Airport to Fira Gran Via

Barcelona-El Prat (BCN) is 15 km southwest. The Aerobús runs every few minutes to Plaça de Catalunya in 35 minutes; metro line L9 Sud and the R2 Nord train also serve the airport. Taxis cost about 35 to 40 euros.

Metro line 9 Sud to Fira or Europa/Fira.

Public transport directions to Fira Gran Via

Where to stay by budget

Three hotels we would book

• Budget: Generator Barcelona
• Mid-range: Hotel Catalonia Barcelona Plaza
• Splurge: Hotel Arts Barcelona

Links search the nights from 2 November to 6 November. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual show week schedule for 3 to 5 November 2026. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Family-friendly picks

• Barcelona Aquarium at Port Vell.
• Tibidabo amusement park on the mountain.
• CosmoCaixa science museum.

Evening and day-trip tours

After dark

• El Born cocktail bars like Paradiso.
• Beach bars (chiringuitos) in summer.

Ten tours worth booking for Smart City Expo World Congress

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

• La Boqueria market Stalls and counter bars off La Rambla; go early
• Bar Cañete Tapas counter in El Raval
• Cal Pep Seafood counter in El Born; queue at opening
• El Xampanyet Cava and anchovies in a tiled bar
• La Paradeta Pick seafood by weight, fried to order
• Quimet & Quimet Tiny standing bar for montaditos in Poble-sec
• Can Solé Paella in Barceloneta since 1903
• Tickets Albert Adrià's playful tapas; book far ahead

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

• Picasso Museum.
• MNAC on Montjuïc.
• Casa Batlló and La Pedrera interiors.

Getting around on event days

• Metro and buses run on the T-casual 10-trip card. The metro runs all night on Saturdays.
• Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is 30 km north in Montmeló: R2 Nord trains plus shuttle buses on race days.
• Uber, Cabify and Free Now work in Spanish cities. Taxis are metered and reasonable.
• Renfe high-speed AVE and Ouigo/Iryo trains link Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Málaga, Valencia and Zaragoza. Book early for event weekends.

Day trips from Barcelona

• Montserrat: 1 hour by train and cog railway
• Girona: 40 minutes by AVE
• Sitges: 35 minutes by train

Questions people ask

When is Smart City Expo World Congress 2026?

The next edition is 3 to 5 November 2026, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Fira Gran Via?

Barcelona-El Prat (BCN) is 15 km southwest. The Aerobús runs every few minutes to Plaça de Catalunya in 35 minutes; metro line L9 Sud and the R2 Nord train also serve the airport. Taxis cost about 35 to 40 euros. Metro line 9 Sud to Fira or Europa/Fira.

Where should I stay for Smart City Expo World Congress?

For most visitors the best base is Eixample: Grid streets of modernist buildings, central and quieter than the old town.

What can we do between sessions at Smart City Expo World Congress?

Good short outings in Barcelona include Sagrada Família skip-the-line tour, Park Güell guided tour, Spotify Camp Nou tour. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Smart City Expo World Congress?

Family-friendly picks: Sagrada Família skip-the-line tour, Park Güell guided tour, Montserrat day trip. Barcelona Aquarium at Port Vell.

How far is Fira Gran Via from Barcelona centre?

About 5 km in a straight line. Metro line 9 Sud to Fira or Europa/Fira.

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