Logistics

The Build Peace conference will be held at the La CIBA, located at Ps. de, Passeig de Llorenç Serra, 64, 08921 Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Barcelona, Spain (see map here). Below you will find information about accommodation in Santa Coloma, Barcelona and surroundings, visas to Spain and other important logistical matters.

Consulta la nota logística en Español aquí.

Visas to Spain

A Schengen visa to Spain is required for some nationalities. To determine whether and what type of visa you require, please visit this list. Visa processing may take up to 45 days, so please schedule your visa appointments accordingly. Some other countries are exempt of a visa. Regardless if you need a visa or not, you must have a passport or ID card during the period of stay.

For additional information on the visa process, navigating information, and required documentation you can refer to the visa note.

For those that require a Schengen visa, please email buildpeace@howtobuildup.org if you require a letter indicating you are registered for the conference to support your application. Please note that we cannot provide individual invitation letters. 

Accommodation in Santa Coloma, Barcelona, and surroundings

For easy accessibility to the venue we recommend you stay in Santa Coloma de Gramenet or in one of the surrounding municipalities like Badalona, or anywhere in Barcelona near a L1 (red metro line) station. For a recommendation of hotels, please visit the Accommodation section of the Logistics note.

Getting around Antipolo / Metro Manila

Transportation

Santa Coloma de Gramenet is perfectly connected to Barcelona and its metropolitan area, making it easy to get around both for those staying in the city and for those traveling from nearby areas such as Badalona or Sant Andreu. We recommend using Google Maps or the official metropolitan transport app (TMB App) to plan your trips in real time.

  • Metro: Line 1 (L1, red line) is the main access route. The closest stations to La CIBA are Santa Coloma and Baró de Viver.
  • Bus: Several urban and metropolitan bus lines connect Santa Coloma with other areas. The most important are lines B14, B20, B25 and H4.

Taxi stations are also available near La CIBA, or they can be requested through apps such as Free Now, Uber, Bolt or Cabify.

Data and Communications

Barcelona and Santa Coloma have good 4G and 5G coverage. You can connect via roaming (check with your carrier) or purchase a local SIM card.

Where to buy them 

  • At the airport: The Tech & Fly stores in both terminals and the Tienda del Viajero store in Terminal 2 are safe options for purchasing Spanish prepaid SIM cards.
  • Around the city: mobile phone stores (Movistar, Orange, Vodafone, Yoigo) or in supermarkets such as FNAC or El Corte Inglés.
  • eSims: Airalo, Nomad in HolaFly
    Price: from €10 for prepaid plans with enough mobile data for several days.
  • Requirements: Passport is required for SIM registration.

WiFi at the event: During the conference, free Wi-Fi will be available to all participants at La Ciba. Login details will be provided upon registration.

Currency and Payment Methods

The official currency in Spain is the Euro (€). Coins and banknotes in circulation are the same in all countries in the eurozone. International credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) are widely accepted in shops, restaurants, accommodations, and transportation. It’s recommended to carry at least one working card for payments. Although most payments are made by card, it’s advisable to carry a small amount of cash for minor expenses (markets, small shops, cafés). Many ATMs allow cash withdrawals with foreign cards. If you have a card with low fees abroad (such as Revolut, Wise, or N26), it can be helpful to avoid unnecessary fees for currency conversions or withdrawals.

ATMs and currency exchange: There are several ATMs near La Ciba (CaixaBank, BBVA, Banco Santander). Cash currency exchange is available at currency exchange offices at the airport or in downtown Barcelona, ​​although fees may be high.

For recommendations on where to eat, what to do and further information on the venue, medical services, appropriate attire for Spain in November & more, please refer to our complete logistics note.