All the tips you should know if you are an Erasmus student in Barcelona that you cannot miss

If you are living the experience as an Erasmus student in Barcelona, then you are a more than lucky person. However, in these few months you have been in the Catalan capital, do you think you know all the essentials of the city?

Well today you are lucky because at The Lofttown, your university residence in Barcelona, we share a complete post with all the important information you should know as an Erasmus student in Barcelona, so that you can enjoy your stay in the city without missing any details.
Join us? Welcome once again to our blog with the best tips for university students in Barcelona!

First steps like Erasmus

After the excitement of being accepted into a university in Barcelona, the perfect time comes for you to know what all the documentation you need to have collected and in order, especially in time.
So future Erasmus in Barcelona, pay attention of all the steps because the great time has come for you to take the first big step in your new academic adventure, maybe the most important of your life, Barcelona, a magnificent city that will impress you forever.
So take note, because we are talking about your great move to the Catalan capital and all the aspects that this entails, so you must be ready and mentalized that will not be easy at first.

What does Barcelona mean?

Barcelona is more than a city. Barcelona is a unique experience that marks us in life. We remind you that you will live in one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Europe, considered also among the top 10 cities to study abroad and where you will find a great variety of cultures in the same place.
Therefore, our recommendation to make your best adaptation to the city and the fastest, it is essential that you know what are some particular details of the Catalan capital, so that you are prepared 100% in front of all the experiences and curiosities that you will find in the city every day.

Catalan, a new language you should know

In Barcelona the official language is Catalan. However, its inhabitants speak all the languages of the world you can imagine, since Barcelona is a multicultural city where countless nationalities from all six continents coexist.
However, English is the main language among foreign students, don’t forget people e who already speak Spanish. Otherwise, if you have the opportunity to go further and learn a bit of the Catalan language, we assure you that you will appreciate it very much, especially if you have contact with local people or friends here. Don’t forget that local people are bilingual and won’t have a problem speaking to you in either language without any problems.
On the other hand, when we refer to Spanish-speaking students, especially those who come from Latin America and have Spanish as their mother tongue, the change to the Catalan language is not a big problem, as for people from France or Italy, because there is a great resemblance to Catalan.

However, if you are from a country outside these languages, the situation changes a lot because of the difficulty of learning Catalan from the beginning. Therefore, we recommend that you adapt as much as possible to the language so that you do not have problems living together, especially for a matter of respect for local people. Good news is that at the universities of Barcelona there are free Catalan courses for their foreign students who want to learn it.

Adapt to the local culture

You know that every city in the world has its own local customs and Barcelona is one of them. In the Catalan capital, for example, shops usually close at midday, dinner is very late in the night and when you go to restaurant tips are optiona. Also, don’t forget something fundamental for local people, we mean nap time!
So, if you want to adapt to the city perfectly then it is necessary that you also do it to their customs conveniently and without any problem. Our recommendation is that you make friendship with people from Barcelona so that you will get to know how people are here and what it means to be a foreigner in Barcelona.

Discover the secrets of the city

As we said before, Barcelona is one of the best cities in Europe to study and live. But so it is when we refer to the connection it has with public transport. Therefore, it doesn’t matter where you live in the city, whether in the city centre or outside, because you will always find a simple, easy and quick way to get around Barcelona, whether by public bus, metro service, tram and without leaving the bike service.
If you go more cycling, then we tell you that Barcelona has thousands of exclusive lanes for people who decide to opt for a more sustainable and healthy mobility.

Get lost in the neighbourhoods of Barcelona

In Barcelona you will find neighborhoods of all kinds and for all cultural tastes. If it’s a bohemian life near all the bars, artistic atmosphere and top restaurants in the city that suits you best, then Gothic and Born are a perfect choice for you, because they are located in the heart of the city and offer you all the services you need as an Erasmus student to make your life much more comfortable and especially fun.

Also, if you like more the connection with the sea and the sailor spirit, then Barceloneta is a neighborhood that you should know. Located in the heart of the city centre and port, this century-old fishing quarter has all the magic of being anchored in a port, with all kinds of shops, bars and restaurants that are characterized by being 100% authentic, and where all cultures converge in perfect harmony.

Finally, if your desire is to find a place with more tranquility, we recommend exploring the most residential neighborhoods of the city, such as: l’Eixample, Poble Nou and Sant Antoni y Gracia. These neighborhoods are characterized by being less noisy compared to the more central neighborhoods. However, they are also well-connected and have all the essential services for your comfort.

Let yourself be seduced by Catalan cuisine

Barcelona is characterized by having a wide variety of restaurants for all tastes and budgets especially when you are a student. For this reason, foreign students will be able to find all kinds of restaurants and special corners with meals from around the world at a fairly affordable price for their pockets that they will also love.
The options range from traditional Catalan and Spanish food, Latin American and Asian restaurants, fast food, tapas, pizzerias and many more options. The secret is to explore the city to find that culinary corner that completely satisfies your tastes without affecting your budget.

Now that you know our guide to live the maximum of your university stage as Erasmus in Barcelona, we remind you that at The Lofttown, your university residence in Barcelona, we want to count on you to live a unique and unforgettable experience, while you study in Barcelona to become one of our #TheLoftowners. If you need to know more about tips and curiosities of Barcelona, we will always be ready to help you in what you need.

If you want to know more about us we also invite you to follow us on Instagram so that you are always up to date with the latest promotions and news in our university residence.

Enjoy Barcelona very much!