Districts of Barcelona
Pick the district in Barcelona that is most suitable for you!
Each district of Barcelona has a unique setting and has something different to offer. We recommend you to do your homework when searching for the right place to stay before the start of your Erasmus Program – hunting for the right apartment in Barcelona is not easy. Below is a list of the 10 districts of Barcelona with a brief summary of its unique selling points. See which district attracts you.
Ciutat Vella
Ciutat Vella is a very touristy area so the restaurants and shops may be relatively more expensive. However, the rent in the area can be reasonable. Some areas are packed with museums, restaurants, and bars. As a result, you may want to avoid apartments with bars and restaurants underneath as the area can get crowded and noisy. Ciutat Vella is well connected to the University Area by Line 1,3 and 4. If you wish to live in the city center close to the beach and want a rich nightlife, this is the district!
Neighbourhoods in Ciutat Vella: La Barceloneta, El Gòtic, El Raval, Sant Pere, Santa Caterina, la Ribera
Eixample
The other district located in the city center is Eixample. Is a great choice if you are interested in architecture, food, and shopping. It is a showcase for Modernista architecture, including Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece, La Sagrada Família. It has a celebrated dining scene, along with high-end boutiques and wildly diverse nightlife. Eixample Esquerra and Corts neighborhood create the University Area, where the majority of students reside. Rent in Eixample can be expensive. The neighborhood has several universities including but not limited to Universidad de Barcelona, Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña’ and ESADE. Eixample is a great place to experience culture and nightlife.
Neighbourhoods in Eixample: L’Antiga Esquerra de l’Eixample, La Nova Esquerra de l’Eixample, Dreta de l’Eixample, Fort Pienc, Sagrada Família, Sant Antoni
Sarrià-Sant Gervasi
Sarrià-Sant Gervasi is a quiet residential area mainly resided by wealthy residents, located at the North-West of Barcelona, a bit edgy. The district is one of the nicest and safest one in Barcelona, with grand mansions and green areas. It has many areas that are village-like and many mansions with gardens. As such, it is considered the most chill and least urban district. Here, you can visit Gaudi’s hidden gems, Torre Bellesguard, Tibidabo amusement park, Sarrià- Sant Gervasi Park and Vallvidrera viewpoint. There are trendy bars, restaurants, and nightclubs where the young adults hang out. Shops in this district are primarily supermarkets, markets, and independent shops. Choose this district if you want to stay away from the bustle of the city.
Neighbourhoods in Eixample: El Putget i Farró, Sarrià, Sant Gervasi – la Bonanova, Sant Gervasi – Galvany, les Tres Torres, Vallvidrera, Tibidabo i les Planes
Sant Andreu
Sant Andreu is also a quiet district in the North-East of Barcelona. Although it is less known to tourists, its streets and plazas are rich in history and tradition. There are a number of authentic restaurants that serve some of the best tapas you will find in Barcelona, at very reasonable prices. You can experience excellent shopping in the old town and the La Maquinista shopping center. Although the district is located a little bit farer from the city centre, is really well connected with other parts of Barcelona. Moreover, thanks to the not central location rental prices of rooms and flats in this area are lower, so you can save money for trips or nightlife pleasures. From Sant Andreu you will easily get with a train or metro to every university or school in Barcelona and surroundings.
Neighbourhoods in Sant Andreu: Baró de Viver, Bon Pastor, El Congrés i els Indians, Navas, Sant Andreu de Palomar, La Sagrera i Trinitat Vella
Les Corts
Les Corts is located West of the city. You can find many shops, hotels, universities, restaurants, and bars. It is both a commercial and student area it has no tourist attraction to offer, except the FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou Stadium. The area also boasts a number of nice parks and a large shopping mall called L´Illa Diagonal, situated on one of Barcelona´s major roads called Avenida Diagonal. It hosts the main campus of University of Barcelona (UB), Polytechnical University of Catalunya (UPC) and IESE Business School.
