FAQs

Although walking is always one of the best ways to discover a city, moving around in Barcelona and its metropolitan area is very easy thanks to a large and quick network of public transportation: metro, tram, buses and trains; a public bicycles service (Bicing) and more than 200km of bike lanes; a fleet of taxis that includes hybrid, electric and natural gas vehicles (that you can also request through apps like Cabify, Free Now or Bolt); and electric vehicle services that are good for the environment (the electric motorcycle is the most used individual means of transport in Barcelona). As a student, you can get all sorts of discounts on public transportation in order to reduce the costs of your trips and not have to worry about mobility during your stay in Barcelona.

Taking into account how close they are to EAE’s Campus, the following areas stand out in Barcelona:

1) Eixample (La Dreta, la Nova Esquerra i l’Antiga Esquerra)

Modern Barcelona was born in L’Eixample, whose urbanistic project was developed by Ildefons Cerdà, who gave it its magical and unique design. The central part, La Dreta de l’Eixample, was the neighbourhood of the bourgeoisie, who gave it its own style: modernism. It’s a quiet district with a nice vibe, made up of residential neighbourhoods surrounded by commercial activity, and it’s one of the most comfortable and better connected areas to live in Barcelona.

2) Sant Antoni

The whole neighbourhood revolts around one of the biggest and most visited markets in Barcelona. Surrounded by Parallel Av. and Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes on one side and Sant Pau and Sant Antoni streets on the other, it’s one of the smallest and most highly populated neighbourhoods of Barcelona. Sant Antoni has more than 37,000 inhabitants in less than a square kilometre. Due to its small surface, neighbours get to know each other more easily; besides enjoying its multiculturality, you can enjoy a close relationship with your neighbours. 

3) El Poble-sec

It’s a neighbourhood of contrast. There, you will find the legacy of leisure of the Barcelona of the 1960s, represented by El Molino, and tons of new international food markets. It’s also a neighbourhood known for the classic Barcelonian welcome. People who inhabit Poble Sec and walk its streets daily are quite diverse, from all over the world. They came looking for the opportunities that the city has to offer and they gave back an even greater multicultural wealth. Some of its highlights are Blai St., known for it countless pintxos bars, and Parallel Av., which has some of the most important theatres in the city (Teatre Victòria, Teatre Condal, Sala Barts, Teatre Apolo…)

4) Sants

This village turned to neighbourhood was centre of attraction for industrialisation, which would extend to the Marina area, for its proximity to the port, but also due to the creation of a strong commercial dynamism centre, which today are Creu Coberta-Carretera de Sants and the Sants and Hostafrancs markets, which have more than 100 years of history. These elements are the core of one of the neighbourhoods with the greatest spirit and tradition in Barcelona. Besides being a commercial space, it also has a social fabric that lets you enjoy your stay in Barcelona with peace and fun.

Montjuïc Hill.

A hill that’s much more than nature. Start your tour admiring its Magical Fountain. Next, visit the Mies van der Rohe pavilion or the Joan Miró foundation. Stroll down any of its wonderful gardens: Laribal Gardens (with its beautiful cascade); The Palace of Albéniz; the Mossèn Cinto Verdaguer gardens, the Joan Brossa gardens, and even the Botanic Garden. Take a break at the National Palace terrace, home to the National Art Museum of Catalonia, which has works of every discipline (sculptures, paintings, objects, drawings, engravings, posters, photographs and numismatics) of catalan art, from Romanesque to mid 20th century. Grab a bite at the Caseta del Migdia with Barcelona at your feet. Especially, the icing on the cake, visit the Castle, a fortress that, after the Civil War, became a military museum.

CaixaForum

This old textile factory was designed by Puig i Cadafalch and is one of the masterpieces of Modernism, currently dedicated to culture and knowledge. During much of the last century, it was used as a police stand and it was later abandoned. La Caixa Foundation bought it and rebuilt it, keeping the original brick structure. The lower part was excavated in order to create the modern entrance (work of Arata Isozaki), a mural by Sol Lewitt, an auditorium, a library and a bookstore. Besides permanent contemporary art collections, there are three spaces for temporary expositions.

