Locals in Barcelona’s La Salut neighborhood have taken a bold step to control and reduce the overwhelming tourist crowds at Antoni Gaudi’s Park Guell. The number 116 bus route, a popular choice for tourists heading to the iconic park, has mysteriously disappeared from Google and Apple maps, leaving unsuspecting visitors at a loss.
Antoni Gaudi’s Park Guell is one of the most famous tourist spots in the city, second only to the Sagrada Familia church. With its picturesque views and bright colors signature to Gaudi, tourists flock to the area to get a peek at the beautiful attraction. Some tourists choose the bus ride to the La Salut neighborhood of the Spanish city.
As the park gained popularity over the years, locals have quickly tired of the tourists who clog up the buses. Instead of rallying in the streets, locals have found a better way to control the situation. The 116 bus route had been wiped from Google and Apple maps, preventing those without prior knowledge of the route from having access to it.
The removal of the bus route has been a welcome change for many residents who have long felt overwhelmed by the number of visitors. The narrow streets and limited capacity of the 20-seater minibus serving the route have made commuting a nightmare for locals, especially the elderly. Now that tourists don’t have as much access to it, locals can go on with their daily lives much easier.
Although it is still a mystery who was behind its disappearance, many have speculated that it was an effort from Barcelona’s council. The removal of the bus route to Park Guell is only one of the many solutions Barcelona has implemented to tackle the issue of over-tourism in the city.