantage points with live music every Wednesday and DJ sessions from Thursday to Sunday you can spend an unforgettable night in one of its 91 rooms designed by Lázaro Rosa-Violán Studio a pastry shop that focuses on American-inspired pastries and cakes delight those who come to its Carrer de la Princesa spot to enjoy treats created by the descendants of a family of pastry chefs so everyone can enjoy a bite of the sweetest thing in town.After this plentiful caloric intake it's time to visit the Museu Picasso and get lost in the rooms of one of the great museums of Barcelona dedicated exclusively to the work of the painter from Málaga with 5,000 works in its permanent collection Discover all the MICHELIN Key hotels in Barcelona. renovated to house this Three MICHELIN Star restaurant the chefs deploy all their considerable skills across a unique tasting menu based on seasonal produce with an optional wine pairing to complement the cooking This truly is an exciting gastronomic journey with each dish executed to perfection and reflecting the best of the Mediterranean as the team make their guests feel like real Barcelona locals very much in line with what this wonderful city is all about It's also home to a variety of eateries and events 08001 BarcelonaBar Pinotxo: Carrer del Compte d'Urgell 08011 BarcelonaEscribà La Rambla: La Rambla 83 08001 BarcelonaCasa Batlló: Passeig de Gràcia 08007 BarcelonaLa Pedrera – Casa Milà: Passeig de Gràcia 08008 BarcelonaBanker’s Bar: Passeig de Gràcia 08007 BarcelonaFàbrica Moritz Barcelona: Ronda de Sant Antoni 08011 BarcelonaNomad Coffee Lab: Passatge Sert 08003 BarcelonaDemasié: Carrer de la Princesa 08003 BarcelonaMuseu Picasso de Barcelona: Carrer de Montcada 08024 BarcelonaBasílica de la Sagrada Familia: Carrer Mallorca 08013 BarcelonaColmado Múrria: Carrer de Roger de Llúria 08009 BarcelonaDry Martini Bar: Carrer de Aribau Hero Image: An aerial view of Barcelona (© GettyImages) From listening bars to neighbourhood restaurants explore all the top recommendations from Chishuru’s Adejoké Bakare One of the most prominent chefs serving Indian cuisine talks India and his New York these splurge-worthy hotels have the design and prestige to rival even that most historic of city landmarks The first hotel on this list is just 20 minutes from Florence From vineyards to infinity pools and farm-to-table restaurants every one of these 14 Tuscan classics is within two hours of the city What the MICHELIN Guide Inspectors Saw in 2025 The Mexican capital takes center stage alongside the culinary world's top talents From Texas Barbecue to Mexico City's cutting-edge dining these new MICHELIN Guide hot spots promise unforgettable vacations and world-class cuisine These are the best lake vacations for a summer break from Lake Tahoe in the US to Lake Como in Switzerland and the MICHELIN-recommended restaurants and bolt holes to bed down in when you visit where do fashion’s biggest names retreat for a bite and a bed We imagine the post-Gala sanctuaries of the chicest attendees these iconic chefs mentor professional chefs who have an ego ​13 new restaurants receive their first MICHELIN Star ​Three new establishments are awarded the MICHELIN Green Star Who knew brisket and biscuits could be so good From tartan fabrics and stag antler furnishings to rare Scotch whiskies and castle views you'll have no doubt which country you're in when staying at these Michelin-Key hotels she has championed America’s farm-to-table movement for 54 years The self-proclaimed “unofficial talent scout” shares his local favorites from the city he calls home Non-members can add the privileges at checkout through our 30 day free trial By continuing I accept the Terms & Condition and Privacy Policy. I would like to receive Newsletter from MICHELIN Guide Save lists of your favorite restaurants & hotels with great bakeries like Escrib\u00e0 located in the middle of La Rambla Behind the building's spectacular modernist fa\u00e7ade you can find creations from the mind of Christian Escrib\u00e0 as well as a terrace in the Plaza dels \u00c0ngels To end the day, a last drink on the rooftop of the Hotel Pulitzer Barcelona will allow you to contemplate the city from one of its best vantage points you can spend an unforgettable night in one of its 91 rooms designed by L\u00e1zaro Rosa-Viol\u00e1n Studio dedicated exclusively to the work of the painter from M\u00e1laga Discover all the MICHELIN Key hotels in Barcelona. Another of Barcelona's great attractions is its many gourmet grocery stores a curious establishment founded in 1898 in the heart of Eixample There you can discover a select variety of produce (cheeses wines...) in a beautiful space with modernist touches It also has several restaurant areas where you can try more elaborate creations and don't miss the fantastic fa\u00e7ade and signage outside 08011 BarcelonaEscrib\u00e0 La Rambla: La Rambla 83 08002 BarcelonaMACBA: Pla\u00e7a dels \u00c0ngels 08001 BarcelonaCasa Batll\u00f3: Passeig de Gr\u00e0cia 08007 BarcelonaLa Pedrera \u2013 Casa Mil\u00e0: Passeig de Gr\u00e0cia 08008 BarcelonaBanker\u2019s Bar: Passeig de Gr\u00e0cia 08007 BarcelonaF\u00e0brica Moritz Barcelona: Ronda de Sant Antoni 08003 BarcelonaDemasi\u00e9: Carrer de la Princesa 08003 BarcelonaPark G\u00fcell: Carrer d'Olot 08024 BarcelonaBas\u00edlica de la Sagrada Familia: Carrer Mallorca 08013 BarcelonaColmado M\u00farria: Carrer de Roger de Ll\u00faria Hero Image: An aerial view of Barcelona (\u00a9 GettyImages) located in the vibrant heart of Barcelona’s Eixample stands as a meeting point not only for lovers of good food but also for those looking for a cozy and versatile space for their events Located on the emblematic Rambla de Catalunya this place offers much more than just a gastronomic experience It becomes a perfect setting for celebrations and meetings Tros de la Rambla captures everyone’s attention with its impressive capacity for up to 80 people The possibility of booking two private rooms adds a special touch as it allows to customize each event according to the wishes of the organizers it allows an imperial table to be set up for up to 14 people the Rambla Room offers a tribute to the vibrant energy of the Rambla de Catalunya with space for a table that can accommodate up to 20 people in imperial format or 30 in cocktail format Each room has been designed to make everyone feel comfortable and relaxed One of the most interesting aspects of the restaurant is its commitment to local cuisine and the use of market products This not only elevates the quality of the dishes but also encourages responsible and sustainable consumption one is immersed in a world of flavors that awaken the senses Among its specialties are an exquisitely prepared tartar and patatas bravas that many visitors consider unbeatable the menu promises to delight even the most demanding palates The on-site chef aims to offer a culinary experience that resonates with Mediterranean and Spanish tradition the dishes always hold a surprise that encourages diners to explore new combinations Another distinctive feature of Tros de la Rambla is the atmosphere that permeates its facilities The luminosity that floods its spaces thanks to the large windows offers an unmistakable feeling of warmth the attention to detail in the decoration and service contributes to make each visit a memorable experience the restaurant staff stands out for its courtesy and professionalism They act with dedication to make sure that each client feels special taking care of every detail of the service the quality of service plays a crucial role in the overall assessment of the experience: “Fair prices for great food” becomes the unofficial motto of the place reflecting the community that is forming among its visitors The flexibility offered by the restaurant makes it the ideal choice for organizing events Tros de la Rambla strives to provide a service to suit every occasion features modern technology such as a projector and screen making it a functional environment for traveling company meetings or presentations With a group menu starting from €33 per person the restaurant ensures that every meeting stays within budget the minimum turnover to reserve a private space is only €500 combined with a charming space and exceptional service ensures that every event becomes a memorable celebration the Tros de la Rambla restaurant not only offers an exceptional gastronomic experience but also presents itself as a multifaceted place that adapts to the needs of its visitors it establishes itself as an ideal option to enjoy good times in an unparalleled setting The next time you are looking for a place for an event or simply