Spain What’s New in Catalonia in 2026

New sustainable tourism or ecotourism initiatives

Barcelona chosen as UNESCO’s global hub for the sustainable Blue Economy

UNESCO has chosen Barcelona as the global hub for the sustainable blue economy, hosting the Ocean Decade Collaborative Centre (DCC) until 2030. This is the first time a city, rather than a research institution, leads one of the Ocean Decade’s ten global challenges. Managed by the Barcelona Capital Nàutica Foundation and supported by local authorities and scientific partners, the DCC will focus on generating knowledge, driving innovation, and fostering international partnerships. The initiative aligns with Catalonia’s ambitious Maritime Strategy 2023–2026, which includes over 300 actions to boost sustainability and innovation in ocean-related sectors.

For more information:  https://catalonia.com/w/barcelona-has-been-chosen-as-unescos-global-hub- for-the-sustainable-blue-economy

Rewilding and Ecological Transformation in Vallter 2000

The Vallter 365 project will transform the Vallter 2000 ski resort into an active and sustainable year- round mountain destination. With an investment of 40 million euros, it includes the installation of a 3.4 km cable car that will eliminate the need for road access, reducing up to 85,000 vehicles annually, and it promotes the ecological regeneration of the area, following a “rewilding” approach. The project will also incorporate activities such as ski touring, hiking, trail running, and educational workshops. The inauguration is scheduled for 2027.

For more information:  https://www.vallter.cat/en/winter/news/noticies/paneque-transformation- vallter-respect-landscape-environment/

Val d’Aran to Host AdventureELEVATE Europe 2026

The Val d’Aran in the Catalan Pyrenees will host AdventureELEVATE Europe 2026, a major professional event for adventure and nature tourism from 19–21 May. Over 350 international tourism professionals are expected, creating opportunities for networking, training and business development. Organised by the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), the congress highlights Catalonia’s commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism. The event reinforces the region’s year-round appeal and positions the Pyrenees as a leading European mountain destination.

For more information: https://hub.adventuretravel.biz/c/atta-event-calendar/adventureelevate- europe-2026

New or interesting cultural events in Catalonia

Barcelona Art Season

Launched in 2025, Barcelona ArtSeason has quickly become  a cultural benchmark that  unites museums, galleries, foundations, and art spaces under a single narrative. By 2026, the initiative will not just be a calendar alignment, but an immersive art journey throughout the city that will extend beyond museums to embrace urban interventions, digital art showcases, and open-air installations, bringing contemporary art directly into public spaces.

For more information, please visit:  https://barcelonawinterseason.com/en/#winter-art-season

New expected hotel openings in Catalonia

• Sabadell (Costa Barcelona): Holiday Inn Express & Suites (130 rooms). Opening: January 2026

Located in Sabadell, this new hotel will offer a modern and comfortable lodging experience, ideal for both business travellers and tourists. The hotel will also feature a fully equipped business centre and versatile meeting rooms, perfect for corporate events.

• Sitges (Costa Barcelona): Hotel Casa METT Sitges (38 rooms). Opening: beginning 2026

Hotel Casa METT Sitges is scheduled to open at the beginning of 2026 in the historic centre of the town, as part of Sunset Hospitality Group’s expansion of the METT brand. This will be the first CASA METT property, bringing laid-back elegance to the coastal town of Sitges. The hotel will feature 38 rooms and is designed to offer a more intimate luxury experience, closely connected with the local community.

• Begur (Costa Brava): Meliá Begur 5* (65 rooms). Opening: Spring 2026.

Meliá Hotels International and Summum Hotel Group are collaborating to open a new luxury hotel in Begur in 2026. The hotel is being developed from the existing Etuu Begur Hotel, which will be renovated and expanded, increasing the number of rooms from 42 to 65.

• Barcelona (Barcelona):  Hotel Meininger (162 rooms). Opening: Spring 2026

The new Hotel Meininger in Barcelona is scheduled to open in 2026. It will be in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, right next to the Fira de Barcelona Gran Via. The hotel will feature a mix of room types, including double, twin, triple, and quadruple rooms, catering to various types of travellers.

Anniversaries, recognitions and important events for 2026

2026 as the Year of Cultural Tourism

From a tourism perspective, 2026 presents an exceptional convergence of internationally significant anniversaries:

• The centenary of Antoni Gaudí’s death
• The 150th anniversary of Pau Casals’ birth
• The year of Cerdà, marking the 150th anniversary of his urban reform and the Eixample plan
• And Barcelona as UNESCO World Capital of Architecture

Year of Gaudí

Gaudí Year will promote the genius’s unique work and provide a platform to reflect on current challenges, such as climate change and access to housing, with the holding of the 2026 UIA World Congress of Architects. The planned activities, such as guided and immersive visits to iconic sites like the Sagrada Família and Park Güell, will enable participants to enhance their knowledge of the work and career of the genius of Catalan Modernism. In 2026, the Jesus Christ Tower, the central and tallest tower of the Sagrada Família, is also scheduled to be crowned.

This commemoration is also scheduled to be expanded to include other towns in Catalonia home to the architect’s work, with the organisation of activities based around this heritage.

