Here’s How Barcelona is at the Forefront of Urban Sustainable Tourism

Last Updated on November 22, 2023

I can’t quite put my finger on what makes Barcelona my favorite city. The cobblestone streets winding between architecturally stunning buildings along the Mediterranean.

The looming Pyrénées forever in the background, looking over every movement. Or perhaps the extraordinary, intricate Gaudí-inspired murals covering any once-blank surface.

The locals are friendly and the weather is splendid. And the wine and the tapas don’t hurt, either. All of the pieces combine to form—what is, to me—the perfect city. A hint of magic tinges everything in Barcelona.

barcelona and views of the sagrada familia
Views over Barcelona from one of the parks in the upper city, where you can see Guadi’s masterpiece-in-progress, La Sagrada Familia, which dominates the skyline.

Obviously, I had to dig in further. Is Barcelona as great on paper as it is in my mind? The answer seems to be, yes. Barcelona is one of the best examples of sustainable tourism done right. Here’s how Barcelona is combating overtourism, protecting its local culture, and keeping tourism a vibrant and sustainable part of its story.

Sustainable Tourism Practices in Barcelona

Barcelona’s approach to making its tourism industry sustainable not only preserves the environment and supports local communities but also enriches the tourism experience.

The city’s policies and practices show Barcelona’s commitment to a sustainable future, making it a model for other cities aiming to balance the needs of tourism with environmental and cultural preservation. Here’s what the city is doing to balance its twin needs for sustainability and tourism.

Integrated Public Transportation

funicular to Mont Juic in Barcelona is a sustainable tourism option
While the metro, bus, and trains are most commonly used, even the funiculars in Barcelona offer tourists an efficient and scenic way to navigate the city.

Barcelona boasts an extensive and efficient public transportation system, including buses, metros, and trams. This network reduces the reliance on cars, cuts down emissions, and offers tourists an easy way to explore the city sustainably.

Bike-Friendly City

The city’s investment in bike lanes and the Bicing bike-sharing program encourages both locals and tourists to opt for cycling, a low-impact way to see the city. This approach not only reduces traffic and pollution but also offers a healthier and more immersive way to experience Barcelona.

In practice, the city has dramatically expanded its bike lanes, making previously small, one-way bike lines dual carriages, and adding elements to better protect bikers from cars.

Green Spaces and Urban Parks

green spaces around plaza espana

Barcelona is dotted with green spaces like Parc de la Ciutadella and Park Güell. These urban oases not only enhance the city’s beauty but also provide spaces for biodiversity, leisure, and a break from urban hustle, making the city more livable and visitable.

The city’s nine-year “Nature Plan” will culminate in a city that has a “functional, environmentally friendly infrastructure, well-distributed and accessible green spaces connected to the urban fabric and a green metropolitan transport network, with a view to maximising social and environmental services, above all those related with health and with adaptations to climate change.”

Energy-Efficient Buildings

The city has made strides in promoting energy-efficient building designs. Many of its hotels and public buildings are designed to minimize energy consumption, contributing to a reduction in the city’s carbon footprint.

Local and Organic Cuisine

sustainable food practices in barcelona
An array of Spanish tapas made from locally-sourced vegetables.

Barcelona’s culinary scene increasingly emphasizes locally-sourced and organic ingredients. This not only supports local farmers and reduces food miles but also offers tourists an authentic taste of Catalan cuisine.

Locals will benefit above all, but this nine-part “Healthy and Sustainable Food Strategy” will trickle down to tourists through expanded access to seasonal foods at restaurants and in markets while visiting.

Sustainable Accommodations

The city is home to a growing number of eco-friendly hotels and hostels. These accommodations focus on sustainability through measures like energy conservation, waste reduction, and water-saving practices.

Cultural Preservation

Calçot are a strong part of Catalan culture
Locals in Gracia prepare one of the plazas for a calçot festival—a highlight of spring in Catalunya.

Barcelona actively preserves its rich cultural heritage, including its iconic Catalan Modernism architecture. By maintaining these sites, the city not only protects its history but also provides a unique and authentic experience for visitors.

Waste Management and Recycling Policies

The city’s robust waste management and recycling programs help reduce the environmental impact of both residents and tourists. Visitors can easily participate in these initiatives, contributing to the city’s sustainability efforts.

Promotion of Local Artisans and Crafts

Encouraging the purchase of locally-made crafts and products not only supports the local economy but also reduces the carbon footprint associated with mass-produced tourist souvenirs.

Environmental Education and Awareness

Barcelona engages in efforts to educate both locals and visitors about environmental issues and sustainable practices. This includes information campaigns and initiatives in tourist spots, fostering a culture of sustainability that extends beyond just the local population.

Why Barcelona is a Win for Responsible Travelers

Barcelona is set up for sustainability.

Casa Batllo barcelona sustainable tourism
These mosaics on the roof of Casa Batllo are a work of art worth visiting when visiting Barcelona

Barcelona, the capital of the Spanish state of Catalonia, is one of the largest urban tourist destinations in the world. Ever since Barcelona hosted the 1992 Olympics, it has become one of the largest global tourism hubs.

Even more, the city receives more cruise ships than any other city in the world.

As the city’s popularity grew, residents and officials from across Catalonia gathered to develop a tourism plan. They needed to deal with the tourism boom, and they decided to focus on ensuring sustainability at every level.

The plans would ensure that the city’s infrastructure could handle the crowds flocking to Barcelona each year—and the plans worked.

In 2011, Barcelona became the first city in the world to receive the Biosphere World Class Destination Certification by the Institute of Responsible Tourism. Additionally, the city received accolades for maximizing its water supply and conserving water usage.

Views of Barcelona from Park Guell
Parc Guell is one of the handful of places tourists flock to site his iconic mosaic tiles, alongside sweeping views of the city and coastline.

