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.
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.
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 choice of accommodations 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 will offer a discounted price for all Pharmaceutics 2027 attendees:
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A 3-star boutique hotel located next to the emblematic Avenida Diagonal and Paseo de Gracia, the city's most chic shopping area and just 5 minutes on foot from the conference venue. The hotel has a terrace with an outdoor swimming pool and gym, parking, a restaurant, and a museum room dedicated to the Catalan illustrator Ricard Opisso. |
Click below to complete your booking, entering promotional code "MDPI" in the designated field for 10% off.
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A 4-star hotel located at the center of the Eixample district of Barcelona, the city's most exclusive shopping area, and only steps away from Barcelona's most famous monuments and tourist attractions. It is a great starting point to discover architectural jewels of Catalan modernism such as La Pedrera, Casa Batlló or the Sagrada Familia, and just 5 minutes on foot from the conference venue.
The excellent range of services at the Balmes Hotel also includes its large, tree-covered interior garden with pool, gym, meeting rooms, bar and parking. |
Click below to complete your booking, entering promotional code "MDPI" in the designated field for 10% off.
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Experience Barcelona from a more local and social perspective at Casa Nido Diagonal, a modern hostel designed for travelers looking for a comfortable and welcoming stay in the heart of the city.
Combining boutique-style comfort with the energy of shared living, Casa Nido offers thoughtfully designed shared spaces where guests can relax, connect and meet fellow travelers while discovering Barcelona.
Located in the Eixample district, the hostel provides an excellent base for exploring the city, with easy access to Barcelona’s main attractions, public transport and the conference venue, just 8 minutes on foot.
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Click below to visit the website and access preferential rates during Pharmaceutics 2027 (27-30 June), from EUR 78 per bed/night.
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Stay in the heart of Barcelona’s Eixample district at Catalonia Diagonal Centro, just a 1-minute walk from the conference venue. Alternatively, choose Catalonia Boulevard, located just off the iconic Passeig the Gracia and only a 3-minute walk from the main event.
Situated next to Passeig de Gràcia and close to the city’s renowned Modernist architecture route, both hotels offer excellent public transport connections, making it easy to explore Barcelona for both business and leisure.
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Click below to make a reservation with a 10% discount at either Catalonia Diagonal Centro or Catalonia Gallery/Boulevard, or use code "CATALONIABCN".
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A 4-star hotel located in the exquisite shopping area of Barcelona's Diagonal Avenue, the Derby Hotel offers an excellent location just minutes from Passeig de Gràcia and the city center, surrounded by international boutiques and major shopping centers. Just 10 minutes on foot from Barcelona Sants Train Station, it provides excellent transport connections and easy access to the conference venue.
Recently refurbished while preserving the spaciousness of its original rooms, the hotel features the Pizzeria Santa Napoli, parking, and access to the terrace, pool, solarium and gym at the Gran Derby Suite Hotel, located just opposite.
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Click below to complete your booking, entering promotional code "MDPI" in the designated field for 10% off.
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A 4-star superior hotel located in the heart of Barcelona’s Eixample district, on a quiet pedestrian street renowned for its restaurants, bars, and terraces. Just steps from Passeig de Gràcia and Avinguda Diagonal, the hotel offers an ideal base for enjoying Barcelona’s exclusive shopping, dining and nightlife, as well as its main monuments and attractions, including Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces and the Gothic Quarter.
Housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century building combining historic architecture with contemporary luxury, the Granados 83 features 77 luxury rooms and duplex suites, some with private terraces and pools. Facilities include meeting and function rooms, a bar, gym, parking, outdoor patio and a rooftop terrace with pool, solarium and cocktail bar.
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Click below to complete your booking, entering promotional code "MDPI" in the designated field for 10% off.
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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 3-minute walk from the conference venue.
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Click below to complete your booking and add the 10% discount code "MDPI".
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Flexible accommodation option with modern technology, located in Barcelona’s vibrant Poblenou district, a creative and fast-growing area filled with cafés, galleries, and tech hubs.
Just minutes from the beach and well connected to the city center, ideal for those seeking a modern, relaxed stay.
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Click below to access the website and add "NAITLYPHARMA2027" in the "Promos and Rates" section to access our preferential rates. Then, click on the search icon to check availability and select the apartment that best suits your needs. Complete the booking and enjoy your stay!
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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.