Get to Know Barcelona with Erasmus

Many students coming to Barcelona are attracted by the city’s benefits: a terrific climate, lovely beaches, many leisure options and lots of restaurants.

But Barcelona also has good quality universities and a flourishing technological industry, and as a consequence there are many startups in the Catalan capital.

Today, this article by ShBarcelona will tell you more about the best student neighbourhoods in the city. These are especially interesting if you are an Erasmus student.

Related article: Free Parties for Erasmus Students

Where most Erasmus students live in Barcelona

What is Erasmus?

Erasmus+ is the EU’s programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe. Its budget provides more than 4 million Europeans the opportunity to study, train and gain experience abroad.

But Erasmus+ is not only for students, because it also offers opportunities to many institutions and organisations.

What are the programme’s aims?

Erasmus+ contributes to the European Strategy for growth, jobs, social equity and inclusion, and it also aims at developing the strategic framework for European cooperation in the field of education and training.

Erasmus+ also aims to promote the sustainable development of its partner countries in the field of higher education, and it contributes to the realisation of the objectives of the EU Youth Strategy.

Specific issues of the programme include:

• Reducing unemployment, especially among young people
• Promoting adult education, especially when it concerns new skills and qualifications required by the labour market
• Encouraging young people to participate in Europe’s democracy
• Supporting innovation, cooperation and reform
• Reducing the number of early school leavers
• Promoting cooperation and mobility with EU partner countries

Related article: Best Student Districts in Barcelona

Most popular neighbourhoods

38.2% of foreign students in Barcelona will live in the district of Ciutat Vella or Eixample.

Most Erasmus students are attracted to the centre of the city, with Esquerra de l’Eixample – including La Nova Esquerra de l’Eixample and Antigua Esquerra de l’Eixample – most in demand: 10.5% of Erasmus students live here.

Second is Ciutat Vella with El Gòtic, and this is where 9.4% of foreign students reside; followed by El Raval with 7.5%; and El Born with 5.6%.

La Dreta de l’Eixample is the fifth most favourite neighbourhood, and it welcomes 5.2% of all Erasmus students.

Place of origin usually determines the destination

If you compare different nationalities, then Germans and Italians prefer l’Esquerra de l’Eixample (with 16% of the total number of foreign students); English and Italian students love to stay in El Gòtic (both with 18% of the total number); but El Raval is also popular with the English (14%); French students like to live in El Born (with 10%); and besides living in El Gòtic, Italians also enjoy living in La Dreta de l’Eixample (with 13%).

What do foreign students in Barcelona appreciate most?

Students really like the atmosphere at universities, but Barcelona also offers lots of cultural and leisure options. There is no way you could be bored in Barcelona, because there is something to do any day of the week.

Students should also be aware that Barcelona is a Mediterranean city, which means you can enjoy both the sea and nearby mountains within just half an hour. The – almost – all year-round pleasant climate and a comfortable transport network are also greatly valued by young people.

Where would you prefer to live as an Erasmus student in Barcelona?