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The Tour de Francia will close key streets in Barcelona in July
Barcelona will have to reorganise its mobility for several days due to the arrival of the Tour de Francia. On 2, 4 and 5 July, different areas of the city will experience road closures, diversions and restrictions affecting residents, workers, visitors, taxis, buses and private vehicles.
The first major impact will come on 2 July, with the team presentation. The area around the Sagrada Família, the modernist site of Sant Pau and avenida Gaudí will be affected by the set-up, the presence of crowds and the planned closures from the night before.
Barriers and structures will start to be installed before the event itself, so the disruptions will not be limited to just a few hours. Those who live, work or need to pass through this area should expect changes to access, parking, terraces and usual traffic flow.
4 July will be the most complicated day for getting around Barcelona. The team time trial will cross the city from Parc del Fòrum to Montjuïc and will require the closure of key routes along the seafront, the Eixample and the area around plaça d'Espanya.
Avinguda del Litoral, Carrer Aragón, passeig de Gràcia, Gran Via and the routes towards Montjuïc will be among the most affected points. There will also be restrictions on the Ronda Litoral, especially at entrances and exits near the route, which could disrupt journeys between Besòs, the centre and the port area.
On 5 July, the second stage will again concentrate most of the disruptions in Montjuïc and plaça d'Espanya. The route includes entry via Collblanc and several urban sections before the stage finish, so traffic will be limited during the afternoon and parking will be prohibited along parts of the route from the day before.
Public transport will also be affected. Some bus lines will be diverted or interrupted, while the metro will be the most reliable option for crossing the city during the hours of greatest disruption. Even so, stations near the route may be busier than usual.
The Tour will be an opportunity for international exposure and a sporting celebration in the streets, but also an everyday challenge. Anyone needing to get around on those days should check routes, allow extra time and accept that for a few hours the city will run to the rhythm of the race.