Where to live in Barcelona as a student: a neighborhood guide

Compare prices and uni access to find the best neighborhoods to live in Barcelona as a student, whether it is Gracia, Eixample, El Poblenou, or Les Corts.

Angelina

11 minute read

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Updated on 18 May 2026

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Living

It's easy to get carried away by the city center's popularity when deciding where to live in Barcelona as a student. But there are neighborhoods offering a better quality of life and more affordable housing, all the while ensuring that your university and the vibrant nightlife of Barcelona (https://housinganywhere.com/Barcelona--Spain/nightlife-in-barcelona-best-nightclubs) are around the corner.

So, to escape tourist traps and unsafe areas of Barcelona, we advise you to stay in neighborhoods such as:

• Gracia,
• L'Antiga Esquerra de l'Eixample,
• El Poblenou,
• La Maternitat i Sant Ramon.

Let's see what they have in store for you!

Key takeaways:

• Gracia offers a balanced quality of life, community, and is well-connected by public transport, with private rooms averaging €400–€1,290.
• L'Antiga Esquerra de l'Eixample is LGBTQI+ friendly and well-connected, with average rental prices of €395–€1,410.
• El Poblenou is an up-and-coming neighborhood with a calm atmosphere, offering private rooms from €490–€940.
• La Maternitat i Sant Ramon is located near major universities, with private rooms ranging from €480-€1,150.

Universities and libraries

Gracia is home to 2 universities:

• IED Barcelona
• INSA Business, Marketing & Communication School

Here you'll also find Vila de Gracia and Jaume Fuster libraries, two of the best ones in town!

Internationality

Gracia's a neighborhood with a deeply rooted Catalan character. Many of its residents are lifelong neighbors. That's probably why it's lately become more popular among internationals who want to escape tourist crowds and get a taste of local life. In the end, you get the best of both worlds!

Rental prices

You can expect to pay around €400–€1,290 for a private room in a shared student residence in Gracia.

Quality of life

Gracia is one of the favorite Barcelona neighborhoods to live in for people of all walks of life. Due to its history as a separate town, the neighborhood still stands out for its balanced quality of life and communal feel. That's probably why

locals still call it a 'village within the city,' describing it as both lively and quiet.

You'll find peace as you walk along the little backstreets lined with independent art galleries and small shops. But as you reach one of its animated plazas, Gracia's meeting points, you'll witness its neighbourhood spirit in full swing. Young and old, locals and foreigners, families and students enjoy a peaceful moment on terraces in Gracia.

This neighborhood is a great fit if you'd like to immerse yourself in Catalan culture while still having places to go!

Things to do

The Gracia neighborhood is very well connected to the rest of the city with public transport. Green and yellow metro lines cross the neighborhood - you can be in the city center or at Barceloneta beach in mere 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a bus or bike, which won't take you much longer!

This neighborhood has a great atmosphere for students. Carrer de Verdi street is one of the locals' favorites. At the top, it's very residential and offers a beautiful view of the cityscape. As you walk down the street, you'll come across some shops and a variety of bars and restaurants.

The highlight is Cine Verdi, a quirky cinema, showing everything from independent art-house films to blockbusters in their original language with Spanish subtitles. You'll also find a variety of entertainment options on Plaça del Sol.

Of course, when talking about Gracia, Güell Park cannot go unmentioned. The Gaudí creation is easily the most visited place in this neighborhood. A great place to unwind after a long day of lectures!

Another idyllic nature spot is Parc de la Creueta del Coll — a park with a public bathing pool, ping-pong tables, and picnic areas. Normally, it's a quieter place hidden from the crowds. But beware, it can still get a bit noisy on warm summer days when neighborhood kids gather to play in the pool.

Universities and libraries

l'Eixample is home to numerous public and private universities, including:

• the University of Barcelona
• Barcelona Business School (UIBS)
• EAE Business School
• EADA Business School
• TBS Education in Barcelona
• University Pompeu Fabra – Balmes Campus
• European College for Liberal Studies (ECLS)
• Idep Barcelona

Of course, this student neighborhood offers plenty of study spots, too! Regardless of where in l'Eixample you are, there's a library within a short walk. You'll find municipal libraries such as Biblioteca Pública Arús, Sofia Barat Public Library, and Biblioteca Pública Episcopal de Barcelona, as well as several university libraries in this area.

Internationality

El Eixample is youthful and international. Since everything you need can be found within the neighborhood, it managed to preserve a very communal feel__.

Rental prices

One of the best things about living in l'Eixample is that the buildings are relatively new and are likely to have better facilities than the ones in older parts of the city. However, that also means there's less of a unique Catalan character to it.

