Student accommodation in Barcelona: flats and rooms for rent

Barcelona, ​​the beautiful Catalan capital, is a top destination for international students. It offers high-quality education and a chance to dive deep into Spanish and Catalan culture. The city not only offers a variety of prestigious educational institutions but also the opportunity to learn Spanish and Catalan in an authentically bilingual environment. You’ll enjoy everything from Gaudí's modernist architecture to traditional Catalan festivities. Plus, with its Mediterranean climate, extensive beaches, and a vibrant social and cultural scene, Barcelona is the perfect place to study and live life to the fullest.

Student apartments for rent in Barcelona

In Barcelona, you’ll find a wide variety of rental apartments for students. Most come fully furnished so you don’t have to worry about buying furniture. This generally includes beds, closets, desks, and chairs along with basic appliances such as a fridge, washing machine, and sometimes a microwave.

Regarding the types of flats that are available, you can find both studio apartments as well as larger apartments with multiple rooms to share with several students. Studio apartments offer more privacy but come with a higher rental cost. However, shared apartments allow you to make friends more easily, live with other students, and the monthly rent is cheaper.

Student rooms for rent in Barcelona

Renting a room in Barcelona’s university area is usually easier than renting an entire apartment. Due to the high demand for student accommodation, landlords often rent by room, making accommodations cheaper for students than if they had to rent the whole apartment.

The most common type of room that you’ll find in Barcelona is the single room. They usually come with a bed, closet, desk, and chair, allowing you to have your own space. Another option is a shared room, which costs less and usually has everything needed for two students (with a separate bed). However, you need to make sure it is your ideal accommodation, as living in a shared room means you won’t have any space entirely to yourself.

Student accommodation in Barcelona

The following are some of the best neighbourhoods for students to live in Barcelona:

Flats for rent in Eixample

Eixample is perfect for students thanks to its central location and great connections by public transport. This neighbourhood is famous for its modernist architecture, including iconic buildings like Casa Batlló and the Sagrada Familia. Plus, it’s full of places to eat and hangout.

Apartments in Gràcia

Gràcia attracts many students with its relaxed and artistic atmosphere, as well as a vibrant community and active nightlife. It’s full of quiet squares, charming cafés, and artist workshops. Close to the city centre but with a more residential feel.

Rooms for rent in the University area of ​​Les Corts

This area is perfect for students in Barcelona ​​because it’s close to several major educational institutions. It is characterised by its quiet and residential atmosphere, making it an ideal place to study and live. Les Corts offers a variety of useful services like libraries, sports areas, parks like Cervantes, and numerous cafés and restaurants. Plus, public transport is excellent, with multiple metro and bus options connecting the area to the rest of the city.

Erasmus accommodation near the universities in Barcelona

Check out where the universities are so you can find your ideal accommodation:

University of Barcelona

UB has nine campuses spread across different parts of Barcelona, ​​including areas like L'Esquerra de L'Eixample, Les Corts, El Raval, Sants, Bellvitge, Pedralbes, Mundet and Santa Coloma de Gramanet.

Read this other article if you want to find convenient housing close to the UB, and here's a link to the faculties of the UB.

Polytechnic University of Catalonia

In the University area of Barcelona, you’ll find the Diagonal Nord Campus and the Diagonal Sud Campus, while the Campus of Nautical is located in Barceloneta.

Here's an article to help you find housing close to the UPC. Also, here's a link to the different schools of the UPC.

Autonomous University of Barcelona

UAB’s main campus is in Bellaterra. If you want to live close to it, consider living in areas like Sabadell or Cerdanyola del Vallès. However, if you are attending Campus Universitario del Mar, located in Barceloneta, consider living in that neighbourhood, in El Born or Poblenou.

In this other article there's more information on housing near the UAB, and here's a link to the University faculties and schools.

Pompeu Fabra University

If you are going to study at the Ciutadella Campus, check out La villa Olímpica del Poblenou, Fort Pienc or El Born. If you want to be close to the Campus del Mar, consider living in Barceloneta. However, if your classes are at the Poblenou Campus, consider Poblenou and El Parc i la Llacuna del Poblenou. To be close to the Born Building, look in El Born, and to the Balmes Building, in Eixample.

To find convenient housing near the UPF read this article, and here's a link to the faculties and centres of the UPF.

Student residences in Barcelona

In Barcelona, you’ll find a wide variety of residences. These can be private or university-owned, meaning they are offered by the universities themselves.

Generally, all student residences in Barcelona include additional services such as room cleaning, dining, or even laundry service. If you’re looking for student accommodation in a residence, search and book early as they often have long waiting lists!

Frequently asked questions about studying in Barcelona