want to enjoy a good meal do not hesitate to visit this corner of Barcelona Rambla de Catalunya, 70, Eixample, 08007 Barcelona Barcelona celebrates its iconic La Mercè festival the city's 'festa major,' with a program of 130 concerts A bumper program spread over 23 stages and venues in seven different districts of the city awaits Barcelona locals with Casablanca as the guest city of the festival to add a Moroccan touch New locations such as the Olympic Port and Nova Icària beach have been added to the schedule this year as part of the Regatta Cultural linked to the America's Cup sailing competition Parc de la Trinitat is back as a venue for activities meaning La Mercè will reach all corners of Barcelona again this year The festival's traditional fireworks show set to music will return once again and this year with a special touch from one of Catalonia's greatest ever musicians To see the full festival program, check out the La Mercè website here. Main events, including concerts and the fireworks display, during La Mercè are free. La Mercè always comes with an extensive musical offering, with different styles to be enjoyed in various venues spread out through the city. A total of 130 different concerts will be offered for free as part of La Mercè this year over the course of five days. The Antiga Fàbrica de Estrella Damm will host an eclectic mix of indie, techno, jazz, and DJ sets. Other venues hosting musical performances over the weekend are Plaça Catalunya, Plaça Reial, Recinto Fabra i Coats, La Rambla del Raval, Teatre Grec, Carrer Menéndez Pelayo, Bogatell Beach, Jardines del Doctor Pla i Armengol, Plaça Sant Jaume, Plaça Major de Nou Barris, and Ciutadella Park.   The performing arts program (MAC) of La Mercè is always one of the most eagerly anticipated parts of Barcelona's 'festa major', always delivering a fantastic lineup of local and international talent.  Theatre, dancing, circus, visual arts, and more will play out on the streets, squares, and parks of Barcelona up and down the city as part of the street arts segment of La Mercè.   This year includes 300 performances by 75 different companies, all being performed in 7 venues. Montjuïc Castle will become the epicenter of contemporary European circus for the festival. At the Olympic Port, new as a La Mercè venue this year, Cristina Cazorla is putting on family-friendly and large-format shows. The Nova Icària beach will host Teatres de Campanya – Interference 01, by Marc Salicrú, an experimental proposal. Even more shows will be available throughout the long weekend at the Estació del Nord park, Parc de la Trinitat, Palauet Albéniz, and Parc de l'Aqüeducte de Ciutat Meridiana. Folk culture has always been central to La Mercè, with Plaça de Sant Jaume as the epicenter of the most traditional activities. Traditional Catalan giants, known as 'gegants', will parade through La Rambla and make their way to the Plaça de Sant Jaume square to open festivities. The 'correfoc' fire run will also return to Passeig de Gràcia on Saturday night with fire, lights, and music, performed by dancing devils and fiery beasts. The morning and early afternoon of Sunday, September 22, is a fixture not to be missed in Plaça de Sant Jaume, when the 'castellers' human towers crews wow spectators with another festival highlight, and a gem of Catalan culture. The Castellers de Barcelona, ​​Minyons de Terrassa, and Colla Jove dels Xiquets de Tarragona will perform on the day full of excitement. One of the most outstanding surprises festival organizers have in store for the public this year will keep us waiting until the last moment. After last year's successful collaboration with Sónar for the festival-closing musical fireworks show, known as the 'piromusical', the "pyro-musical," this year the curtain closer features none other than Catalan superstar Rosalía. The singer has selected the music that will accompany the fireworks in the city sky to end the festival, a gift from Rosalía to Barcelona that will be seen on the night of the 24th, just a few hours before she celebrates her 32nd birthday. Renovation work on Barcelona's iconic La Rambla boulevard began on Monday. When Barcelona mayor Jaume Collboni took office last year, he revised the renovation plan for La Rambla, reducing the project timeline from six to three years. Instead of renovating in sections as originally planned, Collboni opted to work on the entire street simultaneously. However, the project was divided into three phases to minimize disruption for neighbors and local businesses. During the first two phases, lasting around two years, traffic will only be allowed on one side of the boulevard heading towards Plaça Catalunya. For the first ten months, traffic will be on the Llobregat side of the boulevard, which currently flows towards the sea, but will be redirected uphill towards Plaça Catalunya. In the following phase, traffic will switch to the Besòs side of the boulevard, also directed uphill towards Plaça Catalunya. As before, traffic will be limited to residents, buses, taxis, hotel access, and goods distribution at designated times. In the final year of the renovation, during the last phase, traffic will be reopened on both sides. Renovation work will focus on the central walkway, alternating sections to ensure pedestrian access. Regarding terraces, disruptions will only occur during the last year of the project, affecting the central walkway and lasting between one and two months. Access to homes, businesses, parking, and the passage of service and emergency vehicles will be guaranteed at all times. Saturday saw the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the organization of the Tres Tombs festival in Barcelona with thousands of people lining the streets to mark the occasion The center of the Catalan capital was filled with horses and mules parading vintage carriages through the streets and other pets on the sidelines watching on marking the feast day of Saint Anthony the Abbott (January 17) and honoring animals and all they’ve done for humanity.  The horse and historic cart parade passed through the streets of Barcelona between 10.45 am and 1.30 pm with clergy out blessing pets and animals brought to the festivity between 11 am and 12 noon.  The parade took place in the Sant Antoni neighborhood and parts of the very center of the city The festival is also a celebration of the history of carting and mule packing a historic profession known as “traginer” in Catalan which was once fundamental to our way of life but has since become redundant with the advent of machinery which can transport and travel heavier loads faster The Tres Tombs is also a celebration of heritage remembering the world of our ancestors.  Young and old turned out to watch the parade with unsuspecting tourists also enjoying the specatacle.  Barcelona mayor Jaume Collboni chats to pet owners as priests bless the animals / Lorcan Doherty A group of around 20 animal rights protesters followed behind the main parade as it made its way through the city The bulk of Tres Tombs parades happen across Catalonia during January and February but the last official event will be on Saturday when Barcelona hosts the 28th National Gathering of the Tres Tombs bringing together enthusiasts from more than 70 towns As well as parades throughout the first months of the year and other events aimed at promoting the history and culture of Tres Tombs there will be participation in the Millennium Celebrations of Montserrat Abbey To learn more about the Tres Tombs tradition, and the unique breed of Catalan donkey, listen to the podcast below: Els Tres Tombs - Saint Anthony and the feast of the animals. Street merchants on Barcelona's iconic La Rambla boulevard will finally be evicted after weeks of juridical uncertainty.  But recent rulings from up to five different courts have backed the city council's decision director of Barcelona's city council juridic services who announced the final ruling to the press on Thursday explained that it has been "a complex juridical process" that has lasted a couple years "But the resolution is favorable to the city council so we will have to execute the decision," he added.  Barcelona's municipal authorities have informed merchants that they have to hand in the keys on Thursday but none of the 11 'ocellaires' have done so yet the city council will request legal authorization for a forced execution to close the street shops The city council wants to evict the merchants as part of a reform of La Rambla that began last month and aims to change the perception that the boulevard is strictly for tourists.  