Restaurant ban in Spain’s tourism capital could ruin your favourite holiday activity

Ellie Hutchings

Published January 3, 2025 12:03pm Updated January 10, 2025 11:03am

The Spanish city of Barcelona has banned gas-powered patio heaters (Picture: Getty)

Barcelona is one of Europe’s most popular spots for al fresco dining, but that could be about to change.

From January 1 2025, the Spanish city has banned gas-powered patio heaters, which could see customers shunning outdoor seating areas during the winter.

The heaters have been banned due to their carbon emissions and the decision is the culmination of a years-long battle between the city council and restaurateurs, who fear a sharp drop in footfall.

The measure was first introduced in 2018, but the city council allowed for a gradual phasing out to give the hospitality sector time to adapt.

Electric heaters with a capacity no greater than 150W/m2 will still be permitted between November 1 and April 30, the city council has said.

Tourists sit on a restaurant terrace as they shelter from the cold with gas heaters — The ban was first introduced in 2018, but the city council allowed for a gradual phasing out (Picture: Reuters)

Meanwhile, an attempt to ban outdoor heaters in Madrid last year was thwarted after a local court ruled that the city council had failed to provide evidence that they contributed to global warming.

Heated outdoor seating areas are already banned in France.

Enforcement of the ban in Barcelona comes after last July saw diners squirted with water by locals in a protest against overtourism in the city.

Infuriated protestors chanted ‘Barcelona is not for sale’ and ‘Tourists go home’.

Earlier in the summer, Barcelona moved to crack down on short-term rentals in the city, announcing plans to rid the city of tourist flat licences by 2028.

Protesters shoot water from water guns at tourists during a protest against mass tourism in Barcelona, Spain, July 6, 2024. The Catalan capital received more than 12 million tourists in 2023 and expects more in 2024. REUTERS/Bruna Casas — Locals in Barcelona took to the streets to protest against overtourism in July 2024 (Picture: Reuters)

And it’s not the only tourist hotspot where residents are fighting against the strain of overtourism.

In Mallorca, locals previously blocked a popular tourist beach, while Spain’s latest travel rules require hotels, travel agencies and car rental companies to collect up to 42 pieces of personal information per guest.