Experience in Barcelona, Spain, by Mireia

What is it like living in Barcelona? Would you recommend it?

Barcelona is a prodigious city. It is very nice and if offers quite a few possibilities however it's also very expensive and has lots of people.

Whats the student life like in Barcelona?

There are lots of students scattered around the entire city and the nearby village

How much does it cost to live in Barcelona?

Sharing a flat come out to around 200€ per month, plus bills which tend to be around 100-150€. Transport is also expensive and you can easily spend 50-100€ per month so altogether one month can cost you a minimum of 450-500€.

Was it difficult to find accommodation in Barcelona? What advice would you have?

It isn't hard to find accommodation but it's a bit complicated finding a place that's downtown and in good condition, therefore it's recommended to find a flat near public transport.

How is the local food? What are your favorite dishes?

In Barcelona you'll find food from all over the place but the most typical food from there is the paella, the snails, the Catalan custards...

What would you recommend visiting in Barcelona?

There are many interesting monuments here, the most typical ones being the Sagrada Familia, the Pedrera, the Casa Batlló, the Gothic Quarter... and other less-known ones like churches and patios that are right downtown near the Plaza cataluña. You need to search for Gothic areas and parks near the zoo (though I don't recommend actually visiting the zoo).

And where are your favorite places to eat?

I like less commercial restaurants, those tend to be the best, small places with great service.

Where would you recommend going partying in Barcelona

First of all be very careful with theft and holdups.

The best parties in the capital can be found in the Drassanes and La Rambla neighborhoods, there are numerous locales appealing to different all types of tastes. I would also recommend going to nearby cities like Mataro

Do you have any advice for future students going to Barcelona?

Barcelona is expensive but nice. It's big but it's structured by neighborhoods and the life in each neighborhood resembles the life in a small town.