Student life in Barcelona: choosing a neighborhood
Barcelona has long been considered one of the most attractive cities in Europe for students. Thousands of young people come here every year to study and enjoy life in a metropolis by the sea. Deciding where to live becomes a key issue for anyone planning to study in the Catalan capital. Your choice of neighborhood affects not only how easy it is to get to university, but also your leisure opportunities, rental costs, and even your social circle.
Popular neighborhoods for students
There are several districts in the city that students traditionally choose. Les Corts is especially popular thanks to its proximity to the university campus and excellent transport connections. It’s easy to reach campus buildings by metro, tram, or bus from here. Gracia and Eixample are also in high demand: the former is known for its informal vibe and creative spirit, while the latter stands out for its central location and well-developed infrastructure. For those who appreciate a historic environment and vibrant nightlife, Poble-sec, Sant Antoni, and the Gothic Quarter are ideal. These areas offer easy access to different parts of the city and a wide variety of venues for entertainment.
Close to the University of Barcelona
The main building of the University of Barcelona is located in the city center, making it convenient for students to live in Eixample, Ciutat Vella, Sant Antoni, or Gracia. These neighborhoods provide quick access to lecture halls and offer a wide selection of cafés, libraries, and other amenities. For those studying at the Bellvitge campus, Hospitalet de Llobregat is an optimal choice—housing is more affordable and there are good transport links to the city. Many also choose Les Corts or Sants to minimize commuting time.
Student housing for UPC
The UPC university zone is located in Les Corts, so this neighborhood and nearby Sants, Pedralbes, as well as Hospitalet de Llobregat are popular choices among engineering students. For those attending the School of Architecture on Avenida Diagonal, Les Corts and Sants are particularly convenient. If classes are held at the School of Nautical Studies by the port, it’s worth considering the Gothic Quarter or Poble Sec.
Neighborhoods for UPF students
Students at Pompeu Fabra University prefer to live in Ciutat Vella, especially in El Born and the Gothic Quarter, as well as in Poble Nou and Sant Marti. These areas are close to the Ciutadella, Poblenou, and Mar campuses, allowing for a short walk or bike ride to class. More affordable apartments can be found in El Clot, which also offers good transport connections.
Options for UAB students
The main UAB campus is located in Bellaterra, outside Barcelona. Many students choose to live in Sabadell, Cerdanyola, Sant Cugat del Valles, or Badia del Valles, all of which have easy train access to the campus. Those who prefer to live in Barcelona often select Gracia, Sant Andreu, or Sants due to their convenient train connections to Bellaterra.
Housing near private universities
Barcelona is also home to several prestigious private universities. Universitat Ramon Llull has campuses in Eixample, Sarrià, and Les Corts. Universitat Internacional de Catalunya is located in Sarrià — a prestigious but expensive district. ESADE students often live in Sant Cugat del Vallès, but some prefer Gracia or Sarrià due to a direct train connection. Universitat Abat Oliba CEU is also situated in Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, known for its peaceful atmosphere. EADA Business School is located in the city center, near Plaça Universitat and Eixample. The choice of neighborhood depends on where the university is: if classes are in the center, students tend to live in Eixample, Sarrià, or Gracia; if the campus is on the outskirts, they opt for the suburbs or student residences.
