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EnglishThe best student neighbourhoods in Barcelona
- Les Corts: the closest area to the campuses of the Autonomous University of Barcelona and the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, within walking distance. Lively during the week and quiet in the evenings and at weekends, it is away from the city centre and prices are not always cheap.
- Vila Olímpica: a former industrial area that has become one of the most modern parts of the city, with supermarkets, stadiums, gyms, shopping centres, transport, nearby beaches and the UPF library.
- Gràcia: popular for its terraces, bars and varied food scene, with a strong neighbourhood feel close to the centre. On the downside, traffic is heavy, it can be noisy and parking is difficult.
- Sants: cafés, restaurants and late-night bars, a shopping centre with about 500 shops, and Sants Estació station, the public transport hub with several metro stations and bus lines. The area is close to the main Catalan university.
- Key point: you will usually have to choose between living close to the campuses and living close to the nightlife in the centre, as the two rarely go together.
Barcelona, a world-famous Spanish city, attracts many tourists every year, and not only tourists. At the start of each academic year, Spain's second city draws many young people who come for their higher education. Barcelona is without doubt an ideal city to live in as a student and to take a first step into the working world. In this article, discover the best student neighbourhoods in Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia.
Les Corts: the university district
Les Corts is the Barcelona district closest to the university campuses:
- the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB)
- the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC).
No need to take public transport to get to classes: you can walk everywhere. This district also has many shops and services for students. Les Corts is lively during the week but always fairly quiet in the evenings and at weekends. Although it is well connected, it is away from the city centre, so you will need public transport to enjoy Barcelona's other nightlife areas. Finding accommodation should not be too difficult: you can find spacious flats, perfect for sharing. Be aware, though, that prices are not always cheap.
Vila Olímpica (Olympic Village)
Once an industrial area, Vila Olímpica is now one of the most modern districts of Barcelona. It offers residents a range of services, such as supermarkets, stadiums and gyms, public transport, beauty salons and shopping centres. You can also enjoy the nearby beaches, leisure options, nightlife and the spectacular UPF library.
Gràcia: the lively district
Gràcia is very popular for its terraces, bars and varied food scene. With its strong neighbourhood life, it is an ideal area for students who like going out with friends. This very lively district is close to the centre. Be aware, though, that it is usually congested, which makes it noisy, and parking is very difficult.
Sants: a legendary district
Sants is one of the most attractive districts of Barcelona. Known for its wide choice of cafés, restaurants and late-night bars, it is a place where students can go out with friends. The area also has a large shopping centre with about 500 shops and local stores. Sants Estació, the city's main station, is another reason for the area's appeal: it is the central hub for public transport, with several metro stations and bus lines. Finally, the district is close to the main Catalan university. Would you like to invest in an apartment in Barcelona or a house in Barcelona in one of these Barcelona neighbourhoods? Contact us!
Romain Traversino is head of the Barcelona office of Alveo Search (Alveo group). He supports international buyers with their property projects in Barcelona and in Catalonia, from search to signing. He speaks six languages and shares his advice on choosing neighbourhoods, analysing prices and buying remotely.
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