Below you can read the detailed description (pdf version) of how to reach the Conference Venue and other practical information regarding the registration, the local customs and the most important sights of Barcelona.
THE VENUE | ARRIVING TO BARCELONA | PRACTICAL INFORMATION (CONFERENCE) | NETWORKING ACTIVITIES | PRACTICAL INFORMATION (CITY) | CULTURAL HINTS
THE CONFERENCE VENUE
Address
Catalonia Barcelona Plaza Hotel
Plaza España 6-8
08014 Barcelona, Spain
Location
The conference venue is the Catalonia Barcelona Plaza Hotel, located in the emblematic center of the city. The hotel, thanks to its location, offers fantastic views of the Plaza España, the Fountains and the Palace of Montjüic, and is close to many important sites. Barcelona City Map
Public transportation nearby
- Airport bus (Aerobus) direct to the airport
- Underground Line 1 and 3: Plaza España station
- Bus: Bus stop for numbers 27 / 30 / 23 / 9 / 37 / 79 / 91 / 109 / 45 / 65 / 165
ARRIVING TO BARCELONA
Barcelona by airplane
Barcelona is served by Barcelona-El Prat Airport, 17 km from the city centre connected by highway, commuter train and scheduled bus service. Some low-cost airlines also use Girona-Costa Brava Airport, about 90 km to the north, ReusAirport, 77 km to the south or Lleida-Alguaire Airport, about 150 km to the west, of the city.
The RENFE train service runs approximately every 30 minutes to and from Barcelona airport to the city centre. Travel time approximately 25 minutes (timetable and prices). The railway station is located adjacent to the airport’s terminal 2B. Terminal 1 is about 5 kilometres away and passengers need to use a free shuttle bus between the terminal and the railway station. You can get off at Barcelona Sants, Passeig de Gràcia or Clot stations, which are serviced by metro stops. Barcelona-Sants station is only 2 stops away from Plaza España on Metro Line 3. A single ticket to Sants Station costs ?4.10, alternatively you can use the T10 Ticket.
The Aerobus service is an express bus service that links Barcelona airport to Plaza España. This service normally runs between 6 and 15 minutes within its fixed hours of operation (timetable). Tickets cost ?5.90 for a single and ?10.20 for a return.
TMB AirportBus to City Centre (Number 46) also gives a direct reach to Plaza España. This bus has more stops than the Aerobus and takes more time to travel to the city centre, however you can use the T10 Ticket on this journey unlike for the Aerobus. A single journey costs ?2.15. Route and timetable
The journey to the city centre by taxi takes between 20 to 30 minutes. Expect to pay around ?25.00-30.00. Barcelona Airport Taxis: Tel: +34 93 303 3033
Barcelona by train
Barcelona is a major hub for RENFE, the Spanish state railway network. The city’s main Inter-city rail station is Barcelona-Sants station, whilst Estació de França terminus serves a secondary role handling suburban, regional and medium distance services. Barcelona-Sants station is only 2 stops away from Plaza España on Metro Line 3.
Public transport in Barcelona
Barcelona is served by a comprehensive local public transport network that includes a metro, a bus network, two separate modern tram networks, a separate historic tram line, several funiculars and aerial cable cars. Most of these networks and lines form a coordinated transport system.
T10 ticket (10 journeys only): Valid until end of January of following year. Can be shared with other members of your group.
Barcelona Card: Free transport, no limits on amounts of journeys, valid for the number of days you purchase the card for, includes discounts to attractions and many venues, cannot be shared with other members of your group.
Barcelona Transport Card: Transport only card, no limits on the number of journeys, valid for 2 to 5 days, cannot be shared with other members.
Barcelona metro timetable and ticket information
Barcelona’s Main Transport Stations
Taxis
All official Barcelona taxis are black and yellow. A 15 minutes journey will only cost about ?10.00. Licensed taxis have to charge you the amount displayed on the meter. Tipping is welcomed but not required. If you wish to give a tip, give 5-10% of the fare.
Institut Metropolità del Taxi: +34-932-235-151
Radio Taxi Miramar: +34-934-331-020
Fono Taxi: +34-933-001-100
Ràdio Taxi 033: +34-933-033-033
Servi Taxi: +34-933-300-300
PRACTICAL INFORMATION (CONFERENCE)
Registration desk
The registration desk will be located on the -1 floor in the foyer of Catalonia Barcelona Plaza Hotel, and will open on Tuesday 9th June at 15.00. Delegates are advised to register and pick up their Conference Bag before the Welcome Reception. Registration desk service hours:
Tuesday 9th June from 15.00 to 18.00
Wednesday 10th June from 8.00 to 19.00
Thursday 11th June from 8.30 to 18.00
Friday 12th June from 9.30 to 14.00
Arrive well in time to register, in order to avoid the crowds and to enjoy the Welcome Reception. You can pay any of the local payments to EDEN by credit card here. Boarding passes may be printed here, if necessary.
