In 2026, Barcelona is the World Capital of Architecture, a title awarded by UNESCO and the International Union of Architects (UIA). Throughout the year, architecture and urban design take centre stage in the city’s cultural calendar, and it is the perfect excuse to discover Barcelona beyond its beaches and food. 2026 also marks the centenary of Antoni Gaudí’s death, making this a unique year to explore his work.

What it means to be World Capital of Architecture

The Barcelona World Capital of Architecture designation recognises cities that stand out for their architecture, urban planning and commitment to sustainable urban development. Barcelona earned it for its city model, from Ildefons Cerdà’s Eixample to the 1992 Olympic transformation and new districts such as 22@. The title is linked to the UIA World Congress of Architects, which brought professionals from all over the world to the city, along with a programme of exhibitions, routes and activities open to the public.

Gaudí and much more

Gaudí is the gateway: the Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, La Pedrera and Park Güell are must-sees. But Barcelona’s architecture doesn’t end with him. The Modernist Eixample, the Palau de la Música Catalana, the Sant Pau Modernist Site, the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion on Montjuïc and Torre Glòries in Poblenou let you plan very different routes depending on your interests.

• Modernisme: Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, Casa Amatller, Palau de la Música Catalana and Sant Pau.
• 20th-century architecture: the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion, Fundació Joan Miró and the Olympic Village.
• Contemporary architecture: Torre Glòries, the Museu del Disseny, Santa Caterina Market and the 22@ district.

A two-day architecture route through Barcelona

• Day 1, the icons: the Sagrada Família in the morning and a walk along Passeig de Gràcia in the afternoon, stopping at Casa Batlló and La Pedrera.
• Day 2, another Barcelona: the Sant Pau Modernist Site in the morning and, in the afternoon, Poblenou and the contemporary architecture of the 22@ district, ending at Torre Glòries.

If you’re staying longer, add Montjuïc (the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion and Fundació Joan Miró), Park Güell and the Gothic Quarter. Book tickets for the most popular monuments in advance, especially the Sagrada Família and Park Güell, as they sell out quickly.

Where to stay in Barcelona, World Capital of Architecture

For a stay of several days, the area around Passeig de Gràcia and the Eixample is the best base: it combines good public transport, restaurants and much of the Modernist route within walking distance. An apartment with a kitchen and your own space gives you more freedom than a hotel, especially if you’re staying a week or longer, travelling for work or with family.

Be Mate has apartments on Passeig de Gràcia, right in the centre of Barcelona and just a few minutes’ walk from Casa Batlló and La Pedrera. They are fully equipped apartments for short, medium and long stays.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Barcelona the World Capital of Architecture in 2026?

UNESCO and the International Union of Architects (UIA) chose Barcelona for its urban model and architectural heritage. The title is linked to the UIA World Congress of Architects held in the city in 2026.

Which buildings should you not miss?

The Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, Park Güell, the Palau de la Música Catalana, the Sant Pau Modernist Site, the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion and Torre Glòries.

How many days do you need to see Barcelona’s architecture?

Two days are enough to see the essentials. If you also want to explore Montjuïc, Park Güell and the contemporary architecture at a relaxed pace, four days to a week is ideal.

What is the best area to stay in?

The Eixample, and in particular the area around Passeig de Gràcia, thanks to its central location and because much of the Modernist route can be done on foot.

More information: apartments on Passeig de Gràcia

Autumn is one of the best times to discover Malaga: no summer crowds, mild temperatures and a cultural scene in full swing. It is the perfect season for terraces, seaside walks and day trips around the province. In this guide we tell you what to do in Malaga in autumn, what weather to expect and where to stay if you are coming for several days or weeks.

What is the weather like in Malaga in autumn?

Malaga has a Mediterranean climate and autumn is usually mild. In October there are still T-shirt days and many people still go for a swim; in November temperatures drop, but it is still pleasant to walk in the sun. Rain is scarce and tends to fall on specific days, so pack a light jacket and something for the rain, without giving up life outdoors.

Culture and museums

The historic centre is home to most of the city’s cultural offer, and in autumn you can visit it at a much calmer pace:

• Museo Picasso Málaga, in the painter’s home town.
• Museo Carmen Thyssen, with 19th-century Spanish painting.
• CAC Málaga, the contemporary art centre, in the Soho district.
• Centre Pompidou Málaga, on Muelle Uno, by the port.
• Museo de Málaga, in the Palacio de la Aduana.
• Alcazaba, Roman Theatre and Gibralfaro Castle, with the best views of the city and the bay.
• Malaga Cathedral, known as “La Manquita”.

