Barcelona and beyond
by Etelka Lehoczky
18 Sept 2026After 46 years in Barcelona, Sergio Aragón is keenly familiar with the city’s virtues. He wants people who visit for the 2027 Rotary International Convention to experience its famous architecture, food, and culture — and then explore beyond the city limits. “We’re going to offer our guests the chance to enjoy music, gather together, and sense the flavors not only in the city, but in other cities surrounding Barcelona,” says Aragón, chair of the Host Organization Committee.
Aragón shared his thoughts on where to travel in the region, how Barcelona has changed in recent years, and what he loves most about the city. Discounted registration for the convention is available through 21 September (see sidebar).
Q: When you began planning for the convention, what aspects of the city did you know you wanted to highlight?
A: Its openness, which is very typical of this area of the Mediterranean. Openness, happiness, and enjoying living. The music, the dance, the food, and being able to get together and share with people. And all the unique aspects of a city with a very diverse cultural heritage.
Q: You’ve lived in Barcelona since 1980, correct? How has the city changed since then?
A: One thing that was an extraordinary experience for me, and for so many others, was the Olympic Games in 1992. City leaders revived many neglected neighborhoods to prepare for the Games. The city’s character changed completely. For example, the port area was very popular, but all the surrounding areas were occupied by industrial buildings and shipyards. They weren’t very attractive. The Games completely renewed that area. The city rediscovered its seafront, and now it’s fantastic. You have restaurants, shopping areas, entertainment. It’s really something.
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Registration is open for the Rotary International Convention in Barcelona, Spain, 26-30 June 2027.
Register now!Q: You’ve said that you hope convention attendees will take the opportunity to travel around the region. What are some interesting towns nearby?
A: Salou is around 100 kilometers (62 miles) south. It is a very touristic city, a coastal city with enormous amusement parks, and it’s very friendly as well, very open. The mayor knows us very well.
There’s also Tarragona, another city that’s south of Barcelona. It has an enormous UNESCO World Heritage site with very well-preserved remains of the old Roman town from more than 2,000 years ago.
Q: Are there other places nearby that convention attendees should visit?
A: Castelldefels is a city about 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of Barcelona. We have a very good relationship with the mayor of that city as well. He’s proposing to organize an event there with the local Rotary club around the time of the convention.
I should not forget other cities in the surrounding area, like Badalona and Girona, both north of Barcelona. They have beautiful city centers.
In addition, 2027 is a great time to visit Santiago de Compostela. It will be a Jacobean Holy Year, so the cathedral’s holy door will be opened. Fourteen Jacobean Holy Years are observed every century. Many people walk the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. It’s famous. It’s very far away, of course. We’re talking 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) away. It’s one of the farthest parts of Spain you can go to from Barcelona.