Welcome Reception
The Welcome Reception ? hosted by Universitat Oberta de Catalunya ? will take place on 9 June in the Centre de Cultural el Born (or Mercat del Born). You can meet the EDEN fellows, Board and NAP members, and Secretariat staff who can help you to find out best how to exploit the event. The pleasant surroundings will ensure inspiration for intellectual exploration dialogue learning-partnerships and collaboration. The EDEN Fellow Award will be presented during the reception. At the end of the reception, a very Catalan performance, the so-called castells (human tower) is organised outside the building.
For those EDEN Conference delegates who attending the Open Round Table of International Editors In Educational Technology Journals at Universitat Oberta Headquarters, the organizers will offer free transportation to ensure they arrive on time at the Welcome Reception.
Getting to the Welcome Reception from Catalonia Barcelona Plaza Hotel: take Metro L1 to Urquinaona, then change of Metro L4 to Jaume I and with a 5-minute walk you can find the venue.
Address: Plaza Comercial, 12 (see the map)
Book and Wine Party
It has developed into tradition of the EDEN Conferences to organise a gathering at the end of the first day (10 June) in the Conference venue for the lovers of literature and good wines where they can share by short presentations their latest interesting reading experience. Please contact Ama Auvinen if you are interested to join as speaker. Everyone is welcome to listen and discuss over a glass of wine!
Venue: Catalonia Barcelona Plaza Hotel, Salon 7
Conference Dinner
The Conference Dinner on 11 June, with musical performance (Mediterranean jazz) in the private garden, will be organised in Royal Palace of Pedralbes, the former residence of the royal family of Spain. The Dinner has an additional charge of ?75 per person. The EDEN Best Research Paper Award and EDEN Best Practice Award will be presented at the event.
If you have not booked yet, you can do on the online registration form or after registration by sending an email to barcelona@eden-online.org. Payment should be prearranged by bank transfer or credit card. Please wear your badge for security checking and bring your ticket which will be handed over upon registration.
Bus transport will be organized to the venue (included in the dinner fee), leaving at 19.15 from Conference venue. In case you miss the bus or wish to go separately, take Metro L3 from Plaza España to Palau Reial and look for the entrance of the private garden.
Address: Avinguda Diagonal 686
Poster Prize Voting
Delegates can vote for their favourite posters during the conference by sticking a gold star on the posters. All delegates will receive three stickers at the registration desk upon arrival. More than one star can be added to any poster. The Poster Prize will be presented at the Closing Plenary.
Lunch / Coffee Breaks
Lunches and coffees are included for all registered participants.
Services available in the Conference Venue
At the conference venue WiFi access will be available. Although there is wireless zone in the hotel, participants are kindly requested not to try to download large sized files.
There is ATM in the hotel.
Insurance / Liability
Neither the organizer nor Catalonia Barcelona Plaza Hotel (Conference Venue) can be held liable for loss, injury or damage to any person or property or for any additional expenditure incurred due to changes, whatever the causes. Participants are advised to make their own arrangements for health and travel insurance. Please pay attention to your values.
Name Badges
All participants receive name badges at the registration desk and are kindly asked to wear it for admission to the official scientific and social programme. Thinking green, EDEN aims to collect recyclable materials therefore we would appreciate if the delegates returned their badges to the registration desk before leaving the conference.
Video recording and photos
Please note that some of the sessions may be recorded and photos may be taken. If you have concerns, please raise them with the presenters or at the registration desk.
Conference Evaluation
We invite you to check the online conference evaluation questionnaire during and after the conference, and tell us your views on the conference content and services by completing the survey. The questionnaire will be available in hard copy at the registration desk as well.
NETWORKING ACTIVITIES DESCRIPTION
Universitat Oberta de Catalunya has prepared activities that will enhance the joy of the conference:
UOC Corner
Come and meetthe UOC! A space where delegates can join our Alumni and share their learning experiences at UOC, while viewing conference Tweets!
Puzzle
Help us, our puzzles are scattered! There are pieces everywhere! Join us on a fun networking activity: find your puzzle partners, gather the words of a key e-learning question and send the answer to our hashtag #EDEN15PUZZLE in Twitter.
Timeline
Let?s imagine the future of e-learning. In the frame of the 25th EDEN, 20th UOC and 25th eLearn anniversaries, we have prepared a milestone timeline. Could you help us predict the future of e-learning and learning technologies?
Selfie Booth
Do you want to remember and share your participation in EDEN 2015 Barcelona? Our selfie booth will give you the opportunity you need! Enjoy the occasion and immortalize yourselves and your EDEN partners above the Barcelona skyline!
Message Board
Are you looking for a specific partner or project? We can help you with your networking activities through a message board in which you can contact the delegates by surname or by project.
World Map
Thanks to the Internet and the new technologies, there seem to be no frontiers! However, we would be pleased if you will share with colleagues your origin by pinning your country in our World Map.
Networking Room (Salon 3)
Do you need a quiet and comfortable space to meet with colleagues to share ideas or discuss projects? The Networking Room is at your disposal (on a first-come first-accommodate basis).
PRACTICAL INFORMATION (CITY)
Climate and weather
Barcelona has a Mediterranean climate with mild, humid winters and warm, dry summers. Its average temperature is 25 °C (77 °F) during the day in June. Here you can find the weather forecast.