Known in Catalan as 'ocellaires', or 'old bird sellers', the merchants on La Rambla used to sell birds and other animals.  In 2009 they stopped selling birds and now sell souvenirs, ice cream, tickets and sweets.  The London mayor has big plans for the famous shopping street From the rooftop of London’s original John Lewis laid out the changes in store for the Oxford Street below: “We want this street to overperform … We want a public realm that is world class healthy and safe – but also increases footfall in the shops.” Unveiling a £150m plan earlier this week to ban all traffic on the capital’s famous shopping street the mayor suggested that the West End shopping thoroughfare could be revived to rival Times Square Councillors in the south Wales town are unconvinced that pedestrianisation has worked its magic; and others in identikit high streets around Britain might be surprised at Khan’s faith and persistence in plans that were first aired and knocked back in 2018 which had already started to implement its own £95m improvement plan with local businesses and residents one which retained bus and taxi access along the 1.2-mile thoroughfare The council – now Labour-run – has expressed grave concern over the sudden announcement and potential imposition of the scheme Illustration of the proposed Oxford Street development produced by the mayor of London’s Office This graphic was produced for plans drawn up in 2017 and is representative of the type of initial scheme that could be implemented Photograph: Mayor of London’s OfficeIn a letter to Khan and Angela Rayner – the secretary of state who could grant the mayor sweeping powers to override objections – the Westminster City council leader listed 10 concerns with the pedestrianisation plan including increased congestion around the area limiting access for elderly and disabled people increased crime and security risks – not to mention compensation for work already under way to improve the street Khan’s analysis that banning traffic could be the solution has the backing of most studies the professor of planning and urban design at the Bartlett School of Planning at UCL said: “The research evidence shows that pedestrianisation schemes lead to significant benefits to retail.” he warned: “Every circumstance is different and I know of no similar schemes to Oxford Street which is both a major shopping street one of London’s most significant bus highways and is surrounded on both sides by some of London’s most affluent neighbourhoods.” Carmona suggested that London follow the lead of Times Square in New York (see below) and test some “quick and temporary interventions” first planting and road paint to divert vehicles “Personally I agree that we need a radical plan for Oxford Street and as the nation’s high street we need to consider more than just the views of local residents when deciding what to do,” he said Sadiq Khan will need to consult widely before banning vehicles from Oxford Street Photograph: Jill Mead/The GuardianThe mayor will need to consult widely before banning vehicles from London’s premier shopping street the professor of place management at Manchester Metropolitan University who has been involved in the UK’s High Streets Task Force which is helping local communities revive their town centres “Not all pedestrianisation schemes work,” Millington said. “Everyone can recall a precinct that is windswept and empty. But, particularly in big cities such as Barcelona if you plan and do it right with consultation sales and increases or maintains the value of [buildings] and reduces vacancy rates.” the commonality has been poor consultation,” he said As Alan Partridge famously knew traders need access to Dixons and elsewhere – the kind of consideration that has hit mooted further pedestrianisation of towns from Southend to Paignton The Devon town’s local authority is typical of many which kept traffic from high streets during the pandemic lockdown but backed down after pressure from local businesses who were convinced it had hit trade which were put in place in the early 2000s as businesses in the town claim there has been a decline in footfall and a reverse in the scheme could support improvements in trading despite the reservations of Westminster council London’s big retailers appear to be throwing their weight behind Khan both fixtures of the street for more than a century The boss of Marks & Spencer said he agreed with Khan that ‘urgent action’ was needed on Oxford Street Photograph: Jill Mead/The GuardianWhile Marks & Spencer whose own plans to rebuild their store at the Marble Arch end of Oxford Street have also been frustrated said: “We wholeheartedly agree with Mayor Khan that urgent action is needed to give the nation’s most famous high street a new lease of life – and support his commitment to make Oxford Street the leading retail destination of the world.” In recent years Barcelona has earned a reputation for imaginative pedestrianisation schemes such as “superblocks” and more recently the “green axes” plan to increase green space that has been an instant success with residents and visitors alike Free daily newsletterGet set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning Work has begun to widen the central pedestrian section and reduce traffic to a single lane on either side ultimately limiting access to residents’ vehicles and public transport The current phase is scheduled to be complete by 2027 at a cost of €55m (£46m) La Rambla in Barcelona has always been a place to take a stroll Photograph: Ian G Dagnall/AlamyLa Rambla was built on top of a stream and from the 15th century onwards served as a breathing space between the cramped disease-ridden streets of Ciutat Vella on one side and El Raval on the other These days it is so overwhelmed by tourists that strolling is out of the question and the tree-lined boulevard is a focal point for the city’s numerous pickpockets and drug dealers Road traffic has never been an issue on La Rambla and whether the scheme to reduce traffic will encourage residents to return to the city’s most emblematic street remains to be seen Manhattan’s Times Square likes to bill itself as “the crossroads of the world” For decades that crossroads belonged to cars These days the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue belongs to pedestrians – and lots of them About 330,000 people pass through Times Square each day making it one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world created a temporary pedestrian-only zone in Times Square The change came after an increase in traffic accidents in the area but was also part of his ambitious plans to make New York City more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly The pedestrian-only zone in New York’s Times Square has proved popular with tourists and locals. Photograph: Richard Green/AlamyDespite vociferous criticism from some New Yorkers worried about the impact on its appearance the plan proved popular and the first section of the permanent plaza was unveiled in 2014 The major obstacles to navigation now are the crowds not the lanes of cars that used to pin people in Long stone benches offer respite for weary workers on their lunch breaks and selfie-snapping tourists the eight-lane Champs-Élysées has in recent years been steadily abandoned by local people as popular stores and cinemas have given way to luxury boutiques and the avenue has become the preserve of wealthy tourists Work is set to start in the coming months on a €250m makeover of the Champs-Élysées in Paris Photograph: Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty ImagesA move towards pedestrianisation started with one car-free Sunday a month work is scheduled to start in the coming months on an ambitious €250m makeover of the Champs-Élysées aimed at turning the 1.2-mile stretch of central Paris into “an extraordinary garden” Unveiled in 2019 by local community leaders and businesses the project was formally approved by the Paris mayor until after this summer’s Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games Barcelona has begun a new chapter in the renovation of the iconic Rambla with the removal of seven disused flower stands will be dismantled in a process that will culminate before November 8 The measure not only responds to the need to advance in the redevelopment works of this emblematic promenade but also to the safety criteria established by the Barcelona Fire Department and the municipal Civil Protection These agencies have pointed out the importance of guaranteeing the necessary space for the intervention of emergency vehicles if required The seven stops that are being removed are in two specific locations: five of them on the Besòs side The reason behind