Neighbourhoods in Les Corts: les Corts, la Maternitat i Sant Ramon, Pedralbes
Gràcia
Characterized by narrow streets and small alleyways and numerous plazas, Gràcia is certainly a district worth visiting. It is a hilly area with a vibrant bohemian aura. During the warmer months, the plazas are filled with people of all ages who gather to enjoy the sunshine. There are countless bars and restaurants to be found here. They are very popular amongst Barcelona’s younger population. Gràcia’s most well-known attraction is Gaudi´s, Park Guell. With beautiful views over the entire city and fascinating Gaudi creations, this is a must-see.
Neighbourhoods in Gràcia: Vila de Gràcia, el Camp d’en Grassot i Gràcia Nova, la Salut, el Coll, Vallcarca i els Penitents
Nou Barris
Nou Barris is primarily a residential area located North-East of the city center. There are many small bars and local restaurants hidden in the neighborhood. It is a quiet neighborhood with a local community relatively untouched by tourism. Historically, it is mainly a working-class and immigrant district. You may find a bargain apartment in this location. So, it is suitable for students on a budget. Also, the district boasts a good library. It has an easy access to the Collserola nature area.
Neighborhoods in Nou Barris: Can Peguera, Canyelles, Ciutat Meridiana, La Guineueta, Porta, La Prosperitat, les Roquetes, Torre Baró, la Trinitat Nova, El Turó de la Peira, Vallbona, Verdum, Vilapicina i la Torre Llobeta
Horta-Guinardó
Horta-Guinardó is probably the greenest district of Barcelona, located North-East of the city. As the area is absolutely not touristic, you will find mostly locals here. The district, featuring hills and steep streets, has fresher air and peaceful atmosphere. It stretches from the center to the Collserola nature reserve. Streets are mostly residential. Some streets are so steep that escalators have been installed. It is perfect for students on a low budget.
Neighbourhoods in Horta-Guinardó: El Baix Guinardó, El Guinardó, Can Baró, El Carmel, la Font d’en Fargues, Horta, la Clota, Montbau, Sant Genís dels Agudells, la Teixonera, La Vall d’Hebron
Sant Martí
Sant Martí is located East of the city center and has a coastal strip. There are commercial and business areas here so you can find many hotels, bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. It is a lively place to live in, particularly near the coast. There are several beaches and popular nightclubs like Opium, Pacha or Catwalk. Port Olímpic, Barcelona´s famous twin towers, and old industrial neighborhood El Poblenou are some of the main sights in the district of Sant Martí. It has a mixture of traditional architecture, industrial venues and modern shopping centers. It is close to both the city center as well as the beach, allowing you to enjoy the best of both worlds. You can find here universities and colleges like for example: Pompeu Fabra University ( Campus del Poblenou), BAU, Escola Superior de Disseny, L’Idem Barcelona, UPF Campus de la Ciutadella and many others.
Neighbourhoods in Sant Martí: El Besòs i el Maresme, el Clot, El Camp de l’Arpa del Clot, Diagonal Mar i el Front Marítim del Poblenou, el Parc i la Llacuna del Poblenou, Poblenou, Provençals del Poblenou, Sant Martí de Provençals, La Verneda i la Pau, la Vila Olímpica del Poblenou
Sants-Montjuïc
Sants-Montjuïc, the biggest district of Barcelona, covers the Southern part of the city and is home to popular attractions, mostly around the Montjuïc hill and Plaza Espanya areas. The other areas of the district are primarily residential areas. Montjuïc hill was the main site for the 1992 Barcelona Sants-Montjuïc Olympic Games. It has a great deal to offer: Poble Espanyol, Museum Palau Nacional, the funicular cable car, beautiful parks and gardens, and La Fira (the spectacular Magic Fountain at the foot of the hill in Plaza Espanya). Also found in this district is Barcelona´s major train station: Sants Estacio. It is home to the Arena, a large shopping center which was a former bullfighting area. That district is good for students of EAE Business School, Politècnica de Catalunya University or ESADE Barcelona.
Neighborhoods in Sants-Montjuïc: la Bordeta, la Font de la Guatlla, Hostafrancs, la Marina de Port, la Marina del Prat Vermell, El Poble-sec, Sants, Sants-Badal, Montjuïc, Zona Franca – Port
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