Time Zone
Barcelona is situated in the Central European Time zone (CET), which is GMT+1. Like in many other countries, Summer Time CEST (GMT+2) applies in Spain: the clock is set one hour forward on the last Sunday of March, and one hour on back the last Sunday of October.
Opening Hours
Most of the shops and shopping centers are open from 10.00 to 20.30 or 21.30 hours. Traditional shops open from 10.00 to 14.00 hours and from 16.30 to 20.30 hours. Most regular high street shops and shopping centres and malls are closed on Sundays in Barcelona. The only shops open on Sundays are souvenir shops, restaurants, cafes, bars and cinemas. The only shopping mall that is open on Sundays is Maremagnum shopping mall, which has a special license due to its location in the harbour.
Note that some establishments might not accept your credit card unless you have a computer chip imbedded in it.
Currency
Spanish currency is Euro (EUR). 1 Euro is divided into 100 cents. Money can be changed at major hotels or bureaux de change but banks generally provide better rates. Do not accept any change offer in the streets.
Banking Services
There are many banks (bancos) to choose from as Spain has one of the highest bank branches per capita on the continent. Banks in Spain are open from Monday to Friday from 8.30 to 14.00; Saturdays from 9.00 to 13.00; and often times Thursday afternoons from 17.00 to 19.00.
Electricity
Voltage is 230V, 50 Hz (cycles). One needs to use a transformer (converter) if the appliance one wants to use is 110V. The volt of the transformer must match the volt of the appliance. The electric plug has two round pins. One needs an adapter plug if one’s appliance comes from the US, where two flat pins are used.
Telephones
The international call prefix and country code for Spain is +34. Spanish phone numbers always have nine digits and do not have a dialing code. A leading 0 no longer exists. What used to be the dialing code for Barcelona (93) is now part of every phone number and always has to be dialed.
Tipping
The Spanish do not generally leave tips for drinks and they do not feel compelled to always leave a tip for food. If they do, it is not as much as in other countries. If you come from a country where tipping is normal and you feel you ought to tip, 5% would be appreciated. But do not feel like it is a necessity, especially if the service was bad. Note that restaurants in Barcelona do not charge for service.
Emergency Numbers
Police, ambulance, fire brigade: 112
English-speaking police officers: +34 932 903 000 (police headquarters), Via Laietana 43
Safety Instructions
Although the number of thefts and the economic crisis associated unemployment has been growing, there are many districts in Barcelona where you would not have dared to go to in the past are, thanks to police presence, are fairly safe today. But just as anywhere else, dark alleys and parks during the night, etc. should generally be avoided and common sense should be followed.
Smoking restrictions
Smoking is prohibited in public buildings and public transport (including taxis), at workplaces, railway stations, discotheques, bars and restaurants. Tobacco consumption is also not allowed outside the grounds of hospitals, health centers, schools and kindergartens. Smoking is permitted on terraces (e.g. restaurants), in one?s own home and balcony, in sports stadiums, in hotel rooms ? if not prohibited by the owner ? and in the fresh air with the exceptions explained above.
Language
The region of Catalonia has two official languages: Spanish and Catalan, of which are both spoken. In offices and schools, Catalan is the dominant language. Similarly, many lectures at the University are hold in Catalan. Road signs and labels e.g. in museums are usually bilingual.
CULTURAL HINTS
Sightseeing hints in Barcelona
Barcelonapublic transport system is not necessarily the best way to get around, because the city centre is not as big as you may think. If you choose to walk, you will be surprised to discover that many sights in the city are a lot closer than you think. Barcelona City Map Linked to a Guide
The Barri Gòtic (Catalan for ?Gothic Quarter?) is the centre of the old city. Many of the buildings date from medieval times, some from as far back as the Roman settlement of Barcelona. Catalan modernist architecture (related to the movement known as Art Nouveau in the rest of Europe), developed between 1885 and 1950 and left an important legacy in Barcelona. Several of these buildings are World Heritage Sites. Especially remarkable is the work of architect Antoni Gaudí, which can be seen throughout the city.
More information: top 36 attractions in Barcelona and walking tours
Gastronomy
The gastronomy of Barcelona can be described as a dynamic combination of tradition with a variety of influences from other cultures. It clearly sparks the Mediterranean flavor into the palate with the use of olive oil, fresh vegetables, produce, fish and meat. There is a lot of originality in the dishes due to Barcelona’s closeness to both the sea and the mountains. A well-known and popular dish in Barcelona is la escudella, a kind of stew that is typical of the region. It is normally comprised of vegetables, noodles, rice and potatoes. One specialty dish made of seafood is Zarzuela. It is made with cuttlefish, prawn, mussels and sometimes also has lobster. Some traditional desserts in the Barcelona area are Crema Catalana, which is a made of a custard base topped with caramelized sugar. Another common dessert is Menjar Blanc, which is a pudding made from almond milk.
We wish you a pleasant journey and look forward to seeing you in Barcelona and
sharing the pleasure of a successful and memorable event.