Everything You Need to Know About Barcelona Spain

The majestic city of Barcelona, the place where all of your dreams come true is waiting for you. This breathtaking metropolis is considered one of Mediterranean Europe’s most captivating cities with its gorgeous beaches, iconic architecture, thriving arts scene, and world-class cuisine.

Dive into this guide to discover all aspects of living in Spain's charming city of Barcelona, where every corner reveals a new story waiting to be told.

Geography, Climate, and Population of Barcelona

Barcelona city is located on the northeastern coast of Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia. The perfectly positioned city is one of the largest metropolises on the Mediterranean coasts of Spain. The city is bordered by the Sierra de Collserola mountain range and is situated about 120 km south of the Pyrenees and the Catalan border with France.

Barcelona is part of the Costa Barcelona which astonishes all visitors with approximately 100 kilometers of stunning coastline. This area is bordered by the Costa Dorada to the south and the Costa Brava to the north. The breathtaking Costa Barcelona is renowned for its beautiful art and architecture, dazzling natural parks, golf courses, lively nightlife, traditional festivals, and exquisite cuisine. The Barcelona beaches along this coast are known for their gold-washed sands and crystal clear waters with blue flag awards.

Barcelona city is involved in Barcelona Province, and its urban area extends to several neighboring municipalities. In 2023, The number of residents living in the Barcelona province has reached 5.7 million people, which comprises over 66% of the people of Catalonia. This makes this magnificent settlement the 6th most populous metropolitan area in the European Union, following Paris, London, Madrid, Berlin, and the Ruhr area.

Barcelona city, on the other hand, is still one of the best places to experience a vibrant city lifestyle, since it is the second-most populous city in Spain. The city is home to 1.7 Million residents, and nearly 25.4% of them are foreigners. According to the 2024 report published by Barcelona City Council, As of January 1st, 2024, there are 432,556 foreigners living in the city, marking a new record in the city’s history.

As for climate, like most southern coastal cities of Spain, Barcelona city enjoys sunshine and a warm climate all year long. The city’s climate is classified as a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Csa) by the Köppen system.

Barcelona’s weather conditions are characterized by mild winters and hot summers. On average, the daytime temperature throughout the year is 21.2 °C (70.2 °F). At night, the average temperature is around 15.1 °C (59.2 °F). January is the coldest month and the daytime temperatures in January typically range between 12 and 18 °C (54 to 64 °F).

Historical Background of Barcelona

The history of the first settlements in Barcelona trace back to the Phoenicians or the Carthaginians. These civilizations established trading posts along the Catalonian coast. During the Roman period, the colony of Barcino was the main settlement in this region.

In the early Middle Ages, the city was declared as the capital of the County of Barcelona. Later the city grew to be the most significant city under the Crown of Aragon. Barcelona city was considered a primary economic and administrative hub for the Kingdom of Aragon. In the 19th century, Barcelona transformed into a major city and industrial hub with the influence of the Industrial Revolution. These developments have crowned the city as a pioneer in modern art and architecture in the 20th century.

Today, this gorgeous city is considered one of the major meeting points for art and adventure enthusiasts around the world. Barcelona city charms every visitor with its thriving arts scene, and is a hub for tourism, trade, and innovation.

International Connections and Transportation

As a major hub of tourism, education, and business, Barcelona has developed an advanced transportation network, both domestic and interstate. For example, the famous Port of Barcelona is one of Europe's key seaports and the busiest passenger port. The port also ranks as Europe’s tenth-largest container port.

When it comes to airways, the Barcelona–El Prat Airport operates as an international airport that handles over 50 million passengers annually. Barcelona airport is the second-largest airport in Spain and the largest on the Mediterranean coast.

Barcelona is well-connected by road and rail also. Along with the extensive motorway network, a high-speed rail line also links the city to France and the rest of Europe. The RENFE AVE high-speed rail system is designed to shorten travel time and was extended from Madrid to Barcelona train station in 2008. In 2013, a joint RENFE-SNCF, high-speed rail service connecting Barcelona with France was introduced. Both high-speed rail lines serve the Barcelona Sants Train Station.

As for inner-city transportation in Spain, Barcelona stands out as one of the most advanced local transportation networks in Europe. It takes between 30-40 minutes to travel in the city end-to-end. Not only that, it takes around 1 hour of travel to discover the most breathtaking natural beauties of the outskirts, undiscovered coves, and wonderful towns from the city center.

Education in Barcelona

Barcelona also doesn’t fall behind on educational opportunities for its residents and international students. Barcelona is an outstanding intellectual center in Spain. There are a lot of prestigious high schools in Barcelona, along with leading universities including the deep-rooted University of Barcelona which was founded in 1450.

The city is an outstanding center in the higher education system in Spain, with a strong presence of public universities and schools in Barcelona Spain. For example, the Polytechnic University of Catalonia in Barcelona is known for its focus on engineering and technology. Additionally, the Autonomous University of Barcelona, a leading public university, is located in Bellaterra, within the metropolitan area.

For students who prefer notable private institutions, Barcelona is also a magnificent choice. There are numerous private schools such as EADA Business School, which was the first in the city to offer management training for the business community. Other prominent private institutions include IESE Business School, Ramon Llull University, and Toulouse Business School. The city also hosts the Open University of Catalonia, a private institution specializing in online education.

To learn more about Spain’s education system, you can read our blog titled Education in Spain.

Lifestyle, Arts and Culture

Barcelona city has been ranked as the 7th best city in Europe in Resosance’s Best Cities Report of 2024. From sunny beach days during winter to colorful festivals being held throughout the year, Barcelona city has a lot to offer for everyone. After Madrid, Barcelona is the leading representative of Spain’s rich cultural aspects, offering endless experiences from events, adventures, explorations, and more.

