Spanish Language Schools in Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona: 
Barcelona is our number one ranked destination to learn Spanish in the world and has something for everyone:

Pros:

The city is not overwhelming in size, which makes it very easy to navigate and there are excellent public transport connections. The prices in Barcelona are a lot more economical than other European cities such as Paris and London, and you will be pleasantly surprised at the number of free activities available. With such a choice of options to do during your stay, it is not a surprise that Barcelona has been ranked in the top 10 most popular city destinations to visit in the world in the Travellers Choice Awards.

Cons:

Towards the end of April, the streets start to fill with tourists, which brings with it noticeably higher accommodation prices than other cities in Spain. The city itself is generally safe for higher level crime, however, pickpocketing in tourist areas is commonplace and it is highly recommended that you keep an eye on your belongings at all times. As is the case in most large cities with a high density of tourists, locals can be less open than in the smaller cities and towns. Catalonians are bilingual with both Spanish and Catalan being taught at school from a young age. There is a tendency for locals to speak in English to those assumed to be foreign and you will need to be firm and persistent to practise Spanish.

Airport:

El Prat is the International Airport in Barcelona and welcomes flights from 145 different countries. Please check with your school first as some offer discounted airport pickups. Aerobús is a direct bus service and provides free wifi. Another option is by train from one of the main central stations. The metro reaches the airport on Line 9 and some local bus routes include the airport. There is a well marked taxi rank outside both airports with a minimum fee of EUR 20.

What is the best language school location in Barcelona?

Eixample holds the largest concentration of schools and is in the more affluent part of the city. Passeig de Gracia and Diagonal are the main streets of Eixample and these have regular bus services and a metro station that connects to most of the main attractions in Barcelona for exploring after class. Gracia, the bohemian borough, is another popular destination for Spanish language schools in Barcelona. Gracia is further away than the other areas but there are bus routes and two metro lines running through the borough.

What is the best time to take a Spanish course in Barcelona?

The Mediterranean is known for its excellent summers with average highs of 28 degrees and very little rainfall. The city swarms with people during these months and it is important to book accommodation or events well in advance to avoid disappointment. The winter months are cooler with January and February being the coldest. Not every apartment is equipped with heating so it is important to check your accommodation options and bring a warm coat. The streets are less crowded in the winter and there is less rainfall than in other European cities. Spring comes around quickly in the city as the temperatures ease up towards the summer. Like most seasonal climates April sees a lot of rain as do the months towards the end of the year, so bring waterproofs.

Noteworthy language courses offered in Barcelona:

All of our schools in Barcelona offer the general language courses as well as a selection of other specialized courses. If you require an official exam certificate in Spanish, our schools provide exam preparation courses for both the DELE Exam and the SIELE exam. For those interested in further education in a Spanish University, University preparation courses are available in Barcelona to assist in the selection and application process as well as an introduction into the vocabulary needed in this environment. Barcelona is rich in cultural diversity so why not combine learning more about the city's roots by learning Spanish in one of our schools Language and Culture programmes.

What to do after class in Barcelona?

Most of our schools in Barcelona offer extracurricular activities outside of the classroom. It is possible to join a Language exchange group, which is incredibly popular in the city and located in numerous bars on various nights, so there is no excuse not to try. The most popular after class activity in the summer months is the beach. Barcelona was beachless before the 1992 Olympic Games, with its 4.5km coastline artificially made for the occasion. The beaches are lined with restaurants and bars with a promenade running all the way along the coast. Barcelona has a staggering 55 museums on varying degrees of subjects. On the first Sunday of the month some of the museums are free and some often have a weekly slot where visitors can enter free of charge.

How to get around?

There are plenty of transport options to explore this beautiful city. You can buy a T-Casual card from any metro stop and this gives you 10 journeys on either the metro or on any Barcelona bus routes. This does not include metro transportation to the airport. Ticket holders have 75 minutes to get from any destination in one zone and can switch lines without any extra charge. The metro is the quickest way to travel but it is common knowledge that thieves do operate here. The bus may be slower, but you can see the city during the journey and it is a safer option than the metro. Bikes and scooters are popular choices to explore the city and there are many places where you can hire these for any length of time. The cheapest way to explore is by foot and there will always be a public transport option close by to fall back on if you get tired.

What about the Nightlife?

