The Mobile World Congress 2026 will take place from March 2nd to 5th at the Fira Barcelona venue. However, most groups and teams arrive earlier to set up, prepare, and organize. Some even extend their stay for a few days afterward to pick up materials or do additional visits.
The inevitable side effect is the complete saturation of corporate accommodation in Barcelona . Apartments closest to Fira sell out months in advance, and prices skyrocket. Therefore, planning ahead and choosing your base of operations wisely can make the difference between a smooth congress and a logistical headache.
Why is it so difficult to find accommodation during MWC? The magnitude of MWC alone explains the difficulty in finding accommodation. Some facts illustrating this reality:
According to GSMA, the organizing entity, MWC25 welcomed 109,000 attendees . The organization has already blocked over 20,000 official hotel rooms . Last year, hotel occupancy reached 95% , according to RTVE data. In terms of pricing, the average increase was 307% compared to the previous week, reaching €553 per night , according to a Simon-Kucher report. Additionally, GSMA warns every year about fraud attempts related to fake accommodation offers or attendee lists. Scarcity is especially pronounced in key areas: Sants, Montjuïc, and areas near the Fira.
In summary, waiting until the last minute reduces your options to one of two possibilities (if you're lucky): very expensive apartments or ones located far away.
Recommended areas for staying during MWC With offices in Barcelona, Apartool knows the best areas for a business stay during the Mobile World Congress.
1. Fira Area / Ciutat de la Justícia This is the closest area to the MWC venue, with many newly built buildings offering apartments and hotels just a few minutes’ walk from the Fira Gran Via entrance.
Direct connection : Metro L9 Sud (Europa | Fira) and several bus lines.Ideal for : Large teams, technical staff, or participants with a tight schedule.Advantages : Minimal travel time, good service offerings, and the possibility to stay in entire buildings.2. Sants This neighborhood is home to Barcelona's main train station and offers a good selection of fully equipped apartments.
Connection : Direct trains and metro lines to Europa | Fira in under 15 minutes.Ideal for : Those arriving by AVE, traveling in groups, or needing to move around the city. Advantages : Excellent transportation, a wide range of dining options, and a local atmosphere.3. Plaça d’Espanya - Montjuïc One of the areas with the best infrastructure for fairs and congresses . In addition to being close to the venue, it offers direct shuttle services.
Connection : Free shuttle bus provided by the organization, metro L1 and L3, and frequent buses.Ideal for : Exhibitors, VIP attendees, or executives with meetings in other central areas.Advantages : Elegant surroundings, mid- to high-range establishments, and close proximity to the city center.4. Les Corts A residential and corporate neighborhood with a high quality of life and good connections to the exhibition venue.
Connection : Metro L3 and L5 with connections to L9 Sud or transfers at Collblanc.Ideal for : Long stays or professionals who value peace and quiet.Advantages : Safe environment, shops and restaurants, and proximity to key stations.5. L’Esquerra de l’Eixample A central area , well-connected, with a wide variety of apartments, hotels, and services.
Connection : Metro L1 (Universitat or Urgell) to Plaça d’Espanya or transfers to L9 Sud.Ideal for : Executives with an urban agenda, networking, or activities outside the congress.Advantages : Lively atmosphere, quick access, and a variety of entertainment and dining options6. El Poblenou An emerging district with a technological and innovation profile , highly appreciated by startups and digital companies.
Connection : Metro L4 with connection to L9 Sud, buses, or taxi (~25-30 minutes).Ideal for : Creative companies, young teams, tech-oriented participants.Advantages : Modern apartments, proximity to coworking spaces and the beach.7. Bonus track: nearby towns to Barcelona Staying in Barcelona isn’t the only option. Many towns in the metropolitan area offer excellent connections to Fira , better availability and pricing, and in many cases, quieter environments or better accommodations for long stays or groups.
The Baix Llobregat and El Garraf regions are especially recommended for their proximity to the venue, direct public transport access, and a variety of accommodation options.
Sant Just Desvern : The closest, residential, and peaceful. It has good bus connections and is close to business areas.Esplugues de Llobregat : Bordering Barcelona, very well connected by tram and bus.Sant Joan Despí : Accessible by train and bus with a good offering of apartments and value for money.Cornellà de Llobregat : Areas near Fira are quickly accessible by metro L5 or train.El Prat de Llobregat: Home to the airport and well connected by metro L9. Very useful for tight arrivals or stays where minimizing travel is a priority.Viladecans : Good train and highway connections, with functional accommodation and nearby shops.Gavà : Peaceful environment, easy access by road and train, and a good option for extended stays.Castelldefels : A combination of beach, leisure, and good train connections. It’s very popular among frequent visitors.Sitges : Well connected by train, with great tourist attractions and nightlife. Perfect for those who want to combine the congress with leisure.Key tips for booking the right accommodation The difference between a "temporary" accommodation and an optimal one often comes down to when and how you make your reservation . Here are some key recommendations:
Book as early as possible : From 6 to 9 months in advance, if your schedule allows.Group booking blocks : Accommodating a group is particularly complex. Booking in advance gives you more options and allows you to request special rates for multiple bookings .Flexible check-in and check-out windows : If you can adjust your dates a few days before or after, you'll have more alternatives.Avoid non-professional intermediaries : Even on well-known platforms, fake listings often appear during peak demand periods like this one.Request a personalized proposal : Especially if your team is large or your needs are complex (multiple rooms, additional services, or last-minute changes).Request a quote from Apartool Booking your apartment with Apartool addresses all the points on the previous list and adds some additional guarantees:
Local origin and deep market knowledge : Apartool was born in Barcelona and operates with a market-focused vision, giving it an advantage in management and local knowledge.A wide and secure catalog of apartments : Apartool only offers apartments that have been verified by the company, each with its registration number and all necessary guarantees.Corporate focus : Apartool is designed for businesses, agencies, and teams, not tourists.Centralized, transparent, and scalable management : Apartool’s platform allows for the control of bookings, payments, and billing from a single portal.Integrated services : Apartool apartments include cleaning, maintenance, utilities, and local support.Ideal negotiation for large groups : Apartool’s model facilitates volume agreements for multiple units, allowing for budget adjustments for several professionals traveling together to MWC.Each edition of MWC turns Barcelona into a logistical challenge due to accommodation saturation, price increases, and high demand. However, by planning ahead and choosing Apartool, you can clear any accommodation concerns, allowing visitors to focus on enjoying the promising Mobile World Congress 2026 .
When can I start booking for MWC 2026? Several months in advance. Many companies and exhibitors already make reservations by the end of the previous year. The recommended booking lead time is at least 4-6 months in advance. Even earlier if the team traveling is large.
Is it better to stay in an apartment or a hotel for MWC? For a trip like this, especially if you're involved in setup and teardown over several days, apartments offer unique advantages: more space, privacy, and better cost-to-capacity ratio for teams.
Which areas have the best connections to the MWC? Fira Gran Via, Sants, and Plaça d’Espanya are the best-connected areas to the venue. All of them have metro, train, or direct bus lines that allow for travel in under 30 minutes.
Is it better to stay close to the venue or in the city center? It depends on the type of trip. Staying near Fira saves time on commuting and is especially useful for intense workdays or technical teams. However, staying in more central areas like l’Eixample might be more convenient if combining meetings in the city or seeking more leisure options.
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