their disuse is due to the voluntary resignation of the holders or to the progressive amortization agreed in recent years This dismantling of the disused flower stands is not an isolated event but is part of an ambitious redevelopment project whose main objective is to transform the Rambla into a more welcoming seeks to restore this promenade to its central role in the life of the city One of the highlights of the renovation is the expansion of pedestrian space reducing the area set aside for vehicular traffic The new Rambla will have a single traffic lane in each direction goods and vehicles that need to access the parking lots in the area This reduction in vehicle traffic will allow the sidewalks to be widened to a minimum of 3 meters making it easier for people to walk and enjoy the Rambla the central section will also grow slightly on both sides which will not only improve pedestrian flow but will also benefit the condition of the trees that adorn the promenade The escocells of the trees will be enlarged to improve their health and their integration into the urban environment The new Rambla will not only be a space for leisure and commerce but also a place designed for culture and coexistence strategically located at the most emblematic crossroads of the promenade: Espai Betlem-Moja These spaces will not only allow for greater circulation but will also provide areas for resting and socializing contributing to a more pleasant experience for visitors These areas will be equipped with benches and chairs located on the sides of the central promenade which will facilitate pedestrian rest and enjoyment of the environment such as pylons at the ends and pedestrian guals to ensure the safety of those who walk along the Rambla The project also contemplates an orderly redistribution of the existing elements on the Rambla in order to ensure a harmonious coexistence between the different uses of the public space Although the seven florist stops being dismantled were no longer in operation eight other stops are still actively operating on the Rambla These stops are considered an important asset to both the promenade and the nearby Boqueria Market the redevelopment will also affect these stalls in due course as the project foresees the temporary occupation of the central space where they are located In order not to interrupt the activity of these traders the Barcelona City Council has announced that they will be temporarily relocated to Plaça de Catalunya the florists will be able to return to their original location which will be maintained within the new Rambla project The Rambla redevelopment project is a large-scale work with a total planned investment of 55.6 million euros 48 million euros have already been invested in the works corresponding to this mandate including the actions in the Colom-Santa Madrona area and the execution cost is expected to amount to 41.07 million euros to complete all sections of the Rambla The reform not only seeks to improve the physical infrastructure of the Rambla but also to foster greater connection between residents several virtual and face-to-face communication initiatives have been implemented to keep citizens and local stakeholders informed about the progress of the works To minimize the inconvenience that the remodeling may cause the Barcelona City Council has set up the Espai Rambla located on the first floor of the Palau de la Virreina This space centralizes all the information related to the works and is open to citizens associations and anyone interested in learning about the progress of the project the Espai Rambla has a small exhibition space that offers a journey through the history of the Rambla and its transformation over time where updated information on the project can be accessed as well as a Telegram channel aimed at Ciutat Vella commerce which includes relevant notices on the works and other actions with an impact on the district A weekly newsletter is also available with information on the progress of the remodeling and other activities in the area The removal of the disused flower stands is just one of many steps towards transforming the Rambla into a greener more welcoming and functional space for all Barcelona’s residents and visitors will be able to enjoy a promenade that combines modernity and tradition With significant investment and a focus on sustainability and accessibility the new Rambla promises to become the vibrant heart of the city InternationalBarcelona finally turned on its crowds of tourists. Now the city faces a major problem By CNNPublished: March 22, 2025 at 8:29AM EDT It was the water pistol shot that echoed around the world. In the summer of 2024, after years of enduring the pressures of overtourism, locals in Barcelona ramped up their protest, with thousands gathering to chant “tourists go home.” But it was a small group armed with toy water pistols who made headlines by squirting them at visitors seated in outdoor cafes. A mischievous, seemingly harmless act, perhaps. Yet as pictures of the incident spread globally, the firepower of those toy weapons soon became apparent. Barcelona’s longstanding tensions over the city’s transformation into a tourist playground had erupted into very public hostility. The surprise squirt attack, criticized by some top tourism officials, was also emblematic of a situation ongoing in many other destinations, from Amsterdam to Bali, where local residents face being priced out of their own homes by a global tourism industry that gets bigger and more expansive every year. Barcelona, like many of these places, also faces another problem. While mass tourism might be putting a strain on the city, it’s also vital to its existence, providing jobs and income. Tourism is now 14 per cent of the city’s economy and provides 150,000 jobs, said Mateu Hernández, director of the Barcelona Tourism Consortium. It’s a balancing act the city’s tourism officials are only too aware of as Barcelona prepares for the arrival of throngs of visitors this summer. Even as measures are enacted aimed at helping protect local residents, there have been official concerns that many tourists may not feel welcome. Hernández, whose Consortium is the city’s tourism promotion board, pointed to “a perception that Barcelona doesn’t want tourists. We are worried about Barcelona’s image of overtourism,” he told a group of foreign correspondents in Madrid in January. Now, authorities are working to change perceptions before this summer arrives. Visitors will certainly still come — a newly opened cruise terminal has the potential to bring in many thousands more tourists — but will some stay away? Tourism wasn’t always a problem in Barcelona. For years the capital of Spain’s northeastern Catalonia region welcomed a steady but sustainable flow of visitors there to savor the beautiful architecture and Mediterranean lifestyle. Then came the Barcelona 1992 Summer Olympics. In its runup, an urban renewal upgraded the airport, removed railroad tracks and industry located along the Mediterranean and installed beaches. The Games then provided a spotlight for the style and culture of the historic city that had opened to the sea. By 2004, Barcelona, a city of 1.5 million residents, received 4.5 million tourists who stayed overnight. The airport soon added a third runway and a new terminal. Ryanair began low-cost flights there in 2010. More cruise ship terminals were built, and by 2019, just before the Covid pandemic, there were 16.1 million overnight tourists, official figures show. And then the latest backlash. It’s unclear whether last year’s protests had a direct impact, but 15.5 million tourists stayed overnight in Barcelona in 2024 — 100,000 less than in 2023, official figures show. The city’s population had increased to 1.7 million. Some tourists spend only the day in the city. Among them, 1.6 million cruise ship passengers “in transit” in 2024, the Port of Barcelona reported. The majority come ashore when their ships dock in the morning, tour the city, and return by late afternoon to sail for the next destination, the tourism consortium press office said. The resulting crowds, at places like La Rambla street and in the adjacent Gothic quarter, the oldest part of town, are partly to blame for the ire among Barcelona’s residents. “We feel quite invaded,” Joan Albert Riu Fortuny, a lifelong Barcelona resident, told CNN. One focal point of crowding, said Jordi Valls, a Barcelona deputy mayor whose portfolio includes tourism, is the neighborhood around the iconic Sagrada Familia Basilica. It’s home to 50,000 residents, he said, but in summer, another 50,000 tourists can show up daily there, just to look at