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10 awesome corporate retreat ideas in and around Barcelona
1. Get outdoors on the Costa Brava
The idyllic Costa Brava, located just an hour north of Barcelona, is a destination for nature lovers and thrillseekers. Groups can enjoy kayaking, snorkelling, bungee jumping, or hiking the trails of the Camí de Ronda for breathtaking views. Teams on a budget can organise their own Beach Olympics just about anywhere along the coast.Venues and operators: The Hotel Reymar in Tossa de Mar, the Alga in Calella de Palafrugell, and the Park Hotel San Jorge in Calonge all have sea views, state-of-the-art meeting spaces, and wellness amenities. Team building operators in the area offer sports, engineering, rock climbing, and other challenges. How to get there:Depending on your destination, the drive from Barcelona to the Costa Brava can take one or two hours. The trains from Sants and Passeig de Gràcia stations to Blanes take about 1.5 hours. On Renfe’s R1 train, you’ll enjoy a beautiful view of the coast. Best time to visit:Late September until mid-June offer lower prices, fewer crowds, and more local colour. Average budget: £-££
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2. Cultural immersion in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter
Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, with its narrow mediaeval streets and historic architecture, offers a rich cultural experience. Take a walking tour and learn about iconic landmarks like the Plaça Reial. Afterwards, pause for training or meetings, then take a tapas tasting tour to reward your team with some delicious Catalonian cuisine.Venues and operators:Choose one of the highly-rated walking tours from Viator or In Out Barcelona Tours. Then head onwards to a tapas tasting tour. With an excursion from The Barcelona Taste or Devour Tours (ideal for smaller groups), you can avoid tourist traps and experience authentic eats.How to get there:The Gothic Quarter is most accessible by the Barcelona metro and several bus routes. The L1, L3, and L4 metro lines service the area. Major bus routes include the 59, H16, and V17.Best time to visit:Spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures, fewer tourists, and opportunities to enjoy Holy Week and La Mercè, the city’s largest street festival.Average budget: ££-£££
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3. Wellness retreat in Montserrat
Montserrat, a mountain range about an hour from Barcelona, is an ideal destination for a wellness retreat. Teams can hike Montserrat’s scenic trails or unwind with yoga or meditation.Venues and operators:The Checkin Montserrat Hotel and Training Centre is designed with corporate groups in mind: there are numerous meeting and training rooms, and staff can arrange outdoor and on-site activities for parties of any size.How to get there:The drive from Barcelona to Montserrat takes about an hour. Travellers can also take a one-hour train from Plaça Espanya station to Montserrat-Aeri station, then an onward train to Montserrat.Best time to visit:The shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) are always a good bet, and trails are less busy on weekdays than on weekends. Early mornings and late afternoons are the most serene, and provide good lighting for photographs.Average budget: ££-£££
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4. Wine tasting in Penedès
The Penedès wine region, located southwest of Barcelona, is renowned for its vineyards and wineries. Participate in grape stomping during harvest season, enjoy wine tasting, or learn to pair local wines with Catalonian cuisine through interactive cooking classes.Venues and operators:Many wineries in the area offer meeting rooms and spaces for team-building activities centred around wine tasting. Mas Comtal, Codorníu, Albet i Noya, and the Can Bonastre Wine Resort are some retreat venues with event facilities, cooking classes, and other memorable experiences for groups.How to get there:The drive to Penedès takes 45-60 minutes. Trains from Sants Station to Vilafranca del Penedès run every half-hour during the day, and take about an hour. Various bus companies operate routes to Vilafranca del Penedès, making stops along the way. The trip takes a little over an hour.Best time to visit:Crowds increase in size during the autumn harvest, but opportunities abound to witness the winemaking process and participate in harvest festivals. In the spring, groups can enjoy wine tasting in the lush, green countryside with fewer crowds.Average budget: ££-££££
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5. Innovation workshops in the 22@ District
The 22@ District is the perfect place for tech-savvy teams to foster creativity and get inspired. This neighbourhood is home to various research institutions and innovation centres. Here, groups can host a workshop focused on creativity, design thinking, or entrepreneurship in any number of suitable spaces.Venues and operators: Co-working and event spaces like MOB, Aticco, and Utopicus, and innovation parks like Pier 01, La Salle Technova, and Impact Hub all offer state-of-the-art conference rooms in modern settings.How to get there:The 22@ District is bike-friendly and highly accessible by public transport. The L1 and L4 metro lines are close by. The T4, T5, and T6 tram lines run through the district. Key bus stops include Pujades-Llacuna, Tànger-Bajadoz, and Pujades-Roc Boronat.Average budget: ££-£££
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6. Sailing and water sports in Sitges