The city is currently pursuing the title of “Electric Vehicle Capital of the World,” and it proudly touts its non-polluting public transport options—which have only expanded in the wake of the pandemic.

The city has clear sustainability goals and targets in for 2030, which include “reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 45% per capita compared to 2005, increasing solar power generation fivefold, increasing urban green space by 1.6km, reducing travel by private motor vehicle by 20%, reducing domestic water consumption to less than 100 litres per inhabitant per day, and 100% procurement of low-carbon buses, taxis and municipal fleets (by 2025).”

This type of sustainability only comes when a city and community are committed to taking the long-term approach—Barcelona clearly has its sights set on developing a city designed for the needs of the future.

The farm-to-table and movement is a cultural cornerstone.

sustainable food and tapas culture in barcelona
Who doesn’t love tapas?

One of Barcelona’s best aspects may very well be the city’s food. There are so many options. And they are all so good. Tapas. Seafood. Pastas. Cheeses. Wines. Whether you’re vegetarian, meat-lover, or if you fall somewhere between, Barcelona has something for you.

As a city, the restaurants and people focus on slow food. Added to that, farm-to-table practices bring together restaurants and local suppliers; ingredients are locally sourced, fresh, and flavorful.

When you’re visiting Barcelona, it’s impossible to miss one of the cities 39 fresh food markets, where locals and tourists alike can buy affordable fresh fruit and vegetables to prepare flavorful cuisine.

Here are some excellent food recommendations if you prefer sit-down restaurants or budget-friendly Menu del Dia restaurants.

Personally, I’m obsessed with the tapas. My favorite place is a hole-in-the-wall place called La Cova Fumada. They don’t have a website, and it’s only open until 4pm. Get there by 1pm to get a table. It’s family run, locally sourced, and is the best seafood you’ll ever eat.

A close second is Bar Bodega Quimet, which is famous for its conservas—canned seafood. Don’t think of your typical “canned tuna” here—conservas are a deeply rooted Spanish tradition. Canning and preserving local goods so they last the entire year is a common practice and they taste nothing like the cans of tuna you buy at the grocery store.

Art is preserved and appreciated.

Caa batllo from the outside in Barcelona Spain
A view of Casa Batllo, Gaudí’s house, from the street.

Art is everywhere in the city. Literally. From Gaudí’s house to the buildings he designed throughout the city, Gaudí’s huge influence on Barcelona is clearly evident.

I’m generally not a huge fan of touristy activities like touring people’s’ homes, but for Gaudí I make an exception. Casa Batllo is phenomenal. Gaudí is known for saying “Originality is returning to the origin;” in his designs, he worked to imitate the perfection found in the wild.

Another favorite building, and a must-visit, is La Sagrada Familia.

La Sangrada Familia, Barcelona
The ceiling of La Sagrada Familia.
Casa Batllo, Gaudí
“Originality is returning to the origin” — Gaudí. Replicating spirals found in nature, this is the ceiling of a room in Casa Batllo.

Buildings aren’t the only art to be found in Barcelona. Street art everywhere in the city—take a street-art tour or just walk throughout the city to check out the masterpieces.

There are also many world-class museums for a healthy dose of art history, or you can stroll through the city’s parks to see artists creating and selling their own masterpieces on the sidewalk.

If you ask nicely, they’ll often even give you a lesson in exchange for a tip. 🙂

More nature and less city is a long-term goal.

Parc de la Ciutadella
Barcelona’s Parc de la Ciutadella is filled with locals and tourists alike enjoying the fresh air and good vibes.

Everyone loves being outside in Barcelona. And why wouldn’t they? The moderate Mediterranean climate, the beaches, and the mountains all set the stage for spending free time outdoors.

The city’s spacious streets cater to pedestrians and cyclists alike. Barcelona is filled with parks; the most notable are Parc Guell and Parc de la Ciutadella. Far from your typical parks, these contain art, beautiful views, museums, zoos, and plenty of open space to hang out and enjoy the sun.

And since Barcelona is a city committed to making sustainability a foundational element, it has embarked on an ambitious project that is reclaiming the streets and turning the city back into a place locals can enjoy and thrive, where nature is even closer.

The city’s superilles (superblocks), which have been rolling out for the past few years, are “transforming the streets of Barcelona into more human friendly spaces, reclaiming the areas used by cars for pedestrians and bringing nature back to traffic zones.”

And if you need to escape the city for the day, the trains and buses make that a breeze. You can easily plan a low-impact day on the environment.

Sant Jeroni in Montserrat is a sustainble day trip outside the city
Views from Sant Jeroni in Montserrat, a hike that sits just beyond the monastery and offers sweeping views.

Hiking to the monastery at Montserrat is an spectacular one, or go further afield into Catalunya. Hike in the foothills of the Pyrénées for amazing views of the Mediterranean and the entire city. Walk the Cami de Ronda along the Costa Brava and swim in the Mediterranean.

The train connects the city to a number of walking routes that hug the gorgeous coastline and are easily one of the best ways to enjoy a nature-based day trip outside the city.

You can hit the trail to walk across Spain.

Views along the Camino de Santiago in Spain
Views along the Camino de Santiago, one of Spain’s most famous hiking routes.

Barcelona is one of the many starting points for El Camino de Santiago—the pilgrimage trail through the Pyrénées that ends in Santiago de Compostela on the western coast of Spain. 

Pilgrims usually start in Spain or France, but trails weave through Italy, Germany, Switzerland and beyond. In France, it is known as Le Chemin de Saint Jacques.

El Camino has been on my to-do list for years, but I always manage to find myself booked in the summer (and not brave enough to do it in the winter); it’s pretty cool that starting in Barcelona is an option.