The average rental prices for student housing in Barcelona's L'Antiga Esquerra de l'Eixample are €395–€1,410.

Quality of life

The Eixample, or "Extension" in Catalan, is a lively neighborhood in the heart of Barcelona that's often overlooked by tourists. As the name suggests, it was designed to be an extension of the old town of Barcelona, connecting it to the then-independent villages of Sarrià and Gràcia.

The signature grid pattern of l'Eixample is meant to facilitate traffic, sunlight, and ventilation, making it one of the most organized and spacious neighborhoods in Barcelona today!

And even though it's located right next to the city center, the area is relatively calm compared to its neighboring neighborhoods. And yet there's a vibrant nightlife and cafe culture to be found, too!

L'Antiga Esquerra de l'Eixample or 'Old Left of the Eixample' neighborhood is the area we'd like to highlight in particular. Do you know why it's often referred to as Gaixample? Indeed, it's where you'll find Barcelona's thriving gay scene in full swing!

Things to do

El Eixample is one of the most comfortable places to live in Barcelona. The residents praise it for being efficient and well-connected. Everything you need is within a short walk!

At the same time, you can reach any point in Barcelona easily, as the neighborhood lies at the intersection of the blue, purple, red, yellow, and green metro lines.

L'Antiga Esquerra de l'Eixample is a historic college and residential area. The upper part is very quiet, but the neighborhood becomes more vibrant around the del Ninot market. There you'll find numerous gay bars, clubs, and saunas as well as some of the best places in Barcelona for tapas and authentic food.

There are also multiple cinemas, including an old-school movie house, Boliche Cinemas, which shows new and old international films in their original languages.

In Ferran Soldevila Gardens, in front of the University of Barcelona, you can often catch an outdoor live concert or a multidisciplinary performance. And if you're in the mood for some art, visit Fundació Antoni Tàpies Foundation, which is home to one of the finest collections of contemporary art in Barcelona (https://housinganywhere.com/Barcelona--Spain/guide-to-barcelona-art-museums-galleries).

Universities and libraries

In El Poblenou, you'll be close to

• Pompeu Fabra University - Faculty of Political and Social Sciences
• BAU · College of Arts & Design Barcelona
• Open University of Catalonia
• Barcelona East School of Engineering
• Eneb School of Business

When exams creep in, you can head to one of the university libraries or visit a public one like Ramon d'Alòs-Moner Library, Poblenou-Manuel Arranz Library, or Sant Martí de Provençals Library.

Internationality

Due to relatively low rental prices and the gentrification of El Poblenou, the neighborhood has recently attracted more residents from diverse backgrounds, giving it a multicultural character. The area is especially popular among young families and creatives.

At the same time, in other parts of Sant Martí, the majority of people are Barcelona-born and bred. So if that's what you're seeking, you can also consider the nearby residential neighborhoods such as El Clot.

Rental prices

Due to its past, El Poblenou is a great neighborhood to look for a spacious shared apartment with an industrial touch. You can expect a price range of €490–€940 for a private room. But if you're lucky, you might even score yourself an independent studio in El Poblenou at about €800!

Quality of life

El Poblenou is one of the most affordable up-and-coming neighborhoods in the Sant Martí neighborhood of Barcelona. Just like the above-mentioned neighborhoods, it's centrally located and surprisingly tranquil__, compared to the buzzing Ciutat Vella (city center).

El Poblenou used to be an industrial neighborhood that experienced dramatic changes to become __one of the coolest neighborhoods of Barcelona.

One of the main gentrification projects is 22@Barcelona, which aims to establish Poblenou as a high-tech center of the Catalan capital. This initiative gave new life to old warehouses__ transforming them into lofts, start-up offices, galleries, co-working spaces, and creative hubs.

Thanks to low rental prices, proximity to the beach, and thriving cultural scene, it's one of the best places to live in Barcelona as a student.

Things to do

El Poblenou is located very conveniently on the yellow metro line. But depending on where you're in the neighborhood, you can walk to the purple line in El Clot or the red one in the nearby El Parc i la Llacuna del Poblenou. The latter is the developing area of Sant Marti, where you'll find some of Barcelona's most famous modern architecture, the must-see Design Museum, and one of Barcelona's finest clubs, Razzmatazz.

Travelers often overlook this neighborhood because there aren't many touristy attractions. And yet everything you need as a student is within arm's reach, including less crowded public beaches, including Platja de la Mar Bella nude beach if that's your jam!

When not relaxing at the beach on a weekend, you can visit digital art center IDEAL, attend a workshop in the Poblenou Urban District, or explore local concept stores and specialty coffee bars. And later, after grabbing a bowl of delicious ramen around the corner, you can catch a movie at the huge Glòries Multiplex.