the still-unfinished church. “We think tourist demand is unstoppable,” Valls told CNN. “Everyone is welcome. But there’s a limit,” he said, without specifying the number. “The only possibility is to control the supply.” A plan to double the tourist tax — up to more than $16 (15 euros) per tourist per night in Barcelona — was unveiled in February by the Catalan regional government. If approved, it would earmark at least 25 per cent of the revenue to help ease a housing shortage, which is a prime complaint among residents. Short-term tourist rental apartments are widely blamed as a factor in reducing affordable housing in Barcelona. The average price of long-term rental apartments, where residents live, increased 68 per cent in the past decade, the city’s housing office told CNN. “With tourist apartments, the owner gets much more money by renting it that way than in a long-term lease,” said Riu Fortuny, the Barcelona resident. “There’s not enough available housing.” In all, Barcelona has 152,000 beds available nightly for visitors, the tourism consortium’s Hernández added, mainly in hotels but also including 60,000 in tourist apartments. With such a potent industry, the proposed doubling of the tourist tax “does nothing more than legitimize the very touristic activity,” Daniel Pardo, a longtime member of the Assembly of Neighborhoods for Tourism Degrowth, in Barcelona, told CNN. “It’s an isolated measure that doesn’t change the status quo.” The Assembly helped organize the large tourism protest last July — but not the water pistol part of it, Pardo said. He added that there will “surely” be more protests this year, but that specific plans would be decided later. At the city’s most-visited sites, there are signs of change in how Barcelona is receiving the tourists. On La Rambla, sensors were installed last year to measure foot traffic, through cell phone movements, along the 0.8 mile (1.3 kilometre) promenade, said Xavi Masip, manager of Friends of La Rambla, a 65-year-old neighborhood association to protect and promote the street. “The sensors give an indication of how and where people are moving, at what hours, and the areas with some saturation,” Masip told CNN. “La Rambla is very full. There are times when those of us from Barcelona can feel bothered” about it. Some congested areas have already been identified, like a narrow section near the Plaza de Catalunya, at one end of La Rambla, Masip said. The port, at the other end of the street, has also installed some sensors. “A big part of this is that crowds aren’t managed well” on La Rambla, said Will Gluckin, global communications manager for Get Your Guide, a Berlin-based platform offering travel experiences in destinations around the world. The firm is a sponsor for the Friends of La Rambla initiative that installed the sensors. “We send customers to La Rambla every day,” said Gluckin, whose company has operated in Barcelona for a decade. He told CNN that “poor-quality tourist shops” and many fast-food eateries there have made “La Rambla something of a giant tourist trap instead of a genuinely good place to visit.” But it’s free, and tourists keep walking it, even as street work continues this year to widen the central pedestrian portion of La Rambla and to reduce the two lanes of vehicle traffic to just one on each side of it, Masip said. The two most-visited sites that charge entry fees in Barcelona were both designed by modernist architect Antoni Gaudí. Each now sells only advance online tickets. The Sagrada Familia started this in 2020 during the Covid pandemic, and last year had 4.8 million visitors, 87 per cent of them from outside of Spain, its press office said. Park Guëll, perched on a hill overlooking the city and the sea, shifted to advance online tickets only last year and had nearly 4.5 million visitors. This year the park, with its distinctive Gaudi curvy mosaics, increased the standard entry fee to US$19.50 (18 euros), from $10.80 (10 euros). It’s a move aimed at managing the crowds, said deputy mayor Valls. To make room for more visitors on the street, the city says it has removed benches and small gardens around Sagrada Familia, where a new tower, the tallest of all the church’s spires, is to be completed later this year. At Park Guëll, tour bus and taxi stops have been relocated farther from the entrance, to lessen crowd density there. Over at the port, Barcelona’s seventh cruise ship terminal just opened in February. It’s a sleek structure exclusively for ships from MSC Cruises, a Geneva-based global cruise operator. MSC said it has stopped using three other cruise terminals at the port for its ships. But the city aims to reduce the seven terminals to just five, through negotiations, deputy mayor Valls told CNN. Three existing terminals, he said, have concessions due to expire in 2029. MSC’s Madrid press office told CNN its new terminal has a 30-year concession. “MSC Cruises is committed to responsible tourism,” a company statement said, adding that it gives prior notice to local authorities about ship arrival and departure times, and details about passengers who’ll visit various tourist sites. “This guarantees that our clients enjoy their vacations while helping Barcelona’s economy and local jobs.” In all, about 800 cruise ships arrive annually at the port and it’s not the only flash point of big tourism infrastructure in Barcelona. Mayor Jaume Collboni announced last year that the city would revoke permits in 2028 for the 10,000 licensed tourist apartments, to help provide more affordable housing. But Barcelona’s tourist apartments association, Apartur, opposes this, demanding hefty compensation for the owners and arguing that it would result in more unlicensed tourist apartments. And there’s talk of expanding Barcelona’s airport, which had a record 55 million passengers in 2024. It’s “at a saturation level,” said Hernández, of the tourism consortium. The airport has direct connections to about 200 destinations globally, 70 percent of them in Europe, also including eight destinations in the United States. The Spanish government and Catalan officials are discussing “how to increase the capacity and protect the surroundings,” the Catalan president’s press office told CNN, adding that the airport sits in a river delta with European Union-protected marshlands and bird habitats. Barcelona’s appeal for tourists has even become a subject of study at college, said two American university students on a semester-abroad program in Madrid. They visited Barcelona for the first time in February on a school-organized trip and told CNN that the preparation materials mentioned tourism’s impact on Barcelona. Sean Thompson, 20, a sociology major from Utica, New York, said, “I really did enjoy the city. It teaches us the effect of tourism on Barcelona and the hyper-tourism.” Andrew Durkin, 21, a finance major from Scranton, Pennsylvania, said, “I knew, going in, that there were attitudes toward tourists. I expected to be treated differently.” Their visit included the Sagrada Familia and La Rambla. They expected bigger crowds but said it was a mostly rainy weekend in February, in low season. But the crowds could be back for the summer. “We’re making an effort to manage, but high season is high season,” deputy mayor Valls said. “So, there will be more tourists.” Twitter feed ©2025 BellMedia All Rights Reserved 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. The Mexican Day of the Dead is celebrated in Barcelona with a Catrinas parade along Las Ramblas and anyone can join we’ve all seen someone dressed up as a catrina at some Halloween or Carnival and the concept is starting to ring a bell The Catrina is the main figure of the Day of the Dead in Mexico a skeleton elegantly dressed and decorated with flowers and accessories that has become fashionable in our popular imagination And although we have often seen Catrinas on the loose in Barcelona until now we had not encountered the terrifying parade of them that will be seen on La Rambla for the third consecutive year Mexcat and Amics de la Rambla have once again organized a Catrinas parade to celebrate the Mexican “Day of the Dead” and spread this tradition the upper part of the Rambla will host a group of catrinas who will descend their colorful dresses down the promenade to the Columbus monument stopping to be photographed at emblematic points along the route The organization invites you to come individually all you have to do is sign up at mexcat.org indicating what the costume will be like and what elements stand out in the catrina since an independent jury will give a prize to the best catrina And although the typical Catrinas are dressed in