Enric Granados St.

To the left of the Eixample, you will find this unique street that runs for 9 blocks perpendicular to the sea. It’s a small oasis inside the urban plot of Cerdà: it has only one lane and it’s completely for pedestrians in its last portion, as it arrives at Plaça Universitat. It’s a very pleasant rout to walk or bike and enjoy the charm of the Eixample: Galleries (the Malbourough), the Margall Institute (with its blackboard wall full of art), beautiful shops (The Avant, Alianto, Au Nom de la Rose), and bars (Colmado Barcelona, La Fàbrica del Vermutillo, Cosmo) — and one of the best ice cream shops in Barcelona (Delacrem).

La Pedrera

The last secular building by Antoni Gaudí, Casa Milà (commonly known as La Pedrera) has no straight lines. From its rooftop, surrounded by powerful and mysterious warriors, you will be able to enjoy a very different view of Passeig de Gràcia. It’s an amazing architectural achievement and the culmination of the architect’s experiments to recreate natural forms using bricks and mortar (and ceramics and broken champagne bottles: what is known as “Trencadís”). It’s a World Heritage Site and it has sea-like vibes — tangled balconies, seaweed doors, sea foam ceilings and inner patios as blue as the cave of a siren.

The Arenas Rooftop

The most interesting part of the old bullfighting arena, Las Arenas, which keeps its original facade, is its rooftop which overlooks Montjuic. On the last floor, you can also find the dome —made to celebrate fairs, musical and theatrical shows— and a variety of gastronomical opportunities. Las Arenas’ bullring was turned into a shopping mall with a rooftop that has a 360º view of the city.

1) Sagrada Família Library (Carrer de Provença, 480)

If you like translucent spaces, the study area of this library is your spot. Being next to Sagrada Familia, if you choose to spend the day there, you will at least have the chance to sit on the grass and rest for a bit. If later, when it closes, you feel like you still have much to go with your studies, you can always stay at the nocturnal space that is open until 1am.

2) Dipòsit de les Aigües (UPF, Carrer Ramon Trias Fargas 25-27)

What’s more motivating than working in a building created by one of the most amazing minds in the world? This architectural masterpiece, designed by Josep Fonterè with the help of Antoni Gaudí himself, is quiet, beautiful, historical and open for the public.

3) Library of Catalunya (Carrer de l'Hospital, 56)

Also known as the Sant Pau I Santa Creu Library, it’s a space mainly dedicated to historians but it’s open for the general public and anyone who wants to get lost inside a Catalan cultural heritage. It works as a preservation and dissemination hub for everything that is published in the country. It also has several rooms that can be used for all types of academic and professional purposes: study rooms, debate rooms, IT labs, etc. An iconic “temple” where you can enjoy a good read and concentrate while studying.

4) García Márquez Library (Carrer Treball, 219)

Barcelona’s third biggest centre (3,300 m2) has recently opened its doors in the Sant Martí district. Its construction, with a lot of wood and big windows, give the place a lot of luminosity and a nordic, functional style. Specialised in Latin American literature and the only one to have a radio studio inside. It has 40,000 documents in its archive and it features 140 reading spots (sofas, armchairs, hammocks, puffs, and more) and 30 internet spots. It’s different from the rest of the places since it has a sensorial space and rooms that are for group activities. 

5) Laie Library-Cafe (Carrer de Pau Claris, 85)

It’s not a library per se but, if you’re looking for a place that has everything you look for in a library and also food and a relaxed atmosphere, this is your best option. It has its own collection of books and its own coffee shop; perfect for grabbing a coffee, a book and relaxing. You can opt to sit quietly and study on your own or choose a table and study in groups.

1) The Beach

One of Barcelona’s greatest appeals, besides its weather, are its beaches. All along Barcelona’s coastline, there’s a seaside boardwalk that runs through all the city’s beaches: from Llevant to the north, all the way to Sant Sebastià to the south, where you will find the famous W Hotel. Every beach in Barcelona is well connected, well kept and equipped with every service. The most popular ones, thanks to their proximity, are Barceloneta, Sant Miquel and Sant Sebastià; but you can also go outside the city and find more quiet beaches to relax and enjoy the sea, for example, in Montgat. 

