Table of Contents
Living in Barcelona: my thoughts on the benefits and perks
Read below the introduction to find out some of the benefits of living in Barcelona.
Other articles on Barcelona include:
What type of residential properties can I find in Barcelona
Which areas of Barcelona offer the best property investment opportunities
Articles on Spain include:
How to buy property as a foreigner in Spain
Introduction – How I ended up living in Barcelona
In 2004 I spent a couple of days in Lisbon. When strolling through the city, from the small alleyways in the old town to the larger roads just outside the city center, I started imagining living in a city like Lisbon. A few months later, my partner got an opportunity to take on a job in Barcelona. We had been living in Hamburg for nearly 2 years and had built up a comfortable life with a decent social circle. Besides, Hamburg is a lovely city to live in. This reminds me that I should cover Hamburg in the foreseeable future. Moving to a new country hadn’t been on our radar, even less so moving to a country with a language neither one of us spoke. My experience in Lisbon was what convinced me, and my other half didn’t take too long to be on board as well. It was too exciting of an opportunity to miss.
Arriving in Barcelona
For the first few months we stayed in a small flat around the corner from Casa Mila (La Pedrera) by Gaudí. We arrived in August and there were two things that immediately left us a little stunned. Firstly, the Catalan language was much more widely spoken and used than we expected. Secondly, a lot of shops and restaurants were closed in August. Most locals take their summer break in August when it is often scorching hot.
The first months of living in Barcelona
The first couple of months were used as a combination of exploring the city, looking for a permanent place to live and hunting for job opportunities. I had brought over my bicycle from Hamburg and loved biking around the city. Cycling can be rather challenging in hilly Barcelona. One day it rained so much and so heavily that one of the streets became a river floating down towards the sea. I remember carrying my partner on my back to cross that road.
What I loved about living in Barcelona: the benefits and perks
We ended up staying in Barcelona for 2 years between 2005 and 2007 and here are my favorite parts of living in Barcelona:
The climate
A few days a week, I used to work late into the evening. I remember walking back home in my T-shirt after 10pm on another beautiful, sunny day in November. It could just as well have been February or April or December. Moreover, waking up nearly every day to blue skies makes such a positive impact to our mental wellbeing.
The culture
Barcelona offers such a diverse range of museums and galleries that showcase both contemporary and historical works. The city’s Roman ruins, Gothic churches, and many other historical monuments reflect its rich past and add depth to its cultural landscape. Barcelona’s cultural experiences also include dynamic expressions such as traditional Catalan festivals with dancing giants and human pyramids, as well as the famous sardana dances in the city’s squares. Some of these festivals and traditions were completely new to us. I found the human pyramids often too scary to watch. The yearly tradition of giving each other a book or a rose was wonderful. It was a day in April celebrating the saint of Sant Jordi.
The architecture
Barcelona boasts some of the world’s most incredible architectural marvels by famous artists and architects. Antoni Gaudí’s distinctive modernist buildings, such as the Sagrada Família and Park Güell, are UNESCO World Heritage sites and major attractions. The Sagrada Família is one of my favorite buildings in the world. One of the students I was teaching English to, lived a block away from the Sagrada Família. I remember coming out of the underground station and looking up to the church in awe every single time.
The food
The city’s cultural appeal is further enriched by its culinary scene. There is not one dish that I could pick out as a favorite, there are too many. What I particularly loved about the eating culture in Barcelona, was the emphasis on taking your time for lunch. Nearly all the restaurants offered a ‘Menú del día’ around lunch time for €10 to €15. The menu usually consisted of three courses. It is the perfect choice if you want to try homemade dishes and local cuisine. To this day I still much prefer a warm meal for lunch over a sandwich lunch which I was used to before.