A good plan: spend the morning at a couple of museums and save the afternoon for a stroll around the port and Muelle Uno at sunset.

Beaches, walks and day trips

The beaches of La Malagueta and Pedregalejo are still lovely outside the high season, perfect for walking along the seafront promenade or having lunch by the sea. If you stay a week or more, you will have time for day trips:

• Ronda, with its Puente Nuevo over the Tajo gorge.
• Nerja and its caves, easy to combine with a visit to Frigiliana.
• Antequera, with its dolmens and the El Torcal nature area.
• Caminito del Rey, one of the most famous hiking routes in Andalusia; in autumn the temperatures are far more comfortable than in summer (book your ticket in advance).

Malaga’s autumn food scene

It is a great season to eat without rushing: sardine espetos at a beach bar, pescaíto frito (fried fish), ajoblanco, porra antequerana and the stalls of the Atarazanas market. For better food at better prices, step away from the most touristy streets and try neighbourhood bars. And don’t leave without ordering coffee the way locals do: a “mitad”, a “sombra” or a “nube”.

Christmas in Malaga: the Calle Larios lights

If your stay runs until the end of November, you will catch the switching-on of the Christmas lights on Calle Larios, one of the best known in Spain. It is a great time to be in the city centre, but it is worth booking your accommodation early.

Why Malaga is a great city for stays of several days

Malaga is best enjoyed at a slow pace. Many visitors choose it in autumn to work remotely for a few weeks, for a work project or simply to live the city like a local. It is well connected by train and plane with Madrid and the rest of Europe, the centre is walkable and the sea is always just a few minutes away.

Where to stay in Malaga in autumn: an apartment beats a hotel

For several days or weeks, an apartment gives you much more freedom than a hotel room. It is like having your own home in Malaga:

• More space: a living room and a bedroom, not just a single room.
• Fully equipped kitchen: shop at the Atarazanas market and cook at your own pace.
• Utilities and wifi included: no extra costs, ideal if you work remotely.
• Live like a local: in neighbourhoods with a life of their own, not just tourist areas.

Be Mate has five buildings in Malaga, so you can choose the area that best fits your plans:

If you are staying for a month or more, also check out our article on long stays in Malaga.

Frequently asked questions

Is Malaga worth visiting in autumn?
Yes. There are fewer tourists than in summer, the weather is still mild and the cultural and food scene is in full swing.

Can you go to the beach in Malaga in autumn?
Yes, especially in October. The beaches of La Malagueta and Pedregalejo are still pleasant for walking, sunbathing or eating by the sea.

What day trips can you take from Malaga?
Ronda, Nerja, Frigiliana, Antequera and the Caminito del Rey are the most popular, and all can be done in a day.

Where to stay in Malaga for several weeks?
An apartment with a kitchen and utilities included is the most comfortable option. The historic centre, Soho and the beach area are the most convenient.

IFEMA Madrid is located at Avenida del Partenón 5, in the Barajas district, and hosts trade fairs, congresses and events all year round. From the city centre, public transport is the most practical option.

By Metro and Cercanías commuter train

Take Metro line 8 to Feria de Madrid station; the exit leads to the South Entrance of the venue. From the city centre, the usual route is to change to line 8 at Nuevos Ministerios, where Cercanías trains also stop. According to IFEMA, entering and leaving that station carries a €3 supplement, so it is worth checking the current fare.

By bus

• Line 73: Diego de León – IFEMA.
• Line 122: Avenida de América – IFEMA.
• Line 112: Mar de Cristal – Barrio del Aeropuerto.
• Line 828 (intercity): Universidad Autónoma – Alcobendas – IFEMA – Canillejas.

By car, taxi or ride-hailing

Road access is via the M-11 (exits 5 and 7), the M-40 (exits 5, 6 and 7) and the A-2 (exit 7). Inside the venue there are taxi ranks at the South, North and East gates. On busy fair days, public transport is usually more reliable.

How much time to allow

Add some margin to what your app says: entrances, security checks and queues can add time. If the fair lasts several days, do the full journey on the first day and repeat it afterwards.

Where to stay if you are going to IFEMA

Rather than staying right next to the venue, what matters is being well connected to Nuevos Ministerios, line 8 and the rest of Madrid. Nuevos Ministerios is the usual connection with line 8. For stays of under 32 nights there are studio apartments in central Madrid at Be Mate Trafalgar and apartments on Gran Vía in Madrid at Be Mate Gran Vía Suites; for 32 nights or more, furnished apartments in Chamberí at Be Mate Chamberí and apartments with coworking in Madrid at Be Mate Blasco de Garay.

