Barcelona, World Capital of Architecture, Kicks off a Unique Year – And We Invite You to Experience the City With Us

View of Barcelona, © Vicente Zambrano González – Ajuntament de Barcelona, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0, modified

On February 12, the city kicked off an exceptional year: Barcelona, World Capital of Architecture 2026. For ten months, until December 13, the city invites everyone to experience the transformative power of architecture and urban planning in collective life.

Far from being an event solely for professionals, Barcelona 2026 unfolds as a plural, cross-disciplinary, and decentralized program in which architecture is experienced, shared, and transformed into a powerful tool for imagining and building the city together. In this stimulating context, Guiding Architects Barcelona joins as one of the 170 collaborating organizations, with its own program of architectural tours and debates that will allow you to explore and experience the Capital of Architecture.

Below, we present our proposals for the first half of the year, with activities running through the end of June. The second installment of our tours and debates, featuring activities scheduled from July to November, will be available in June.

Present Pasts
Series of activities organized in collaboration with El Globus Vermell
March to May

DEBATE
Moderns Without Function: The Challenge of Keeping 20th-Century Heritage Alive

The renewed appreciation of Barcelona’s modern heritage goes hand in hand with the challenges of adapting buildings originally designed for very specific uses. Through emblematic case studies, this debate explores how to give new functions to this heritage without compromising it and how to keep it alive.

Speakers: Marc Aureli Santos, Mario Correa, Meritxell Inaraja
Moderators: Joan Vitoria (El Globus Vermell), Lorenzo Karasz (GA Barcelona)

Thursday, March 5, 6:30 to 8:00 pm | Canòdrom
Free activity. Prior registration is required.

Antituberculosis Dispensary, © Roc Isern

TOUR
Present Pasts: Antituberculosis Dispensary

The Antituberculosis Dispensary (1934–38), a key work of GATCPAC designed by Josep Lluís Sert together with Torres i Clavé and Subirana, is a landmark of Rationalist architecture in Barcelona. This visit offers access to the building and an in-depth look at its architectural, technical, and social significance.

Saturday, March 7, 10:00 to 11:00 am, 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, and 12:00 to 1:00 pm
Saturday, May 23, 12:00 to 1:00 pm
Free activity. Prior registration is required.

Mies van der Rohe Pavilion, © GA Barcelona

TOUR
Present Pasts: Mies van der Rohe Pavilion & CaixaForum Barcelona

This visit contrasts two approaches to architecture in the early decades of the 20th century: Mies van der Rohe’s German Pavilion and Puig i Cadafalch’s Casaramona Factory. From a heritage perspective, it explores their architectural designs and how their uses have evolved over time.

Friday, March 13, 5:00 to 7:30 pm
Friday, March 20, 5:00 to 7:30 pm
Free activity. Prior registration is required.

Renaturalizing Public Space
April to June

DEBATE
Urban (Re)naturalization: Challenges of a Paradigm Shift in the Contemporary City

Urban renaturalization aims to integrate ecological systems into existing urban spaces to tackle climate, environmental, and public health challenges. The debate will explore nature-based solutions, green infrastructure, and governance strategies for creating healthier, more resilient cities.

Speakers: Marina Cervera, Roberto Soto, Xavier Mayor
Moderators: Inés Casanovas (GA Barcelona), Robert de Paauw

Thursday, April 9, 6:30 to 8:00 pm | Ca l’Alier
Free activity. Prior registration is required.

Transformation of Glòries, © Àlex Losada – Ajuntament de Barcelona, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0, modified

TOUR
Renaturalizing Public Space: Sant Martí

Guided tour of the new urban ecosystem between Avinguda Meridiana, Plaça de les Glòries, and the 22@ district, exploring green corridors, gardens, biodiversity hubs, and sustainable drainage systems. The tour highlights different strategies for renaturalizing the city and restoring natural cycles.

Saturday, April 18, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Saturday, May 9, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Free activity. Prior registration is required.

Besòs River, © GA Barcelona

TOUR
Renaturalizing Public Space: Besòs River

A bicycle tour along Besòs River Park, from Santa Coloma to Sant Adrià, exploring its renaturalization process. The route examines the river’s environmental, landscape, and social restoration, now transformed into a public space and a metropolitan ecological corridor.

Saturday, May 23, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Saturday, June 6, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Free activity. Prior registration is required.

Cristalleries Planell Civic Center, Les Corts, © GA Barcelona

Revisiting the FAD Awards
Series of activities organized in collaboration with Arquin-FAD
April to June (part one)

TOUR
Revisiting the FAD Awards: Diagonal & Les Corts

An urban tour along the Diagonal and through Les Corts, featuring explanations and visits to buildings that have been winners, finalists, or selected entries in the FAD Architecture and Interior Design Awards over the course of 67 editions.

Friday, April 24, 5:30 to 7:30 pm
Thursday, May 14, 5:30 to 7:30 pm
Thursday, June 18, 5:30 to 7:30 pm
Free activity. Prior registration required.

Barcelona, World Capital of Architecture 2026, is supported by Barcelona City Council, the Government of Catalonia, and Spain’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda. The full program is available on the City Council’s website.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Text: Stefanie Herr