Sitges, a charming coastal town just 30 minutes from Barcelona, is ideal for a sailing and water sports retreat. Teams can sail the Mediterranean Sea or conduct their own Beach Olympics on the sandy shores of Sitges. Paddleboarding, windsurfing, and jet skiing are all fun and active ways to bond with coworkers.Venues and operators: There are many boat and water sports equipment rental companies, including the Escuela Náutica Sitges, Fuerte Boating, and Nootka Kayak & SUP. The ME Sitges Terramar, Hotel Calipolis, and the Sunway are a few central or beachfront hotels with meeting spaces and modern amenities for wellness.Best time to visit: May, early June, and early autumn are ideal for good weather, fewer crowds, and notable events. The Sitges Film Festival in October and Carnaval in February are important cultural experiences.How to get there: The drive from Barcelona to Sitges takes 30 to 40 minutes. Trains to Sitges from França or Sants stations run every 15 to 30 minutes; the journey usually takes around 30 to 40 minutes.Average budget: £££-££££
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7. Culinary experience at La Boqueria Market
La Boqueria, Barcelona’s famous food market, is an experience worth savouring. Teams can learn about local gastronomy through market tours, and cook up classic dishes like paella in cooking classes. Venues and operators: Barcelona Eat Local and Food Lover Tours organise highly-rated tours of the market. Cook&Taste, Born to Cook, and Just Royal BCN combine market tours with cooking classes.Best time to visit: Tourism surges in the summer. Weekdays, particularly during morning hours, tend to see fewer crowds, fully stocked market stalls, and opportunities to meet vendors.How to get there: La Boqueria is close to the L1 and L3 metro lines. The 24, 55, 59, H16, and V13 buses also stop within walking distance of the market.Average budget: ££-£££
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8. Artistic inspiration in El Raval
The bohemian neighbourhood of El Raval is an excellent day-trip destination for creative teams. Groups can explore the area’s colourful street art with a guided tour, get inspired with a visit to the MACBA (Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona), or get their creative juices flowing through a painting, street art, or sculpture workshop.Venues and operators: Barcelona Street Style Tour operates walking tours and spray-painting workshops. Street Art Barcelona offers walking tours, creative workshops, and collective art installations.Best time to visit: Tourism surges in the summer. Spring and autumn offer pleasant weather and enjoyable outdoor activities and events. Weekdays are quieter than weekends, but weekends offer more exciting nightlife.How to get there: El Raval is highly accessible by public transit. The L1, L2, and L3 metro lines run through the neighborhood. Key bus stops include Ronda de Sant Antoni-Mercat Sant Antoni, La Rambla-Liceu, Avinguda del Paral-lel, and Plaça de Catalunya.Average budget: £-££
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9. Build a human tower or be a gladiator in Tarragona
Groups can dive into Catalonia’s Roman history with a trip to the seaside city of Tarragona. Team members can immerse themselves in the National Archaeological Museum’s extensive collection of artefacts, or walk back in time among the city’s numerous ruins. Historical role-playing games and human tower workshops offer opportunities to laugh, bond, and consider business scenarios from different angles.Venues and operators: Several centrally-located hotels in Tarragona offer meeting facilities and updated conference rooms. The SB Hotel Ciutat de Tarragona, the AC Hotel Tarragona, and the Hotel Astari are also within walking distance of the beach.Best time to visit: Tarragona has an active events calendar all year round. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to enjoy interesting festivals (such as the Roman festival and the human castle competition), comfortable weather, and fewer tourists.How to get there: The drive from Barcelona takes 1-1.5 hours depending on traffic conditions. Direct trains to Tarragona leave from França or Sants stations. The journey from Sants Station takes one hour and ten minutes, while the train from França Station takes about 1.5 hours. A direct bus leaves the Nord bus station and takes 1.5-2 hours depending on the route.Average budget: ££-£££
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10. Eco-retreat in the Pyrenees
The Pyrenees Mountains are the perfect setting for an eco-retreat focused on nature and sustainability, where you can explore the region’s biological diversity on a guided hike. Bird-watching, meditating in nature, and forest bathing encourage a deeper connection with nature. Colleagues can put their abilities to the test through a weekend of outdoor survival skills workshops.Venues and operators:Hotel Can Boix, La Garriga de Castelladral, and the Cerdanya Eco-Resort are environmentally friendly lodges with stately meeting rooms, wellness programs, and locally-sourced organic food. Staff can also arrange group outings and activities. Guies Arania and Adventure Bug can organise survival workshops for groups.Best time to visit: May and September offer mild weather, fewer crowds, and beautiful scenery. Summer provides a wide range of outdoor activities and longer daylight hours for exploration. Cold weather is the perfect time for winter sports.How to get there: Reaching the Pyrenees from Barcelona by car or train can take roughly 2-4 hours depending on the destination. Inclement winter weather can sometimes affect train times and cause road closures.Average budget: ££-£££
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