We arrived in Barcelona via AVE train from Madrid yesterday at 1:30pm. Our friends just flew in from the U.S. None of us had any issues with transportation to the home we rented in Eixample. Metro, buses and taxis were all just fine. We went to Montjuic and the Olympic venues with no issues. We saw signs but no demonstrations in that area. Last night we walked a few blocks to eat, everything was open and people were walking about normally. This is our first visit to Barcelona. We have seen a lot of police but we usually do in Europe so I assume that is normal. We are keeping our eyes and ears open if the situation should change but so far everything was fine.
Update 10/9. Yesterday we headed to the Old City. There were hundreds of protesters out and about meeting at Catalunya Plaza which is where we were headed so we just walk few extra blocks around it until we were about to get on the south side. Part if the time we were walking with them until we found out where they were going then we changed course. All was very peaceful, we saw no issues. These people were against the withdrawal . We say lots of police. . . Local and gov . We walked down La Rambla and to the cathedral. It was Sunday so lots of people out and about and many carrying or wearing flags. We found nothing closed that would normally be open.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15791 posts
Thanks for the report. Enjoy one of the best cities in Europe!
Posted by
Chicago, IL
1 posts
Thanks for the update. We are heading there in a week and are a little worried about the situation.
Posted by
Spring, Texas
635 posts
Thanks for the update and please keep them coming. My wife and I are leaving for BCN on Wednesday for 4 nights.
Posted by
OP
15 posts
We had another wonderful day in Barcelona. No demonstrations today, apparently they all went back to work. We had a great visit to Park Guell and Sagrada Familia. We rode the metro and had no issues.
Posted by
Barcelona (Catalonia)
3075 posts
Wait for a large demonstration tomorrow in the afternoon near the Parliament, inside the Ciutadella Park, which will be closed to the public tomorrow. It's possible the Declaration of Independence will be announced -not yet 100% sure though. When I mean large, I mean large :)
As all previous ones, we're talking about a peaceful demonstration, and this one will be especially cheerful... providing the Spanish paramilitary police doesn't show up... which is unlikely anyway, at least today.
Posted by
OP
15 posts
Enric. Thank you for the heads up !
Posted by
898 posts
The BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse reports from Barcelona.
Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of Barcelona at the weekend in defence of the union with Spain. It's a reminder of how nothing is simple. Catalonia is divided. Gabriel Gatehouse reports.
Posted by
OP
15 posts
We were near the Barcelona Cathedral until about 7pm this evening then heading back to our town home rental. Lots of police out and many helicopters but we saw no issues.
It's 9pm now and the helicopters have finally left so every things quiet. Apparently talks will continue as they will not declare independence today.
Posted by
Barcelona (Catalonia)
3075 posts
You're clearly misunderstood: the President of Catalonia has declared independence today. Period. However, in lieu of the petitions by a growing number of international actors, from the IMF to the Council of Europe and a few more, the effects of the declaration has been postponed for a limited time (weeks) in order to give a chance to a negotiation that will facilitate an orderly separation.
Posted by
Spring, Texas
635 posts
Enric, What I'm seeing in the USA is that the vote was suspended pending further discussions. https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/10/catalan-leader-asks-parliament-to-suspend-results-of-independence-referendum-to-hold-talks-with-spain.html
My wife and I are leaving for Barcelona tomorrow morning.
Posted by
Barcelona (Catalonia)
3075 posts
Well guys, I'm really exhausted today, it's been a very long day, and I am not going to enter into any debate. With all due respect, I've explained what has been happening in the Catalan Parliament this afternoon... facts. Whether this media or that media decides to print this or that, be accurate or not, I cannot control... and I will not make a comment about it. If anything, I invite you to search the Spanish main media outlets based in Madrid for headlines: https://elpais.com/elpais/inenglish.html, http://www.abc.es/, https://okdiario.com/ or http://www.larazon.es/ among others.
In any case, I have to say that local politics are very complex and sometimes one needs to know the "insides" in order to properly interpret political events. Same goes elsewhere, I do follow US politics too and sometimes there are things that "escape" outsiders.
Note that for now, from a visitor's perspective, LIFE GOES ON so you won't find any stoppage or demonstration -again, unless the Spanish reaction tomorrow is not civilized.
Posted by
Spring, Texas
635 posts
Other than the four nights I will be spending in Barcelona, I have no horse in the race as regards to Catalonia. It appears that everything is conducive to tourism with a few minor issues. I hope any strikes or other issues will wait until next week. I'll be there Thursday morning if the airlines are still running.
Posted by
OP
15 posts
My apologies if I miss spoke regarding declaring independence. I'm just trying to let travelers know that tourism is fine at this time but you need to keep an ear open for changes.
Posted by
Barcelona (Catalonia)
3075 posts
Indeed... :)
Posted by
Connecticut
337 posts
Visitors to Barcelona have absolutely nothing to worry about.. We arrived on Sunday morning, witnessed the huge (peaceful) demonstrations on Sunday, and on Monday everything was back to normal. Yes, increased police presence, but nothing to interfere with everyday life. A few police officers watched live coverage of the Catalan parliament with us in our hotel lobby. We have enjoyed Barcelona immensely, and were glad to be here during these historic events.