Barcelona is set for major traffic restrictions next week as Pope Leo XIV visits the city, with the biggest disruption expected in Ciutat Vella. Road closures, parking bans and public transport changes will begin on Monday, 8 June, and continue through the papal stay.
The Mossos d'Esquadra have activated the Albus security operation to manage the visit, according to officials. The police plan will reinforce security in the areas the Pope is scheduled to visit across Barcelona.
In Ciutat Vella, restrictions will focus on Barcelona Cathedral and the Episcopal Palace, where Pope Leo XIV will stay for two nights. Avinguda de la Catedral, between Plaça d'Antoni Maura and Plaça Nova, will have restricted vehicle access and parking from 7am on Monday until 10am on Thursday, 11 June. In the Raval area, parking will be banned on both days of the visit, with road closures, access controls and pedestrian rules in place around Sant Agustí church and Plaça de la Gardunya.
On Montjuïc, parking will be banned near the Estadi Olímpic, where a prayer vigil with the Pope is due to take place on Tuesday afternoon. Officials say this will be the largest gathering of the visit in Catalonia, with 40,000 attendees. Parking restrictions there will run from 7am on Monday until 2am on Wednesday, 10 June, while road closures and access controls for accredited people only will start at 12pm on Tuesday.
Eixample will also face major mobility impacts. On Wednesday, 10 June, the Sagrada Família will host the central ceremonies, including a mass and the blessing of the new Jesus Tower. Pope Leo XIV will arrive after a 15-minute Popemobile route through Eixample streets. A wide security perimeter will affect Avinguda Diagonal and other main roads, as well as secondary streets, with parking bans on Carrer Rosselló between Plaça del Cinc d'Oros and Carrer de Lepant, and within the perimeter of Carrers de Còrsega and València.
Traffic controls and cuts will run from 7am on 10 June until 2am on Thursday, 11 June. The city says this will cause general traffic diversions and a significant impact on the bus network for at least 19 hours. The Sagrada Família metro station, on lines L2 and L5, will also close for the whole of Wednesday. Barcelona City Council has urged residents to plan journeys in advance and use public transport where possible. Exceptional reinforcements are planned for Rodalies, FGC, Metro, bus services and the Montjuïc Funicular, including extra customer service staff and a shuttle bus to the Estadi Olímpic for the vigil. Renfe says Rodalies capacity in the metropolitan area will rise by more than 35% compared with a typical weekend, while FGC will run around 20 extra services on some lines.
For more local updates, see our news coverage. Official transport information is available from TMB, Renfe and FGC.
