Internship in Barcelona: the best neighbourhoods to live as an intern

Gràcia — the charm of a village within a city

Gràcia is by far the most loved neighbourhood among international interns in Barcelona — and anyone who has lived there immediately understands why. It feels like a village: wide squares (plaças) where people sit outside until late, local cafés and restaurants that don't charge tourist prices, an engaged community feel and an atmosphere that is simultaneously artistic, international and authentically Barcelonese.

Gràcia sits directly above the Eixample and borders Parc Güell — Gaudí's iconic park that you can pop into on a Wednesday morning before work as if it's just around the corner. The neighbourhood is well connected via the L3 and L5 metro lines, and most internship placements in the 22@ district or the city centre are reachable within 20–30 minutes.

• Atmosphere: artistic, international, sociable, strong community feel
• Popular with: students in marketing, communications, creative industries and design
• Costs: €€
• Transport: ★★★★☆
• Rent (guideline): shared house €500–€700 / studio €800–€1,100 per month
• Best streets: Carrer de Verdi, Plaça del Sol, Carrer Gran de Gràcia
• Pros: excellent atmosphere, authentically Barcelonese, good metro connections, close to Parc Güell
• Cons: popular — good rooms go fast, act quickly

Eixample — international, central and professional

The Eixample is the heart of Barcelona's business district. Wide, straight boulevards with impressive modernist architecture, a high concentration of international companies, creative agencies and co-working spaces. If you're interning at a multinational or an international marketing firm, there's a real chance your workplace and your home could be in the same neighbourhood.

The Eixample is more expensive than Gràcia — but also more central. Almost every metro line stops here and everything in the city is quickly reachable. The neighbourhood is less cosy in the classic Barcelonese sense but offers a professional, international and lively streetscape.

The Eixample is split into two halves: Eixample Dreta (right side, more formal and expensive) and Eixample Esquerra (left side, younger and slightly more affordable). For interns, Esquerra is generally the better choice.

• Atmosphere: professional, international, central, modern
• Popular with: students in finance, marketing, IT and international relations
• Costs: €€€
• Transport: ★★★★★
• Rent (guideline): shared house €550–€800 / studio €900–€1,200 per month
• Best streets: Carrer del Consell de Cent, Carrer de Muntaner, Avinguda del Paral·lel
• Pros: central location, excellent public transport, close to many internship placements
• Cons: more expensive than other neighbourhoods, less local character

Sants — affordable, quiet and well connected

Sants is the most underrated neighbourhood for interns in Barcelona. Less well known among international students than Gràcia or El Born, but on almost every other measure equally good or better. Sants is affordable, quiet, authentically Barcelonese and has direct access to Barcelona-Sants train station — from where you can reach Madrid in two hours and the airport in thirty minutes.

The neighbourhood has a large Latin American and local Catalan community, excellent local markets, good supermarkets and a friendly neighbourhood feel without the noise of tourist-heavy areas. For interns who prioritise space, affordability and calm, Sants is an excellent choice.

• Atmosphere: quiet, affordable, authentic, local
• Popular with: students who want to keep costs down and value space
• Costs: €€
• Transport: ★★★★☆
• Rent (guideline): shared house €450–€650 / studio €750–€1,000 per month
• Best streets: Carrer de Sants, Plaça de Sants, Carrer de la Creu Coberta
• Pros: affordable, quiet, excellent train and metro connections
• Cons: less international, slightly further from the city centre

Sant Andreu — the hidden gem for budget-conscious interns

Sant Andreu is the least well known neighbourhood on this list — and therefore perhaps the most valuable tip. Located in the north of Barcelona, Sant Andreu is a genuine working-class neighbourhood with its own character, low rents and a community that operates entirely outside the tourist circuit. The neighbourhood has quietly undergone a revival in recent years and has become increasingly popular among creative professionals and young Barcelonans.

For interns who consciously choose a more authentic and affordable experience — and who are prepared to travel an extra metro stop — Sant Andreu is a serious option. The L1 metro connects the neighbourhood well with the city centre and the 22@ district.

• Atmosphere: authentic, local, quiet, affordable
• Popular with: students looking for maximum value for their budget
• Costs: €
• Transport: ★★★☆☆
• Rent (guideline): shared house €400–€600 / studio €650–€900 per month
• Best streets: Rambla del Poblenou, Plaça del Mercadal, Carrer de la Independència
• Pros: most affordable option on this list, fully authentic Barcelonese experience
• Cons: further from the centre, smaller international social network

Practical tips for finding accommodation in Barcelona

Start after your internship is confirmed Only start looking for accommodation once you know where your internship is located. This way you avoid booking something too far from your workplace. Through Abroad Internships you receive an overview of available housing options from our fixed partners in Barcelona after your placement is confirmed — matched to your neighbourhood and budget.

Act fast The rental market in Barcelona is competitive — especially for good rooms in Gràcia, Eixample and El Born. A good room listed today is often gone tomorrow. Reacting quickly is not an exaggeration but a necessity.

Check your commute time Use Google Maps or the TMB app to check the journey time from the accommodation to your internship. Aim for a maximum of 30–40 minutes per trip — Barcelona's public transport system means this is achievable from virtually every neighbourhood.

Always ask for a written contract Never pay a deposit or first month's rent without a written rental contract. This applies to temporary rentals and rooms found via platforms like Idealista or Spotahome.

Factor in the NIE number If you stay in Spain for longer than three months you will need a NIE number — an identification number for foreigners. It is a straightforward application at the Spanish police station (€10–€20) but does take some time. Ask your partner or landlord for advice on the process.

Use the T-Casual for public transport A T-Casual (10 journeys, €12.15) is valid on the metro, bus and tram across Barcelona. Cheaper than individual tickets and the easiest way to get around the city.