Barcelona: a must-see cultural and artistic destination for 2025

Barcelona is about to transform its tourist image by focusing on a new goal: becoming a leading artistic capital. With the presentation of its 2025 tourism plan, unveiled on December 12 in La Pedrera, the city is emphasizing the promotion of cultural establishments and the enhancement of quality tourism.

Mateu Hernández, Director general of tourism of Barcelona, insisted at the conference on the importance of attracting visitors with a genuine interest in culture and art: “We have 30 million tourists. What we need is not more visitors, but better quality tourists”. According to him, these “quality” visitors favor immersive and enriching experiences, especially in prestigious places such as museums, galleries and cultural centers of the city.

Barcelona Art Season: a flagship project for art and culture

The Barcelona Art Season plan highlights the city’s cultural treasures by proposing thematic maps and itineraries specially designed for art lovers. Among the initiatives already in place, the Winter Art Season event offers an exceptional programming with :

• The Miró-Matisse exhibition at the Miró Foundation, a captivating dialogue between two masters of modern art.
• Arte en Piedra in La Pedrera, which explores sculpture from a unique angle.
• Madama Butterfly at the Gran Teatre del Liceu, a breathtaking operatic production.
• A series of contemporary exhibitions at MACBA, the Museum of contemporary art in Barcelona.

Recommendations via Barcelona Forever

For visitors interested in this new cultural face of Barcelona, here are some essential suggestions :

• Book a guided tour of the Picasso Museum to explore the works of one of the greatest artists of the twentieth century, in a fascinating architectural setting.
• Discover the Palau de la Música Catalana, a jewel of Catalan modernism, by attending a concert or an immersive visit.
• Stroll through the Gothic Quarter and explore its contemporary art galleries, such as El Born CCM, which mixes history and modernity.
• Immerse yourself in the street art of Barcelona with a walk organized by Barcelona Forever, which highlights the frescoes of neighborhoods like Poblenou.
• Relax in the Miró Foundation Sculpture Garden, offering panoramic views of the city and an immersion in outdoor art.

A reinforced congress tourism

In parallel with this artistic renewal, Barcelona aims to consolidate its place in the world of international congresses. With the support of the Barcelona Convention Bureau, the city wishes to attract large-scale events in the tech, science and innovation sectors. Already known for hosting events such as the Mobile World Congress, Barcelona plans to invest even more in this strategic area.

With these initiatives, Barcelona aspires to appeal to a more demanding audience and to offer unique experiences, whether through art, culture or innovation. Barcelona Forever accompanies this transition by providing personalized itineraries and immersive activities that guarantee visitors an unforgettable stay in the Catalan capital.