Moving to Barcelona in 2023 an expat guide is your reference on this wonderful metropolitan city. Barcelona is a place where expats have to jostle for space with up to nine million tourists, and where the traditional laidback attitude and slow-paced lifestyle associated with Spain have seemingly been exiled far, far away.
This expat guide to moving to Barcelona in 2023 will help you decide whether you’d like to move there or not. If you do, don’t forget to contact us for your removal to Spain
Where exactly is Barcelona?
Being Spain’s second-largest city, Barcelona is on the North East Coast of Spain, in the centre of the Catalonia region. Click on the picture above for a google map guide.
How can I get there?
By air, you can fly to Barcelona-El Prat Airport, which is a 20-minute drive from the city centre. Most airports within the UK offer affordable, direct flights to Barcelona, and you can get there in less than three hours.
For arrival by car, you can drive onto a ferry in Portsmouth or Plymouth, arrive in Bilbao or Santander, and then drive across to Barcelona, which should take you no more than six hours. Visit Brittany Ferries to book your tickets.
If you are moving and want a removal to Barcelona from the UK, then please contact us, as we specialise in removals from the UK to Spain.
Why Choose to move to Barcelona?
Catalonia is one of the most economically dynamic communities of Spain. Its capital, Barcelona, is a major international cultural centre, as well as being the third most-visited city in Europe.
Here are our top three reasons why British expats are moving to Barcelona in 2023.
Reason #1 – No One Ever Gets Bored in Barcelona
Even expats love sightseeing and the traditional touristy haunts of Barcelona
Barcelona is popular as an expat and tourist destination for many reasons. Honestly, you won’t have the chance to get bored here and there is something for all the family to enjoy!
You can shop in stylish boutiques, visit museums, breathe in creativity whilst you sip on coffee in an art café. Or you can explore the city’s eclectic neighbourhoods and hunt for a bargain at one of its famous flea markets.
Other interesting things expats can see and do in Barcelona
- Arouse your curiosity at the Erotic Museum
- Just a stone’s throw from La Rambla, El Jardinet dels Gats is home to dozens of beautiful kittens who are waiting to be adopted. Most passers-by miss what’s going on behind the tall wire fence – cats curled up asleep in the sun, stretching to scratch a tree, and playing in the tunnels and boxes left out for their amusement. It’s like something straight out of a children’s story.
- Find an oasis of calm atop Park Guinardó. Take in spectacular views, spot the remnants of an old shanty town, and the gun turrets of the anti-aircraft base.
- Enjoy experimental theatre at the Sala Hiroshima. It’s a place to experience some of the most interesting performances in town.
- Seek out the Romans – One of the best preserved relics of the Roman Empire (the columns of the Temple of Augustus) can be found at Carrer Paradis 3.
- Celebrate a special event (like an anniversary or birthday) with a Photo Shoot Tour of your new home city. Awarded a Certificate of Excellence on Trip Advisor.
- Try a variety of classes including Authentic Spanish cookery, mosaics or watercolour painting
- Take up sailing
- Learn about the universe and star gaze at the Fabra Observatory
- Visit the open air museum of El Poble Espanyol which has 117 full-scale replicas of different buildings from all around Spain.
The nightlife in the city certainly packs a punch
Nightlife
The nightlife in the city certainly packs a punch as well. Even if clubbing isn’t your thing, Barcelona has a lot to interest expats. Cocktail bars, restaurants, pubs, theatres, music halls, galleries, you name it, it’s probably got it.
In addition, if you’re looking for an adventure, this expat guide to moving to Barcelona will certainly help provide ideas. You’ll definitely find more than enough to keep you going, long after the sun goes down.
Where to go to spend an evening when you move to Barcelona
Las Ramblas
A natural starting point for any new expat is, of course, Las Ramblas and, on either side of it, the narrow streets of the medieval Old Town.
Barcelona’s busiest boulevard by day, Las Ramblas is also heaving by night. Street performers still ply their trade and the pavements throng with locals and tourists heading out for drinks and dinner.
- Best Restaurant: The Irati Taverna Basca is a gorgeous restaurant serving up traditional Basque cuisine. If you’re eager to try dishes from these proud people, then don’t look any further than here.
- The Best Cocktail Bar: Le Pop Cocktail Bar in the Lounge of Le Meridien Hotel (it boasts one of the best bartenders in town, who can mix you a signature Catalan Bellini).
- Top Entertainment Venue: Watch a Flamenco Show in Tablao Cordobes, where some of the biggest names in the history of flamenco have performed.
Gothic Quarter
For the more authentic local venue, the labyrinthine alleyways and history-steeped backstreets of the Gothic Quarter await an adventurous expat. Here you’ll find scores of sassy little spots hidden away in dark corners.
- Best Restaurant: Attic– first floor restaurant with a full view of the busy street of the Ramblas, serves Mediterranean cuisine. Wooden decking, white canopies and orange trees makes for a truly romantic and summer-like setting. The terrace is also framed by two historic buildings, creating a truly unique and regal backdrop for a delicious Spanish meal.
