Barcelona imposes four-year citywide pub-crawl ban

Barcelona will implement a citywide ban on organising, promoting or running pub crawls starting October 29, 2025; the 24-hour measure will run for four years. The decree, agreed after public consultation, also forbids related advertising and expands earlier pilot bans in Ciutat Vella (since 2012) and L’Eixample (since June 2025). City officials said the ban aims to ensure peaceful coexistence, protect residents’ right to rest and public health, citing neighbourhood disturbances, strain on public spaces and possible links to crime and road-safety risks. Organisers face fines reported at about €1,500–€3,000, while participants are not fined solely for taking part but may be ticketed for public drinking, noise or other infractions. Authorities pointed to police data suggesting the pilot bans reduced incidents, and observers say Barcelona’s move follows a wider trend of cities rethinking alcohol-fuelled tourism.