Make the Most Out of Your Business Trip to Barcelona With Our Expert Guide

Barcelona is the capital city of the autonomous region of Catalonia and an essential cultural, financial, and commercial hub in Spain. Whether you are embarking on your first business trip to Barcelona or returning to this popular destination, this blog is here to guide you with top tips from our very own Madrid team.

From navigating the bustling streets and finding the best business travel accommodation, to mastering local business etiquette and sampling Catalan cuisine, read on ahead of your visit to Barcelona to make sure you’re equipped for a successful trip.

Barcelona Key Information

Currency: Euro

Language: Spanish and Catalan

Time Zone: GMT + 2 hours

Visa: Those with a British passport can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. To stay longer, you should check with the the Spanish consulate in the UK prior to travel regarding what type of visa and/or work permit you may need.

Getting to Barcelona

Barcelona is well connected with Spain and the rest of the world. The Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport is around 13 kilometres away from the city centre and easily accessible by using public or private transport. This airport served 41.6 million passengers in 2022 alone making it a major hub for numerous local and European operators in addition to major international carriers.

Alternatively, you can fly into Madrid and take the train to Barcelona in under 3 hours. It can sometimes be more efficient to pre-book or take a taxi for your arranged business in Barcelona if you are travelling directly to an event. 

“Spain’s high-speed train network is very popular and connects the capital, Madrid, to Barcelona in only 2.5 hours. One of the main benefits of arriving by rail is that when you get off the train you are already in the city!” – Michael Hall, Key Account Manager (Iberia & LATAM)

Accommodation in Barcelona

Serviced apartments in Barcelona are a popular choice for travellers visiting Barcelona on business. Corporate travellers benefit from additional space, privacy, and flexibility in addition to the facilities and luxuries typically associated with a hotel stay. Serviced apartments come with kitchen facilities, a dining area, and usually a living area.

Here are a some of the best corporate apartments we provide in the key locations of the city:

We have the Eixample Apartments, which are one- and two-bedroom apartments with balconies, weekly housekeeping, and a shared roof deck for residents, as well as Archie Living, which features a pool, roof deck, and welcome packs for guests. Lendu is another great option; this apartment complex in Sant Antoni accepts pets and offers residents airport transfers as well as an office and a walk-on balcony.

Getting around Barcelona

It is simple to get around the city during your visit to Barcelona. The city has an excellent bus system with lines running 24-hours a day and a metro running from 5am to midnight. There are three tram lines that travel to the city's outskirts and the nearby towns if you have commitments further outside the centre. Furthermore, there are companies that offer private transfers, like Uber, Bolt, and Cabify, in addition to the regular black and yellow cab services.

However, the most exciting transport method is the cable car that you can use to go to Montjuic Mountain (Olympic Stadium) or Tibidabo Amusement Park. While on a business trip to Barcelona, you can board a different cable car in Montjuic to travel to Montjuic Castle and yet another one to head down to the beach.

Or, as Javier points out, another popular way to get around the city is on scooters…

“It is very common to find electric rental bikes and scooters around the city as well as motorbikes. This is because Barcelona is a city with a big motor tradition with the Formula 1 and Moto GP circuit in Montmeló since 1991 so there is a lot of passion for driving.” – Javier Amilibia, Client Account Support (Iberia & LATAM)

Food in Barcelona

While conducting business in Barcelona, you can choose from several local and traditional restaurants with remarkable heritage, or top Michelin-starred restaurants. Due to its location between the sea and the mountains, this city offers no end of fresh veggies and fish.

It is also worth visiting the renowned culinary local markets like Boqueria, Sant Antoni, or Barceloneta. Here you can find the authentic, traditional produce from the entire region of Cataula, making it one of the most cultural things to do while visiting Barcelona. The most well-known dishes in Catalonia are "Pa amb tomaquet," a classic toast dish made of bread, garlic, tomatoes, olive oil, and a few spices also known as pan tumaca, and "Ensalada escalivada," also known as escabibada, which is a well-known roasted vegetable dish.

“Within a one hour drive, you can find the restaurant Celler de Can Roca which has twice been awarded the “Best restaurant in the world” while being in the top 5 for more than 10 years. You could also find the female chef with the second most Michelin stars in the world, Carme Ruscalleda, in the kitchen” – Iuliana Ioana, Senior Account Support (Iberia & LATAM)

Language in Barcelona 

When it comes to a business trip to Barcelona, mastering the local language can be a game-changer. Whether you're visiting Barcelona for the first time or have been many times before, understanding the basics of the language will undoubtedly enhance your overall experience.

“Some useful phrases for business travellers visiting Barcelona can be found below, both in Catalan and Spanish.

– Ignacio Carvajal, Partner Account Manager – Iberia & LATAM

Sports in Barcelona

Since the 1992 Summer Olympics, Barcelona has held a strong legacy in sports. FC Barcelona compete in the La Liga and are one of the top football teams in the world. With outstanding local teams like FC Barcelona Bàsquet, Joventut Badalona, and Baxi Manresa, basketball is just as popular in Barcelona as football. In terms of tennis, the Roland Garros Grand Slam, which typically occurs every April, is preceded by the ATP 500 Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, Trofeo Conde De Godó. Why not support the local teams at a game while on your business trip to Barcelona.

"Visiting Barcelona on a business trip is a unique opportunity to witness the city's deep passion for sports and, in particular, football. As a fan of FC Barcelona, I highly recommend taking the time to go on the FC Barca Stadium tour. It's not just a chance to explore the rich history of one of the world's most iconic football clubs but also a valuable networking opportunity. Sharing the excitement of the game with potential clients or colleagues during the tour can create memorable connections that extend beyond the boardroom. So, when in Barcelona for business, don't miss the chance to immerse yourself in the exhilarating world of FC Barcelona. It's a winning move both on and off the field." – Jesus Lopez, Senior Business Development Manager (Iberia & LATAM)

With so much to see and do, it’s easy to see why business travel to Barcelona is on the rise. For your upcoming trip to Barcelona, read about the eight best districts for business travellers and browse our full range of serviced apartments in Barcelona.