Please sign in to post.

Will a large convention affect Barcelona touring?

So I just found out that there will be a convention with 50,000 people starting the Monday after my planned weekend in Barcelona next month. This is a global convention and since the official language of it is English, I expect there won't be many locals in attendance. Meaning lots of out-of-towners potentially arriving the same time I am there. Anyone have any gauge for how bad this could impact things? I wanted to do the Bus Turistic (HO/HO buses are great when you travel with kids) and Sagrada Familia was high on my list since I didn't get to see the inside last time I was in Barcelona because the line was too long. I was expecting to take it slow and enjoy the off-season. Should I prepare as if it's high season? Any help is appreciated.

Posted by
23178 posts

I don't think anyone can give a definite answer but 50,000 people would have to impact something. However, with conventions, a lot of the people would be attending convention activities during the day. The greatest impact probably will be on restaurants in the evening and hotel rooms but all of that will occur after you have left. Since you are slightly ahead of the pack, not sure if you would notice much difference.

Posted by
893 posts

I think I'm just going to have to prepare for the worst. I found the convention website and they are encouraging everyone to check in to the convention Saturday or Sunday (the days we are there). There are some pre-convention activities and they say the crowds will be large on the Monday to pick up registration packets, so I'm starting to think that a lot of people will already be in the city that weekend. We weren't planning any fancy meals, but restaurants in the more touristy areas might be an issue. Guess we'll just have to see.

Posted by
12040 posts

I usually don't do this (give advice about a place or country I've never visited), but here goes... My wife attended a conference once in Barcelona. She said it was located in a modern area with several other large hotels, far outside the city center. Her only real glance at the city was from the lounge on the roof of the hotel. I've attended a few conferences and conventions in my day. Most of them begin early in the morning and run until dinner time. Dinner is almost always included at the hotel. What little site-seeing I've done was mostly at night, or occassionally I've taken an extra day afterwards to wander around. So... I would expect that the majority of those 50,000 will probably remain holed up in a modern business area of the city for the majority of the day. Some may escape the hotel dinner to roam the more tourist-friendly parts of the city, but it probably won't be the majority of the conventioneers every night.

Posted by
811 posts

the conference is close to the harbor area. mostly are biz folks in there all day may spill over after hour in the bar/cafe but you should be ok. some of them may come early or leave late for sight seeing but not that bad. if you have rooms reserved you'll be fine. note pick pocketors are also gathering for this event so you should be extra careful. my colleague had his laptop and passport stolen from his room 3 yrs ago. thieves on the ramblas primarily looking for dummies dressed in suit, so if you're less of a target.