BARCELONA
Barcelona is the capital and largest city of Catalonia and is Spain's second largest city, with a population of over one and 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 centre of the Western Mediterranean. The city's Gothic Quarter bears witness to the splendour enjoyed by the city from the 13th to the 15th centuries.
The 20th century ushered in widespread urban renewal throughout Barcelona city, 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 both the city’s heritage and origins.
Barcelona is 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.
THE AXA CONVENTION CENTRE
The AXA Convention Centre is located in a vibrant modern zone of the city, next to the main road and with easy access from the airport, as well as the urban and suburban areas.
It is part of the "L'Illa Diagonal", a modern complex which include a shopping centre, two 4-stars hotels, several offices, a sports centre, a public park and a parking with 2500 places.
Address: Avinguda Diagonal, 547, 08029 Barcelona (https://www.google.es/maps/AuditoriAxa)
TRAVEL
BY PLANE:
The international airport of Barcelona is called Barcelona-El Prat and is located 10 km far from the city centre. 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 https://www.aena.es.
Once you get to the airport, you have several options to reach the city centre and/or the conference venue.
To the city centre:
- By shuttle bus: AEROBUS (http://www.aerobusbcn.com). This bus connects Barcelona Airport (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2) with the city center (Pl. Catalunya) in 35 minutes. It runs every day of the year with departures every 5 minutes and cost 5,90 €.
- By train: TRAIN R2 NORD (https://rodalies.gencat.cat). This train connects the 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 cost 2,20 €.
- By taxi: taxis just outside the arrival area. The taxi from the airport to the city center (Plaza Catalunya) costs approximately 26 € during working days and 30 € during holidays, weekends and nights. Public taxis can apply four types of fares in Barcelona. 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.
To the conference venue:
- By metro: LINE L9 (https://www.tmb.cat). This metro line connects Barcelona Airport (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2) with the north-west of the city (Zona Universitària). From here you can take TRAM T1, T2, T3 (get off at L'Illa stop) or bus 7, 67 (get off at Diagonal - Entença stop) (https://www.tmb.cat). The metro from the airport costs 4,50 € and the tram or bus 2,20 €. You can buy the bus/tram ticket at the tram stop or on the bus.
- By taxi: taxis just outside the arrival area. The taxi from the airport to the conference venue costs approximately 23 € during working days and 26€ during holidays, weekends and nights.
BY TRAIN:
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 https://www.renfe.com.
Once you get to the station, you have the following options to reach the conference venue:
- By bus: LINES V7 or 78 (https://www.tmb.cat)
- By taxi: taxis just outside the station. The taxi from the station to the conference venue costs about 8 €.
ACCOMMODATION
We want your stay in Barcelona during the conference to be as good as possible. With that in mind, we have agreed a discounted price with several hotels to make your accommodation choice easier:
- Oriente Atiram and Meson Castilla Atiram: Located in Las Ramblas, have a fantastic central location, next to Plaza Catalunya and the famous Boqueria market, 30 minutes away (by metro) from the conference venue.
- Arenas Atiram: The Arenas Atiram Hotel offers a highly personalized service together with very friendly, elegant facilities, only 1 km away from the conference venue.
- Tres Torres Atiram: Located in the center of one of the best residential neighborhoods of Barcelona, next to the distinguished commercial and leisure districts Diagonal Avenue, 2 km away from the conference venue.
Please add the discount code ‘MMCS2019’ while making your reservation in any of the Atiram hotels.
- Hostal Aslyp 114: The Hostal Aslyp114 is a cosy hotel with private rooms, located just 10 minutes away from the conference venue. Please add the discount code ‘BCN114’ while making your reservation.
To ensure availability, we encourage you to book your accommodation as soon as possible.
Beware of Unauthorized Registration and Hotel Solicitations
Note that Sciforum is the only official registration platform to register to MMCS2019, and that we are not associated with any hotel agency (other than the 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 MMCS2019 or Sciforum. Beware that entering into financial agreements with non-endorsed companies can have costly consequences.
VISA INFORMATION
Citizens of the EU and the EFTA
Citizens of EU and EFTA countries must present valid personal identification, an ID card or a passport. No visa is required.
Regardless of their citizenship, family members of EU and EFTA citizens must present a valid passport and they must have a specific residence permit from a Schengen country (no visa required). Otherwise, a visa must be obtained.
For more information, see http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Portal/en/ServiciosAlCiudadano/InformacionParaExtranjeros/Paginas/Inicio.aspx.
EU Countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.
EFTA Countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland.
Schengen Countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Citizens of the USA and Canada
No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days. However, a passport valid for at least 3 months beyond your date of departure is required (6 months recommended). Spanish government regulations may require a return or on-going ticket or proof of funds.
Other Countries
A valid passport is required and in some cases a visa must be obtained prior to entering Spain. For more information, check this link. Or find your nearest Spanish embassy or consulate here.
Travel Insurance
Subscription to an insurance plan to protect you from the high costs of illness or accident during your stay in Spain is a prerequisite for obtaining your visa. You should obtain adequate travel, health and accident insurance before you depart from your country. The organizers are not responsible for personal injuries, or loss of, or damage to, private property belonging to the congress participants.