Management of high tourist traffic areas

The High-Visitor Areas (EGA, from the Catalan Espais de Gran Afluència) are urban zones around the city’s iconic landmarks that experience a high influx of people, both residents and visitors.

The City Council has identified 15 High-Visitor Areas (EGA) and launched a plan to manage them and balance tourism with local community life.

Of the 15 EGAs, 8 are primarily tourist-focused, meaning they consistently have a high presence of visitors:

  1. Sagrada Família
  2. Rambla – Boqueria – Gardunya
  3. Park Güell
  4. Turó de la Rovira
  5. Passeig de Gràcia
  6. Gothic Quarter
  7. Sant Pere – Santa Caterina – La Ribera
  8. Barceloneta

What challenges do they present?

  • Overcrowding and saturation of public space
  • Transformation of activities and land use, with a focus on visitor-oriented services
  • High levels of mobility and pedestrian traffic
  • Difficulty in maintaining everyday life and community activities
     

How can we address these challenges?

Key actions of the EGA program for summer 2025:

  • Operational reinforcement of the Urban Police and cleaning services (Plan Endreça)
  • Expansion of the number of civic agents
  • Support programs for local commerce: EGA grants within the Impulsem el que fas program and support for commercial hubs
  • Special public space conflict management unit (April – November)
  • Daily life programs: activation of public spaces in the Sagrada Família and Rambla-Boqueria-Gardunya EGAs starting in July, and promotion of the “Open Schoolyards” program in priority EGAs
  • Civility awareness campaign aimed at visitors