Barcelona spent the week swinging between fire danger and flash-flood warnings while the city's festival calendar for August and September came into full view. Housing policy, a new eclipse date on everyone's radar, and a small transport rule change rounded out a week that felt equal parts practical and festive.
The Week's Biggest Stories
Govern proposes converting offices into homes
The regional government put forward a housing bill that would let owners convert commercial or office space into residential units in Barcelona. The idea is one piece of a wider push to add affordable housing supply as the city's rental crunch continues. It is a proposal at this stage, not a passed law, so expect debate before anything changes on the ground.
Extreme fire risk shuts down open-air activity nearby
Catalonia raised its fire danger to the top level for 37 municipalities around Barcelona on July 20, then a nearby zone was still under a lower-tier alert days later. Open fires, barbecues and other spark-risk activities near wooded areas were restricted while the dry heat persisted. Anyone heading to green spaces around the city this week should check current restrictions before lighting anything.
Heavy rain warning hit Maresme and Vallès Oriental
Forecasters flagged intense rainfall for Sunday, July 26, in the Maresme and Vallès Oriental areas just outside the city. It came as a sharp contrast to the fire-risk heat earlier in the week and was enough to disrupt weekend travel plans in those zones. Residents commuting through or visiting those areas were told to plan around possible delays.
City prepares for August 12 solar eclipse
Barcelona is gearing up for a solar eclipse on August 12 with peak visibility around 20:29, and authorities are distributing 150,000 free protective glasses across 23 observation points in Catalonia. Officials are also stressing that only certified eyewear is safe, since looking directly at the sun without it can cause eye damage. It is shaping up to be a citywide event, so it is worth sorting out where to watch and how to get glasses ahead of time.
La Mercè 2026 dates and theme confirmed
The city's biggest annual festival, La Mercè, will run September 23 to 27 this year and mark its 25th edition with Shanghai as guest city. For the first time the program will reach all ten districts of Barcelona, with roughly 110 performers taking part alongside the usual music, fire runs and street art. It is early to plan around, but worth marking on the calendar now given the scale of the closures and crowds it brings each year.
Festa Major de Gràcia returns August 15-21
Gràcia's neighborhood festival is back for a week in mid-August, with 23 decorated streets and over 100 concerts, workshops and family activities spread across the district. The opening ceremony on August 14 leans into themes of inclusivity and sustainability this year. It is one of the most walkable, free ways to experience local culture, though the neighborhood gets very crowded and noisy for the full week.
Large dogs can now ride most Renfe trains
Renfe changed its rules so large dogs are permitted on most long-distance trains, with defined seating arrangements and a €40 fee per journey. Previously only small pets were generally allowed in the cabin, so this opens up train travel for owners of bigger dogs. Anyone traveling with a large dog should check the specific seating and booking requirements before showing up at the station.
Barcelona Activa runs free digital courses this summer
The city's employment and training agency is offering more than 100 free online courses this summer, including topics like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Most are self-paced, making them accessible to residents working full time or juggling other summer plans. It is a low-cost way to build job skills without committing to a fixed schedule.
How this page works: it is a weekly snapshot, refreshed every Monday, of what our daily newsletter covered. Summaries are condensed and details can change after publication, so double-check dates and official announcements before planning around them.
This page updates weekly. Your inbox can update daily.
Barcelona Expat Daily is a free 5-minute daily email with Barcelona's local news, events and deadlines in plain English, written for people building a life here.
What's On in Barcelona This Week
22:00 · Sala 3, Apolo, Barcelona · €12 in advance or €15 at the door
Aclam Club
18:30 · CaixaForum, avinguda de Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, 6-8 · €6-€9 (some activities free)
20:15; 20:45; 22:00 · Fossat de Santa Eulàlia, Montjuïc Castle · From €8.5
22:00 · Pati de les Dones, CCCB · €5
Razzmatazz
19:00 · Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón, Carrer de Casp, 27 · Tickets required
21:30 · Platja de Sant Sebastià, Barcelona · Free
Previous Weeks
Daily Barcelona news in English. Free.
Join 1,300+ expats. Every day: a 5-minute summary of Barcelona news, free events, deadlines and local recommendations.