24 Jan 2026 Wait a moment, because this is unbelievable. Are you serious? You're telling us you've achieved your ultimate dream of living in the most cosmopolitan city in the world, and on Erasmus, to boot. Is that so?
Because if that's the case, and you're here for us to lend a hand, the first thing we want to say is, congratulations. Because visiting Barcelona is wonderful, living in Barcelona is amazing, but living in Barcelona as an Erasmus student is the best.
You have one of the best cities in the world before you, and you have it in your hands, at your feet, waiting for you to discover it. Let us give you some tips so you can start enjoying it right now.
We're going to give you the keys to making the most of what will be the best experience of your entire life, both as a student and as a person.
With us, you'll discover how to get around Barcelona and how to enjoy it as it deserves so you don't waste a single moment of your stay in Barcelona.
Let's start by making it clear that Barcelona is the best destination. Period. It doesn't matter what you call it afterward; romantic, cultural, adventure, it doesn't matter. Now we're going to talk about Erasmus, and you'll see how you'll agree with us.
It's a diverse and open city, known for its cultural atmosphere and dynamism. It feels like things don't just happen in Barcelona, they're born here. This is where they flow to the rest of the world.
Barcelona has an impressive student atmosphere, as students from all over the world come here, attracted by the city and its fantastic universities. The prestige of its academic level is renowned, and this attracts a large number of students.
Barcelona is history and art, the perfect refuge for inquisitive minds who want to continue their learning. The cultural offering lives up to the city's legend; from museums to monuments, everything in the city exudes culture.
The topic of gastronomy deserves a separate mention. Spanish and local cuisine are two of the most renowned in the world, so there's little more to add on this topic. Fresh, top-quality ingredients, a healthy, balanced, and delicious Mediterranean diet. Eating in Barcelona is truly amazing.
And now that we're talking about the Mediterranean, what a temperature it is here. We have plenty of sunshine, very good temperatures, with warm springs and summers and mild winters. Yet another reason, if there weren't enough, to come and enjoy Barcelona on Erasmus.
Barcelona is beautiful no matter where you look, no matter where you visit, but of course, there's time for everything. It's great to always walk the first few days to see the city and get to know it.
But then you'll find you need a little more speed, and this is where all the resources Barcelona has at your disposal come into play. Our favourite are the city bikes. For about €50, you can use them all year round—not bad at all.
To use all the modes of transportation in Barcelona—train, tram, bus, and metro—you have a card called T-usual, although yours is actually the T-jove card, because why pay more when you can benefit from being under 30?
Being a student isn't all about studying, especially if you're an Erasmus student. The complete Erasmus experience lies in living in the city. Being able to blend in with the locals, discovering the best places to eat and drink, and adapting to the local routines and customs.
And as part of that learning process, will you have to go out dancing for a bit and not party? This is a great way to meet people. Every neighbourhood has its party areas, although one of our favourites is the Olympic Village.
And if we're going to name places, there's a wide variety, with venues like La Oca, Razzmataz, BlingBling, Ovella Negra, Opium, La Fira, and Jamboree, among others. There's something for everyone, from traditional bars to very popular nightclubs. Always go with an open mind and enjoy yourself, because you never know what style of music might become your new favourite.
And don't think that as soon as the sun comes up, the fun ends—it doesn't. The nightclubs may close, but the bars and pubs are still open. You have Ciutadella Park at your disposal for a picnic, a favourite activity for students, going to the beach, visiting a flea market, and we won't even mention the cultural agenda, because things don't stop.
There's always something happening in Barcelona—an upcoming event, one that's happening now, or is being organized. So be sure to visit the Barcelona city website to stay up-to-date on everything happening in the city.
Food here deserves its own section, if only to mention the basics, but you need a little guide to take your first steps in one of Barcelona's great wonders: its gastronomy.
The dishes are delicious, and some may surprise you with their apparent simplicity, but then you'll discover an impressive world of flavour. You must try, absolutely, as soon as you arrive in Barcelona, the most famous tomato bread in the world: Pa amb tomàquet.
If you're into vegetables or anything that can be grilled, Escalivada is for you: roasted eggplant, onions, peppers, and tomatoes. And speaking of roasted onions, you can't forget Calçots amb salsa romesco, one of the most typical dishes. It's not onion as you imagine; it's a particular type of onion, roasted and accompanied with romesco sauce. And don't forget to put on your bib.
And for dessert, there's nothing more local than crema catalana. A healthy, balanced, and very wholesome lunch.
If we have to recommend places to eat, the first thing you should know is that the best thing about this place is finding the places yourself. There's so much to offer, and so much good food, that creating your own route and having your favourites is part of Barcelona's charm.
Although for your first steps, "Sanabres" on Carrer de Taquigraf Serra is the perfect place, with competitive prices and a good selection of traditional dishes. And if you're looking for a gala dinner, stop by Restaurante Negro or Bella's.
It's all very well socializing and partying, but don't forget that one of Barcelona's fundamental pillars is its culture, so you have to soak up all the art and history that surrounds you.
Gaudí is a key figure here; you can't miss visiting La Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, and Casa Batlló, among others. However, in terms of architecture, there are also examples of modernism, such as the Palau de la Música Catalana, or icons like the Cathedral and Plaza Catalunya.
Places like the Picasso Museum, Montjuïc, Poble Espanyol, the Duomo in the Ciutat Vella, and the Gothic and Gracia neighbourhoods. Don't forget the markets like La Boqueria and Sant Antonio.
Museums are a whole other world. Although we've already mentioned Picasso, don't think it begins and ends there, it's not the case. You can't leave behind places like the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC) or the Fundació Joan Miró, among others.
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