From a glittering neoclassical palace to a historic monastery, here are five event spaces in Europe that every discerning event planner should have on their radar
1. Palácio da Bolsa, Portugal
Built in the 19th century, the Palácio da Bolsa serves as the headquarters of the Porto Commercial Association, and is a National Monument recognised for its impressive neoclassical architecture and luxurious interiors.
The 506m2 marble atrium, Pátio das Nações, is able to take 550 pax banquet-style, while the gilded Arabian Room can take up to 220 pax banquet-style. Inspired by the Alhambra Palace in Granada, The Arab Room – covered in intricate gold leaf and Arabic motifs – took 18 years to complete, and is used to welcome heads of state and official delegations.
2. Magazin Grando, Slovenia
Located right by the sea in Portorose on the way to Piran, is this former salt warehouse. Dating back to the first half of the 19th century, salt workers brought the annual yield from their personal storage buildings in salt pans to this warehouse at the end of the salt-harvesting season.
The building features 2.5m-thick walls and approximately 28m-long supporting beams, with even longer one-piece wooden beams above them – the longest of their kind in Slovenia. Magazin Grando’s capacity ranges from 200 to a maximum of 1,500 people, and can be divided into four sections.
3. Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp, Belgium
This five-star hotel is housed in a former monastery dating back to the 13th century. Originally part of the Saint Elisabeth hospital complex founded in 1238, the monastery once served as a spiritual and healing centre run by religious orders. Over the centuries, it was expanded to include a chapel (still standing today as the oldest structure on-site), a rectory, guesthouses, and a medicinal herb garden that evolved into Antwerp’s renowned Botanical Garden.
The property offers 108 rooms and 14 event spaces ranging from intimate rooms to grand halls, with capacities of up to 350 guests. On-site catering is provided by Silverspoon, led by three-star Michelin chef Viki Geunes.
4. Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre, Iceland
This striking waterfront landmark in Reykjavik was designed by Danish firm Henning Larsen Architects in collaboration with Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson, and offers a variety of multifunctional spaces.
Eldborg is the striking centrepiece of Harpa, instantly recognisable for its bold, fiery red interior inspired by Iceland’s volcanic landscapes. The hall seats up to 1,700 guests, and is apt for concerts, performances, and large events. Meanwhile, Silfurberg is the venue’s largest conference venue, seating up to 840 guests in a flexible, high-tech environment. There are also four cosy meeting rooms for up to six people each on Harpa’s fourth floor.
5. Finlandia Hall, Finland
After three years of renovation, Finlandia Hall – designed by Finnish architect Alvar Aalto – reopened earlier this year in January 2025. Housed in the main building, the largest meeting space is the Finlandia Hall Auditorium with 1,672 seats, while other spaces include the Congress Hall with 900 seats, and the Helsinki Hall Auditorium with 340 seats. There are also 15 smaller meeting rooms.
F&B options include Finlandia Bistro, serving modern dishes made with Finnish ingredients; and Finlandia Café & Wine, a 100-seater option with a viewing terrace. There is also a shop specialising in Finnish products, as well as two apartments that can be booked. Originally designed as staff residences, the restored apartments have been decorated in Aalto’s style.
