Ana M. López
Research expert covering travel, tourism and hospitality
Tourism in Barcelona - statistics & facts
Barcelona is the capital of the Catalonia region in Spain and has become one of the most attractive city destinations worldwide. The 1992 Olympic Games were a turning point for the city, which had to undergo a profound transformation to hold the world’s most important sporting event. Almost three decades later, the effort still pays off: in 2022, Barcelona was among the ten European destinations with the highest number of overnights.
Back in 1990, Barcelona’s hotels – which account for the largest share of overnight tourists in the city – hosted 1.73 million guests. In 2023, this number amounted to nearly 7.8 million, still recovering from the impact of COVID-19. In that same year, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France were among the main international source markets for Barcelona's hotel industry. Moreover, the Catalonian capital has also largely contributed to placing its region among the three most visited autonomous communities by Spanish tourists.
Back in 1990, Barcelona’s hotels – which account for the largest share of overnight tourists in the city – hosted 1.73 million guests. In 2023, this number amounted to nearly 7.8 million, still recovering from the impact of COVID-19. In that same year, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France were among the main international source markets for Barcelona's hotel industry. Moreover, the Catalonian capital has also largely contributed to placing its region among the three most visited autonomous communities by Spanish tourists.
Barcelona’s main tourist attractions
Barcelona might have the Olympic Games to thank for its current international recognition. However, its beautiful architecture and its cultural offer are the aspects that have consolidated the city as an attractive tourist destination. Antoni Gaudi’s architectural masterpieces and museums such as those devoted to Pablo Picasso and Barcelona’s history museum are only a few examples from a very long list of unmissable places and monuments in this Mediterranean city. Gaudi’s Park Güell and La Sagrada Família – still under construction – received 4.7 million and 3.8 million visitors each in 2022, achieving the top places in the ranking of Barcelona’s most visited attractions. And with more than one million visitors, Poble Espanyol was placed third place that year.A place for every type of visitor
Although in recent years most of the people who traveled to Barcelona did so for leisure or vacation purposes, the business travel industry also plays a key role in the economy of this Spanish city, with renowned national and international meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions attracting thousands of professionals from all around the globe. In 2023, Barcelona was also the world’s top city destinations for workations, based on several factors like visitor experiences, remote work visa and infrastructure as well as liveability. As of early 2024, Catalonia’s capital was also the seventh most visited city by digital nomads.
