Housing

THE NEIGHBOURHOODS OF BARCELONA
Barcelona is divided into ten administrative districts, each one with its own district council. These districts are Ciutat Vella, Eixample, Gràcia, Horta-Guinardó, Les Corts, Nou Barris, Sant Andreu, Sant Martí, SSants-Montjuïc and Sarrià-Sant Gervasi.
The ten districts are subdivided into 73 neighbourhoods or barris.

>>> To discover the city and its neighbourhoods, use the web app Places of Interest in the City (available
in English) at barcelona.cat/apps
>>> Visit also lameva.barcelona.cat/en/living-in-bcn see section Districts and Neighbourhoods

FOR FAMILIES WE RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING NEIGHBOURHOODS:

>>> Gràcia:
Gràcia is just off the upper end of Passeig de Gràcia, but it feels like you’re leaving Barcelona and going into a whole different world. Gràcia was in fact an independent village that was absorbed by Barcelona in 1897.
Gràcia has a network of narrow streets and charming bench-lined squares. It is home to pavement cafés and bistros, low-key nightspots, alternative theatres and quirky shops that draw a youthful clientele. Yet
behind its trendy, bohemian character lies a traditional neighbourhood of proud, elderly locals.

>>> Poblenou:
Poblenou was a traditional industrial area of Barcelona that at the end of the 20th century was full of abandoned factories and empty production premises. The city decided to transform 200 hectares of the postindustrial neighbourhood into an innovative district offering modern spaces for intensive knowledge-based activities, creating an attractive place to live and to work. This long-term and ambitious project, named 22@Barcelona, began in 2001 and is shaped around three axes: the urban, economic and
social renewal of the area. The success of this project has helped to turn Poblenou into a new technological
and innovation district, as well as a trendy neighbourhood for young people and families.
Many of Poblenou’s old warehouse buildings have been converted into trendy lofts and studios which attract artists, entrepreneurs and organisations that promote creativity and innovation. This vibrant activity, together with the fact that the neighbourhood is close to the beach and boasts the charming Rambla del Poblenou, have made Poblenou one of the new preferred neighbourhoods to live in.

>>> Pedralbes:
Pedralbes is a quiet, exclusive residential area with luxury buildings and wide green spaces. Some developments have private gardens and swimming pools. This neighbourhood also houses many of the city’s international and private schools and the ESADE and IESE business schools. The area has easy access to motorways and the airport and is fairly well served by buses going to the city centre.

>>> Sarria - Sant Gervasi:
Sarrià, a charming old neighbourhood at the foot of the Collserola natural park, has a historic quarter that has preserved most of its original personality that so enthused the Catalan bourgeoisie in the 19th century.
At that time, Sarrià was very prosperous and the architecture reflects this splendour through many modernista houses. Sarrià was an independent town until 1921, when it was annexed by Barcelona. Despite that, it has retained its unique village appeal.
Sant Gervasi, at the foot of Tibidabo hill, is another quiet, upmarket residential area. It has a distinguished history, being the site of the Bellesguard, built by King Martin I at the beginning of the 15th century and completely refurbished by Antoni Gaudí in the early 20th century. Spacious second homes and Catalan
Modernist houses remain, as well as many convents and religious schools. Gaudí’s Les Teresianes convent is particularly remarkable. The neighbourhood also boasts the beautiful hilltop parks of Monterols and El Putxet, which command good views over Barcelona. The neighbourhood has a great community atmosphere and is very popular with Barcelona families. It also offers a good selection of shops and restaurants.

>>> Les Corts:
Les Corts is a neighbourhood with a very heterogeneous urban fabric, as it combines buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries with more modern constructions. This is the oldest and most central area of the
old municipality of Les Corts which was incorporated into Barcelona in 1897. In the highest part, situated above Avinguda Diagonal, Neolithic and Iberian remains were found as well as a Roman necropolis.

>>> Turó Parc:
This area features properties that overlook Turó Parc, one of Barcelona’s most beautiful green spaces. Excellent shops and restaurants are close by in the commercial areas of Pau Casals, Plaça Francesc Macià
and Avinguda Diagonal.

YOU MIGHT BE WONDERING, HOW MUCH IT COSTS LIVING IN BARCELONA:
The following is an estimation for an apartment of 2 bedrooms:
EXAMPLE: ~€1,800
SARRIA-SANT GERVASI: ~€1,900
GRACIA:~€1,700
POBLENOU: ~€1,600

KEY INSIGHTS:

>>> Central & Trendy Areas: Neighborhoods like Eixample and Gràcia are among the most sought-after, leading to higher rental prices.
>>> Family-Friendly Districts: Sarrià-Sant Gervasi offers spacious apartments suitable for families, reflected in its higher rental rates.
>>> Emerging & Affordable Areas: Sant Andreu and Nou Barris provide more budget-friendly options, making them attractive for those seeking affordability.
>>> Overall City Average: The average rent across Barcelona is approximately €1,087 per month, though this can vary significantly by neighborhood and apartment size.