Areas and suburbs in Barcelona

Each of the areas and suburbs in Barcelona offers different facilities and housing options. So, depending on your circumstances and preferences, there is no shortage of options if you’re looking for a place to live in Barcelona.

Barcelona has 10 municipal districts, which are further divided into zones and are often named after the closest metro or train stop. These districts include Cuitat Vella, L’eixample, Sants-Montjuic, Les Corts, Sarria-Sant Gervasi, Gracia, Horta-Guinardo, Nou Barris, Sant Andreu, and Sant Marti.

Below is a list of popular areas and suburbs in Barcelona that are typically favoured by international residents.

Family-friendly areas in Barcelona

Pedralbes

With broad avenues and open green spaces, Pedralbes is an elegant residential area in the district of Les Corts. Many apartment buildings here date back to the 1970s and have swimming pools, door attendants, and garages for two cars per apartment.

Nearby are the serene gardens of the Palau de Pedralbes, the hilly Parc de Cervantes with its playgrounds and rose gardens.  Also nearby are the Carretera de les Aigues, which is great for jogging and cycling and offers spectacular views of the city from its six-mile (10km) trail along the Collserola ridge, and the beautifully preserved Real Monestir Santa Maria Pedralbes, known as Monestir Pedralbes.

Pedralbes has fewer metro stations than the more central areas. The bus network is reliable but not as well developed as in some neighbourhoods, so owning a car is recommended. The FGC suburban train runs every 10 minutes during peak hours, connecting the area to the city centre.

A mainly residential area, it has few shops and cafés. It is very close to several of the most prominent English-speaking schools in Barcelona.

Pedralbes appeals to families who want to live in a safe neighbourhood. However, a car is needed in Pedralbes, and that it’s quite an expensive area (the most costly in Barcelona), making it less appealing to younger residents. The neighbourhood offers excellent networking opportunities for business professionals, with many international executives choosing this prestigious location.

Education and Schools in Barcelona

Sarria

To the east of Pedralbes, in the Sarria-Sant Gervasi district, Sarria is a pleasant, slightly less upmarket residential area with better shop and restaurant choices. There is a mixture of older and newer apartment blocks, many of which have a door attendant. A few detached and semi-detached houses can be found in the hilly streets to the north. Sarria ranks as Barcelona’s second most expensive neighbourhood after Pedralbes.

The FGC suburban train connects Sarria to the town centre, and the area is very well served by buses. There are several parks which are fantastic for keeping fit and are equipped with children’s play areas. Sarria is also convenient for its proximity to several international schools in Barcelona, so it appeals to families with children.

International Schools in Barcelona

Tres Torres

Also in the Sarria-Sant Gervasi district, Tres Torres is a quiet residential area in the northwest corner of Barcelona. Most apartments provide garage space for two cars with each unit. It is, however, not recommended for young people without a car, as it is some way outside the city centre.

The area is served by the FGC suburban train and has an excellent bus network, but metro stops are scarce. There is a wonderful municipal market, some supermarkets, and the Avenue Diagonal shopping area is nearby.

St Gervasi

To the north of the old city, St Gervasi is one of the most central districts in Barcelona, located north of L’Eixample and west of Gracia. Rental prices are relatively affordable compared to Pedralbes and Sarria, but parking can be troublesome, although many apartment buildings offer parking spaces. The area attracts many business professionals due to its central location and networking opportunities.

Shopping possibilities are unlimited, and there is no shortage of bars and restaurants. The FGC suburban train connects St Gervasi to Placa Catalunya, and buses cross the district in all directions. As this area is quite central, walking is also an option, and the John Talabot School is located nearby in the Sant Gervasi neighbourhood.

St Just Desvern and Esplugues de Llobregat

Located in northwest Barcelona, St Just Desvern and Esplugues de Llobregat are spacious inner suburbs with plenty of green space, tennis clubs, and even horse-riding facilities. Both areas are popular with international residents and convenient for the American School of Barcelona.

A car is essential here as there are no metros or trains, and buses to the city centre take over an hour. That said, traffic congestion can be a real problem when driving to work. These suburbs are completely self-sufficient, with plenty of supermarkets and small, traditional shops.

Areas for young and single expats in Barcelona

Esquerra Eixample

South of St Gervasi and nearer to the heart of the old city, Esquerra Eixample is a busy neighbourhood with many restaurants, bars and shops. Eixample is divided into a right- and left-hand section (Dreta and Esquerra) and both have the same octagonal grid formation that typifies Barcelona.

Apartments here typically don’t have garages, but spaces can sometimes be rented in a nearby parking complex. The FGC suburban train, metro and buses provide reliable transport links.

There are three buildings designed by architect Antoni Gaudí close by, and La Rambla de Catalunya, with its perfect low-angle view of Mount Tibidabo, is fantastic for walking. Parks and children’s play areas are rare here, and most recommended schools are in the northwest, so this is a district better suited to expats who don’t have children.

Vila Olimpica

Originally built to house athletes for the 1992 Olympics, Vila Olimpica is close to the bars and restaurants of the pleasure port. The beach is easily accessible, and there are opportunities for running, cycling, rollerblading, sailing, and windsurfing. The area attracts both tourists and locals, and tends to get busy on weekends.

Most apartment buildings here have good light, are three or four floors high and provide communal amenities such as garden spaces and swimming pools. In some cases, quality was sacrificed in the rush to finish them, so sound insulation can be poor. Vila Olimpica becomes particularly lively during the summer months when both locals and visitors flock to the beachside bars and clubs.

There are supermarkets, shops and a cinema, but the best international schools are at least an hour away. The metro and bus services connect the area to the centre of town, with the L4 yellow line serving Ciutadella Vila Olimpica station. You’ll need to transfer between lines for destinations in the north and west of the city. Note that Line 4 occasionally has improvement works that may affect service during the summer months.

Suburbs outside of Barcelona

Castelldefels and Gava

Castelldefels and Gava are around 12 miles (20km) south of Barcelona, and close to fine, sandy beaches that fill with city dwellers in summer. Weekends can be busy as people flock to the area’s seafood restaurants. Castelldefels is home to the British School of Barcelona. These coastal towns offer a more relaxed pace of life while maintaining excellent transport links to the city.

Accommodation is mainly in the form of houses, some of which are partitioned off as summer apartments without heating facilities. Trains in and out of Barcelona are convenient and frequent, reaching the city centre in less than 20 minutes. Several shopping malls and the airport are within 15 minutes reach by car.

Accommodation in Barcelona

Sant Cugat del Vallès

Sant Cugat del Vallès is situated behind Mount Tibidabo and the Collsera Natural Reserve, seven miles (12km) north of Barcelona. Frequent FGC trains connect it to the centre of Barcelona in approximately 29 minutes, running every 10 minutes during peak hours.

With detached houses with gardens and occasionally swimming pools, Sant Cugat del Vallès is ideal for families. Both children and parents will always have something to see and do as the neighbourhood is also home to a wide range of amenities, including cinemas, shops, a concert hall, a golf course and sports clubs. Several international schools operate dedicated bus services for pupils in the area, making it particularly appealing to globally mobile families.

Things to See and Do in Barcelona