- The Best Cocktail Bar: Milk Bar
- Top Entertainment Venue: El Bosc de Les Fades – its name means ‘fairy wood’, and this sangria-serving grotto just off the bottom end of Las Ramblas is decorated just like one. Fake trees, illusory mirrors, haunting music and simulated rainstorms are all part of the experience.
El Born
One of the most desirable areas to live in Barcelona, is for the trendily-attired expat who wants a more ‘hip’ and sophisticated slice of Barcelona’s nightlife. Here you’ll find history, culture and you can discover hidden hotspots and weird and wonderful surprises.
- Best Restaurant: Petra – This is a typical Spanish restaurant for the locals. It is hidden on the corner of Carrer Banys Vells and is a little hard to find because there is no terrace or sign which tells you that it´s a restaurant. The menu is printed on wine bottles and they only serve fresh products. Prices are quite cheap compared to other restaurants.
- The Best Cocktail Bar: Miramelindo
- Top Entertainment Venue: The Palau de la Música. This is one of the finest concert halls in the world and UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was designed by Lluís Domènech I Montaner, a contemporary of Gaudí. The hall is exquisitely decorated and has a very special skylight.
Raval
Located on the other side of the Ramblas, Raval is a bohemian’s paradise, it’s Barcelona’s most colorful district. Street kids play cricket or football and generally run riot as beatniks stroke their beards and order another chupito.
- Best Restaurant: El Rincón de Aragón – a restaurant with traditional, home cooked Aragonese dishes. It has a familiar and welcoming atmosphere and a rustic, authentic and characterful interior.
- The Best Cocktail Bar: Marmalade
- Top Entertainment Venue: La Boqueria – a huge public market and one of the city’s most famous landmarks. The grand iron entrance leads into one of Europe‘s largest and most famous food markets. With fresh produce and providing a seemingly never-ending supply of exotic fruit smoothies and fresh lemonade.
25 things to do in Barcelona – US Video 10mins 40secs
L’Eixample
‘The Addition’ is a grand, grid-patterned section of the Catalan capital which is residential… but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing going on! Trendy and vibrant, L’Eixample is a bustling area filled with young professionals, and the area around Casanova Street has been dubbed Gayxample.
For those missing a quiet pint or for a wee dram of exquisite whiskey, The Lock Inn in L’Eixample is a great place to call your new local.
- Best Restaurant: Paco Meralgo – One of the best tapas bars in Barcelona – casually elegant and always busy. Their mix of delicious, high-quality food is accompanied by a large wine, cava, and champagne selection. Try their brie and asparagus dish, it’s phenomenal.
- The Best Cocktail Bar: Slow Barcelona – A suave club which creates some pretty innovative concoctions
- Top Entertainment Venue: L’Auditori – A cutting edge, classical music venue
Gracia
Another area of Barcelona with an alternative vibe. Here, you’ll find a very Catalan quarter oozing with charisma and an energetic vibe – with not too many tourists, except those who lost their way trying to find Parc Guell. A quieter part of Barcelona, with an older, free-spirited and more genteel crowd.
- Best Restaurant: La Pubilla – A bright and cozy restaurant that’s well-known throughout Barcelona for serving up the best menu del dia, or fixed price lunch menu. Beautifully creative presentation, top-notch quality and generous portions make this place a must for a chic Barcelona lunch. Reservations a must!
- The Best Cocktail Bar: Belle Epoque – Stylish and comfortable, luxurious and relaxing.
- Top Entertainment Venues: For a low-key jazzy vibe try Woody’s.
Poble Sec
Shh, keep it quiet, but these days the once unloved district of Poble Sec a.k.a. Dry Town is now considered to be a pretty hip barrio. Quirky, creative, relaxed and culturally diverse, this area has recently undergone something of a renewal and is quite enchanting.
- Best Restaurant: Xemei – If you’re in the mood for a quick break from Spanish cuisine, this restaurant is the stand-out option. The simple yet exquisitely cooked Venetian haute cuisine means it’s normally full so it’s worth making a reservation.
- The Best Cocktail Bar: Maumau Underground
- Top Entertainment Venue: El Molino – Barcelona’s most famous theatre in the area is located on the equally famous Parallel Avenue. Expect risqué yet largely tasteful cabaret and burlesque shows.
Reason #2 – Barcelona Has A Wonderful Culture
Catalan culture, quirky architecture, funky street art and beautiful textiles – just some of the things which make up Barcelona’s culture
Barcelona is a lively, unusual, artistic city with a heart that hasn’t changed for over 500 years. Catalans are extremely proud of their identity, rich culture and beautiful language. This unique heritage blazed the trail for Spain’s 19th Century industrial revolution and artistic boom.
However, after Franco’s armies defeated the Republicans in 1939, the dictator banned the Catalan language, changed street names from Catalan to Castillian (Spanish), and censored their culture.
It was only after Franco’s death in 1975 that the Catalans restored their traditions, speech, and literature – thanks to the European Romantic movement – and reminded the world about its distinct culture.
