Bridging the Bosphorus and the Mediterranean: How Turkish Communities Are Shaping Barcelona’s Cultural Scene
- jessevisionfactory
- Aug 18
- 4 min read
Author:Edanur Akay
When we think of Barcelona, many images come to mind: the ingenuity of Gaudí's buildings, the lively streets of the Rambla, young people playing volleyball on Barceloneta beach, people swimming in the sea and street musicians in the Gothic Quarter.For many people, Barcelona is a city of art, sea, and sunshine. However, in recent years, another group has been added to this colorful area: the presence of Turkish communities. Just like Istanbul, Barcelona is a city by the water. Istanbul sits on the Bosphorus, connecting two continents; Barcelona rests on the shore of the Mediterranean, facing the world. Both cities have long histories of trade, migration, and cultural intermingling. (Ajuntament de Barcelona, 2024).
From Istanbul to Catalonia
The reasons for Turkish people coming to Barcelona are many. Some come as students on exchange programs or to pursue master's or doctoral degrees at local universities (The Local Spain, 2024). Others come specifically for job opportunities in tourism, gastronomy, and other industries. Others come for love, friendship, or simply to live in a Mediterranean city with milder winters and enjoyable summers.Unlike larger migrant communities, the Turkish population here is not huge, but it is visible. According to Idescat data, there are hundreds of registered Turkish residents in the city, a number that grows during the academic year. You might notice a small Turkish grocery in Eixample, selling olive oil from the Aegean coast and pomegranate syrup from Gaziantep. In Gràcia, you might find a café serving Turkish coffee alongside Catalan pastries. And in El Raval — a neighbourhood famous for its mix of cultures — Turkish voices mix with Arabic, Urdu, and Spanish in the same street (El Periódico, 2024).
Food as the First Cultural Bridge
In both Turkish and Catalan cultures, food is more than something to eat — it is a way to connect. In Barcelona, Turkish cuisine has found a warm welcome. Of course, the most famous export is döner kebab, which you can see in many neighbourhoods. But there is more to the story: small restaurants offering meze plates, homemade baklava, and lentil soup; bakeries selling simit that pairs perfectly with Spanish olives; and fusion restaurants where Turkish chefs add local rosemary or Catalan olive oil to traditional recipes (Hürriyet Daily News, 2023).This blending works both ways. Turkish restaurateurs adapt their menus to local tastes, while Catalan customers become curious about new flavours like mantı or künefe. In a city where food festivals are common, Turkish stalls now stand alongside paella pans and churros. You can also find Turkish kebab shops and other regional dishes. (Barcelona Metropolitan, 2023)
Music, Art and Shared Creativity
You'll encounter many musicians on the streets of Barcelona, and you'll find a variety of styles: flamenco guitar, jazz, electronic rhythms. Turkish musicians also add their own touches to the streets. Some play traditional instruments like the bağlama or darbuka, and sometimes they delve into Spanish music. It is not unusual to find a small live music bar in El Born or Poblenou hosting a night of “Mediterranean fusion” where Turkish, Catalan, and Latin rhythms meet.In the art world, Turkish painters, photographers and designers have participated in exhibitions and created works that often address themes that connect the two cultures (the sea, migration, family traditions).
Barcelona has a real affection for public art and open-air events. From giant street parades to small pop-up exhibitions in the park, there’s always something happening outside. For Turkish artists living here, this means plenty of chances to put their work in front of people — not just in galleries, but right in the middle of the city’s daily life.
Shared Mediterranean Ways of Living
It’s no surprise that Turkish culture feels at home in Barcelona. Both places share that easygoing, seaside rhythm where friends linger for hours over a meal, neighbours stop for a chat in the street, and sunny days are spent outdoors.
Whether it’s tea by the Bosphorus or coffee by the Mediterranean, the joy of being together is the same.
In Istanbul, tea gardens by the Bosphorus are full of conversation; in Barcelona, the same happens on seaside terraces.
Markets like La Boqueria or Mercat de Sant Antoni feel familiar to anyone who has visited bazaars in Izmir or Antalya — the colours, the smells, the friendly sellers inviting you to try something.Both cultures have a deep respect for tradition while remaining open to modernity. In Barcelona, you can walk past a centuries-old Gothic church and, just a few streets away, find yourself looking up at a colourful Gaudí building. Istanbul has the same kind of mix — a skyline where Ottoman mosques share space with glass-and-steel towers. For many young Turks, that blend feels familiar. It’s a reminder that both cities respect their past while still making room for new ideas.
Everyday Life Connections
Beyond art and food, cultural interaction often continues to occur in small, everyday moments. Turkish students invite their Catalan friends to try homemade börek.
Catalan families discover Turkish delight during a holiday market.
Language exchanges happen in bars, with Turkish, Spanish, Catalan, and English flowing in the same conversation (The Local Spain, 2024). These small interactions often build stronger bridges than large, formal cultural eventsTurkish communities also celebrate their national holidays and cultural festivals and invite local friends to events. In return, they join in Catalan traditions like the lively La Mercè Festival or the book-and-rose-filled Sant Jordi Day, becoming part of the city’s celebrations.
These moments turn into chances to spend time together and swap pieces of each other’s culture.
Looking Ahead
The bridge between the Bosphorus and the Mediterranean is not made of stone or steel; it is built with shared emotions, friendships, food, and songs. Barcelona’s cultural scene is constantly changing, and the Turkish community is now part of that story. Whether through a small grocery shop, a street performance, or a shared table by the sea, Turkish people in Barcelona are adding new colours to an already vibrant city.Just like the waters that connect and separate Istanbul and Barcelona, culture flows in both directions. As long as people come together — to talk, to share a meal, or to make something new — the connection between them will keep getting stronger.
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