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The best neighborhoods to stay in Barcelona
Discover the best neighborhoods to live in Barcelona. We'll tell you everything you need to know about them
The capital of Catalonia is a Mediterranean city with a strong economy, high quality of life, and a rich cultural scene. These qualities make it an attractive place for people from around the world to settle for a time, but which are the best neighborhoods to live in Barcelona?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the best neighborhoods in the Catalan capital for different types of visitors, since the experience of working remotely as a digital nomad is not the same as being an international student. We’ll go over what each area has to offer, from safety and connectivity to education, culture, and transport. Barcelona is ready to welcome you!
The 3 best areas to live in Barcelona
This vibrant city of over one and a half million residents, with a metropolitan area that exceeds five million, blends history, culture, and modern life with both the sea and the mountains.
Living in Barcelona doesn’t come cheap, much like in Madrid, so it’s worth weighing a few key factors before deciding which neighborhood is the best fit
1. Eixample
Living in L’Eixample means being right in the heart of the city. It’s the most populated district, home to around 262,000 people, and it’s where you’ll find major landmarks like the Sagrada Família.
Made up of neighborhoods like La Dreta de l’Eixample, Antiga Esquerra, Nova Esquerra, Fort Pienc, Sagrada Família and Sant Antoni, this district is without a doubt one of the best places to live in Barcelona, and here is why:
- Notable hospitals: Hospital Clinic and Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau.
- Nearby universities: University of Barcelona, Polytechnic University of Catalonia, and EAE Business School.
- Infrastructure and transportation: Perfect connectivity thanks to metro lines L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5 and multiple bus stops.
- Cultural and leisure offerings: Paseo de Gracia, Casa Batlló, La Rambla, La Pedrera, Casa Milà, Sagrada Familia, and Teatre Coliseum.
- Urban quality: According to the 2023 Urban Quality Report from the Barcelona City Council, the area stands out for its clean air and convenient access to essential services, with 95% of residents living within 300 meters of a pharmacy or supermarket.
- Rental price: Average price of $1,818 per month.
2. Gràcia
Barcelona’s sixth district is the smallest of them all, covering just 4.19 square kilometers and home to around 124,000 people. It includes the neighborhoods of Vallcarca i els Penitents, El Coll, La Salut, Vila de Gràcia and El Camp d’en Grassot i Gràcia Nova. Known for its bohemian, artistic and social vibe, the area hosts a wide range of community activities.
- Notable hospitals: Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau and Hospital Clínic de Barcelona.
- Nearby universities: Universitat Abat Oliba CEU, Escola Massana (UAB)
- Green spaces: Parc de la Creueta del Coll and proximity to Parc Güell.
- Digital connectivity and coworking spaces: It has several coworking spaces and good fiber optic connections.
- Safety and peaceful environment: Most of its streets are pedestrianized with low traffic.
- Cultural offerings: Teatre Lliure, Cine Verdi, independent bookstores, and art galleries.
- Urban quality: Data from Barcelona’s 2024 Urban Mobility Plan show that it is one of the districts with the lowest noise pollution, thanks to its traffic-restricted areas.
- Rental price: Average price of $2,000 per month.
3. Sarrià – Sant Gervasi
Another great area to live in Barcelona is the fifth district, home to around 140,000 people. Located in the Collserola hills, it stands out for having the city’s lowest unemployment rate. This residential district is calm and family-friendly. Here are its main amenities:
- Nearby hospitals: Teknon and Hospital Quirónsalud.
- Nearby universities: ESADE Business School, Ramon Llull University, and International University of Catalonia (UIC)
- Green areas: Collserola Natural Park and Turó del Putxet Gardens.
- Safety: One of the districts with the lowest crime rate in Barcelona, according to data from Mossos d’Esquadra 2023.
- Cultural offerings: CosmoCaixa Barcelona, Casa Orlandai, and Teatre de Sarrià.
- Air quality: Its elevated location and proximity to Collserola mean it has better air quality than the city center.
- Rental price: Average price of $2,063 per month.
The best areas to live as a digital nomad in Barcelona
For digital nomads searching for neighborhoods with plenty of coworking spots, strong connectivity, and a lively community for networking, these are the two areas in Barcelona you should check out.