elegant and formal costumes from the organization they invite you to interpret the Catrina costume with total freedom and to let yourself be carried away by creativity and madness We can’t release more of our sound journalism without a subscription but we can make it easy for you to come aboard Current WORLD subscribers can log in to access content Already a member? Sign in. Polarize might be 2019’s Word of the Year and publishing meme Sitting to the right of my MacBook are recent books from two leading academic presses: Polarized: Making Sense of a Divided America (Princeton) and Polarization: What Everyone Needs to Know (Oxford) That polarization occurs when one side demands rapid social change and the other refuses to give in When mass media ignore Biblical objectivity and celebrate subjectivity In the 19th century’s worst civil war in the Western world 600,000 Americans died out of a population of 30 million In the 20th century’s worst in the Western world 500,000 Spaniards died out of a population of 25 million: oddly the same percentage as in the United States When my family and I visited the battlefield in Shiloh which witnessed the most deaths in a two-day Union-Confederate battle we went to church near where the fighting began in 1862 and relished hand fans with the slogan “Moonshine kills.” We need to know that polarization also kills Spain’s downward spiral escalated in 1931 when it kicked out King Alfonso XIII During the next five years Spain became politically polarized with a far-right and then a far-left government taking turns 5,000 soldiers marched to Plaça de Catalunya “Catalonia Square,” the center of Spain’s second-largest city But an odd coalition of Marxists and anarchists overwhelmed the rebels and created the Central Committee of Anti-Fascist Militias which ruled Barcelona for the next 30 months and ordered the killing of conservative leaders The Spanish left was also successful in Madrid and other large cities but the Spanish right had strength in the countryside the area of northeast Spain that periodically tries to declare its independence from the rest of the country: This fall it once again was home to riots But the war also gave birth to one of my favorite works of journalism José Gironella’s The Cypresses Believe in God ORWELL WROTE IN THE 1940s his two famous novels but they both grew out of his experience in Barcelona in 1937 He had come to Spain as a socialist idealist and enlisted in a military force under the control of POUM the Partido Obrero de Unificación Marxista (Workers’ Party of Marxist Unification) Another major power on the left was the Spanish Communist Party After four months on the front lines Orwell journeyed in May to Barcelona’s Hotel Continental for one or two weeks of R&R with his wife he woke up to “a fusillade of shots from the Plaza de Cataluña a hundred or two hundred yards away.” He wondered what to do: “The last thing I wished for was to be mixed up in some meaningless street-fight To be marching up the street behind red flags inscribed with elevating slogans and then to be bumped off from an upper window by some total stranger with a sub-machine-gun—that is not my idea of a useful way to die.” “shots rang out … and a crowd of panic-stricken people was rushing … away from the firing; up and down the street you could hear snap—snap—snap as the shopkeepers slammed the steel shutters over their windows.” Orwell’s R&R quickly turned to Q: He began asking questions he could not answer the Soviet Union’s chief military adviser to the Spanish left was telling Moscow that POUM members were “scum” who must be “liquidated.” (Yes but they refused to worship Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.) Orwell only later heard the screams in the night that changed the thinking of some socialists During the May days in Barcelona he heard “devilish noise roar—sometimes it died away to a few shots sometimes it quickened to a deafening fusillade but it never stopped while daylight lasted and punctually next dawn it started again.” Orwell spent three days with a rifle on the roof of a building that housed a movie theater: If 20 or 30 Communist Party–directed “Assault Guards” in the Café Moka across the street began to attack the adjacent POUM headquarters but it now caters to tourists.) It turned out that those particular Assault Guards chose not to assault and Orwell spent much of the time reading Penguin Classics novels but he had a great vantage point to see the madness of socialists shooting across the street at other socialists He also spent several hours in POUM-controlled buildings—the Hotel Rivoli one has its doors chained and its walls covered with graffiti and the third is a library named after Andreu Nin Orwell and his wife managed to escape from Barcelona just before the Communist Party gained firm control of the city and put out a warrant for Orwell’s arrest a party member who became Spain’s minister of education later summarized the torture that came next: “Nin was not giving in They decided to abandon the dry method to get results physical suffering pushed to the limits of human endurance Nin was subjected to cruel pain of the most refined tortures In a few days his face was a shapeless mass of flesh.” Orwell began to discern that the goal of leaders was not equality but for them to be more equal than others that totalitarian leaders could and would insist that 2+2=5 but in Barcelona he saw sin in action among socialists who flew similar flags: Compare the POUM and Communist Party banners shown below Orwell later said he once believed reporting of communist ruthlessness was capitalist propaganda the first square in Barcelona to sport a 24/7 security camera: Big Brother was watching Graffiti dominate a white concrete pillar in the middle of Orwell Plaza Some old church walls in the city remember the civil war: One in Plaça Felipe Neri shows shrapnel marks of bombs that killed 42 people Most victims were children who had headed obediently to the church basement and been trapped by the fire The spot at the northern end of La Rambla that was once Communist Party headquarters is now an Apple Store and other high-end stores are across the street but socialist ideology is still strong: Three of Barcelona’s left-wing parties totaled 60 percent of the vote in May 2019 municipal elections the search for other gods and goddesses has become more intense Orwell sensed “an unmistakable and horrible feeling of political rivalry and hatred.” Some of that is still palpable in Spain today the country’s governing socialists won 120 seats in the 350-member legislature and are wooing other factions on the left: If successful a moderate group that dropped from 57 seats to 10 protesters demanding that Catalonia gain independence from Spain burned 700 garbage bins and damaged signs and traffic lights That destruction of property evoked concern among some Spaniards that the fire next time will not merely consume trash: Lives will end in an ideological auto de fe a Spanish Christian conservative who died in 2003 shows how Spain from 1931 to 1936 polarized to the point where people could “tell from the trademark in a man’s socks where he stands on the mystery of the Incarnation.” The first half of the novel is warm and humorous who wants to help the poor and had been educated to think socialism is the way to do it Bright family scenes contrast with political shadows Lewis’ wise statement in Mere Christianity: “The State exists simply to promote and to protect the ordinary happiness of human beings in this life a couple of friends having a game of darts in a pub a man reading a book in his own room or digging in his own garden—that is what the State is there for.” But others think the State is theirs to control as both hard left and hard right become replacements for Christian faith “You have to wipe out whatever stands in the way of the good of mankind.” Professors blacklist a Christian-oriented academy “because the director has refused to remove the crucifix from the classrooms.” saintly César gives free classes to poor children but by the midway point “even in the children’s eyes there was evidence of a certain disturbance They were growing and they would absorb all the poison the neighborhood exuded.” More: “There were moments when he felt like leaving the class going up into a balcony as though it were a pulpit and gathering together all the people below—the children the gypsies—and talking to them of the Gospel of the words it contains: ‘Blessed are the …’ But he did not dare Because life there was like a liquid under pressure which might suddenly explode the grown-ups demanded justice and new clothes “the gulf between victors and vanquished was ten times deeper … The vanquished withdrew to their spiritual island and defeat had united them in a common cause Triumph had gone to the others’ heads.” The conservatives decided to “do nothing Ignacio has “a foreboding that all of them and for that reason he loved his neighbor more than ever ‘Those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell.’” But the head of the local Communist party makes a dirty fighter one of the leaders: “Cosme Vila was well aware that a man without scruples would come in handy some day Vila instructs the comrades: “‘You already know the ultimate goal: the total destruction of the bourgeois setup in the city and the province The means we will use are those which best fit each case so nobody is to get upset if we shout viva for something one day and muera the next We believe that what counts is the future.’ … Cosme Vila felt equal hatred for the landowners He felt the same way about the dissident elements” among the revolutionaries Spaniards in 1936 seem like some of our internet lynch mobs: “Feeling rose like a rip-tide … the air would suddenly be filled with handbills that floated slowly groundward from roofs and housetops They were anonymous and colored red and yellow with the four bars of blood … A group of men filled to overflowing with anger … spent their time filling the city with signs Down with that one’ … with a skull underneath.” Some of the flashpoints seem similar to our own A Christian schoolteacher sexually abuses children and when a priest begins the Lord’s Prayer at a cemetery “In a flash the policemen had leaped across the three steps … instantly a concert of shrill whistles broke out on the other side of the wall.” On the rear entrance of a church “someone had written: ‘Long live Me!’” By 1936 Ignacio sees how “the prevailing atmosphere had addled people’s brains A great transformation was taking place.” That’s when the anti-fascist revolutionary committees take control lining up and murdering thousands—first conservatives then revolutionaries who did not bow to Moscow—as the three-year Spanish Civil War begins The English translation of The Cypresses Believe in God is 997 pages long yet beautifully composed and accelerating in intensity like the orchestral piece Boléro by Maurice Ravel Some of the names of 1930s political movements are different now yet Spain then is a warning to the United States today: One genteel socialist learns that when a leader “shouts ‘Long live our historic mission!’ you ask yourself how many coffins are going to be needed.” a redemptive title: The Cypresses Believe in God The tall Mediterranean cypress in the ancient world was a symbol of both mourning and God’s sovereignty Ancient Israelites used cypresses to construct Solomon’s Temple growing and gaining nurture through God’s power Evergreens that grow in Barcelona still suggest the immortality of the soul This page is part of this issue’s 2019 Books of the Year section If you enjoyed this article and would like to support WORLD's brand of Biblically sound journalism, click here Marvin is the former editor in chief of WORLD and former dean of World Journalism Institute He joined WORLD in 1992 and has been a university professor and provost @MarvinOlasky Please wait while we load the latest comments.. Please register, subscribe, or log in to comment on this article Alicante Carnival 2025 | EDATV NEWS Alicante Prepares for a Massive Carnival With La Rambla as EpicenterRamblero Saturday will feature children's activities in the afternoon and music on a double stage until 4 a.m.24/02/2025 11:44:00h by Jesus Wollstein La Rambla de Méndez Núñez is already adorned to host the Alicante Carnival 2025 whose peak will arrive on Ramblero Saturday Thirteen arches illuminate the avenue with carnival motifs in white announcing a celebration expected to be massive The Children's Carnival will open the day from 5:00 p.m offering music on two stages until 4:00 a.m At the one located next to Casa de la Festa and Fredy Vidal will set the rhythm with the Fiesta Cadena 100 the Etiqueta Show orchestra will liven up the night with their performance will allocate 90% of the proceeds to charitable purposes benefiting Apsa Alicante and the Jorge Talavera and Alinur foundations The preliminary activities start on Thursday February 27 with the decoration of spaces and a correfocs from Plaza del 25 de Mayo (9:30 p.m.) followed by a sausage fest with a concert at Plaza del Carmen until 2:30 a.m The Carnival Proclamation will take place on Friday February 28 at Plaza del Carmen (10:30 p.m.) there will be a batucada from Plaza del 25 de Mayo (7:00 p.m.) and a concert at Plaza del Carmen The Burial and Burning of the Sardine will be held on Wednesday March 9 the Carnival will close with a children's day at Plaza de Castellón (Las Palmeretas) The great metamorphosis of the Rambla is about the works of this reform work began to completely change the promenade This planning is defined according to the calendar update promoted by the municipal government in order to reduce to 3 years what initially corresponded to 6 years of works that were foreseen These works have started with the works on the other four sections: Liceu-Portaferrissa Arc del Teatro-Liceu and Portaferrissa- Canaletes This renovation is one of the most recognized and representative promenades of the city and will be carried out during this term of office and will be completed in early 2027 the final stretch of the works on the Rambla between Colón and Santa Madrona is being undertaken Of the five areas defined by this executive project they are expected to be completed during July With these first works of institution of the work were launched after last night in which the new mobility has been implemented that will be from the day it began until the works last provisional vehicle crossings have been set up in order to allow access and exit to the Gòtic neighborhood thus guaranteeing the passage of emergency vehicles and goods distribution (DUM) Circulation does not exist in the sea direction the circulation will be on the Raval side of the roadway This mobility gives access to the promenade will remain under a scheme that is valid from June 17 until the first months of construction It will then be adapted to the needs of the phase changes and construction work the information will be duly provided through the established channels These works will be carried out all at the same time along the entire promenade They will be carried out in stages in order to minimize as much as possible the inconvenience to merchants and neighbors It should be noted that the sidewalk on the Besós side will be affected for the last 10 months these vehicles will circulate in the direction of Catalunya on the roadway where the road goes down to Colón work will be done on the Llobregat lateral and on the Besòs uphill roadway which will be completed in the previous stage the central promenade will be approached by alternating paths in order to guarantee pedestrian access at all times by this time the lateral sections will have been completed and both directions of traffic would be recovered La Casa Galega hides a great Galician restaurant in the old house of Eusebi Güell with a hidden passage to Palau Güell (and a great kitchen) the only good surprise that Las Ramblas de Barcelona still has to offer to the locals The old people of the city will remember that on the second floor of this street near Colón and far from the eyes of the passers-by the embassy that the Galician immigrants had in the city and that historically kept a bar where to eat well and cheaply in the middle of the Rambla although it is still a small Galician refuge in the center but a few years ago its restaurant was given a facelift by the group of Galicians from Arume (and Batea who gave the place a makeover to turn it into Louro a great new Galician that is probably the last good restaurant on Las Ramblas Louro’s charm is as simple as its definition: “Galician restaurant in Barcelona” shorter cooking time…) and well priced like that smoked sardine toast with Cebreiro cheese (perhaps the most successful dish) the clams with seafood or the sea bass stew Louro occupies the site of the former Casa Galega restaurant which in turn is in the former home of Eusebi Güell the man who had the Palau Güell built right next to his house from the restaurant you can see the back façade of Gaudí’s beautiful modernist building and one of the rooms is the beginning of the passage that still remains and that connected Eusebi’s old house with the new Palau that was being built in Nou de la Rambla If we add to that the beautiful renovation they have done which gives the restaurant an air of a place where Alice in Wonderland would eat Las Ramblas can still give good surprises to the locals You may be interested in: The best restaurants in Barcelona: the definitive guide. 