Spain has finally revealed its third quantum supercomputer, a machine that is capable of developing far more complicated algorithms than conventional computers can. The supercomputer, located at the Barcelona Supercomputing Centre, or BSC, was designed and built by Barcelona-based company Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech and funded by the European Commission and Spain’s Secretariat of State for Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence, representing a total investment of €9.8 million. The computer was revealed on Thursday, May 28 at the BSC headquarters.

Conventional computers vs. supercomputers: What is the difference?

What differentiates a supercomputer from a conventional computer is that the latter works with bits, which is short for “binary digits” and is the most basic unit of information in computer science. These bits can only represent the values 0 or 1. Supercomputers, on the other hand, use qubits, which can represent both states at once. This means that supercomputers can easily take on problems that a conventional computer can barely solve.

The newest addition to the MareNostrum 5 supercomputer system: 314 million billion calculations per second

The BSC’s third supercomputer was built to speed up research and the development of artificial intelligence. Unlike the two previous supercomputers built at the centre, the third one is analogue, while the others are digital. The machine has been made to complement the systems that are already in place.

It will be integrated into the MareNostrum 5 system, a large supercomputer already in place at the centre that is capable of performing up to 314 quadrillion calculations per second, combining classical supercomputing, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence.

This incredible machine is a main driver of European research into artificial intelligence, climate modelling, and medicine. It is housed at the chapel of Torre Girona, which was also home to the first four versions of the MareNostrum supercomputer between 2005 and 2023.

Since their launch in February 2025, the first two supercomputers have already clocked up to 4,200 computing hours and have participated in 53 research projects.

How can supercomputers impact daily life?

These machines are capable of furthering research into various sectors, and will therefore have a direct impact on science and advancement in many areas.

To begin with, these computers are capable of simulating complex human organs, leading to faster diagnoses of diseases and tailor-made, individualised medical treatments.

The supercomputers can also generate highly localised and precise meteorological data, allowing for earlier predictions for extreme weather, including storms and droughts.

They can also help with modelling major cities like Barcelona and Madrid, helping officials to plan public infrastructure and optimise traffic flow.

Supercomputers will be integral in the furthering of artificial intelligence technology, which has already taken the world by storm and is a major part of the daily life of many citizens.

They can also simulate renewable energy models, reducing carbon footprints and lowering energy costs, and much more.

Furthering European technological sovereignty and making major scientific advancements

To date, the programme promoting the new quantum computer, the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking, has acquired six quantum computers distributed across different European countries, including Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany.

The launch of this new supercomputer represents a significant step forward for not only Spanish computer science, but European technology as a whole. This incredible machine, capable of solving major problems in science today, including medicinal science and climate science, will also help European countries to achieve technological sovereignty and reduce reliance on infrastructure from other countries.

Cataluña has launched a long-distance cycling route known as the Grand Tour of Cataluña, a circular itinerary of approximately 2,500 kilometres divided into 13 stages. The route has been presented as one of the region’s major cycling tourism projects, designed to promote extended cycling travel across different landscapes in northeastern Spain.

The initiative is aimed at cyclists interested in long-distance touring, combining multiple existing roads, cycling-friendly routes and regional connections into a single structured itinerary. The project reflects the growing popularity of cycling tourism in Spain, particularly in regions with varied terrain such as Cataluña, where coastal areas, inland valleys and mountain ranges can be linked within a single journey.

A 13-stage cycling route across varied terrain

The Grand Tour is structured into 13 stages, allowing cyclists to divide the full 2,500-kilometre route into manageable sections. Each stage covers different parts of Cataluña, including coastal stretches, rural interior zones and mountainous regions.

The total distance refers to completing the entire itinerary from start to finish. However, cyclists are not required to complete all stages, as the route is designed to be flexible and adaptable depending on time, fitness level and travel plans. The staged format allows riders to approach the route either as a full multi-week cycling challenge or as individual segments completed separately over time.

Built using existing roads and cycling infrastructure

The route makes use of Cataluña’s existing network of roads and cycling-accessible routes. It does not rely on newly constructed infrastructure, but instead connects established roads, secondary routes and regional cycling paths into a continuous long-distance itinerary.

This means conditions vary across the route depending on terrain and local infrastructure. Some sections follow quieter rural roads, while others pass through more developed areas with greater traffic. The design focuses on linking existing points of interest rather than creating a completely separated cycling highway.

Designed for cycling tourism and long-distance travel

The Grand Tour of Cataluña is aimed at both domestic and international cyclists. It forms part of a broader effort to promote Cataluña as a destination for cycling tourism, building on its established reputation among amateur and professional riders.

The route is not competitive and does not include timing or race elements. Instead, it is intended as a touring experience, allowing cyclists to travel at their own pace while exploring different regions.

It is designed for endurance cyclists, cycle tourists and enthusiasts who want to undertake multi-day or multi-week rides across varied terrain.

Promoting cycling across the region

One of the key objectives of the route is to distribute cycling tourism more evenly across Cataluña. By connecting coastal areas, inland regions and mountain zones, the itinerary encourages visitors to explore beyond the most heavily visited tourist centres.

