Barcelona is famous for its gorgeous coastline, magnificent architecture, colourful history, and vibrant nightlife. But it’s now gaining a reputation as one of the best destinations for business travel, thanks to its endless opportunities to combine business and leisure.
If you’re going to Barcelona for a hospitality business travel, make the most of your time here. Visit the city’s bustling neighbourhoods and feast on delectable Spanish cuisines. Here are some ideas on the best places to visit in Barcelona whilst on hospitality business travel.
- El Born
El Born is one of Barcelona’s most popular districts and a wonderful place to explore during your downtime. It’s a beautiful part of the Old Town offering lots of exciting things to see and do and has narrow cobblestone streets with quaint squares lined with cosy cafes.
As you wander around the trendy neighbourhood of El Born, you’ll come across several interesting sights, including the Picasso Museum, one of Barcelona’s most famous museums. The museum pays homage to Picasso’s time in the city and showcases more than 3,000 artworks. Another beautiful place to see in El Born is Parc de la Ciutadella, a lovely park where locals would converge to enjoy outdoor activities, such as jogging, hiking, and boating on the lake. Visit Santa Maria del Mar, a lovely church featuring gorgeous rose windows framed by octagonal towers.
When you’ve built up some appetite after going around El Born, visit the best Catalan food places, such as Restaurant La Catalan, where you can satisfy your cravings for delicious tapas and paellas.
- The Gothic Quarter
The Gothic Quarter is an ideal starting point for exploring Barcelona. Also known as Barrio Gótico, it’s characterised by its cobblestone streets, lined with artsy bars, cosy cafes, and some interesting sights, like the Cathedral of Barcelona, Museum of History of Barcelona, and Plaça Reial. Wander around the area to soak up the local culture and find great business hotels in Barcelona, an ideal place to stay for those seeking to explore the area.
The main sight of the Gothic Quarter is the Cathedral of Barcelona, a Gothic cathedral built around the 13th to the 15th centuries. Get inside the church and see the crypt underneath Capella Major, containing the sarcophagus of Santa Eulalia. Visit the Museu d’Historia de la Ciutat to learn about the city’s historical heritage from Roman times. You’ll find impressive excavations of Barcelona’s Roman Streets kept inside the museum walls. Plaça Reial is a lively square beside La Rambla and is one of Barcelona’s most famous attractions. It looks livelier at night when locals and visitors would hang out at its bars and nightclubs.
The real charm of the Gothic Quarter lies in its beautiful narrow streets and alleyways. Getting lost in its labyrinth of little streets is fun. You could find many hidden gems, great cafes and restaurants, and beautiful hotels.
- L’Hospitalet de Llobregat
L’Hospitalet de Llobregat is one of those areas worth visiting during your business travel to Barcelona. It’s in the southwestern suburb of Barcelona, stretching from the Marina Mountains towards the Llobregat River. It used to be called “Santa Eulalia de Provenzana,” but was renamed in the 16th century in reference to the small hospital in the area that sheltered pilgrims during the 12th century. L’Hospitalet de Llobregat is well-connected to the city centre via public transport. It is also an ideal base if you’re looking to stay in Barcelona near the airport.
Visit a MICE event in Barcelona, where you can learn about new technologies that can benefit your business. During the event, you will meet professionals from various industries who can share ideas about innovations that can revolutionise their sector. Knowing the latest advances in technology presents new opportunities to expand your business.
- Costa de Barcelona
If you’re looking for a place to enjoy water sports and other beach-related exercises for team building, head to Costa de Barcelona, an area of over a hundred kilometres of coastline lined with charming fishing villages. It also has golf courses, gorgeous natural parks, historical buildings, and a vibrant nightlife scene.
The picturesque beaches are Costa de Barcelona’s biggest draws. Featuring fine golden sands and crystal-clear waters, they vary from long sweeps of sand to small, secluded coves. The area has numerous marinas and businesses providing entertainment amenities like kayaking, sailing, rowing, surfing, water bikes, and charter boats, making Costa de Barcelona an ideal place for water sports. Sandwiched between the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, Costa Barcelona enjoys a climate of mild winters and warm summers, with an incredible variety of landscapes.
Art lovers will also find this place a joy to explore, as it features some Art Nouveau architecture, such as Gaudi’s Colònia Guell in Santa Coloma de Cervello. Foodies will also love exploring Costa de Barcelona, as it’s home to some of Barcelona’s best dining spots.
- Port OIimpic
Located across the Olympic Village, Port Olímpic was established in 1990 when Barcelona needs a sports marina for the sailing competitions during the Olympic Games in 1992. The port can accommodate 756 yachts, an ideal place to go yachting or practise sailing.
Port Olimpic is known for the best nightlife and bars and is a great place to unwind after your business meeting. Aside from having the best nightlife spots in the city, Port Olimpic is the gateway to Barcelona’s beautiful beaches. The area is also close to the Barcelona Zoo, which houses numerous wildlife species. It’s also the perfect spot to indulge in delectable seafood, with several seafood restaurants lining the area. If you’re looking for a restaurant with ocean views, this is where you should go.
You will find two buildings dominating on either side of the port, the Mapfre Tower and the Hotel Arts, which feature Frank Gehry’s incredible sculpture of goldfish at its base. There’s also the Casino de Barcelona nearby. And if you’re here for the beach, head to the Somorrostro or Nova Icària, perfect for sunbathing or taking a refreshing dip.