First of all, Barcelona city is an internationally renowned tourist destination. It attracts millions of tourists each year by being home to the best beaches in Spain. Other attractive points of Barcelona are its warm climate, lively ambiance, numerous historical monuments, including eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and 400+ hotels including luxury ones. There are endless things to do in Barcelona.

When it comes to socializing, especially as a foreigner, think of no better place than Barcelona. The city is home to thousands of foreigners and hosts millions of tourists each year. It is a major checkpoint for different cultures across the world. Unlike most other European countries, the show goes on until midnight, instead of 6 p.m.

It would be convenient to say that the gastronomical scene in Barcelona is taken very seriously by Spaniards. The city’s local culinary traditions reflect the Mediterranean heritage through a focus on fresh ingredients. From tapas bars or seaside chiringuitos to Michelin-starred restaurants, Barcelona offers a diverse and exclusive dining experience that caters to every taste. Discovering local dishes in the best restaurants in Barcelona is a must-do!

Let’s switch to the arts and sports. The city is a gem for performing arts enthusiasts with the renowned Gran Teatre del Liceu Opera House, the Teatre Nacional de Catalunya, the Teatre Lliure, and the Palau de la Música Catalana concert hall. The Barcelona Symphony and Catalonia National Orchestra (OBC), the largest symphonic orchestra in Catalonia, also resides here.

The major annual pop music festivals are also held in Barcelona city, such as the Sónar Festival and Primavera Sound. Barcelona's nightlife is internationally renowned with concept venues, dance, and concert halls, and endless options of nightclubs and bars that stay open well into the night.

Sports play a pivotal role in Barcelona’s identity. The city’s geographic and climate conditions allow its residents to be involved in any sport they want, from aquatics to marathons, and tennis to aerosports.

FC Barcelona, the city's iconic sports club is one of the largest and wealthiest in the world. The club boasts 74 national titles, and 17 continental trophies, including 5 UEFA Champions League titles, and 3 FIFA Club World Cup victories.

Beyond football, FC Barcelona has successful professional teams in basketball, handball, roller hockey, ice hockey, futsal, and rugby union, all of which have won top national and European honors. The FC Barcelona’s Museum is the second most visited museum in Catalonia.

Last but not least, the city is one of the best places to witness impressive architecture and dive into Spain’s breathtaking art world. Barcelona is a major meeting point for art enthusiasts with a cultural landscape shaped by iconic figures such as Antoni Gaudí and Pablo Picasso.

Gaudí’s footsteps can be observed throughout the city, most notably in the breathtaking Sagrada Familia and the whimsical Park Güell. The city’s art scene is also highlighted by the Picasso Museum, which houses one of the most extensive collections of the artist's work.

Not only for modern art, Barcelona continues to be an outstanding representative in the international contemporary art scene. The city is filled with galleries, art spaces, and cultural centers that host a variety of exhibitions and events all year.

Housing

Deciding where to stay in Barcelona is an important subject to focus on. Since Barcelona is one of the most populated metropolitan cities in Spain, finding a rental apartment can be a tricky and overwhelming process, especially for foreigners. Average rental prices of a simple 2-bedroom apartment sized approximately 50-60 sqm start from €1,200 in the city center.

Meanwhile, rental prices of 70 - 100 sqm apartments with 2 bedrooms start from €2,500 and climb upwards. It is a bit hard to find a nice, spacious apartment with sea views, or in a complex with a pool, situated in a great location for less than €5,000. Since the prices may vary depending on the preferences and qualities, it really requires deep research and market knowledge.

On the other hand, Barcelona is a gem for real estate investors in so many aspects. First of all, Barcelona real estate offers a diverse property portfolio that caters to every preference. You can find a 1-bedroom studio in the city center close to all amenities, or cozy villas with 6 or 7 bedrooms with stylish details. From penthouse apartments to luxury villas, Barcelona’s real estate market got you covered on every choice.

In addition, the property prices are quite moderate when compared to other metropolitan cities of Europe, such as Berlin, London, Paris, etc. The sales price of a brand new apartment with 2 bedrooms starts from €500.000 and climbs upwards to approximately €800.000. Meanwhile, luxury properties with more than 3 bedrooms, private pools, large terraces, and all other exclusive qualities enter the market from €1,200,000.

To be frank, Barcelona benefits well to property investors aiming to generate income from their investments. Whether via short-term rentals in Spain through Airbnb or long-term rentals to a trusted tenant, Barcelona being a major tourism city makes it way easier to turn a property investment into a source of income. Plus, the impressive 6% - 7% ROI is also one of the major aspects of owning a property in Barcelona Spain.

It is also possible to benefit from limited-time offers, launch prices, and off-plan advantages beforehand if you plan to work with a professional company with local expertise. Spain Homes ® is ready to guide you through your journey in Barcelona. You can consult our experts to find your dream home, benefit from advantageous offers, and complete all your purchasing experience in the blink of an eye. Take a look at Barcelona properties on our website, and contact our agents to learn more.

Learn More About the Beautiful Cities of Spain!

Barcelona is a city full of surprises and opportunities on every corner. This metropolitan city perfectly combines modernity with tradition, maximalism with refined living, lively ambiance with coziness. This unique blend is reflected in everything from the city’s architecture to its social customs, creating a dynamic and ever-evolving cultural landscape.

If you are looking for opportunities to learn more about Spain, take a look at our blog page and explore how life goes in Spain’s charming cities.