Venue

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 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 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.

2024 Sant Jordi Festival

The Sant Jordi Day is a unique celebration that takes place annually in Catalonia on April 23rd. Its origins lie in the legend of Saint George, the patron saint of Catalonia, who defeated a dragon to rescue a princess. Traditionally, on this day couples, friends and family exchange books and roses.

Barcelona transforms into an open-air bookshop, offering a wide selection of books spanning various genres. Roses, often adorned with symbolic touches such as the Catalan flag, become a treasured gift.

Sant Jordi Day not only honors culture and literature; but also creates a beautiful atmosphere on the streets. The air is filled with cultural activities, concerts, and events that revolve around the celebration of love and literature. Take this chance to immerse yourselves in the culture and customs unique to Catalonia!

The AXA Convention Center

The AXA Convention Centre is located in a vibrant modern zone of the city, with easy access from the airport, as well as the urban and suburban areas of the city. It is part of the "L'Illa Diagonal", a modern complex with a shopping center, two four-star hotels, several offices, a sports center, a public park, and a car park with 2500 spaces.

Address: Avinguda Diagonal, 547, 08029 Barcelona

Travel

By plane:

The international airport of Barcelona is called Barcelona-El Prat 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 get to the airport, you have several options to reach the city center.

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. Catalunya) in 35 minutes. It runs every day of the year with departures every 5 minutes and costs EUR 6,75.
• 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 2,40.
• By taxi: Taxis just outside the arrival area. The taxi from the airport to the city center (Plaza Catalunya) costs approximately EUR 30–35. 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. VTC apps that work in Barcelona are Bolt and Cabify and might offer cheaper rates.

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 northwest of the city (Zona Universitària). From here, you can take TRAM T1, T2, or T3 (get off at L'Illa stop) or bus 7 or 67 (get off at Diagonal—Entença stop) (https://www.tmb.cat). The metro from the airport costs EUR 5,15 and the tram or bus EUR 2,40. 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 EUR 30–35. VTC apps that work in Barcelona are Bolt and Cabify and might offer cheaper rates.

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 at 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 EUR 10.

Accommodation

We want your stay in Barcelona during the conference to be as comfortable as possible. With that in mind, we have agreed on a discount with several hotels to make your accommodation choice easier. Please book your accommodation online and contact the hotels directly with any issues or requests related to accommodation bookings.

We are delighted to announce that the following hotels will offer a discounted price for all MMCS 2024 attendees:

• Arenas Atiram: The Arenas Atiram Hotel offers a highly personalized service together with very friendly, elegant facilities, and it is within walking distance from the conference venue.
• Oriente Atiram and Meson Castilla Atiram: Located in Las Ramblas, they have a fantastic central location next to Plaza Catalunya and the famous Boqueria market, 25–30 minutes away (by metro) 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, it is 1.5 km away from the conference venue.

• Hostal Aslyp 114: The Hostal Aslyp¹¹⁴ is a cozy hotel with private rooms located just 10 minutes away from the conference venue. Please add the 5% discount code ‘BCN114’ and indicate that you will be attending MMCS 2024 while making your reservation.
  
  
• The Social Hub Barcelona Poblenou: The Social Hub Barcelona is situated in the lively Poblenou district, and welcomes digital nomads, students, and travelers. Their unique community-focused concept merges a boutique hotel, student and extended stay rooms, a restaurant, a coworking space, bar, gym, terraces, solariums, and a Rooftop Bar & Pool with panoramic city views. Please add the 10% discount code ‘MDPI24’ while making your reservation.
  

Beware of Unauthorized Registration and Hotel Solicitations

Note that Sciforum is the only official registration platform to register to MMCS 2024 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 MMCS 2024 or Sciforum. Beware that entering into financial agreements with non-endorsed companies can have costly consequences.