Barcelona, World Capital of Architecture

At the same time, the series of events planned for Barcelona’s World Capital of Architecture will address how planning and architecture can transform cities in ways that promote sustainability, biodiversity and improved quality of urban life. Barcelona is preparing to host three international events in the field of architecture:

• World Capital of Architecture. The World Capital of Architecture for 2026 will feature a vast array of activities across Barcelona’s 10 districts to decentralise the programme and connect with all the city’s residents. Most of the events will take place over the course of 10 months, between mid-February and mid-December, on an itinerary that will span from Santa Eulàlia to Santa Llúcia festivities.
• UIA World Congress of Architects. In the summer 2026, the city will host the UIA   World Congress of Architects, thirty years after doing so in 1996.
• General Assembly of the International Union of Architects.  In July 2021, the XXXIII UIA General Assembly elected Barcelona (Spain) to host the 2026 UIA World Congress of Architects, becoming the first city to host the event twice.

For more information, please visit:  uia2026barcelona.com/

Barcelona, the starting point for the 2026 Tour de France

Barcelona is set to make history in 2026 as it becomes the official starting point of the Tour de France, the most prestigious cycling event on the planet. Although the city has welcomed the race three times before, this will be the first time it launches from here. It’s a major moment that reinforces Barcelona’s and Catalonia’s strong ties to cycling, their dedication to sustainable mobility, and their passion for sport on an international level.

https://www.letour.barcelona/en

1^st STAGE

• Saturday, 4 July 2026
• In Barcelona
• 19,7 Km
• Starting point: Fòrum, Barcelona
• Finishing point: Estadi Olímpic, Barcelona

2^ND STAGE

• Sunday, 5 July 2026
• From Tarragona to Barcelona
• 178 Km
• Starting point: Rambla Nova, Tarragona
• Finishing point: Estadi Olímpic, Barcelona

3^RD STAGE

• Monday, 6 July 2025
• From Granollers to France
• Kilometers and route TBH

Catalonia to Experience a Total Solar Eclipse in 2026

On 12 August 2026, Catalonia will be one of the few regions in continental Europe to witness a total solar eclipse. This marks the beginning of an exceptional run of eclipses over the Iberian Peninsula, with total eclipses in 2026 and 2027, followed by an annular (or “ring of fire”) eclipse in early 2028. It’s a remarkable moment, as it will be the first total solar eclipse visible from Catalonia since 1905.

Catalonia will have front-row seats to two of these spectacles: the total eclipse in August 2026 and the annular eclipse in January 2028. While both offer stunning visuals, only the 2026 event will bring complete darkness to parts of the region, albeit briefly.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun, completely blocking the Sun’s light for a short period. An annular eclipse, by contrast, happens when the Moon is further away in its orbit, appearing slightly smaller than the Sun and leaving a glowing ring of sunlight around its edges.

In Catalonia, the 2026 eclipse will only be fully visible in the southernmost areas. If one were to draw a line from just north of Lleida to just above Vilanova i la Geltrú, everything South of that line will experience totality. This includes the cities of Lleida, Tarragona, Reus, Vilanova i la Geltrú, Salou, Cambrils, the Terres de l’Ebre, and surrounding areas.

FC Barcelona’s new Camp Nou will be ready at the end of 2026

Barcelona sets September 2026 as the inauguration date for the new Camp Nou. It will have a maximum capacity of 104,600 people. For the first time, all seats will be covered, and 7,000 will offer maximum comfort. In addition, it will be much more sustainable, with significant energy savings. Many materials used to build the newstands are recycled.  To mark this historic  milestone,a major celebration is expected for the grand opening, bringing together fans from around the world.

Motorcycle Grand Prix in Catalonia extended until 2031

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and the MotoGP Grand Prix have officially renewed their agreement, ensuring that motorcycle racing will continue in the circuit of Montmeló until 2031. This new deal extends the existing contract, which was originally set to expire in 2027, by four years. The renewal highlights the region’s commitment to maintaining its status as a key player in the world of motorsports. The government sees this extension as proof that things are being done well, reinforcing Catalonia’s position as a leading destination for major sporting events. The Circuit de Barcelona- Catalunya, also known as Montmeló, has hosted the MotoGP World Championship since 1992, and this new agreement solidifies its place on the calendar for years to come.

Events happening beyond 2026

2027 ICF Canoe World Championships – La Seu d’Urgell & Sort.

La Seu d’Urgell and Sort, Terres de Lleida (Catalan Pyrenees) will host the 2027 International Canoe Federation (ICF) World Championships. The ICF will make history in 2027 when La Seu and Sort host world championships in three different paddling categories during a combined   event.

www.canoeicf.com/news/la-seu-durgell-and-sort-make-world-championship-history-2027

Montjuïc trade fair site to be transformed for its centenary in 2029

In 2029, Barcelona will celebrate the centenary of the 1929 International Exhibition. As part of the commemorations, the Montjuïc trade fair site, one of Barcelona’s most emblematic venues, will undergo a major transformation. The redevelopment aims to adapt the historic grounds, originally built for the 1929 Exhibition, to the needs of the 21st century while preserving their cultural and architectural heritage.

The project will focus on creating sustainable, flexible, and innovative spaces that reinforce Montjuïc’s role as a hub for international congresses, exhibitions, and innovation. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026 and conclude in 2029.

Catalonia to host the Ryder Cup for the first time in 2031 at Camiral, Costa Brava

The Ryder Cup, the prestigious golf competition that has pitted the best players from Europe against those from the United States since 1928, will be held for the first time at a golf course in Catalonia, the Camiral, a Quinta do Lago Resort, in Caldes de Malavella. Its world-renowned Stadium Course and state-of-the-art practice facilities make it an ideal setting for an event of this scale.  It will host the Ryder Cup after the upcoming editions at Adare Manor (Ireland 2027) and Hazeltine National (Minnesota 2029).

For more information:  https://www.camiral.com/en/golf/ryder-cup-2031/