Barcelona
Barcelona is the capital and largest city of Catalonia and is Spain's second-largest city, with a population of over one and a half million people.
Located on the northeastern Mediterranean coast of Spain, this city has a rich and diverse history, with its roots dating back to Roman times. The fruitful medieval period established Barcelona's position as the economic and political center of the Western Mediterranean. The city's Gothic Quarter bears witness to the splendor enjoyed by the city from the 13th to the 15th centuries.
The 20th century ushered in widespread urban renewal throughout Barcelona, culminating in its landmark Eixample district, which showcases some of Barcelona's most distinctive Catalan art-nouveau, or modernista, buildings. The Catalan Antoni Gaudí, one of the most eminent architects, designed buildings such as La Pedrera, the Casa Batlló, and the Sagrada Família church, which have become world-famous landmarks.
In 1992, Barcelona gained international recognition by hosting the Olympic games, which brought about a massive upturn in its tourism industry. For visitors, this has translated into the very modern yet incredibly old city you see now in the 21st century, where new elements work to both preserve and celebrate the city’s heritage and origins.
Barcelona has plenty of outdoor markets, restaurants, shops, museums, and churches. The city is also very walkable, with an extensive and reliable Metro system for more far-flung destinations.
For a complete overview, see wikitravel.org or visit barcelonaturisme.com.
Casa Convalescència
Casa Convalescència is located in a vibrant zone of the city, near the Sagrada Família, with easy access to urban and suburban areas of the city. It is part of the Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site. Designed by the architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, it was built between 1905 and 1930. After housing the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (one of Europe's oldest healthcare centers) for more than eight decades, a restoration project commenced on the old pavilions in 2009. This process has restored the beauty of one of the iconic works of Catalonia's home-grown art nouveau, modernism.
Address: C/ de St. Antoni Maria Claret, 171, Barcelona
Partnered Accommodations
We want your stay in Barcelona during the conference to be as comfortable as possible. With that in mind, we have collaborated with a number of hotels to provide you with a discount on accommodations in the heart of Barcelona. Please book your accommodation online and contact the hotels directly with any issues or requests related to your booking.
We are delighted to announce that the following hotels will offer a discounted rate for all Drones 2026 attendees:
Hotel |
Description |
How to book |
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Catalonia establishments stand out for their excellent value for money, strategic locations, innovative gastronomic offerings, and close, personal, and customer-focused service. The chain distinguishes itself by offering superior experiences to its customers. It also maintains its commitment to responsible tourism, minimizing environmental impact and promoting ethical and transparent practices in all its operations. Their closest branch is a few streets away from the Sagrada Família, in a central neighborhood just 15 minutes on foot from the conference venue. |
Use 'CATALONIABCN' or click the button below to make a reservation with a 10% discount at any of the Barcelona hotel branches:  |
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Discover the fascinating Barcelona, where the modern blends with the historical, and choose the 1881 Barcelona Gran Rosellón Hotel. It is just a 15-minute drive from the conference venue. |
Click below and use the promo code 'MDPI2026' to receive a 10% discount on room rates:
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These accommodations have been carefully chosen to provide comfort and convenience for our guests while ensuring affordability through negotiated rates. Make the most of your conference experience with our exclusive lodging options designed to enhance your stay.
Beware of Unauthorized Registration and Hotel Solicitations!
Note that Sciforum is the only official registration platform to register for Drones 2026, and that we are not associated with any hotel agency (other than those listed above). While other hotel resellers and travel agencies may contact you with offers for your trip, they are not endorsed by or affiliated with Drones 2026 or Sciforum. Beware that entering into financial agreements with non-endorsed companies can have costly consequences.
By plane:
The international airport of Barcelona is called Barcelona-El Prat (BCN) and is located 10 km from the city center. The airport is well connected to airport hubs in Europe and several locations around the world. For more information about the airport and flights, please visit the official website at https://www.aena.es. Once you arrive at the airport, you have several options to reach the city center or venue.
To the city center:
- By shuttle bus: AEROBUS (https://aerobusbarcelona.es). This bus connects Barcelona Airport (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2) with the city center (Pl. Espanya / Pl. Catalunya) in 35 minutes. It runs every day of the year with departures every 5 minutes and costs EUR 7.45.
- By train: TRAIN R2 NORD (https://rodalies.gencat.cat). This train connects Terminal 2 of the airport with the city center (Barcelona–Passeig de Gràcia). It runs every day of the year with departures every 30 minutes and costs EUR 5.05.
- By taxi: Taxis are just outside the arrival area. The taxi from the airport to the city center (Plaza Catalunya) costs approximately EUR 30–35. Public taxis in Barcelona can charge four types of fares. These fares must be visible inside the taxi and are usually printed on a sticker over the window. Finally, the amount payable must be indicated on the taximeter. VTC apps that work in Barcelona are Bolt and Cabify, and might offer cheaper rates.
To the conference venue:
- By train: TRAIN R2 NORD (https://rodalies.gencat.cat). You should get off at “Barcelona Sants” station. From there, you can take METRO L5 (get off at Sant Pau | Dos de Maig). Alternatively, you may take a taxi just outside the station. The train from the airport costs EUR 5.05, and the metro costs EUR 2.90. You can buy tickets at the train station and metro stops. The taxi from the train station to the conference venue costs about EUR 10.
- By metro: LINE L9 (https://www.tmb.cat). This metro line connects Barcelona Airport (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2) with the city (get off at Collblanc). From here, you can take METRO L5 (get off at Sant Pau | Dos de Maig). The metro from the airport costs EUR 5.90, and the city metro costs EUR 2.90.
- By taxi: Taxis are just outside the arrival area. The taxi from the airport to the conference venue costs approximately EUR 30–35. VTC apps that work in Barcelona are Bolt and Cabify, and might offer cheaper rates.
By train:
The Barcelona Sants station is Barcelona's largest train station and provides rail services both in and around Barcelona and for the whole of Spain and beyond. For more information about the station and train service, please visit the official website at https://www.renfe.com.
Once you get to the station, you have the following options to reach the conference venue:
- By metro: LINE L5 (https://www.tmb.cat).
- By taxi: Taxis are just outside the station. The taxi from the station to the conference venue costs about EUR 10.
Please note that you must apply for your own visa. MDPI is not responsible for any part of the visa application process of attendees. However, MDPI can provide a Visa Support Letter. To be eligible for such a document, the criteria below must be fulfilled.
Visa Support Letter
- Applicant must have paid for registration and submitted an abstract in order to receive a letter of support.
- Applicant must provide us with a scan of their valid, in-date passport that contains a photo of them.
- Applicant must provide us with a letter of support from their institution to confirm that it supports the delegate attending the meeting.
- This must be carried out in good time before the meeting; "last minute" requests will not be processed.