Barcelona will embark on a long-awaited transformation in front of its most iconic landmark. On 16 September, the city will begin construction of a vast new square on Carrer de la Marina, directly opposite the Sagrada Família.
The project will reshape more than 6,200 square metres of public space, covering the stretch between Carrer de Mallorca and Carrer de Provença, along with the Plaça de Gaudí and the basilica’s Nativity façade. The aim is to relieve the intense pressure from millions of visitors, regulate vehicle and pedestrian flows, and give residents a space that feels less like a thoroughfare and more like a gathering place.
City hall said the redesigned space will serve multiple purposes: an open square, an extension of the existing park, a venue for community events, and a ceremonial forecourt for the basilica. Works are expected to last eight months, finishing by May 2026, and will be carried out in three phases to reduce disruption.
The plan forms part of the Espai de Gran Afluència (EGA) strategy — a package of 37 interventions scheduled through 2027 to tackle overtourism and reclaim public areas. The investment totals €15.5 million over three years, addressing issues such as overcrowding, local commerce diversity, and neighbourhood use of public space.
Urban planners have looked back to 1977 for inspiration, drawing on a design by Nicolau Maria Rubió i Tudurí, who proposed a circular layout to shift Carrer de la Marina further away from the basilica’s façade.
The timing is strategic: the Sagrada Família quarter will be the stage for the Grand Départ of the Tour de France on 2 July 2026. Cyclists will ride from the Hospital de Sant Pau down Avinguda de Gaudí to the basilica, where teams will be presented against the backdrop of Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece.
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Source: Tot Barcelona