This expat guide to moving to Barcelona in 2023 wouldn’t be complete without saying that there is a Catalan flair for beauty and love for art and music which is evident all over the city. It offers a feast of sculptures, galleries, concert halls, impressive architecture, art cafés, and fashion. It is the city of the young Picasso, of Miro and Tapies, of Modernista buildings by Gaudí, as well as the cutting edge structures by Gehry and Nouvel.
Catalans generally have a reputation for being hard-working, ambitious and conservative, and their folklore has been strongly influenced by Roman Catholicism.
Fashion
Their love of superior fashion and the traditional importance they give textiles is reflected in Barcelona’s drive to become a major fashion centre.
The dress style in Barcelona is classed as formal for both men and women. Shorts are still vaguely catching on for ladies, but most of the time you will get a weird look when wearing shorts. Stick with skirts and dresses for the summer.
Very few European cities can compete with the cultural experiences on offer in Barcelona. The city celebrates its remarkable artistic legacy at every turn and British expats living there can while away hours exploring its numerous delights.
Reason #3 – Barcelona Has Beautiful Architecture
An eclectic mix of design and architecture
Ornate medieval buildings appear alongside Gaudi’s unique modernist creations, ultra-contemporary, sleek high-rises stand shoulder to shoulder with ornate, ostentatious old churches, and traditional tapas bars intermingle with chic eateries and glamorous Michelin-starred restaurants.
Barcelona really is a mishmash of structures, and has a series of architectural works awarded the World Heritage designation by the UNESCO.
Other important things to consider when you move to Barcelona
Picturing yourself living in Barcelona is one thing, working out whether it’s feasible to actually live there is something entirely different. This moving To Barcelona in 2023 an Expat Guide will help with this section, about the cost of living and other things.
The thought of spending long, warm summer days exploring the city’s maze of alleyways and narrow streets whilst immersing yourself in culture, treating yourself to a shopping trip, and smelling the intoxicating aromas of rice dishes and tapas as you go, is all well and good, but can you afford to do the shopping? Will you be able to cope with all that walking?
These are just some of the questions you’ve got to ask yourself, and below you’ll find all the other things you should consider before moving to Barcelona from the UK.
We’ve also thrown in a few tips and tricks on how to “Hack Barcelona” like a local. Moving to Barcelona in 2023 means that this expat guide must talk about these things!
1. Cost of Living
You’ll need more than other places here in Barcelona
The cost of living in Barcelona is over six per cent higher than it is in Spain’s capital, Madrid. Therefore, you really need to have substantial savings to start your new life here. An average sized, two-bedroom apartment across the city can cost you around €1200 to rent, per month. Try Foto Casa, it’s a great website to view apartments to rent/buy and gives you a general idea of how much your new dream home might cost.
A cinema ticket will cost about €8, a gym membership will be around €40, a bus ticket costs more than €2, and most essential grocery items cost upwards of €1.50. For a gastronomic delight, a three-course meal will set you back about €40 per person.
To buy or sell things once you’re in Spain, try downloading the Segundamano app. It’s the most popular secondhand service in Spain, like a Gumtree, where people can sell and buy their used stuff.
2. Transport
Barcelona is a small, compact city of just under 40 square miles, making it smaller than London and similarly sized to Amsterdam. You can explore the city’s nooks and crannies, its 86 gardens and parks, plus its 3 miles of coast by foot. However, this can be incredibly tiring. Moving to Barcelona an expat guide suggests you read the following, to move around the city like a local.
Bicing – Bikes that you can rent and park up anywhere around the city
- Bicing to move around – If you like riding a bike, renting a Bicing bike is the perfect way to move around Barcelona. Very efficient, quick and simple.
- Free parking outside of the city center – Parking in Barcelona city center can easily give you a headache. We highly recommend leaving your car on a free parking away from the city center and getting to your destination by metro.
- Download the TMBApp – The official Barcelona public transport app. After downloading it and creating an account you can configure it to work best for you. Choose underground and bus lines, the ones you use most frequently, and get the access to their timetables. You will also get notifications with alerts about “your lines”.
3. Meeting new people if you are moving to Barcelona in 2023
Try the Meetup App or join the website. This application is well-known all over the world but its particular value is shown when you arrive in a new place. Barcelona is a vibrant city and it would be a sin to just stay at home all the time.
If you want to make friends or acquaintances to jog with, go to yoga with, play golf, drink wine, watch a movie, on Meetup you’ll find groups with similar interests. Many of them are expats just like you, so chances are you’ll find someone with common interests. It’s always worth trying at least once anyway!
Other useful information
Best Site to Find Jobs In Barcelona
Keep Up To Date With The Weather
Hopefully this will be you soon, jus chilling out, taking in the sites of beautiful, albeit chaotic Barcelona!
We really hope our Moving to Barcelona in 2023 an expat guide has been helpful. You’ve maybe learned something new about this wonderful place, or it’s helped you to make your decision and you’re thinking of moving to sunny Barcelona!
If that’s the case, please don’t hesitate to contact us now for help and advice on your removals from the UK to Barcelona in 2023. Or anything else about becoming an expat in Spain. If we don’t know the answer to your question, we can point you in the right direction to get one!
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