Barcelona is preparing for major disruption from 8 to 11 June as Pope Leo XIV visits the city, with road closures, parking bans and changes to public transport across several central districts. City officials say the plan is designed to manage security and the expected crowds during the papal visit.
Travel will be harder than usual in Ciutat Vella and Eixample, and residents are being advised to use the metro where possible. Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona, or TMB, will reinforce services on several lines, while some bus routes and shared mobility services will also be affected. For wider local coverage, see our Barcelona news page.
Restrictions begin around Barcelona Cathedral and the Episcopal Palace from 7am on Monday, 8 June, until 10am on Thursday, 11 June. The affected streets include Avinguda Catedral, Carrer Tapineria, Carrer Llibreteria, Carrer Call, Carrer Banys Nous and Carrer Palla. Parking will be banned for all vehicles, including motorcycles, mopeds and bicycles on pavements.
On Tuesday evening, Pope Leo XIV is due to attend a prayer vigil with 37,000 people at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium. Security checks and traffic restrictions will run from 7am on Monday, 8 June, until 2am on Wednesday, 10 June, affecting Passeig Olímpic, Avinguda Estadi, Carrer Jocs del 92 and Vial de l’Olivera. On Wednesday, 10 June, the Pope will also visit Sant Agustí Church in El Raval, where full road closures will apply from 7am on Tuesday, 9 June, until 11:59pm on Wednesday, 10 June.
The most significant impact will be around the Sagrada Família on Wednesday, 10 June, when a mass and the blessing of the Jesus tower are scheduled. A nine-block perimeter will be sealed off, with restrictions also extending along Carrer Rosselló for the Popemobile’s one-kilometre route. The maximum security area covers the streets between Carrer Rosselló, Carrer Lepant, Carrer València and Carrer Sicília.
Public transport will be adjusted throughout the visit. On Tuesday, 9 June, extra trains will run on L1, L3 and L5 from the afternoon, with a shuttle service of nine articulated buses and more frequent funiculars between Plaça d’Espanya and the Olympic Stadium. On Wednesday, 10 June, Sagrada Família station will be closed all day, L2 and L5 trains will pass through without stopping, and Verdaguer station on L4 will only allow exits during the afternoon peak. Rodalies will reinforce R1 and R4 services, while Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat has planned extra services, especially for access to Montserrat.
Shared mobility will also be affected inside the restricted areas. Bicing will temporarily close some docking stations, and other shared bicycle and motorcycle operators will face limits. The security operation is due to be lifted gradually on Thursday, 11 June, with restrictions around the Cathedral removed by 10am.
