Renewed measures to promote positive community life and peace for neighbours in Ciutat Vella
The decree limiting tourist groups, in force since March 2023, stipulates that such groups must not exceed 20 people or coincide in 12 designated areas in the district with limited capacity. The ban on pub crawls in the district, originally introduced in 2012, has now been extended for the long term to prevent the proliferation of offers that lure tourists and organised groups with the promise of alcohol.
Regulation against organised pub crawls
The ban on pub crawls in the Ciutat Vella district has been prolonged until 2028, as they are considered contrary to positive community life and neighbourhood peace.
The new decree imposes a strict ban on the promotion, organisation and holding of any kind of pub crawl in Ciutat Vella between 11 pm and 7 am.
It also prohibits the advertising of these activities through any medium and imposes fines of up to €900 on those responsible, including group guides, promoters and even the collaborating pubs.
Thanks to this regulation, Barcelona’s Guàrdia Urbana has been able to fine nightlife establishments for promoting alcohol consumption, with 408 citations in 2022, 586 in 2023 and 129 in the first half of 2024.
The Tourism Board is also working with digital platforms that advertise leisure activities in the city to prevent the promotion of pub crawls. These efforts have already resulted in the removal of around fifty such advertisements from these websites this year.
Controls to limit tourist groups in public spaces in the district
The decree restricting the mobility of groups of pedestrians on guided tours in the Ciutat Vella district has also been extended until 2028, in order to maintain the balance between economic activity and the quality of life of the district’s residents, and to ensure that the regulation is applied effectively.
This restriction applies to groups accompanied by a guide for tourist purposes in Ciutat Vella, which must not exceed 20 people, and limits the number of groups in overcrowded areas such as squares and narrow streets. The decree also prohibits the use of loudspeakers for explanations and encourages the use of radio guides to minimise the acoustic impact.
Activities that do not comply with the decree can be fined up to €1,500, with repeat offenders facing fines of up to €3,000.
Since the regulation went into effect, pairs of civil enforcement officers have been patrolling the streets of the district to inform tourist guides about the decree and, if necessary, to notify the Guàrdia Urbana of any violations. In the first half of 2024, the officers registered 3,828 tourist groups at key points, with an average of 13 people per group, and found that 114 groups (about 3% of the total) were in violation of the decree.
