Tourism

The City Council’s Destination Barcelona Sustainable Tourism Plan (PSTDB) is intended to address the four main areas defined by the European Union: the green and sustainable transition, energy efficiency, the digital transition and competitiveness.

With 19 key projects handled by different management bodies and divided into 50 actions, this plan carries on the work executed in Barcelona in recent years to transform and diversify the tourism model, consolidating the city as an urban tourist destination that embraces the criteria of sustainability, equity and quality. The plan is being rolled out over a three-year period, concluding in May 2026.

Highly diverse projects

Nearly 40% of the actions planned have so far been executed. Notable projects carried out by Barcelona de Serveis Municipals (BSM) include the complete revamp of the Estació Barcelona Nord, the overhaul and incorporation of more efficient technology for the Montjuïc escalators and the creation of the Zona Bus 4.0, to manage tourist buses and integrate connectivity and digitalisation.

One transformational measure is being headed up by BCASA, the municipal water company. BCASA is working to turn the city’s beaches and the Fòrum bathing area into safe and accessible spaces, adapted to climate change. Another measure is being executed by the Besòs Consortium and has just got under way: the renovation of the Rec Comtal. The old water channel includes a new route for pedestrians and bicycles at Vallbona.

Urban and accessible culture

The District of Nou Barris is launching an Urban Art Lab to enrich the urban environment with art projects around public buildings and spaces, encouraging participation by members of the public. The ICUB is in the process of creating an immersive room in the Capella de Sant Miquel del Monestir de Pedralbes, offering innovative experiences, and a digital portal for municipal museums in the city, to improve the visibility of and access to their collections.

Environmental sustainability and biodiversity

The Municipal Institute of Parks and Gardens is undertaking an environmental renovation project at the Parc del Laberint d’Horta to improve accessibility and the visitor experience. The project is also looking to recover native species here. BIMSA is behind five projects, with notable initiatives including the revamp of various water springs in Collserola, the environmental renovation of the Parc de la Ciutadella and the creation of the Jardí Geològic, the city’s first street museum, located in Zona Universitària.

Improving the tourist experience

The Barcelona Tourist Consortium is heading the digitalisation of the promotion and management of tourism for Barcelona as a destination, with criteria on diversification, decentralisation and deseasonalisation. For its part, the Directorate for Tourism has launched a subsidy call for the private sector, with 2.5 million euros to foster the digitalisation of the visitor economy and help towards the competitiveness and sustainability of the city’s tourism sector.