The Alhambra in Granada is probably Spain’s most well-known UNESCO world heritage site, but Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia was Spain’s most popular tourist site in 2019 with 4.7 million visits.
The Catalan capital is also home to the second-most visited site in Spain – Gaudi’s Park Güell – and also the third – the FC Barcelona Museum.
But aside from modernist architecture and footballing prowess, Barcelona is also a global hub for its less well-known architectural achievements: residential housing.
It was in 1867 that Barcelona engineer Ildefons Cerda coined the term ‘urbanisation’ and designed a brand new way of planning cities. Cerda is behind Barcelona’s grid-like design, which becomes clear when observing the newer parts of the city from above.
However, when finding a house to buy in Barcelona or a long-term rental, the choice of one neighbourhood over another will always be influenced by personal tastes and by each person’s particular circumstances.
Here are our four top districts to live in Barcelona – along with average property and rental prices from the Catalan government in 2021.
Gràcia
- Average house price (€/m2): 4,277
- Average monthly rent (€): 896
Gràcia is one of Barcelona’s 10 distritos or districts. It was an independent municipality until its annexation in 1897, and retains a network of small streets leading to large squares brimming with cafes and restaurants. This is the ideal neighbourhood if you want to live in an artistic and bohemian atmosphere. Gràcia is packed with character, and is also home to Gaudi’s Casa Vicens and world famous Park Güell.
Ciudad Vella
- Average house price (€/m2): 3,932
- Average monthly rent (€): 846
Ciudad Vella (or Ciutat Vella in Catalan) is the best known tourist district of Barcelona. Ciudad Vella is Barcelona’s Old Town and includes four neighbourhoods: the Gothic Quarter, Barceloneta, El Raval and Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i La Ribera (also known as el Born). Here you will find beautiful traditional buildings, and bustling streets with vibrant restaurants, independent cafes and local shops. You’ll also find Barcelona’s famous Las Ramblas, the Contemporary Art Museum of Barcelona, the Cathedral of Barcelona, the city hall, Catalunya’s main parliament and the Museu Picasso. Oh – there’s also a zoo!
Sarrià-Sant Gervasi
- Average house price (€/m2): 5,233
- Average monthly rent (€): 1,246
If you are looking for a more exclusive neighbourhood, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi could be the place for you. This is a residential district where you can find detached houses, ideal for families as well as spacious luxury apartments. . You can also discover numerous designer shops and Michelin-starred restaurants. The Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district has the highest income per capita in Barcelona, as well as the largest number of residents with university degrees and the lowest unemployment rate.
Les Corts
- Average house price (€/m2): 4,775
- Average monthly rent (€): 1,054
Les Corts is the least populated of Barcelona’s 10 districts. It’s a quiet neighbourhood, despite it having bars and restaurants and being home to the FC Barcelona stadium as well as several universities. Les Corts has many services and is close to transport links. It’s also home to the neighbourhood (barrio) of Pedralbes – the most exclusive in Barcelona and where properties for sale have an average price of €4,775 per m2. The neighbourhood offers numerous green areas for family activities. It is a quiet and uncrowded part of the city.
At Lasose Properties & Investments we specialise in buying, selling and renting in Barcelona. We list only exclusive apartments and houses for sale in Barcelona, as well as long-term rentals to get the most from the city. We are sure that we will find you the right property in a neighbourhood that suits you and your family, ready for you to start a new life in a new home.
