This Week in Barcelona

Free daily newsletter
Do not wait a week: get Barcelona's news and events in plain English every morning.
Joining 2,100+ expats across Spain and Portugal. No credit card. Unsubscribe anytime.

Barcelona spent the week absorbing labor unrest, with doctors starting an open-ended strike on Oct 28 and more walkouts announced for rail and municipal staff in mid November. Commuters also got news of a month-long L2 closure starting Nov 2, while the Raval(s) Festival and a packed food calendar gave the city some lighter things to plan for.

The Week's Biggest Stories

Metro L2 shut between La Pau and Gorg for a month

Repair works close part of Metro Line 2 between La Pau and Gorg starting Nov 2, with reopening expected in early December. A shuttle bus will cover the closed section. Reports gave slightly different end dates, so the exact day is worth checking with TMB.

Doctors begin open-ended strike with Diagonal march

Doctors in Catalonia started an indefinite strike on Wednesday, Oct 28, opening with a march along Avinguda Diagonal. They are pushing for better working conditions, including an end to 24 hour shifts. With no end date set, public healthcare appointments could be affected for some time.

SEMAF announces rail strikes for Nov 10 and 12

The SEMAF union has called a full strike on one day and a partial strike on another, on Nov 10 and 12. Workers want faster safety reforms after a deadly rail accident. Train services across the region are expected to be disrupted on those days.

Barcelona municipal workers plan general strike on Nov 11

City employees are set to strike on Nov 11, backed by several unions. They cite the rising cost of living and want higher wages and better access to housing. Some municipal services could be reduced that day.

Renter loses 6,000 euros to apartment scam and ends up homeless

A woman in Barcelona paid several fees for a flat she never visited, and the money was lost. She then spent two months without a home. The case shows how pressure to pay upfront is used in the city's tight rental market.

Spain issues salmonella alert for Arkan sesame tahini

Authorities have flagged Arkan Pure Sesame Tahini as contaminated with salmonella, with consumers across Spain affected. Officials say the product should not be eaten. People who may have consumed it are told to consult a doctor.

Raval(s) Festival brings 50 free events to the neighborhood

From Nov 6 to 8, the Raval hosts more than 50 free cultural activities. The festival aims to turn the neighborhood into a shared space for creative and community projects. It is open to anyone who wants to explore the area.

November food calendar includes Gastronomic Forum and cookie contests

A busy month of food events is lined up in Barcelona, ranging from the Gastronomic Forum to baking competitions. The lineup offers options for casual eaters as well as industry fans. Dates and tickets vary by event.

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

Monday 02 November Desfile de Catrinas
12:00 · Teatre Poliorama, La Rambla, 115 · Free to watch; costume contest registration €4 children / €8 adults
Tuesday 03 November Huelga en el Hospital del Mar
12:00 · Hospital del Mar, main entrance
Tuesday 03 November Branford Marsalis Quartet with Dianne Reeves
Palau de la Música Catalana
Wednesday 04 November No one is illegal
19:00 · Institut Francès, Barcelona
Wednesday 04 November Concentrations at Educational Centers
Educational centers across the region

These are 5 picks from the 40+ events we are tracking in Barcelona this week, and new ones are added every day. Pro members get the full calendar in our app; the free daily email flags the highlights.

Previous Weeks

Daily Barcelona news in English. Free.

Join 2,100+ expats. Every day: a 5-minute summary of Barcelona news, free events, deadlines and local recommendations.

Daily Barcelona news for expats - free.