Venue: UPF – BSM
Address: C/ de Balmes, 132, 134, 08008 Barcelona, Spain
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.
Explore our Travel Guide and discover ideas on how to make the most of your free time during the conference in Barcelona.
For a complete overview, see wikitravel.org or visit barcelonaturisme.com.
Travel
Barcelona is a vibrant and accessible city with excellent transportation links. Whether you're arriving by plane, train, or other means, there are convenient options to reach your destination. Below, you'll find detailed guidance to ensure a smooth journey to the conference venue.
By plane:
The international airport of Barcelona, Barcelona-El Prat, is located 10 km from the city center. It is well connected to major airport hubs in Europe and various locations worldwide. For more information about the airport and flights, please visit the official website: https://www.aena.es. Once you arrive at the airport, you have several options to reach the venue:
- By metro: Take LINE L9 (https://www.tmb.cat) which connects Barcelona Airport (both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2) to the city. Disembark at Collblanc station, and from there, transfer to METRO L5 (get off at Diagonal). The metro from the airport costs EUR 5.90, while a single city metro trip is EUR 2.90. Barcelona offers several public transport card options: the T-casual (10 trips, EUR 13 for Zone 1, not valid for the airport) and the T-usual (unlimited travel for 30 days, EUR 22.80 for Zone 1, including the airport via metro). There are also Hola Barcelona tourist cards, offering unlimited travel for 48 to 120 hours, but local cards usually offer better value for money. Tickets can be purchased at metro stops.
- By train: Take the TRAIN R2 NORD (https://rodalies.gencat.cat). Disembark at Barcelona Sants station. From there, you can either take METRO L5 (get off at Diagonal) or a taxi, available just outside the station. The train from the airport costs approx. EUR 5. Tickets can be purchased at train stations. A taxi from the station to the conference venue costs approximately EUR10.
- By taxi: Taxis are readily available just outside the arrivals area. A taxi from the airport to the conference venue costs approximately EUR 35. Alternatively, VTC apps like Uber, Bolt, and Cabify also operate in Barcelona and usually offer more competitive rates.
By train:
Barcelona Sants is the city's largest train station, providing rail services for Barcelona, the rest of Spain, and international destinations. For more information about the station and train services, please visit the official website: https://www.renfe.com. Once you arrive at the station, you have the following options to reach the venue:
- By metro: Take LINE L5 (https://www.tmb.cat) and get off at Diagonal.
- By taxi: Taxis are available just outside the station. A taxi from the station to the conference venue costs approximately EUR 10-15.
Please note that you must apply for your own visa application. MDPI is not responsible for any visa application. However, MDPI can provide a Visa Support Letter. To be eligible for such a document, the criteria below must be fulfilled.
Visa Support Letter
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Applicants must have paid for registration and submitted an abstract in order to get a letter of support.
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Applicants must provide us with a scan of their valid, in-date passport that contains a photo of them.
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Applicants must provide us with a letter of support from their institution to confirm that they support the delegate attending the meeting.
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This must be carried out in good time before the meeting; “last minute” requests will not be processed.