Erasmus in Barcelona

Cost of living in Barcelona, Spain

The cost of living for a student is on average €800-€1,000 monthly. The city is among the most expensive in Spain.

Accommodation costs vary depending on type and location, but it’ll be one of your biggest expenses. A room usually costs between €500-€700 per month, on average. You can find more affordable options in areas such as the Raval, but they aren’t recommended.

Another cost is transport. We recommend you to use Bicing if you come for several months. The urban bicycle with an annual pass costs €50. As for public transport (metro, bus, train and tram), students use the T-usual or T-jove cards. The T-usual, valid for one month for unlimited use, costs €21.35 with discount. The T-jove is for under 30s and allows unlimited journeys for 90 days. It costs €42.70 and is valid for all six mobility zones.

Student life, Erasmus parties and leisure in Barcelona

Partying in Barcelona is expensive, so set aside at least €70-€80 a month for it. Here are some of the city's most recommended clubs:

• Jamboree: for hip-hop and urban music lovers.
• Razzmatazz: has multiple venues for all tastes: commercial, techno and more.
• Opium: located on the beachfront, it combines exclusivity and commercial music.
• Apollo: from techno to 80s hits, everyone ends up here at least once.
• Moog: Barcelona's most Berlin-ish temple of electronica.
• Bling Bling: the hot spot for the wealthy youngsters. Formal dress code.
• La Fira: for those who prefer reggaeton, salsa and current hits.

If you don't feel like going out to party, but you want to make an afternoon/evening plan, in Barcelona it's very common 'salir de cañas' and 'ir de tapas'. In case you're not sure what each one is, 'cañas' are beers, so it's going to a bar or terrace to drink beer and hang out. ‘Ir de tapas' is going to one or more places to try 'tapas', small portions of food served to accompany a drink.

As for daytime leisure plans, there are plenty of options! Some of the students' favourites are having a picnic in the Ciutadella Park, or going to one of the beaches to play sports or spend the day with friends. In Barcelona there are also different plans every weekend, whether it's artisan markets, music events, exhibitions... there's always something going on!

Culture and gastronomy in Barcelona, Spain

During your stay in the city you should discover the Catalan architecture and modernism, as well as visit museums and exhibitions. For example, you must visit the iconic works of Antoni Gaudí (the Sagrada Familia, the Parc Güell, La Pedrera...), and others such as the Hospital Sant Pau and the Palau de la Música Catalana to admire Catalan Modernism.

As for the museums, we recommend the discounts or free admission offered to students. Many have daily discounts, and some offer free admission on certain days of the week, mainly the first Sunday of each month. Take the opportunity to visit the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC), the Museu Picasso, the Fundació Joan Miró, among others.

There are cultural experiences not to be missed in Catalonia. One of them is to see the 'castellers' live. These are human towers that are part of the local tradition and are performed at different celebrations, such as La Mercè and Sant Jordi. It's something unique!

As for gastronomy, Barcelona has a wide variety of typical dishes. Some of the ones we recommend are:

• ‘Pa amb tomàquet’: it's as simple as bread with tomato, but it's amazing!
• ‘Escalivada’: roasted vegetables (peppers, aubergines, onion and tomatoes).
• ‘Calçots amb salsa romesco’: a type of roasted onion served with romesco sauce. You're sure to be invited to a calçotada if you make Catalan friends!
• ‘Crema catalana’: our favourite dessert.

Advantages and disadvantages of doing the Erasmus in Barcelona

Advantages

• Cultural activities: Barcelona oozes art and history from every corner.
• Gastronomy: Catalan cuisine is delicious, with typical dishes such as ‘crema catalana’ and ‘pa amb tomàquet’.
• Good connections: you can easily reach other cities by train or plane. You are sure to visit some like Zaragoza, Madrid or Valencia.
• Mediterranean city: the beaches and mild climate make it possible to enjoy outdoor activities all year round.
• Entertainment and leisure: both during the day and at night, there’s always something to do in Barcelona!
• Good universities: the city's institutions have an excellent international reputation.

Disadvantages

• High cost of living: Barcelona is an expensive city, especially in terms of accommodation, transport and nightlife.
• Mass tourism: it's full of tourists all year round.
• Theft and security: pickpocketing is a common problem in tourist areas.
• Noise and nightlife: in central or tourist areas, noise from parties and traffic can be a nuisance for those who prefer peace and quiet.

Cheap student accommodation in Barcelona, Spain

Are you looking for accommodation in Barcelona? On Erasmus Play you can compare and choose from the best flats, rooms and residences for students in Barcelona.

FAQ about doing Erasmus in Barcelona