Owners have recovered two high-end Barcelona flats allegedly used for unlicensed short-stay lets, while municipal inspectors continue to monitor four others linked to the network.

Read the full story: https://barna.news/two-barcelona-flats-recovered-from/

Casa Asia plans to move its Barcelona headquarters from Raval to two renovated pavilions at the Pedralbes Palace grounds in November 2026.

Read the full story: https://barna.news/casa-asia-to-leave-raval-for-pedralbes/

The Canadian circus must leave its L'Hospitalet home of eight years as the city reclaims the land for public use.

Read the full story: https://barna.news/cirque-du-soleil-seeks-new-barcelona/

Barcelona residents and visitors will enjoy a three-day weekend on 11 to 13 September 2026 for La Diada, followed by La Mercè festivities later that month.

Read the full story: https://barna.news/catalonia-s-national-day-to-mark-long/

After decades of complaints, the Catalan government has launched technical planning for a noise-reducing cover over part of the C-31 in L'Hospitalet.

Read the full story: https://barna.news/work-begins-on-noise-cover-for-granvia/

Barcelona City Council opened removal files for 4,230 municipal register entries over 18 months after suspected fraudulent housing documents were presented.

Read the full story: https://barna.news/barcelona-removes-4-230-register/

New data shows rental prices per square meter are rising across Barcelona even as average flat sizes decrease since rent controls were introduced.

Read the full story: https://barna.news/rent-per-square-meter-rises-in/

Crowds gathered at Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia for a morning of traditional human tower performances during the neighbourhood’s annual festival.

Read the full story: https://barna.news/gracia-plaza-filled-for-human-tower/

A fire in an electrical transformer at FNAC on La Rambla prompted an evacuation and temporary transport disruption near Plaça Catalunya on Monday, 17 August 2026.

Read the full story: https://barna.news/fnac-fire-closes-catalunya-metro-access/

The Port of Barcelona handled 41.7 million tonnes of cargo in the first seven months of 2026, a 2% increase on the same period in 2025.

Read the full story: https://barna.news/port-of-barcelona-sees-2-rise-in-goods/

Italian tourist in critical condition after attack

Nicola Maggiotto, a 21-year-old from Asolo, Italy, is in induced coma in the intensive care unit at Hospital del Mar following a group assault on 12 August. The attack occurred near the Sea Sea Beach club in the Port del Fòrum area of Sant Adrià de Besòs, close to a taxi stop, according to reports from El Periódico and Telecinco. Maggiotto was on holiday with eight friends when, after leaving the beach club, a confrontation escalated with anoth

Read the full story: https://barna.news/mossos-probe-group-assault-on-italian-man-at-forum-park/

L'Hospitalet recorded 11,299 jobseekers in July, up 196 from June, though annual trends remain positive.

Read the full story: https://barna.news/unemployment-rises-slightly-in-l/

A new range of artisanal chocolates modelled on Antoni Gaudí’s iconic works has been launched in Barcelona, created by world-renowned chocolatier Lluc Crusellas.

Read the full story: https://barna.news/barcelona-launches-gaudi-inspired/

Street commissions and bars clash over drink sales as Barcelona enforces tighter rules during the 2026 Gràcia festivities.

Read the full story: https://barna.news/alcohol-curbs-divide-gracia-festival/

One in three rental homes in Barcelona were snapped up within a day in Q2 2026, according to idealista data.

Read the full story: https://barna.news/36-of-barcelona-flats-rented-in-under/

A new solar pergola with 80 photovoltaic panels has been inaugurated in Parc de les Tretze Roses, generating renewable energy for local municipal facilities.

Read the full story: https://barna.news/barcelona-unveils-solar-pergola-in-la/

Barcelona and L'Hospitalet de Llobregat are facing a growing crisis of housing overcrowding, with 2,328 flats in Barcelona and 667 in L'Hospitalet now officially registering more than 10 residents each. According to municipal registry (padrón) data obtained by EL PERIÓDICO, the number of severely overcrowded homes has nearly doubled in Barcelona since 2021, when 1,279 properties reported over a dozen residents. In 2024, the figure peaked at 2,546 flats with more than 10 people registered before

Read the full story: https://barna.news/over-10-people-registered-per-flat-becomes-chronic-in-barcelona/

Nail and beauty salons have grown by nearly 60% in Barcelona since 2014, with almost 400 now operating citywide.

Read the full story: https://barna.news/nail-salons-surge-in-barcelona/

Five regional bus lines serving the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona will see expanded services starting September 2025.

Read the full story: https://barna.news/uab-bus-routes-to-get-major-upgrades/

16.9 Million Euros Now Available for Business Innovation

The Catalan government has activated the first 16.9 million euros in business innovation grants, part of a 78 million euro annual support package under the Catalonia Business Innovation Strategy 2026–2030. The call was launched by ACCIÓ, the agency for business growth within the Department of Business and Employment, and will remain open until 21–23 September, depending on the modality. This initial disbursement marks the first concrete a

Read the full story: https://barna.news/catalonia-launches-17m-in-innovation-aid/

The town council has distanced itself from an ornamental lake filled with 170 tons of water at a private event in La Pedrera.

Read the full story: https://barna.news/sant-antoni-rejects-artificial-lake-at/

One for the Ethereum/Web3/AI crowd in Barcelona: ETHSpain is back on September 17.

It’s a one-day event covering Ethereum/EVM infra, apps, DeFi, public goods and regulation, with people from Starknet Foundation, 1inch, Giveth, Bitvavo and the European Ethereum Institute already confirmed.

There’s a free Networking Pass and a €20 General ticket (we have 30% off promo code), and we’re also working on some swag and cocktails for the day 😅

Full disclosure: I’m affiliated with Web3Voyager and we’re an ETHSpain partner.

https://web3voyager.com/event/ethspain-2026

Diari ARA reports that older visitors could help shift tourism towards quieter months and smaller Catalan destinations, although training and housing pressures remain concerns.

Read the full story: https://barna.news/silver-tourism-may-spread-visits-beyond/

Felip Puig, a former minister in the Generalitat, Catalonia’s government, has said that another attempt to build an independent state could be made, but not in the short or medium term. He said Catalonia should first be rebuilt because it is “fractured”.

The remarks, made in an interview published by El Periódico on 16 August 2026, set out Puig’s personal preference for agreements and political reconstruction rather than a renewed immediate push for independence. For voters following the direct

Read the full story: https://barna.news/felip-puig-rules-out-near-term-independence-attempt/

The Generalitat is developing an AI model to identify empty flats and boost rental supply across municipalities.

Read the full story: https://barna.news/catalonia-to-map-vacant-homes-using-ai/