Event venues in Barcelona

Where to Go in Barcelona

Barcelona is a big place. Conveniently, a lot of the best places to visit in the city are central. You can get to most sites, including the Gothic Cathedral, Picasso Museum, the best markets and Gaudi buildings, on foot.

In the Gothic Quarter, you’re in the heart of Barcelona. And the heart within the heart is Las Ramblas. It’s a central boulevard that is hugely popular with tourists. It’s a must-see, even just to walk a couple of blocks.

To the east, you’ll find yourself in Sant Pere. Sant Pere lives around the terrific market centre. And its neighbour is the fashionable bar and restaurant scene of La Ribera.

On the west of the Ramblas, you’ve got the hip and art neighbourhood of El Raval. There’s the Museum of Contemporary Art for culture vultures, and for plain fun, try some of the coolest bars and restaurants in the city.

If you follow the iconic Ramblas, you’ll reach the Mediterranean waterfront. The rejuvenated Port Vell is popular with tourists and locals during all seasons. Visit the aquarium and the marina down by the water - we can’t accept anyone being bored on this trip, I’m afraid!

If you want the feeling of a Grade A holiday resort, hit the beaches, promenades, and cafes and restaurants of Port Olímpic. They are scattered across the conference and leisure zone of Parc del Fòrum, too.

For those who like something more historical, try the hill of Montjuïc to the south-west. An amazing fortress defines it. It’s home to fabulous gardens and art museums such as the Botanic Garden, the National Art Gallery of Catalunya, and the Miró museum. Maybe you’d fancy taking in the Olympic stadium as well?

If you venture outside the original city walls to L’Eixample, you’re going to see some spectacular modernist architecture. You’re also going to be amongst the city’s best bars and clubs too!

Gracia was once a Catalonian town before Barcelona’s urban sprawl swallowed it up. Despite its status as a suburb, it has retained its own identity. It’s popular with students and is worth visiting the stunning architecture of Gaudi’s Park Guell.

If you want to live like a local, you could always go and watch some sport. The world-famous Barcelona FC is here, of course. You also have Espanyol if you prefer football teams endorsed by the Royal Family. If you want a completely different atmosphere, the basketball league in Spain is crazy!

When to Visit Barcelona

Travel to Barcelona is generally habitable and explorable all year-round. It all depends on what kind of trip you’re organising.

July and August is the best month for heat seekers. The thermometer hits 34°C. So bring water and suntan lotion when you’re out seeing the sights. The humidity gets up there too.

On the beach, the sea temperature tops a magnificent 24°C. When you’re down there, the days are long, so enjoy outdoor dining and sangria.

The city is at its coolest from December to February. If you’re feeling brave, the beach hasn’t gone anywhere. There’s nothing to stop you. Go and dip your toes in!

Spring is a good time of the year if you want to pack in as much as possible while you’re there. It’s just that bit cooler, so you can explore the city all day without getting exhausted from the heat. Be smart and bring a waterproof jacket though, as this is the wettest time of the year. And despite the warm days, bring a jumper for the evening.

Cuisine in Barcelona

Barcelona shares a lot of its culinary heritage with the Iberian community. But they’ve got their own style that shares with Catalonian tradition as well as unique dishes.

The good folk of Barcelona know how to treat themselves. Any small cafe will be happy to serve you waffles or churros. You know the script here, melted chocolate, gelato, dulce leche - however you like them. If you’re out into the small hours, a little bit of sugar goes a long way.

Pà amb tomàquet is a regular fixture in the Catalan diet and an important symbol of Catalan identity. It’s simple - tomatoes on toast - and delicious. The best way to get to know Barcelona’s cuisine is to wander around one of the many food markets. Mercat de Boqueria is a good shout. Just off La Rambla, it’s hard to miss.

One thing you’ll grow to miss is the Cava. The sparkling white wine is a local tipple. It’s known in most parts of the world as Spanish Champagne.

Our favourite way to get to know a place is to get acquainted with its cuisine. And getting to know Barcelona means trying cannelloni, paella, meat stews cooked in clay pots, and salted cod in rich tomato sauces, with key ingredients like broad beans and red peppers a recurring theme.

Getting Around Barcelona

You’ll fly into Barcelona El Prat Airport. It’s the second biggest airport in Spain and is 12km south-west of the city. To get to the city, rent a car, take a taxi, or hop on a bus.

Despite its hefty population, Barcelona is an easily traversed part of the world. When you can, we recommend travelling about on foot or by bike. It’s a great city to imbibe and is built for convenience. You can rent some wheels at Green Bikes Barcelona for just € 1.50 per hour or €10.00 for the day.

The bus system is the workhorse of Barcelona. They cover a remarkable amount of ground and run frequently. You’ll never wait longer than 15 minutes for one to show up. Their new fleet of buses is a treasure too; they’re electric, silent, and have super-fast WiFi.

The primary public transport option in Barcelona, however, is the metro. You’re never 10 minutes by foot from a metro station, a handy and charming transport system. The 11 lines are clean, efficient, and most importantly, well air-conditioned.

The pricing structure is simple enough. Almost everywhere you’ll need to go is in Zone 1 of the transport network. The exception is the airport. A single in Zone 1 will cost you €2.20. We recommend getting a travel pass if you think you will accumulate a few singles on your trip.

There are two to choose from: the Barcelona Card and the Hola Barcelona Card. But which one? Simply put, the Barcelona card is for folk who want discounts for tourist attractions. The Hola Barcelona Card is for those who just want to get around the city.

Wrapping Up

Have you ever heard anyone say they didn’t like Barcelona? No, because everyone loves it. And what’s not to love? Cuisine, art, sports, architecture, partying, the Mediterranean. It’s an easy sell, let’s put it that way.

On the surface, it might seem like a better holiday destination than a corporate event destination. Being experts in this business, we can say with absolute authority that it’s both. Check out our top meeting rooms in Barcelona to see why.