2) Rooftop Yoga

An open-air yoga session, more precisely, on a rooftop in the city centre, can be the perfect place to relax and find peace. Yoga Weeks (Carrer del Carme, 40, ppal. 2) brings you the opportunity to watch the city from high up while doing one hour of yoga, saluting the sun or doing asanas under the moonlight. Afterwards, you can have tea or coconut water with the other participants and, if you want to, you can bring your swimsuit to refresh yourself in the rooftop’s showers. Great plan!

3) Pilates and Breakfast

At Pilates & Cake you can do pilates early in the morning and have breakfast right afterwards in the same place. Firstly, you will enjoy a 50 minute pilates session and, after that, have breakfast with friends in a little spot near the Barceloneta port. Bread, jams, fruits, cupcakes… all of it made with ecological proximity products. Perfect to disconnect and meet new people. 

4) Meditation and Party

Meditating and relaxing in a rave? Why not?! Morning Gloryville Barcelona is a completely healthy party with lots of music, yoga, massages and juices. As early as 6:30am, you can go to the Mercat de les Flors in Barcelona to go all out and start your day full with energy. It’s itinerant, so you will have to keep an eye on the events they publish.

5) Parc de la Ciutadella.

There are many parks in Barcelona where you can relax or simply take a stroll. But the biggest and more famous of them all is the Parc de la Ciutadella. Besides being of historic interest, it’s a big park where you can disconnect. With its 42 acres, the Ciutadella park is the favourite of most Barcelonians. Here you’ll find the Zoo, the Catalan Parliament buildings, an institute, a church, a lake and a kiosk with live music. Many other activities take place in this park: fairs, markets, sports events, concerts, DJ sets, children parties, community work, and many shows of Barcelona’s festivities, La Merced.

1) Aticco (Ronda Sant Pere 52, Ático)

This coworking space is perfect to carry out meetings, make new contacts, establish collaborations and be productive while studying or working. Its membership includes 24/7 access all year long, tables, meeting rooms, rooftop, printers, showers, coffee, gym and even a creative swimming pool.

2) Zamness (Carrer de Zamora, 46)

A very fashionable coworking space to take your creativity to its maximum, brainstorming or going on long study sessions. Joining this coworking space includes access to meeting rooms, a bar, a chillout space, showers and bicycle parking space.

3) Espai Born (Carrer dels Vigatans, 11)

A creative centre, located in an old bakery. It’s a historic coworking space with a unique charm. It was specially designed to foster and boost imagination and the development of new projects and opportunities. The space has meeting rooms, infinite opportunities for networking, a library, a recreational room, a kitchen and much more.

4) Work Café Santander (Avinguda Diagonal, 550 y Passeig de Gràcia, 54)

An innovative space both for Santander clients and for those who are not. Bank, coworking space and cafe, all in one place. It’s a collaborative space open to everyone where you can work, connect to the internet, carry out meetings and events and, of course, conduct financial dealings. You can do all of these while enjoying freshly made coffee and signature pastries.

5) Imagin Café (Carrer Pelai, 11)

Art, culture, design, music, sustainability, gaming… All of these in a space where you can always be up to date with the latest trends, express yourself and even enjoy yourself in company or alone. One thing, though: in order to get in, you must be a member of Imaginbank.

Barcelona is uniquely located between the sea (the Mediterranean) and the mountain (Collserola), which makes it easy for you to make all types of plans. And thanks to its nice weather, you can do anything almost all year long.

Besides being able to enjoy plans out in the open (going to the beach, practice some sport, go on excursions, organise picnics, visit viewpoints, go on strolls through the parks, walk around the city, etc.), it’s a city that’s especially prepared for culture, leisure and gastronomy.

Its cultural offer (museums, theatres, galleries, cinemas, music…) is varied and extensive, as is its gastronomy. Catalan cuisine is known to be among the most delicious and creative in the world, with some autochthonous restaurants among the best in the world according to the Michelin Guide. Barcelona is also a city full of bars and restaurants where you can enjoy some tapas, Mediterranean food and a good time with friends.