The best neighborhoods to live in Barcelona as a foreigner
What are the best neighborhoods to live in Barcelona as a foreigner? Stay and discover the environments in which you will feel at home when you arrive in the city.


Barcelona has been an attractive destination for people from all over the world for decades, but in recent years, it has seen an unprecedented boom in the arrival of foreigners looking for a new life in the city. With its vibrant cultural scene, leisure and entertainment options, plus an enviable quality of life, it’s no wonder that Barcelona has become a place of choice for foreigners looking for a new home.
Discover here what are the secrets of the vibrant city of Barcelona and find your perfect home in one of its emblematic neighborhoods. Get to know with us the personality of each neighborhood, from the bohemian atmosphere of Gracia to the sophistication of Eixample, find the place that best suits your needs and lifestyle!
Reasons why to live in Barcelona
These are some of the main reasons why you should live in Barcelona as a foreigner. The city offers a wealth of options to suit all types of residents, from culture lovers to professionals looking for job opportunities. Let’s take a look at some of them!
Quality of life: Barcelona offers a great quality of life, with a warm and sunny climate, a vibrant gastronomic scene and a wide variety of leisure and entertainment options.
Job opportunities: The city is an important business center and has a wide range of job opportunities in a variety of sectors.
Multiculturalism: Barcelona is a cosmopolitan and multicultural city, with a vibrant international community and a wealth of events and activities to meet people.
Architecture and historical heritage: Barcelona is known for its modernist architecture and rich culture and historical heritage, with a wide variety of museums, art galleries and monuments.
Location: The city is well connected by public transportation and is an ideal starting point for exploring the rest of Spain and Europe.
Education: Barcelona is home to several prestigious universities and offers a wealth of education and training opportunities.
Best neighborhoods to live in Barcelona as a foreigner
Barcelona is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city that attracts many foreigners every year. If you are looking for a place to live, here are the best neighborhoods to live in Barcelona as a foreigner:
1.- Gracia
It is a traditional neighborhood with narrow streets and small squares, surrounded by bars, stores and restaurants. Gracia is a quiet and safe neighborhood, perfect for families with children.
2.- El Born
This neighborhood is known for its narrow streets, antique stores and art galleries. It is a bohemian and vibrant neighborhood, perfect for those who enjoy culture and art.
3.- Poblenou
Poblenou is a neighborhood known for its modernist buildings and cozy atmosphere. It is a quiet and safe neighborhood, ideal for those who want to live in a modern and affordable neighborhood.
4.- Eixample
The Eixample is an elegant and quiet neighborhood, surrounded by stores, restaurants and bars. It is the ideal place for those looking to live in a safe and quiet environment, close to the city center.
5.- Sants-Montjuïc
One of the quietest and safest neighborhoods in Barcelona to live with the family. This district has countless services. In addition, its proximity to the train station will facilitate your mobility around the city.
These are just some of the best neighborhoods to live in Barcelona as a foreigner. Any of them will offer you a unique and exciting experience in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
Living in Barcelona: Other issues to take into account
In addition to choosing the neighborhood in Barcelona in which to live, you should be clear about other issues. For example, if you are a foreigner you should be familiar with the procedures necessary to move and live in Barcelona, including obtaining a residence permit and a NIE. In addition, knowing Spanish and Catalan can also be an advantage in everyday life. Although the city is cosmopolitan and most people speak English.
You should also keep in mind that, if you do not intend to live renting and want to buy a house in Barcelona as a foreigner, the rules of the game change and you should take into account several things. We remind you here!
In any case, and if you still have doubts, you can also hire the services of a Property Manager to help you with your moving to the Catalan city.