Ingrid's Experience in Barcelona, Spain

What attracts you to living in Barcelona? Do you recommend it? What's it like?

Barcelona is a fantastic city to live in, although I prefer the centre more, I also like the cities on the outskirts. These are cities such as Sant Joan Despí, Hospitalet Centro, Esplugues, Sant Just, offer more peace and quiet compared to a flat in the centre of Barcelona but you can also get to the centre of Barcelona in 10-15 minutes via public transport. The main difficulty of living in Barcelona is that it has become a tourist city because it has mountains, beaches and millions of services in the same area. This has increased prices and has increased the number of people that want to live there so getting there via private transport is a bit difficult. The tradition of the city has been lost slightly, but even so, you can find traditional shops and bars if that's what you are looking for.

Source

What's the student lifestyle like in Barcelona?

It is fantastic. In every corner of Barcelona there is a university so the population of study age is huge and almost all of us always go to the same places so there is always lots on offer.

How much does it cost to live in Barcelona?

Barcelona is an expensive city to live in if you're in the centre, and you will have to pay for public transport which isn't cheap. The restaurants are not cheap either if you don't opt for what's on offer Monday-Friday. The rest of the shops are the usual that you would find in any city so the prices aren't that bad. I would recommend going out of the centre to buy food.

Was it difficult to find accommodation in Barcelona? Do you have any advice?

I already live in Barcelona and that's why it wasn't difficult for me, but I know of people who are looking for flats. Usually, the prices are high and the conditions are not very good but among them, you can find a good one in the middle of Barcelona.

What’s the country’s food like? What are your favourite dishes?

The food follows a Mediterranean diet, which is one of the best in the world. If you can do a route, I recommend you go to the beach, places like Vic, or Vielha, and go and eat at a traditional restaurant. But visit Pals, Begur, etc. which are beach places. My main advice is to not be fooled and sit in the middle of Las Ramblas because that is not real Catalan food. Currently, there are lots of good restaurants in Barcelona but few with traditional food so look on TripAdvisor and you will find wonders.

What places do you recommend visiting in Barcelona?

The typical things to see are the Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló and La Pedrera, but I recommend that you get the bus and do a route along the coast or to the mountains and discover the beautiful countryside of Cataluna.

Source

Source

What about eating out in Barcelona? What are your favourite places?

In Catalunya Square: Konig, FresCo, Cent Focs

In Gracia: Faborit Café

McDonalds Ronda University

Enrique Granados: Miu, Flamant

La Barceloneta: Dunkin Coffee in Maremagnum

Muntaner o Aribau: Crep Nova, La Flauta

Where do you recommend for nightlife in Barcelona?

Bling Bling

Costa Breve, on Thursdays drinks are 2 euros

Sutton

Hospitalet de Llobregat: Malalts de Festa

Cornellà: Verano-Aire

I don't recommend the port area because the prices are really high and it is full of foreigners.

Do you have any advice for future students in Barcelona?

Enjoy your stay here because Barcelona has everything you want and more. Cojed T-10 for public transport. Don't eat at the tourist places that you find. Be careful of your bags and purses, and above all, remember suncream because you already know that the Mediterranean weather is sunny. Also, if you can don't go to La Barceloneta, go to Castelldefels or Gavà. Oh, and if you go to La Barceloneta don't take drinks from people that offer them to you. One last thing, Google Maps is really useful- it can get you anywhere.

Source