Upcoming events at IFEMA

FITUR 2027 takes place from 20 to 24 January 2027: 20 to 22 for trade visitors and 23 to 24 also open to the public. IFEMA is also part of the setting of the MADRING circuit, which will host Formula 1 in September 2027.

More information: furnished apartments in Chamberí · studio apartments in central Madrid

Sources and last update: IFEMA Madrid, how to get there and access page with bus lines; FITUR according to IFEMA. Checked on 28/10/2026.

Madrid is home to company headquarters, institutions, trade fairs and international connections, so it welcomes professionals all year round: from a two-night meeting to a project lasting several months. If you are looking for corporate accommodation in Madrid, the length of your trip shapes almost everything: the area, the type of accommodation and the terms. In this guide we explain which neighbourhood to choose, when an apartment is a better option than a hotel and how booking works for companies.

Which area to choose depending on where you work

• Castellana and AZCA: the practical option if your meetings are in the financial district.
• Nuevos Ministerios: a Metro hub (lines 6, 8 and 10) and Cercanías commuter rail station, with a direct connection to line 8, which takes you to IFEMA and the airport.
• Chamartín: convenient if you arrive by high-speed train.
• Chamberí: a central, residential neighbourhood, well connected to the Castellana and with plenty of restaurants.
• Centro and Gran Vía: ideal if you are combining client meetings and want everything within walking distance.

Why an apartment is a better alternative to a hotel for business trips

For one or two nights, a hotel is usually enough. But when the trip gets longer, the room starts to feel small: you eat out every day, work from the bed and lose your routine. A corporate apartment works like a home in Madrid, with everything you need to live and work as normal:

• More space: separate living room, bedroom and work area, instead of a single room.
• Fully equipped kitchen: you can cook your own meals, eat well and cut down on meal expenses.
• Utilities included: electricity, water, wifi and applicable taxes are included in the rate, with no surprises on the bill.
• Reliable wifi and a place to work: for video calls and full working days without relying on a hotel lobby.
• Routine and rest: you feel at home, which is key when your stay lasts weeks or months.
• More predictable costs: for long stays, a fixed all-inclusive rate is usually easier to budget than hotel nights plus extras.

Be Mate apartments in Madrid by length of stay

Be Mate has four buildings in Madrid, with different terms depending on the length of stay:

How booking works for companies

With Business Traveller, Be Mate’s programme for companies, the process is simple:

1. You request a proposal with your dates, number of people and preferred area.
2. You receive a proposal with the available apartments and the terms, including the deposit if one is required.
3. You confirm the booking and the invoice is issued in the company’s name.
4. A dedicated account manager is your single point of contact throughout the stay, for changes, extensions or new bookings for your team.

Example: a three-month project in Madrid

Imagine a consultancy sending two people to Madrid for three months for a project with a client on the Castellana. In a hotel, that would be around 90 nights per person in a single room, with meals out and extra expenses. In an apartment in Chamberí, each professional has their own space, kitchen, wifi and utilities included, and the company receives the invoice in its name with a single point of contact. If one of the stays is extended, they just need to ask the account manager.

Accommodation for trade fairs and conferences at IFEMA

During major trade fairs, hotels near IFEMA fill up and prices rise. Staying in an area well connected to Metro line 8, such as Nuevos Ministerios, lets you reach the venue in a few minutes and return every evening to an apartment with space to rest, prepare meetings or work with your team. If a group of several people is coming, booking several apartments in the same building in advance makes logistics easier.

What corporate accommodation in Madrid should offer

Reliable wifi, a place to work, a fully equipped kitchen, cleaning, guest support, clear terms and, for companies, a single point of contact and invoices in the company’s name. With Business Traveller, Be Mate assigns a dedicated account manager, issues invoices in the company’s name and includes utilities, wifi and applicable taxes in the rate.

Frequently asked questions

Can the stay be invoiced to the company?
Yes, every confirmed booking generates an invoice in the company’s name.

Are utilities included?
Yes. Utilities, wifi and applicable taxes are included in the rate.

Is there a minimum stay?
It depends on the building: Be Mate Trafalgar and Be Mate Gran Vía Suites have no 32-night minimum stay; Be Mate Chamberí and Be Mate Blasco de Garay do.

Do I need to pay a deposit?
If one is required, it is stated in the initial proposal.

Is a hotel or an apartment better for a business trip?
For one or two nights, a hotel is usually enough. From a week onwards, an apartment offers more space, a kitchen and utilities included, and makes it easier to keep up your routine.

How do I request a proposal?
Fill in the Business Traveller form with your dates, number of people and preferred area.

→ Request a proposal for your team