10 Reasons to Study Abroad in Barcelona

If you’re looking for reasons to study abroad in Barcelona, check out this post. Here we list 10 things that make Barcelona a great city choice for your university years.

Barcelona is one of Europe’s most energetic cities and a popular destination for students from around the world. Good universities are just one of the reasons why Barcelona is such a great city for students. Here are ten reasons to study abroad in Barcelona:

1. Beaches

Barcelona has nearly five kilometres of golden beaches, most of which are within easy reach of the city centre.

Students at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra are especially close to the coast (and others aren’t too far away!) – so you’ll often find large groups of students at the beach…even during exam periods.

From frisbee and volleyball games to a cheeky sangria session, the beach is the perfect place to unwind in Barcelona.

There are also several great music festivals held on the beach during the summer – look out for Sonar and Primavera.

Barcelona has some great beaches

Check out some of the best places to study abroad with incredible beaches.

2. Weather

Another reason why you might find yourself spending way too much time beachside is the fact that Barcelona has such great weather – almost all year round.

Even during the city’s coldest month, temperatures are only at lows of a comfortable nine degrees Celsius. So, think twice before packing that extra thick winter coat – you might want to leave it behind!

3. Food

Like most other Spanish cities, eating is a very important activity in Barcelona. Across the city, you’ll find some of Spain’s best cuisine – in markets, small eateries and larger restaurants.

Some of our favourite dishes include fideuà (a seafood dish similar to paella), allioli (a sauce made with garlic and olive oil) and crema catalana, a delicious dessert similar to crème brûlée.

Barcelona is known for its delicious food

4. Culture

 Barcelona’s distinctive culture brings tourists and visitors to the city from across the globe. If you’re studying at the University of Barcelona then you’re in easy reach of the city’s main attractions.

Most visitors are fascinated by the city’s iconic architecture, such as the stunning Sagrada Familia church and the fairy-tale-like Park Güell.

You’ll also experience Catalan culture throughout the city, and not just in museums and galleries. A popular way to soak up the local culture for longer-term residents is traditional Catalan festivals like Sant Jordi and Festes De La Mercè, so make sure not to miss them!

5. An international vibe

In addition to being unique on the culture front, Barcelona also has a strong international vibe. Studying here, you’re guaranteed to meet people from all over the world.

There are also lots of international companies based throughout the city, so you’ll have a good chance of moving seamlessly from your studies to an international career in Barcelona.

So, if you’re looking for a truly international study abroad experience, Barcelona is a good bet.

6. Barcelona is a bike-friendly city

The vast majority of Barcelona is flat, so it’s quite easy to get around the city by bike. With the city’s great weather and laid-back lifestyle, most students find it hard to resist a gentle cycle to and from class.

What’s more, Barcelona is home to one of the world’s most-used bicycle sharing schemes, Bicing. Memberships for Bicing cost 50 euros for a year and there are 420 docking stations located across the city.

A row of Bicing bikes in Barcelona

Check out these other bike friendly student cities.

7. Nightlife

Barcelona is well-known throughout Europe for its dynamic nightlife. From restaurants to bars and nightclubs, you’ll be spoilt for choice here. Once again, because of the city’s great weather, you’ll often find great outdoor areas to explore. Some of the best areas for nights out are Port Olimpic, the Gothic Quarter and El Raval.

8. A low cost of living

Despite all the great things you can see and do in Barcelona, studying here won’t break the bank. Average living costs in Barcelona are lower than many other cosmopolitan European cities like Paris, Milan or London.

There are loads of ways for students to save money too. Students who are under 25 years old can get unlimited bus, tram and metro travel for three months with a T-Jove card, which costs just 40 euros for one zone.

9. Good universities

There are many good things about Barcelona, but at the end of the day, if you’re planning to move to Barcelona to study, you’ll want to have some good universities to choose from. Barcelona does not disappoint in this respect either. In the QS 2023 World University Rankings, five different Barcelona universities were listed among the best 700 universities in the world, with the Autonomous University of Barcelona leading the line at number 178.

The University of Barcelona was ranked 184th, Pompeu Fabra University 233rd, Polytechnic University of Barcelona 343rd and University Ramon Llull also made the top 700. So whatever you’re looking to study, you’ll probably find a top-level university offering a suitable course in Barcelona.

10. Student accommodation

Because Barcelona has a reasonably sufficient supply of student housing, you’ll find a lot of choices here when it comes to finding a place to live. Some of the most popular areas for international students include Ciutat Vella, Eixample & Gràcia, and Les Corts & Pedralbes. We at Student.com currently list more than 250 properties in Barcelona, so you’ll be spoilt for choice.

If you’re looking for student accommodation in Barcelona, start your search with Student.com.