Crowds in February?

We visited in early March two years ago. The only place we really experienced a large crowd was when we were leaving the La Sagrada Familia, but our first-in time frame for a visit was pleasant.. Other places were not empty (the longest we waited anywhere was about 15 minutes, and even that wait was rare), but staff at each told us lines can be several hours in the prime tourist season. I would guess February would be even less crowded than March (unless a super large convention is happening in Barcelona). The World Congress (with, I think, 10,000 attendees) was finishing as we were arriving in Barcelona.

Word Mobile Congress.... end of February.... 100,000 (hundred!) attendees: http://www.gsma.com/newsroom/press-release/2016-gsma-mobile-world-congress-surpasses-record-100000-visitors/ Hotels are packed during that congress and prices skyrocket.

Enric,
Thanks for the correction......one zero makes a big difference :) Yes, it was huge!! Does that mean Barcelona hosts it every year? That is a great influx of visitors (and revenue) for Barcelona.

But, Enric is right re: hotels being booked up. We were originally scheduled to arrive two days later, but because of predicted ice storms (and some kind folks at Delta) we were able to depart (and arrive in Barcelona) earlier than we expected. From the KLM lounge in Amsterdam, we feverishly checked for hotel rooms....most were sold out. We ended up finding the last room at a very expensive hotel that we would not have originally booked, but it was LOVELY and we will remember it for life, then we transferred to our other originally planned hotel two nights later (which was also lovely).

So, Scott, if you are there when the World Congress is happening, lines can be really long. Timing is everything!

But, Enric, is the Barcelona always the host city each February? If so, what a nice, bright (young-ish) group of visitors it attracts!!!!

From their website: "The 2017 Mobile World Congress will be held 27 February – 2 March 2017 at Fira Gran Via.

The Mobile World Congress is the cornerstone of the Mobile World Capital, which will be hosted in Barcelona through 2023."

Hi Margaret

Yes, it's a big difference :))

Despite the big number of visitors to Barcelona every year, tourism is merely a relatively moderated chunk of the city's GDP (around 12-15%). Barcelona and its region, Catalonia, main drivers are other industry sectors.

During the MWC, hotels are especially busy but tourist sites not necessarily as these people are coming for work, not for tourism. After work hours, of course, many visit museums, sites and restaurants but during the day sites are visited by the "regular" tourists so to speak.

Yes, Barcelona has always been the host for this international congress since its inception 29 years ago. But there are many more congresses celebrated in the city.

From my visits in the last 3-4 years in February, lines are minimal, but there are places you will benefit from buying tickets in advance. The Gaudi sites in Barcelona always have lines, but you can buy tickets even just a couple days in advance. English tours of the Palau de la Musica often sell out on the day or if a group turns up. In Madrid, there could be a line for the Prado or the Royal Palace.

Places that attract lots of tourists, like La Rambla in Barcelona, will seem deserted compared to the guide book descriptions.

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses. Fortunately, we will miss the dates for the World Mobile Congress. We will fly to BCN on Feb 11 and out on Feb 18.