Barcelona is famous for its nightlife. Gracia provides a number of open squares for a more relaxed environment. El Born has a substantial selection of bars offering live music or dance spaces. In the summer months Barceloneta opens up its beach bars and many continue along the promenade to Vila Olimpica’s pulsing nightlife with clubs including Opium, Pacha and Carpe Diem. Diagonal has clubs more frequented by the locals such as Twenties, Bling-Bling and Costa Breve. For those wanting to enjoy a night of Salsa and Bachata then shimmy along to El Bombon, Machete or Mojito Club. Barcelona welcomes a number of International Festivals, the most popular ones being Primavera Sound, Cruilla and Sonar.

Food and drinks:

There is no better way to “salut” to your arrival in this diverse Mediteranean city than with a glass of cava, the Catalonia sparkling wine. On Sunday afternoons you will typically find locals sitting out in a plaza with a glass of vermouth in their hand. Barcelona offers the traditional Spanish culinary ideology of tapas adding its own delights to the menu including pa amb tomàquet, bread with tomato paste and esqueixada, a cold salad of shredded salt cod. During the months between January and April, Barcelona opens its food markets to calçots, loved by the locals. Barcelona is in the top ten cities in the world for Michelin star restaurants, so it is easy to find a high quality restaurant in the city.

Shopping:

Shopoholics will not be disappointed in Barcelona. If it is quirky boutiques with one of a kind items then spend an afternoon exploring El Born. El Corte Inglés, sits in Plaça Catalunya, and is a huge shopping centre with everything you could possibly want. Around this area are all the commercial stores for clothes, beauty products, electronics and gifts. Exiample and Passeig de Gracia blend into the more expensive designer stores for those wanting to splash out. Gracia should not be dismissed with quirky unusual shops dotted around its neighbourhood. It is well worth leaving a little room in your suitcase to buy some treats during your stay.

Architecture:

Barcelona is amongst Lonely Planet's best cities for architecture and this is mainly thanks to Antoni Gaudí. Gaudí provided the city with a collection of interesting architectural pieces portraying his signature style including Casa Vicens Gaudí, Casa Batlló and Park Güell. His real masterpiece is The Basílica de la Sagrada Familia, a modern twist on a cathedral, weaving together traditional architecture techniques with nature's own building strategies. It is the 6th most popular attraction in the world as rated on tripadvisor and construction is still ongoing today, taking longer to build than the pyramids. Other noteworthy architectural treats to visit include the Gothic Cathedral of Barcelona and the modernisme Hospital Sant Pau. It is not surprising that the only Royal Gold Medal for architecture in the world has been awarded to Barcelona.

Sport:

Camp Nou, the home ground for FC Barcelona, is the largest football stadium, in terms of capacity, in Europe and ranked 3rd largest in the world. The stadium holds 99,354 people and is a must see for both football fans and non supporters as the atmosphere is electric. To add to its sporting achievements, Barcelona held the Olympics in 1992 and you can visit the Olympic stadium in Montjuic. Barcelona has been described by Redbull as the “mecca” of skateboarding, ranking number one in their top cities for this sport.

Art:

Artists are inspired by Barcelona and the city has seen a variety of art movements throughout the years. Visit the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC) which depicts the changes throughout its galleries. For those more tempted by modern art then The Contemporary Art Museum is a must see. The Picasso Museum is highly recommended and displays nearly 4000 pieces of his work, the largest collection in the world.

Places to explore over the weekends:

A great option for a day trip is the picturesque beach town of Sitges, which is regularly connected by both train and bus. Sitges has crystal clear beaches, a maze of streets with boutiques as well as a wide selection of restaurants and bars for you to watch the world go by as you escape from the sun. The town beats at a slower pace than Barcelona and this will give you a chance to practise your Spanish during the weekend.

For those wanting some fresh air to clear the mind for learning, then Montserrat is the place for you. An hour from Barcelona, there are a number of hiking options or a cable car that takes you to the top of the mountain. Once you arrive at the top you will be met with impressive views of the surrounding landscape and the Benedict Abbey, home to the Virgin of Montserrat sanctuary.

Odd facts about Barcelona:

There are a couple of interesting facts about the city that are not well known. The Eiffel Tower was originally going to be built in Barcelona, but the idea was rejected by the Spanish Government at the time as it was deemed too radical. Park Güell was originally intended to be a housing project put forward by Gaudí and his patron Eusebi Güell. There was no interest from investors so Gaudí moved into the home and it became what it is today.