Located 20km from Barcelona, this industrial Catalan city grew from textile manufacturing in the 1800s. Home to Catalonia's largest bank and the historic Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes.
Sabadell lies 20 kilometers north of Barcelona along the River Ripoll. Walk through streets lined with 19th-century brick buildings, past the 50-meter Torre de l'Aigua water tower, and into the iron-and-glass Central Market where local vendors sell fresh produce. Stop at the art nouveau Swiss Hotel, with its curved ironwork balconies and stone carvings from 1902, or explore the converted textile mills where modern offices and shops now occupy the historic industrial spaces.
Getting Around Sabadell
You can drive to Barcelona in 30 minutes via the C-58 or AP-7 motorways. Four railway stations connect you to Barcelona's center, with trains running every 15 minutes during peak hours. Local buses 1-13 run through the main streets and link to nearby Terrassa and Sant Quirze del Vallès.
Modern City Life
Banks and technology companies fill the business district, while manufacturing continues in the industrial zones, focusing on metallurgy, chemicals, and electrical goods. Moroccan, Bolivian, and Romanian communities have established restaurants and shops throughout the central neighborhoods, adding to the city's food scene.
Sports and Recreation
Watch Centre d'Esports Sabadell play football at the 20,000-seat Nova Creu Alta stadium, which hosted Olympic matches in 1992. Each district has its own municipal sports center with swimming pools, tennis courts, and gym equipment. The River Ripoll walking trail extends 15 kilometers through the city, popular among runners and cyclists.
Modernist Buildings
The Hotel Suís stands out with its 1902 art nouveau design, displaying intricate ironwork and floral stone carvings. At the Caixa d'Estalvis building from 1915, you'll see geometric patterns and colored tiles decorating the walls. The Torre de l'Aigua water tower rises 50 meters above the city, its distinctive silhouette visible from most streets. Local vendors still sell fresh produce at the Mercat Central, built in 1930, where sunlight streams through the glass panels supported by iron beams.
Industrial History and Architecture
During the 1850s, Sabadell became Spain's main wool manufacturing center. The brick factories and chimneys remain throughout the city, with many buildings repurposed into modern spaces. You can see the original industrial architecture in the exposed brick walls and large windows of what are now apartments, offices, and shops.