Poblenou
Located in the 22@ district, this neighborhood is Barcelona’s tech hub, with plenty of coliving and coworking options for remote workers. Bogatell Beach is just a 15-minute walk away, ideal for relaxing after work. Here is more information:
- Coworking spaces: Aticco Poblenou and Talent Garden, from $150 per month.
- Coliving spaces: The Social Hub, from $136 per night, with discounts for long stays.
- Connectivity: High-speed fiber optic internet access and extensive 5G coverage.
- Transportation: Llacuna metro line (L4) and several bus lines.
Gràcia
Another great area for remote workers is any of the neighborhoods in Gràcia. The streets here have a vibrant, multicultural vibe that attracts a large community of nomads and creatives. Here are some more highlights:
- Coworking spaces: La Vaca Coworking and MOB Bailén with prices starting at $170 per month.
- Coliving spaces: The Lofttown, with prices starting at $682 per month for a private room.
- Connectivity: High-speed fiber optic internet and extensive 5G coverage.
- Transportation: Good connections thanks to the L5 and L4 metro stations and several bus lines.
Always connected in Barcelona
Although Barcelona offers excellent connectivity, the best way to stay reliably online anywhere in the city is by using Holafly Plans.
You can work remotely from the beach or the mountains, with 5G coverage, unlimited data, and simultaneous connection on two devices for $64.90 per month.
Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 170 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍
The best areas to live as a student in Barcelona
The best neighborhoods for students in Barcelona are those close to major universities, with good transport options and affordable housing.
Whether you are an international student coming to the city for a Spanish language course or starting a university program, pick the neighborhood that suits you best:
Les Corts
The city’s fourth district is known for its proximity to the main universities. It is also a calm and safe area, offering plenty of student-friendly amenities such as libraries, shopping centers, restaurants, and entertainment options.
- Nearby universities: Campus Nord of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) and ESADE Business School.
- Student residences: Livensa Living Barcelona, Xior Barcelona Sants, and Residencia Universitaria Aleu, starting at $571 for a double room.
- Libraries: Les Corts Library, Miquel Llongueras, Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 8:30 pm, Saturdays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
- Transportation: Metro lines L3 and L5 and tram.
Eixample
Many students choose to live in L’Eixample for its lively, central setting, packed with cafés, bookstores, libraries, and a rich cultural scene. If you enjoy balancing your studies with the vibrant life of Barcelona, this district is perfect for you:
- Nearby universities: University of Barcelona (UB) and Pompeu Fabra University (UPF).
- Student residences: Residència Balmes and Barcelona Student Housing from $852 for a single room.
- Libraries: Sagrada Família Library, Josep M. Ainaud de Lasarte Library, Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 8:30 pm, Saturdays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
- Transportation: Metro lines L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5.
What is the best neighborhood to live in Barcelona?
Our choice for the best neighborhood to live in Barcelona is Eixample, a district that we have mentioned several times in this article.
According to the Barcelona City Council and the 2023 Quality of Life in Barcelona report, Eixample ranks among the districts with the best access to healthcare, education, and transport.
It also offers a rich cultural scene and plenty of green spaces, with 3.5 square meters per resident. On top of that, it is one of the safest areas in the central district, according to the 2023 Barcelona Safety Report.
In short, it is an area that offers everything nomads or students need, from transport and connectivity to safety, entertainment, and a high quality of life. So, are you ready to make L’Eixample your home?
Frequently asked questions about the best neighborhoods to live in Barcelona
Eixample and Sarrià-Sant Gervasi are the districts with the lowest crime rates according to municipal data from 2023.
Eixample, Les Corts, and Ciutat Universitària have the closest universities, as well as prestigious business schools.
The Raval and L’Eixample districts have many theaters, museums, art galleries, and bookstores.
Poblenou and Gràcia have the highest number of coworking spaces and coliving spaces, and this is where the largest number of nomads are located.
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Hi! I'm a Spanish-English translator working with Holafly, helping bring travel content to life for curious travelers. As a digital nomad with a passion for exploring, I'm always adding new spots to my bucket list. If you love to travel like me, stick around because you're in the right place to find inspiration for your next trip! ✈️🌍
