Barcelona, Spain

Key Highlights

Hotels 418
Total Sleeping Rooms 39,224
Largest Exhibit Space 26,172 Sq. Mtr.
Average Hotel Room Rate EUR 226
Average Daily Meal Cost EUR 115
Average Weekly Car Rental EUR 303

Barcelona, Spain Meeting Planning Overview

As one of the International Congress & Convention Association's top 5 most popular congress cities, Barcelona hosts over 2,400 meetings and nearly 700,000 attendees each year. Its popularity starts with its accessibility. Though Spain's 2nd largest city is hemmed by mountains and the sea, Barcelona is far from unreachable. El Prat, the 2nd largest airport in Spain, welcomes over 30 million passengers to Barcelona each year, while Renfe's high-speed passenger trains link the city to major metropolitans across the country. Planners will find that Barcelona meeting planning is almost more of a joy than a task.

Upon arrival, visitors are happy to find a compact city that's easily explored by foot or aboard bus, tram or metro. In addition to serving top attractions and hotels, Barcelona's affordable public transportation network ferries guest to the city's key meeting venues, such as the Palau de Congressos de Catalunya and the Barcelona International Convention Center.

Located in Barcelona's key business district, the Palau's 35 meeting rooms range from intimate lounges to large banquet halls for up to 3,000 diners. Opened in 2004, the Barcelona International Convention Center is ideal for tradeshows, conferences and more. This state-of-the-art venue is ideal for Barcelona meeting planning as it offers modern technology and a convention area for over 10,000 guests.

Also welcoming conventions and conferences of all kinds is Fira de Barcelona, one of the most important meeting organizers in the country. Fira's exhibition space at Gran Via encompasses nearly 200,000 square meters spread among eight halls, making it one of the largest and most popular facilities in Europe. Meanwhile, the Montjuic fairgrounds host over 60 fairs and conventions each year. Its spaces range from a multi-use auditorium to conference rooms to an outdoor pavilion.

In addition to its traditional venues, Barcelona event planning options offer an unbeatable range of unique meeting facilities. The light-filled, spacious interior of the Richard Meier-designed Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona, home to the city's most prized contemporary works, can host receptions of up to 700 people. The Casa Llotja de Mar, the historic seat of Catalan commerce, offers rooms that range from the state-of-the-art Salo del Ple lecture hall to the stunning Gothic Salo de Contractacions. Or, plan an event in one of famed architect Antoni Gaudi's masterpieces, Casa Batllo. Here, planners find over 3,000 square meters of flexible meeting space.

To really liven up Barcelona events and Barcelona meeting planning, nothing beats dinner and a show. Treat event guests to a night of authentic Spanish dance and cuisine at the Palacio del Flamenco. Its auditorium-dining hall is a great setting for up to 450 guests to enjoy some of best flamenco in Barcelona and a menu of regional favorites. Meanwhile, restaurants such as 7 Portes, El Chipirón and El Cangrejo Loco make it easy to keep the conversation flowing while guests dine on authentic tapas and Spanish wine.

A hub for finance, commerce, entertainment and international trade, Barcelona was one of the first in continental Europe to begin industrialization. Today, its leading industries include textiles, pharmaceutical, electronic, and information technology. Barcelona has a number of public universities, including the University of Barcelona, the Polytechnic University of Catalonia and the Pompeu Fabra University.

About Barcelona, Spain / Additional Info

Located on the Mediterranean coast, the city of Barcelona is the capital of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia. It also takes the title of the 2nd largest city in Spain and the 11th most populous metropolitan in the European Union, thanks to its more than 3.1 million residents. Founded over 2,000 years ago, this popularity is well-deserved. A year-round mild climate, more than 50 museums and art galleries, unique shopping opportunities and savory Catalan cuisine have made Barcelona a top urban tourism destination for years.

Guests who want to take in all that Barcelona has to offer should start at La Rambla, Barcelona's most famous street. The 1.2-kilometer bustling avenue leads guests from the seaside Mirador de Colon to the Placa de Catalunya. Along the way, visitors encounter street musicians, painters, human statues, opera singers and attractions such as the famous Boqueria market and renowned opera house Gran Teatre del Liceu.

Taking a stroll through the streets is also one of the best ways to explore one of the city's biggest attractions: its architecture. Reflecting changes in style throughout the ages, Barcelona's architecture includes relics from the Medieval period, wonders of Catalan Art Nouveau and daring feats of modern-day design. The Gothic Quarter is home to remains of the Roman Wall that dates back to the city's first settlement. The Eixample district boasts one of the largest collections of Catalan Art Nouveau, seen in the creative designs of Josep Puig I Cadafalch and Josep Vilaseca I Casanovas.

Especially notable in Barcelona's architectural scene are the many works of Antoni Gaudí, who brought some of the most unique and stunning designs to the city. Explore his legacy at the Sagrada Família, Casa Vicens or Casa Batlló, all of which are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The most-visited cultural attraction in Spain, the Sagrada Família's Nativity façade, the only part of the church built under Gaudí's direction, is a striking representation of Jesus' early life, the flora and fauna of the Holy Land and more.

Also popular in the Catalonian capital are masterpieces of another kind: food. Ranging from local specitlities to international favorites to popular Spanish tapas, Barcelona's culinary delights make the most of the local flavors and ingredients. Among its more than 10,000 dining establishments, the city boasts a total of 17 Michelin stars. During the day, snack on walnut bread or boutique cured sausages at La Vinya del Senyor. Or, sample tapas from around the world at Comerç 24, such as the foie-gras and truffle hamburger representing America to the Italian crusty prawns with authentic Romesco sauce.

Once the sun sets, Barcelona's culinary creations really shine. Lobster tartare at Neichel Restaurant, suckling pig at Jean Luc Figueras, foie gras soup with lychis at Moo Restaurant, and roasted sea bass at Abac are among the many dishes not to be missed. At the iconic Restaurant 7 Portes, guests enjoy classic Catalan cuisine, including some of the city's best paella. Order a glass of Cava, or Catalan sparkling wine, to complement any meal; after all, considering all Barcelona has to offer, visitors will certainly have reason to celebrate with a toast.

 
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