Barcelona’s enthusiasm for its underground heritage has overwhelmed the system. Free tickets to visit the city’s so-called ‘ghost stations’ were snapped up within hours on Tuesday, after millions tried to register online.
Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) released 5,000 tickets to mark the centenary of the metro. The offer included rare access to disused stations such as Correus and Gaudí, alongside behind-the-scenes visits to workshops and control facilities.
But demand far outstripped supply. The registration website collapsed repeatedly under the surge of traffic. Laia Bonet, president of TMB, admitted the system was ‘overwhelmed’, saying: ‘The website was prepared for a large number of requests, but we received millions of attempts to register.’
All tickets were allocated by midday. Bonet confirmed that, given the extraordinary interest, TMB is already planning to open new dates and expand access to more facilities.
The centenary celebrations will continue throughout 2025, with exhibitions and special events highlighting the metro’s role in shaping Barcelona’s modern identity. For many, however, the chance to step inside stations long sealed off from daily use remains the most coveted ticket.
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