1000 rooms, studios and apartments for rent in Barcelona, Spain

About Barcelona

Barcelona is a beautiful, sunny city, situated in the northeastern region of Spain in Catalonia. This destination is simply bursting with personality, which gives it, as well as its residents, a unique, warm vibe. It’s obvious that a lot of people agree, because over 1.6 million people live in the city alone, and you can boost the number up to about 5 million if you count the suburban areas of Barcelona. It is an extremely large city, but its simple public transportation lines and its friendly people will have you feeling like a local in no time!

More tourists visit Barcelona than anywhere else in Europe, other than Paris and London. Plus, internationals from all over relocate abroad to study at one of the world-renowned universities, take on an exciting internship or accept a position at one of its thriving companies. It makes this locale a real international city, with several communities made up of expats, where you can find a room or a one- or two-bedroom apartment for rent in Barcelona, and begin your bright new future.

And if you’re looking for culture, Barcelona will not disappoint! You can marvel at the wonders of the still incomplete La Sagrada Familia, or enjoy museums, performing arts venues and a variety of different art galleries. If you like to spend a little time in nature, Montjuic Park, the largest park in Spain, is also located in Barcelona.

But perhaps the best news is that the weather in Barcelona is warm, sunny and just the type of climate you’d envision for the perfect holiday. With average temperatures of 21°C, you can definitely get in a good tan during your time abroad.

Barcelona is a bilingual country, boasting two official languages: Spanish and Catalan. Catalan is basically an offshoot of Spanish, and many locals will speak this dialect, especially the older populations. However, traditional Spanish is also spoken by nearly everyone, and you’ll also hear a lot of English in the university and international areas.

In Barcelona, you will find delicious eateries offering tasty Catalan dishes, such as arròs negre, a dish made from squid ink, and it’s also known for its salted cod. You’ll find lots of good pricing around the universities.

Barcelona has an exciting, vibrant nightlife, filled with a variety of scenes, including everything from buzzy dance clubs to chilled-out wine bars.

Renting in Barcelona

While it may be true that the housing prices in Barcelona are on the rise, it’s still priced a little lower than a lot of the capital cities in Europe, which is great news if you’re on a fixed budget. Most people find that they can keep their entire monthly expenses right at about €1,000. Accommodation in Barcelona can range between €350 and €850, depending on whether you decide to rent a private room or share an apartment with a few friends or other students.

Housing is in high demand in this bustling city, especially when you’re an international looking for temporary housing in Barcelona. Listings can rent out very quickly, so you have to really stay on the ball to make sure that you get the property that you’re looking for, especially at the right price, in a good neighborhood and with the correct amount of space. Therefore, it’s best that you come up with a plan on how to search for accommodation in Barcelona before you waste too much time or money.

Sometimes, internationals relocating to Barcelona decide to work with a real estate agency. This means that they will provide their information, along with what they’re looking for in regards to cheap housing in Barcelona, and the agent will notify them of listings that they might be interested in renting. However, the agents may not always get the information about the listings over to you right away, and their services come at a high price. In fact, you’ll probably pay at least a month’s worth of rent in fees and commissions. If you’re on a tight budget, this definitely may not be the best search method for you.

When many expats realize just how much they’ll have to spend to work with an agency, they often decide to try to find cheap rooms for rent in Barcelona on their own. Should you choose to go with this option, the first thing you may want to do is sign up for several Facebook groups where rental accommodation is posted, or even look for a group that focuses on expats in Barcelona, whether it be students or young professionals. It’s also a great idea to make it part of your daily routine to look on community boards and classified sites first thing in the morning, as well as numerous times throughout the day. However, while you’ll want to respond to any listings that you’re interested in right away, always be sure to check out reviews on the landlord, as well as look into the neighborhood and the property’s amenities.

Yet, if you want to be sure that you find the best two-bedroom apartment for rent in Barcelona, it’s always ideal to work with a trusted housing platform. Like a real estate agency, you will provide them with your preferences, but you will receive an automatic notification whenever something matching them is listed. Plus, you will know about the fees involved upfront, which will be decidedly less, and all of the landlords are already vetted to ensure that you don’t fall victim to a scam.

Barcelona Neighborhoods

Barcelona attracts expats from all across the globe, due to its phenomenal Mediterranean location and its number of world-renowned universities and exciting employment opportunities. Students and young professionals will find a variety of housing in Barcelona to choose from, including some neighborhoods that may be more appealing to internationals than other areas. Read on to learn more about the variety that Barcelona offers!

Gràcia

Bohemian spirit

Once an independent village, Gràcia is now one of the most densely populated neighborhoods in all of Barcelona, as well as one of the most lively. It has a free-spirited nature, which has definitely rubbed off onto its inhabitants. It is also in close proximity to the University of Barcelona.

In Gràcia, you can enjoy searching through the numerous secondhand bookstores and vintage shops, along with its trendy cafes offering organic food and drinks. Understandably so, it is also becoming a mecca for tourists who want to see the alternative side of Barcelona, and it is well-connected to the rest of the city via public transportation.

Many young artists and professionals find inspiration here, peacefully living together with its older residents. This mixture is very attractive to young internationals, who find the moderate pricing another incentive for renting a room in Barcelona in Gràcia.

El Born

History at its best

While Gràcia boasts a thoroughly modern spirit, El Born is in beautiful contrast, with history everywhere you turn. If you’re even a little bit of a history buff, El Born may be your favorite neighborhood for temporary or long-term housing in Barcelona.

Tourists often trickle into the area to explore the Picasso Museum, as well as take the short walk to Ciutadella Park and Arc de Triomf. If you like to people watch, there’s also a good number of squares offering places to relax and casual cafes. Plus, with its central location, you can hop on a bicycle or take public transportation to just about anywhere in Barcelona.

You may not find the cheapest flat in Barcelona in El Born, but with a good search, you can definitely find a shared space offered at a moderate price. This is a great deal, especially as that most of the housing is new or recently renovated.

El Raval

Culture abounds

If anywhere in Barcelona could be the home of the underground culture scene, it would most decidedly be El Raval. Additionally, you can easily spot its multicultural influences, which is reflected in both its residents and its overall atmosphere.

In El Raval, you’ll find the Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona (MACBA), which is one of the most popular cultural attractions in all of Barcelona. The skating scene is also big in El Raval, with many nearly famous spots for skateboarders.

If you’re a big foodie, you might as well go ahead and consider this area for your Barcelona housing. Restaurant options are diverse, and range from Mexican to Pakistani, and boutique shopping is also available.

This neighborhood definitely has its own personality, which makes it a big draw for young people. It’s also a nice place to search for a cheap flat in Barcelona, as that the pricing for this area tends to be a little lower than in some neighborhoods. Do take note, however, that some areas are not considered safe, so it’s best to check with a trusted housing platform.

Barceloneta

Best nightlife scene

Barceloneta is a beautiful seaside area, which makes it a favorite spot for surfers and sun worshippers along Sant Sebastià Beach. This makes it ideal for people who love nature or want to get a tan during the warmer months.

If you enjoy seafood, you’ll find it in a few places as fresh as in Barceloneta. Plus, many restaurants offer stunning beach views. And once you’ve had your fill, you can explore the crazy nightlife scene, which even attracts tourists to Barcelona.

Barceloneta is also easily reachable via public transportation, including a cable car across the harbor, so getting to the university or to work is simple. You may find that accommodation may be slightly higher in this neighborhood due to its attraction for tourists, but internationals love the laid-back beach vibe. Many people rent summer homes in this area, though, which opens up a lot of possibilities for the school season.