Shops and commercial centres in Barcelona's designated tourist zones will open on Sundays and public holidays from 17 May to 15 September 2026. This marks the fifth consecutive year for the agreement, which permits extended retail hours during the warmer months.

The measure is based on a resolution from the Generalitat's Director General of Commerce, dated 29 April 2022. It allows businesses in areas with high tourist footfall to open from 12pm to 8pm on these days.

Extended Shopping Hours Begin

The first Sunday for extended opening hours this year will be 17 May. The agreement, which covers both street-level shops and commercial centres, aims to cater to the increased number of visitors during the peak tourist season.

The pact was signed by several key organisations, including Fundació Barcelona Comerç, Barcelona Oberta, Pimec Comerç, Foment del Treball, the National Association of Large Distribution Companies (Anged), and trade unions UGT and CCOO, alongside Barcelona City Council. A monitoring committee has been established to protect workers' rights and oversee hiring practices, according to officials.

Affected Neighbourhoods and Centres

The tourist zone was expanded in 2022 and now includes numerous neighbourhoods across several districts. These are:

  • Ciutat Vella: El Raval, El Gòtic, Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i la Ribera, and La Barceloneta.
  • Eixample: La Nova Esquerra de l'Eixample, L'Antiga Esquerra de l'Eixample, La Dreta de l'Eixample, La Sagrada Família, El Fort Pienc, and Sant Antoni.
  • Sants-Montjuïc: Sants, Hostafrancs, Poble-sec, and Font de la Guatlla.
  • Les Corts and Sarrià-Sant Gervasi: Les Corts, Sant Gervasi-Galvany, and specific parts of El Putxet and El Farró.
  • Gràcia: La Vila de Gràcia, El Camp d'en Grassot, Gràcia Nova, Vallcarca i els Penitents, and part of the La Salut neighbourhood.
  • Sant Martí and Horta-Guinardó: La Vila Olímpica del Poblenou, El Poblenou, El Parc and La Llacuna de Poblenou (some areas), Diagonal Mar, El Fòrum Marítim del Poblenou, and part of El Baix Guinardó.

Commercial centres permitted to open on Sundays include Westfield Les Glòries, Diagonal Mar, Las Arenas, and Maremagnum. Maremagnum already operates every day of the year. Popular shopping streets, such as Portal de l'Àngel and Passeig de Gràcia, will also see extended hours.

However, other large centres like Westfield La Maquinista will not open their retail stores on these Sundays. Their leisure and restaurant areas will remain open, as is typical on public holidays.

Full Calendar of Opening Dates

The specific dates for extended opening hours between 15 May and 15 September 2026 are:

  • May: Sundays 17, 24, and 31; Monday 25 (public holiday).
  • June: Sundays 7, 14, 21, and 28.
  • July: Sundays 5, 12, 19, and 26.
  • August: Sundays 2, 9, 16, and 23; Saturday 15 (public holiday).
  • September: Sundays 6 and 13.

This schedule aims to boost retail activity during the tourist season while balancing the needs of businesses and workers.