Finally, while living in El Poblenou, you don't want to miss the monthly Palo Alto market that brings the whole neighborhood together for a unique mix of street food, live music, and stalls featuring designs of local artisans and independent designers. It's a great place for students to score special items for an affordable price!

Even though Spain's cost of living is among the lowest in Europe, Barcelona is known as one of the most expensive cities in the country. It's a good idea to estimate your living costs for Barcelona in advance.

Universities and libraries

Most of the best universities in Barcelona are located in this neighborhood. In La Maternitat i Sant Ramon of Les Corts, you'll be living close to:

• ESADE
• EU Business School
• IESE Business School
• The Technical University of Catalonia
• the University of Barcelona
• Dexeus University Hospital

Internationality

This part of Les Courts is a relatively new neighborhood that accommodates a growing community of students who've decided to settle down near their university. It's also popular among young expat professionals due to its affordability compared to the rest of Les Corts, which is pretty upmarket.

Rental prices

It's the most affordable neighborhood on our list. Private rooms in La Maternitat i Sant Ramon are between €480-€1,150!

Quality of life

Les Corts is one of the most popular neighborhoods for students in Barcelona. After all, living near Zona Universitària means waking up half an hour before the lecture and still being there on time!

Generally, it's a working-class neighborhood, known primarily for its football stadium and Polytechnic University. But it's worth mentioning that despite the high presence of young people in the area, this neighborhood might not be the right choice for you if you're a social butterfly looking for trendy hangout spots.

Things to do

You won't find a particularly exciting nightlife or hip restaurant scene around here. But the good public transport connection makes a fun night out a metro ride away. With the blue or green metro line, you can be in the bustling center within 10 minutes.

Maybe you'd rather spend your weekend playing soccer or skateboarding? Well, then you'll find your heaven in one of the local sports complexes or popular skatepark — Les Corts.

But the main hangout spot of this neighborhood is probably the massive L'illa Diagonal shopping center and the green area surrounding it. It's a good place to get a bite or refresh your wardrobe!

Choosing the right neighborhood comes down to your priorities. Some students want to be in the thick of it all; others just need a quiet spot to study and sleep. Here's a quick breakdown to help you compare:

Each neighborhood also comes with its own set of trade-offs:

Did you know that every year, more than 20,000 international students choose to continue their studies in Barcelona? Discover why so many internationals want to study in Barcelona.

Finding accommodation in Barcelona moves fast, especially around September and October when the academic year kicks off. Well-presented apartments in popular areas like Poblenou and l'Eixample tend to get snapped up within a couple of weeks, so it pays to start your search 3-4 months early and have your documents ready to go.

HousingAnywhere is a great place to start. You can filter by budget, location, and room type all in one place. When you are ready to start looking, also check out student accommodation in Barcelona for a cheaper option and find your new home before someone else does!

What is the average rent for a private room in Barcelona's recommended student neighbourhoods?

Average rent for a private room in Gracia starts at €400, in L'Antiga Esquerra de l'Eixample at €395, in El Poblenou at €490, and in La Maternitat i Sant Ramon at €480.

Which neighbourhoods offer the best public transport connections for students?

Gracia, L'Antiga Esquerra de l'Eixample, and El Poblenou are all well-connected by metro and bus lines. You will have easy access to the city center and universities within approximately 10 minutes.

Are there specific neighbourhoods in Barcelona known for their student community?

La Maternitat i Sant Ramon is recognised for its high concentration of students due to its proximity to the Zona Universitària. Gracia and l'Eixample also attract a significant number of students.

Which Barcelona neighbourhoods are best for students on a budget?

You can find rooms in L'Antiga Esquerra de l'Eixample starting at €395, though they may be smaller or in older buildings. El Poblenou is generally one of the most affordable options compared to more central or traditionally popular areas. However, if you plan to go to the center often, Gracia is only 5-10 min away, saving you time and potentially transport costs. Rooms in Gracia start from €400 per month.

What is the most central neighbourhood for students in Barcelona?

L'Antiga Esquerra de l'Eixample sits at the intersection of 5 metro lines (blue, purple, red, yellow, and green), making it the most connected student neighborhood in the city. It's also home to the University of Barcelona and several business schools.

What is the best area to live near the University of Barcelona?

Eixample, Gràcia, and Les Corts are conveniently located near the main campuses of the University of Barcelona, offering easy access and a student-friendly environment. Les Corts is closest to the university's main buildings, while Gràcia and Eixample offer more amenities and a more active social life for student living.