Basic information about Barcelona and transport
The city of Barcelona has a population of 1.655.000 as of 2023 (source: Idescat ). It is located in Catalonia, a region in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula. The city's coastline is bathed by the Mediterranean Sea. Temperatures are mild year-round, with hot summers (cooler than inland Spain) and mild winters with very little rain. It is the second largest economy in Spain, after Madrid (by the way, Thetrainline has a great ticket search engine ). It has an international airport ( El Prat ) and a train station that connects to all of Spain and Europe ( Barcelona Sants ). Within the city, there is a wide variety of transport options to get around in all directions: metro, buses, trains, and trams. A single ticket allows you to use all of these; a single ticket costs €2,40, or a 10-trip T-casual ticket costs €11,35. If you prefer to travel for free, the city has an extensive network of bike lanes for sustainable transportation. Join Bicing and enjoy the city by electric bike. It's an annual subscription with two plans to choose from: €35 or €50, depending on how often you use it. Bike rentals range from €0.35 to €5, depending on the trip's duration.
Living in Barcelona
If you are thinking about living in Barcelona to start or continue university studies, we could write hundreds of reasons to try to show the advantages of it. In order not to bore you and leave you with honey on your lips, we prefer to tell you only 5 good reasons with some recommendations and let the rest be the one who checks them... and informs us about it 😉
1. UNIVERSITIES OF BARCELONA AND PROFESSIONAL DEPARTURES
Barcelona boasts six universities with physical campuses. This means the range and variety of undergraduate, postgraduate, and master's programs is enormous. Essentially, virtually every university degree program has a presence in Barcelona, making it a safe bet if you decide to come to Spain before choosing what to study. The universities you can apply to are:
- University of Barcelona
- Pompeu Fabra University
- Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña
- Open University of Catalonia
- Ramon Llull University
- UIC Barcelona
Once you have completed your studies and qualifications, you will be able to find internships to increase your professional experience with relative ease. An important point is that you will be able to alternate your study with a job that helps you cover the costs of fees, accommodation, food, leisure and others. This advantage will not be so clear in some regions of Spain, since the tourist offer, population, industry and services are smaller and, therefore, less job offer.
2. THE CULTURE OF BARCELONA
It may take you weeks (or months) to visit everything it offers culturally. Due to history, we find ourselves in a city with thousands of social and political events that have marked Catalan and Spanish culture. Understanding the relationships between both cultures is understanding the current situation, but to do so, it is best to know all the processes and changes that have occurred over the last 600 years.
But not everything dates back to bygone eras. Barcelona's architectural landscape is alive and well, with its most famous monument, the Sagrada Familia (C/Mallorca 401). If you'd like to explore its interior (you'll be amazed), you can do so during the opening hours, which vary depending on the time of year. The entrance fee is €26. To speak of the people who shaped Barcelona is to speak of the architect Antoni Gaudí . In addition to the aforementioned Sagrada Familia, his works and styles can be admired at Casa Gaudí, also known as "La Pedrera," and Casa Batlló, both located on Passeig de Gràcia, or Park Güell, the city's most famous park situated on Mount Carmel. With the Gaudí Monthly Card , you get free entry to this and other attractions.
A necessary plan is to climb the Bunkers del Carmel and see the panoramic view it offers of the city. Grab some food and drink and spend the afternoon there until you watch the sun set. It won't let you down.
If you like attractions you can go to the Tibidabo Amusement Park, where you can also see incredible views of the city. Entrance to the park costs €35.
Throughout the year, Barcelona hosts national and international competitions in all sports. But if anything truly embodies Barcelona's culture and daily life, it's its football club, the city's global ambassador. A visit to Camp Nou is a must for any Barcelona fan.
3. WHAT TO SEE IN BARCELONA
Every year, Barcelona receives more than 2 million tourists. Such a number of people is justified by its culture, society... but also by its natural landscapes.
Barcelona boasts beaches throughout its metropolitan area . They are a major driving force behind the city's vibrant atmosphere, where you'll find people swimming, reading, playing volleyball, or enjoying countless other activities year-round. The most famous beach is Barceloneta, home to the renowned Wella Hotel, but there are others like Somorrostro, Nova Icaria, and Bogatell. You can explore the entire promenade that connects them all while cycling, running, or skating. If you prefer quieter beaches, head outside the city to the Costa Brava and discover the idyllic beaches offered by the various towns along the Catalan coast. Cala de Aiguablava, Illa Roja, and Cala de Sa Tuna can be found in Begur. In Tossa de Mar, you'll find Cala Pola, or you can visit Cala Sa Sabolla in Cadaqués.
