Experience in Barcelona, Spain by Andrea

What is it like to live in Barcelona? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Barcelona is a city big enough to have lots of things to do but small enough to feel like home in little time.

The city allows you to do lots of different things depending of your mood, weather or interest. It has a whole range of cultural events such as spring music festivals, expositions and events and the best thing, you have both mountain and sea just a few bus stops away!

What is the student lifestyle like in Barcelona?

Barcelona is a young city, students can find everyday cultural, entertaining or sport activities and events in different places. You can party everyday depending on your interests and the charming young neighbourhood of Gracia hosts a large amount of bars and pubs open every night. There are also a lot of international flats and student residences with a good ambience and a lot of entertainment offers.

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How much does it cost to live in Barcelona?

Barcelona is not an expensive city, shared flats rent costs around 300 and 350€/month and if you are patient enough and avoid very tourist areas the restaurant prices are really good. Most of the places have discounts for young people (under 25) and students, such as cinemas, museums and some shops too. The public transportation have a lot of offers for regular users and students.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Barcelona? Is there any advice you can give?

Finding a places is not very hard, the difficulty rests in finding a good place in a good neighbourhood. I personally recommend living in the centre of the city which is perfectly communicated in metro or bus, Example for those who like good architecture and a quiet and familiar neighbourhood but enjoy good cafés and restaurants or Gracia for that ones who like to stay awake late every night. Avoid the tourist area, such as Ramblas or Plaza Catalunya, the prices are really high and you will not have good facilities such as supermarkets or pharmacies.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Mediterranean food is a healthy and tasty cooking. We love salads and good fish and we are not really into heavy meals but we are really open at foreign food so you can find Italian, Japanese, Mexican, etc. food in every corner.

I really recommend trying gazpacho in summer and a good Pa amb tomàquet (bread with tomato). Barceloneta is the best place if you are looking for a good paella.

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What places would you recommend visiting in Barcelona?

El Born is one of my favourite places in Barcelona, full of nice wine bars and cafés, is a charming and old neighbourhood in which you will love to take a walk and get lost until it gets dark. There entering Santa Maria del Mar Cathedral is a must.

Spending the morning in Ciutadella Park, and having lunch in the sea front is a good saturday plan.

I really recommend going to the MNAC, Carmel Bunkers or Carretera de les Aigües for good views of the city.

Is it good to eat out in Barcelona? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

If you are looking for good Mediterranean food in a good price you have to visit El Mussol. But if you are more into international food, Gracia is your place, there you will find anything you're looking for.

For good patatas bravas and a cold beer you have to go to El Tomás in the cute little neighbourhood of Sarrià.

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Is the night life good in Barcelona? Where is good to go?

Barcelona has night life every night, Gracia is the bar neighbourhood of the city but we have a lot of discos too. The better ones are Apolo (on Monday to Thursday), Razzmatazz (for Fridays or Saturdays) or all the area of Carrer Aribau (Friday and Saturday).

What advice would you give future students heading to Barcelona?

Find time to discover all the little and wonderful little places that only the locals know about. It's worth to spend some time walking around and visiting, not just partying, because you will spend an amazing time in Barcelona.