Economy: from factories to knowledge
The metropolitan area generates around €173 billion of GDP and concentrates two-thirds of Catalonia's economy. The textile factory is now heritage to visit: the engines are services, knowledge and congresses.
Fairs and congresses
Fira de Barcelona is Europe's second-largest fairground and the Mobile World Congress brings a hundred thousand professionals yearly: congress weeks fill hotels and multiply prices — the agenda's fault, not the city's.
Tech and science
Poblenou's 22@ district gathers the tech scene —from local startups to corporate offices— and the city is southern Europe's main biotech hub, with the MareNostrum supercomputer inside.
Tourism with limits
With millions of yearly visitors, tourism is central industry and political debate: the city caps licenses and seeks the balance between visitor and resident.