Sants has always been a constant bustle of suitcases, reunions, and people in a hurry—a perfect barometer of Barcelona’s daily pulse. However, that characteristic hustle and bustle will change pace at the end of September, when the historic entrance to the station from Plaça Països Catalans—on the Avenida Roma side—will be completely closed.
This closure will remain in effect until the end of 2028 to allow for the construction of the new departure area for high-speed trains. The measure will transform mobility in the surrounding area, as it will affect both pedestrians and vehicles, eliminating the lane that was typically used for dropping off and picking up passengers at the station entrance.
New Routes to Enter the Station
Getting around Sants will require learning a newlayout over the next few years. While the work is underway, Joan Peiró Square will become the main hub for entering the station complex.
In any case, travelers will have more options for accessing the station:
- Sea-side entrance: It will open this September next to Espanya Industrial Park.
- Mountain-side entrance: It will be operational by the end of 2026, next to Viriat Street and the bus station.
More space to say goodbye to crowds
This entire reorganization is a response to an obvious reality: the terminal had become too small for the number of people who pass through it every day. The construction work, which began in 2023, will completely transform the interior space.
Once the work is complete, the Rodalies area will grow by 85% and the high-speed area will increase by 175% thanks to a new building with up to four stories. This will completely separate departing passengers from arriving ones: the current space will be reserved solely for arrivals, while the shops and customer service offices will be expanded.
A square reclaimed for pedestrians
The changes won’t stop at the station’s walls. At the same time, Països Catalans Square is undergoing renovations, a project expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The goal is to restore elements of its original design, adding green spaces, new street furniture, and improvements to the emergency exits.
The major change for neighborhood life will come in 2028. When this phase is complete, the area around the plaza will be entirely pedestrian-only. Private cars will no longer be allowed to pass through this side permanently, while taxis will maintain their usual pickup spot at Joan Peiró Plaza.
Once this major phase is completed in 2028, it will pave the way for a second phase of the project, which has yet to receive official approval.
This entire urban planning project will be carried out with a commitment to keeping trains running and the service operational at all times.