If you're looking to immerse yourself in nature and go hiking, Barcelona is surrounded by the Collserola mountain range, the closest to the city. One of the most popular routes leads to the Collserola Tower, the highest point in Barcelona. Walking up Balmes Street and then Tibidabo Avenue, you'll transition from asphalt to the dirt road of the Aigües road. It's an 8-km walk along the mountainside to reach the tower. You can also visit the Vallvidriera reservoir. The route is easy; ideally, you should simply let yourself be drawn in by the surroundings. You can walk around the reservoir and visit the ranger's house, where there's an exhibition about the reservoir. A little further afield, you'll find Catalonia's highest mountain (excluding the Pyrenees peaks), Montserrat. There you'll find the famous monastery and numerous hiking trails to enjoy the surrounding landscape.
Another option is to visit the Pyrenees, the mountain range that separates Spain from France. There, in addition to enjoying a stunning natural setting, you can visit Aigüestortes National Park or Ordesa National Park, and if you wish, ski on its many slopes, such as Baqueira Beret. Another alternative is the La Molina ski resort, located in Girona. You can buy your Skitren ticket for €46 at Rodalies Renfe train stations or online.
4. PARTY IN BARCELONA
Leisure in Barcelona is unlimited. There will be no place that offers you more fun and options in Spain. Let's go in parts...
Friday night is coming and you want to go out, but you still don't know where to go? Take note.
Enjoy cocktails before starting your night at Lilith&Sons (C. d'En Fontrodona, 23) or Somnia (Carrer de Montserrat, 13 bis) before heading to Sala Apolo (Carrer Nou de la Rambla, 113), one of the most popular nightclubs in the area. If you like shots, you'll be blown away by Espit Chupitos , a bar founded in '89 with such an extensive menu of different shots that you'd need many nights in the city to try them all.
A very popular area is the Rambla del Born or Passeig del Born, where most people bring their drinks (especially in summer) and even music to start the night in Barcelona. On the sides of that same street there are numerous bars to have a drink, such as Bar Sauvage, Bar No Sé or Stereo 18.
If you head towards the Olympic Port, you'll find Razzmatazz (C/ dels Almogàvers, 122), a nightclub and concert venue that opened in 2000. A city classic that you shouldn't miss. On the same Barceloneta seafront promenade, you'll find Opium, Pacha, and Bestial, where you can end the night watching the sunrise on the beach. If you like mainstream music, don't miss La Fira (C/Provença, 171).
In Barcelona, in addition to nightclubs and pubs, you can enjoy festivals featuring international artists. June brings two of the most anticipated festivals of the year: Sónar and Primavera Sound , which attract thousands of people eager to soak up the vibrant cultural and artistic atmosphere.
For those looking to combine different activities… did you know that brunch isn't just for food? Every Sunday, Brunch Electronik takes place , a unique daytime party (13 pm to 22 pm) where you can enjoy the sun and electronic music outdoors. It runs from spring to autumn, and the locations change.
5. WHERE TO EAT IN BARCELONA
Barcelona offers a diverse gastronomy that extends far beyond Mediterranean cuisine. Typical Catalan dishes include pan amb tomàquet (bread with tomato), butifarra (Catalan sausage), calçots (grilled spring onions), and escalivada (roasted vegetables). As the Spanish proverb says, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do," so to sample authentic Catalan cuisine, you could visit Bar Velódromo, with its charming vintage decor (Carrer de Muntaner, 213), or Can Vilaró (Carrer del Comte Borrell, 61), a classic establishment serving home-style cooking near the Sant Antoni Market. However, given the city's cosmopolitan nature, you'll find a much wider range of culinary options.
Nowadays brunches have become fashionable and it doesn't have to be Sunday to enjoy them. One of the most famous is Brunch and Cake, which has several locations throughout the city. You can find one on the way to Barceloneta (Passeig de Joan de Borbó, 5) where you can have breakfast before spending the day on the beach. For those who love pizza, Pizzería Da Nanny is your place, the best Neapolitan pizza in Barcelona.
A necessary stop is La Boquería, one of the most famous markets in the world. In addition to selling fresh products of all kinds, you can also snack and have something to eat at any of their stalls.
Another place we recommend, perfect for a more upscale experience and if your budget allows, is El Nacional restaurant . It's three restaurants in one where you can savor the cuisine of the Iberian Peninsula: La Brasería, serving aged meats grilled to perfection; La Llotja, specializing in fish; and La Taperia, offering cold and hot tapas, rice dishes, and fideuà.
Conclusion
Barcelona is a very good option to develop your academic future since it is home to the best-rated universities in Spain as you can see in The best Spanish universities⭐️ Escuela PCE. In addition, it offers so many plans suitable for all tastes that will make you enjoy the experience of living in a place as special as this city.
