Barcelona

In a privileged position on the north-eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula and the shores of the Mediterranean, Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain in both size and population. It is also the capital of Catalonia, one of the seventeen autonomous communities that compose Spain.

Barcelona is unequivocally a Mediterranean city, not only because of its geographic location but also and above all because of its history, tradition and cultural influences. The documented history of the city dates back to the founding of a Roman colony on its soil in the second century B.C. Modern Barcelona experienced spectacular growth and economic development during the second half of the 19th century. Culture and the arts flourished in Barcelona and in all of Catalonia; the splendour achieved by Catalonian modernism is one of the most patent displays.

More than just a single city, Barcelona is really a collection of multi-faceted and diverse places. One might be surprised that such a modern and enterprising city preserves its historic Gothic centre almost intact, or by the curious contrast between the maze of narrow streets and the grid-like layout of the modern Barcelona of the end of the 19th century.

Barcelona is a city in motion, constantly reinventing itself. Here, past merges with future in an effervescent present. One can see it in the city’s beautifully preserved Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter), in the architectural confections of Gaudí and his Modernista pals, and in recent contender Jean Nouvel’s shimmering Torre Agbar. The heady mix of Gothic monuments and contemporary skyscrapers is accompanied by a bevy of world-class museums that take you from the wonders of giant Romanesque frescoes to the playfulness of Joan Miró, from pre-Columbian South American gold to early Picasso.

How to reach Barcelona

The city is served by Barcelona Airport in the town of El Prat de Llobregat, about 17 km distance and around 20 minutes by taxi to the congress centre. It is the second-largest airport in Spain, and the largest on the Mediterranean coast.

The airport serves domestic and European destinations and some airlines offer destinations in Asia and the United States. The airport is connected to the city by highway, commuter train and scheduled bus service.