This approach is intended to support local economies in smaller towns and rural areas, where cycling tourism can provide seasonal economic benefits. It also aligns with broader sustainability goals by encouraging active travel and low-impact tourism.

A flexible structure for different types of cyclists

The 13-stage structure allows cyclists to adapt the route to their needs. Some may choose to complete the full itinerary over an extended period, while others may focus on individual sections that suit their ability or interests.

The route can be integrated into existing cycling holidays or used as a standalone long-distance challenge. Digital mapping and route-planning tools help cyclists organise stages and plan logistics such as accommodation and elevation changes.

Cataluña as a cycling destination

Cataluña is already a well-known destination for cycling due to its varied geography and established cycling culture. The region regularly hosts professional cycling events and attracts amateur cyclists from across Europe.

The Grand Tour builds on this reputation by offering a structured long-distance route that highlights the diversity of the region’s landscapes, from Mediterranean coastline to Pyrenean mountain terrain.

A major addition to Spain’s cycling tourism offering

The 2,500-kilometre, 13-stage route positions Cataluña as a key destination for cycling tourism in Spain. It provides a framework for long-distance exploration that connects multiple regions into a single organised experience.

For cyclists, it offers both a full endurance challenge and a modular system of shorter routes, reinforcing Cataluña’s role as one of Europe’s leading cycling destinations.

Picking up snacks, drinks or basic groceries at midnight has become completely normal in Barcelona.

For years, small 24 hour supermarkets seemed to appear everywhere. Some stayed open all night in busy tourist areas while others quietly became part of everyday life for locals coming home late from work, bars or long shifts.

Now the city wants to slow things down.

Barcelona City Council has temporarily stopped granting new licences for 24 hour supermarkets and self service grocery shops across much of the city while officials work on new rules for the sector.

The suspension is already in force and will remain for at least a year.

And honestly, reactions have been exactly what you would expect in Barcelona right now.

Some residents are relieved, others are frustrated.

Because depending on where you live, these shops are either useful neighbourhood businesses or part of the reason certain areas never feel quiet anymore.

The move mainly affects smaller supermarkets and convenience stores under 300 square metres that until now were able to operate with very extended opening hours.

According to the council, the rapid growth of these businesses has increasingly created tensions in residential neighbourhoods, especially in areas heavily affected by tourism and nightlife.

Residents complained about noise, crowds and constant activity late at night

The issue for many neighbours was never really about people buying milk at 1am.

It was everything happening around the shops afterwards.

Groups standing outside drinking.People talking loudly under apartment windows.Constant movement in streets that used to calm down much earlier at night.

In some neighbourhoods, residents say the atmosphere changed completely over the last few years as more late night businesses opened nearby.

And because Barcelona is already dealing with huge debates around tourism pressure and quality of life, the frustration around 24 hour supermarkets slowly became part of a much bigger conversation.

The city says there are currently around 1,300 supermarkets and self service shops operating under this kind of model across Barcelona.

Officials argue the pause on new licences will give the council time to prepare a broader urban plan deciding where these businesses should be allowed and under what conditions.

The suspension also covers permits linked to opening or expanding these types of premises.

Not every district is affected in exactly the same way though.

Ciutat Vella and Sant Martí were excluded because both already have more recent regulations dealing with this type of commercial activity.

Barcelona has already been carrying out inspections on late night shops

At the same time, the council confirmed it will continue inspection campaigns targeting businesses operating around the clock.

And the figures released by the city suggest authorities have already been monitoring the situation very closely.

During the current municipal term, Barcelona carried out 14 multi inspection operations across different neighbourhoods.

More than 230 premises were inspected.

According to the council, authorities detected breaches involving hygiene regulations, urban planning rules and operating conditions.

The operations also led to dozens of temporary closures, hundreds of restoration orders and financial penalties.

City officials insist the objective is not to attack local commerce itself.

Instead, they say the aim is to stop certain residential areas becoming overwhelmed by a commercial model linked increasingly to late night activity and tourism pressure.

Still, not everybody agrees with the approach.

Some people feel Barcelona is gradually becoming too restrictive and too hostile towards businesses that simply respond to customer demand.

Others argue these shops provide practical services for workers, tourists and residents whose schedules do not fit neatly into traditional opening hours.

The debate says a lot about how Barcelona is changing

The argument around 24 hour supermarkets probably would not have attracted so much attention a few years ago.But Barcelona feels different lately.

Almost every discussion about the city eventually circles back to the same themes.

• Tourism.
• Housing pressure.
• Noise.
• Nightlife.

And what kind of city residents actually want Barcelona to become.

That is partly why something as ordinary as a late night convenience store suddenly turns into a political issue.

For some people, these shops represent convenience and modern city life. For others, they symbolise a city that feels increasingly overcrowded and exhausting during peak tourist periods.

And honestly, both sides probably have a point.

Most people enjoy having somewhere open late when they genuinely need it. Most people also want to sleep at night.

The challenge for Barcelona now is figuring out where the balance sits. Because the city clearly does not want late night supermarkets disappearing completely.

But it also does not seem willing to let them continue spreading everywhere without tighter control. And for now at least, anybody hoping to open a new 24 hour supermarket in Barcelona is going to have to wait.