Business Travel Itinerary to Barcelona, Spain
What You Should Know for Planning Business Meetings in Barcelona
A business travel itinerary to Barcelona, Spain, must include opportunities to experience Barcelona’s stunning architecture, cultural life and culinary delights. Barcelona is a world class city that is experienced in hosting large conventions in a vibrant and unique destination.
Serving as the Mediterranean gateway to Spain, the climate is warm and mild in Barcelona, so it’s not surprising that business travelers comprise about half of the roughly 7 million people who visit Barcelona each year. About 30% of Barcelona’s visitors come from within Spain (2007), but the United Kingdom, Italy, United States, France and Germany represent the top markets for international visitors. Barcelona is one of Europe’s fastest growing cities for tourism.
For meetings and event planning, congresses and trade fairs hold their programs at Gran Via M2 (also known as Fira de Barcelona), The Barcelona International Convention Centre (host up to 15,000 people), Forum Building or The Barcelona International Convention Centre. And those who are in the international events industry know that Barcelona, Spain, host city for EIBTM each year.
Barcelona Business Hotels
Although Barcelona is known for its ability to host large congresses and trade fairs, it is also a popular destination for other business meetings and incentive trips because of its allure for urban tourism. So there are plenty of hotel options – for either a guest stay or even to organize business meetings and events. There are about 270 hotels in the greater Barcelona area, offering more than 25,600 guest rooms and 54,000 beds. Barceloan has about 60 four star hotels, 15 five star hotels and 5 five s tar “grand luxe” hotels (Barcelona’s highest rating). Three business travel hotels in Barcelona include:
Barcelona Business Activities
Barcelona offers more than 50 museums and many art galleries stage permanent and temporary exhibits. The Gothic Quarter within the old city a must for group tours (check out Barcelona Guide Bureau). This is a fantastic area of small shops and vendors, the Roman wall, several Gothic buildings, Museu Picasso and La Seu Cathedral. It’s also an easy walk to La Rambla, a lively street that begins at the Mediterranean and leads through the old city with street performers, artists, cafes and home to La Boqueria. But it’s the Eixample district that draws many people to visit Barcelona. Here, along the famous Passeig de Gracia, you’ll find buildings from the modernist movement from Gaudi, Puig I Cadafalsh and Domenech I Montaner (some available for group events). There are countless historic and unique venues for receptions, galas dinners and parties. Some business events venues that should be considered for meetings and events include:
Turisme to de Barcelona offers several suggestions for group events and incentive activities including, a mini-Olympics program (Barcelona hosted the 1992 Olympic Games), a day at the Formula-1 circuit (the Circuit de Catalunya), and a Gaudí treasure hunt, among others.
Barcelona Business Dining
Barcelona has more than 10,000 restaurants – 17 Michelin starred, offering the Catalan-style Mediterranean diet and the quintessential Spanish cuisine. The use of quality olive oil, vegetables, seafood, pork, poultry, lamb, cheese, tomato, beans and mushrooms comprise Barcelona’s menus. Of course, Iberian ham is a specialty that must be tried. And cava is enjoyed at lunch and dinner. Dining is enjoyed a little bit later other places. Catalans each lunch after 1:30 p.m. and dinner begins after 9 p.m. (tapas bars are popular around 6 p.m.).
Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, and has been labeled as the second most important city in Spain. It has a population 1.5 million, and increases to 4.3 million for the Greater Barcelona area. Barcelona has two official languages: Catalan is the language of the region and Spanish is the official language of Spain. Many people who work in the hospitality industry will also speak English. Most people reach Barcelona by land, sea (an extremely popular cruise port) or air. For those traveling to Barcelona by airline, there is now a third runway and a new terminal at Barcelona airport. And Renfe offers high speed rail access within three hours between downtown Madrid to downtown Barcelona.
Find hotel deals to Barcelona, Spain.
Learn more about Business Travel Barcelona, Spain.
Check Out the Travelocity Barcelona Destination Guide.
