Barcelona sees surge of visitors for Circuit Festival and architecture exhibitions

The 17th edition of the Circuit Festival kicked off in Barcelona, drawing an estimated 60,000 attendees, 80% of whom are international visitors. Organisers say the event energises the city’s streets, shops and hotels, with merchants reporting a significant sales boost and hotel rates climbing to their seasonal peak. The festival also launched an official T‑shirt supporting the trans community, underscoring its inclusive ethos.

Meanwhile, Barcelona is celebrating its designation as a Capital of Architecture. A series of eight exhibitions across the city showcase a 12‑metre‑long model of Barcelona and present future projects such as "Barcelona = (Diversity + Intensity) × Complexity" and the "Barcelona 2035" vision. Curated by Elena Amat, the displays highlight ongoing developments from the Besòs chimneys to a new Montjuïc venue, the Fira, and a future hospital on the Diagonal, aiming to inspire residents to re‑imagine the city’s future.