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 there are some things you absolutely should not miss The beautiful beaches full of sun loungers and basketball courts But if you’re spending a bit of time in the city don’t miss out on one of Barcelona’s best things to do: La Rambla This is the city’s most famous boulevard Its history is also fascinating; its various sections were named after saints (like Santa Mònica whose stretch is also known as La Rambla dels Flors) a reference to the period between the 16th and 18th centuries when the street was lined with churches and convents with its breathtaking neo-Gothic façade and rooftop gargoyles Here are the best things to do in La Rambla.  This guide was written by the editorial team at Time Out Barcelona. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! Time Out Market Barcelona sees 14 award-winning chefs bring local cuisine to the city all under one roof – find it at Port Vell, on the terrace-viewpoint of Maremagnum. Flower-sellers have been adding a splash of colour to La Rambla for centuries. Celebrated in prose by playwright Josep Maria Sagarra, in song by Miquel Porter and Joan Manuel Serrat, and the inspiration for painters like Ramon Casas, the flower-sellers are an essential part of La Rambla’s heritage. As Serrat sings in ‘Floristes de les Rambles’, ‘flowers for tourists, flowers for lovers, flowers for the rich and the poor...’ Photograph: ShutterstockPut your preconceptions aside: a night at the opera can cost less than tickets to see the ‘in’ band of the moment. And though the Gran Teatre del Liceu is known as an opera house, you can also get your culture on with a ballet, and occasionally, indeed, concerts – featuring not just classical but pop music as well. So why not pay a visit to Barcelona’s great temple of song? probably the prettiest modernista shop in the city In the 1980s it was acquired by the Escribà family who restored it and turned it into a branch of their patisserie empire: now the cakes on display are as delicate and elaborate as the mosaics on the façade Morning coffee and a pastry on their terrace in Carrer Petxina are ingredients for a great start to the day Though don't feel you have to stop at breakfast Louro is the ultimate speakeasy You find this delightful restaurant through a majestic marble staircase tucked away in a spacious lobby at the foot of La Rambla Bermúdez and his team know what they're doing: in 2010 they opened Arume and Cera 23 in the heart of Raval and they're champions of the wave of new Atlantic cuisine in Barcelona from creamy lobster rice to spiked bread pudding.  © Cent OnzeCent Onze in the Le Meridien hotel offers good modern cuisine with a full and varied wine list. At night you can sample the tasting menu, which balances a repertoire of tapas and small dishes, where the ingredients are bought from nearby Boqueria Market. Sit by the large windows and relax in this bubble of tranquility, surrounded by the bustle of the busiest boulevard in the city. Oh, and veggies and gluten-free peeps are very catered for.  Foto: Scott ChasserotSheet music for flute, harp, organ. Classical and modern. If Casa Beethoven doesn’t have it in stock, they’ll find it for you. Tucked away round the corner from the Palau de la Virreina, this is one of the city’s musical treasures, a fixture since 1880. If you're looking for an original gift or souvenir, pick up something here for the musicians in your life. Photograph: ShutterstockThe building where the Poliorama Theatre now stands first opened in 1899 as a cinema and changed hats over the years until it ended up as a theatre in 1982. Even if you feel like your Catalan or Spanish skills aren't up to snuff to enjoy a full theatre play check the schedule for performances where no language knowledge is required facebooktwitterspotifytiktokAbout us Contact us Time Out Worldwide The Amics de La Rambla Association was born in the 1960s to defend the interests of the merchants of La Rambla and promote commerce the association started to organize a major festival in honor of the patron saint of La Rambla which consisted of a mass and an offering to the Virgin on a façade adjacent to the Palau de la Virreina A distinction was also given to the honorary ramblista Today these events continue but many more activities are organized(fairs and exhibitions parades and popular meals for neighbors and merchants) among which are the floral decorations of many buildings of La Rambla and the open days or free special events held in several emblematic buildings of La Rambla The Festa Major de La Rambla reaches its 63rd edition with a program full of free activities organized by Amics de La Rambla together with various entities and businesses in the area flowers will be the protagonists of many activities to pay tribute to the florists of this iconic promenade and to preserve the long tradition that flowers have always had in La Rambla La Rambla will be filled with flowers with 25 floral decorations in buildings and spaces of La Rambla one wish" is a participatory project that is organized every year together with the Palau de la Virreina La Rambla de las Flores in Barcelona celebrates around this time the feast of its patron saint The image of the Virgin is located outside the Palau de la Virreina and the Collective of Florists of La Rambla had the tradition of making an offering to her and based on an idea of the graphic designer Claret Serrahima the School of Floral Art and Garden Design of Catalonia designed a floral action for citizens and visitors to the city to actively participate by introducing a flower but most have limited places and require prior registration On Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 October two fairs are organized in the Rambla de Santa Monica: the Fair of Catalan products and Artisans in which there will also be children's workshops and the New Crafts Fair where you can buy artisan products Program and registration 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 Barcelona begins the definitive dismantling of the 11 remaining aviary kiosks on the promenade We have already seen changes in the pavement of Las Ramblas in some parts of its route but few changes more noticeable on the surface of the promenade than the disappearance of one of its most historically iconic symbols: the kiosks of florists and aviaries that for decades have occupied the central section of the promenade Barcelona has announced the definitive dismantling of the 11 stands of ocellaires that occupied the final stretch of the Ramblas This definitive dismantling of the stalls of the former aviaries comes after the City Council recovered their ownership by judicial authorization The closure of these establishments was carried out in two phases: the first when the ownership of six of them was recovered; and the second when staff of the Municipal Institute of Markets of Barcelona (IMMB) recovered the keys of the remaining five stalls all the stalls have remained closed and are now being removed The former bird sellers stopped selling animals in 2009 transforming their businesses into kiosks selling ice cream Their offer notoriously worsened the appearance of the promenade into souvenir stores or products intended exclusively for tourism the Special Management Plan for the Rambla the City Council notified the holders of the extinction of the concessions granted in 1971 for a period of 50 years And although those affected took legal action against this decision all the resolutions have supported the municipal arguments defending the disappearance of these establishments in favor of the general interest This is not the first step in the cleanup of the promenade: in October seven florists’ stalls that had fallen into disuse were already removed although the eight that are still active will continue to operate and will be affected by the works on the promenade When the works require occupying the central part of the Rambla the flower stalls will be temporarily moved to Plaça de Catalunya to later return to their original location Barcelona continues to work on the reform of Las Ramblas which will involve a total restructuring of the most iconic promenade of the city the City Council has set up the Espai Rambla an information point located on the first floor of the Palau de la Virreina where you can obtain detailed information on the progress of the works and the future of the Rambla