The food in Barcelona is special due to its rich culinary heritage, which is a blend of traditional Catalan flavors and innovative gastronomic techniques. Barcelona’s location on the Mediterranean coast provides access to a variety of fresh seafood, which is a staple in many dishes. The city’s cuisine is also characterized by the use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients found in the surrounding regions of Catalonia, including fruits, vegetables, meats, and cheeses.
Some of the city’s most iconic dishes that showcase its culinary uniqueness include:
- Fideuà: A noodle dish similar to paella but made with short vermicelli-like noodles instead of rice.
- Escudella i Carn d’Olla: A hearty stew made with various meats, sausages, and vegetables, symbolizing the essence of Catalan comfort food.
- Botifarra amb mongetes: A flavorful sausage served with white beans; this dish is a simple yet beloved example of Catalan cuisine.
- Crema Catalana: Similar to French crème brûlée, this dessert features a rich custard base topped with a layer of hard caramel, often flavored with cinnamon and lemon zest.
Barcelona’s food scene is also known for its tapas culture, where small plates of a variety of dishes are shared among friends, creating a social dining experience. Iconic tapas items include patatas bravas, pan con tomate (bread with tomato), and a wide assortment of seafood and cured meats.
The sports
Barcelona is the home of the European football giants FC Barcelona. The club had gone through some period of transitions before we arrived. By 2005 the team was ready to challenge in every competition including the Champions League. Led by the flamboyant Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho, Barcelona won the league several times in the 2000s and the Champions League in 2006. We watched the Champions League finals against Arsenal on television at home. Our balcony on the fourth floor looked out to a square of terraces and balconies. That night you could feel the tension but also the excitement because the people knew how good the team was. The nervousness grew even more when Arsenal went ahead first. Barcelona turned the game around and lifted the Cup with the Big Ears for the first time since 1992. Attending the victory parade a few days later was another great experience.
The area we lived in, Eixample Izquierda and our home for 2 years
We lived in the left part of the newer area of Barcelona, called Eixample Izquierda. Eixample was built as a strict grid pattern of equally sized blocks with long, wide streets cut across the blocks to facilitate transport and navigation. Hence all terraces and balconies at the back of the buildings faced one another.
Our flat was compact but very modern. It was perfect for a young couple. The flat even came with an underground parking which was a very welcome perk. Parking in the city of Barcelona is extremely challenging. We scratched our car several times as the parking was very narrow. It was still much better than having to find parking in the streets.
The areas around Barcelona: mountains, beaches, cute little towns
Just outside of Barcelona, there is a variety of options for day trips or short getaways that offer a mix of culture, nature, and relaxation. Here are some recommendations:
- Montserrat – This mountain range is famous for its peculiar rock formations and the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey. A hike or a short funicular ride offers some breathtaking scenery. After a long day out, there’s nothing better than enjoy a piece of the delicious local cheesecake.
- Sitges – A coastal town known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, and the annual Sitges Film Festival. We didn’t realize the film festival was happening until we realized that Quentin Tarantino was dining at the table next to us. The town has a charming old quarter, beautiful seafront promenade, and is a hub for the LGBTQ+ community.
- Hiking – The Pyrenees are amazing but a little further away. The Natural Park of Collserola is a few underground stops away and lends itself to some wonderful hikes.
- Figueres – A bit further north, Figueres is famous for the Salvador Dalí Theatre-Museum, dedicated to the work of the surrealist artist Salvador Dalí. This town is a must-visit for art lovers.
- Beaches – The beaches along the Costa Brava are wonderful but can get very busy. Some beaches just outside of Barcelona are much quieter and often unknown to tourists.
- Cava Wineries – The Penedès region, just west of Barcelona, is famous for producing cava, the Spanish sparkling wine. Many wineries offer tours and tastings, providing a delightful experience for wine enthusiasts.
- The Pyrenees – If you’re up for a longer drive, the Catalan Pyrenees offer stunning mountain landscapes, hiking, and even skiing in the winter. Towns like Ripoll and Vall de Núria are popular spots to visit.