Helpful Resources for English Teachers in Barcelona, Spain

Located on the southern coast of Spain, Barcelona is a bustling and beautiful home base for any English teacher. Home to the 5th largest population in the European Union, expats need to know where to find English-speaking doctors, hair stylists, or even where a comforting jar of peanut butter can be found in this immense urban area. In this guide, we offer actionable on-the-ground tips to make a new resident of Barcelona feel right at home.  

📍Location: Barcelona, Spain

Essential Resources for Your Stay in Barcelona

1. Supermarkets and Banks 

There are no shortages of supermarket options in Barcelona; however, remember that most supermarkets are closed on Sunday, and you will need to bring your own bags for your groceries. 

• Mercadona
• Lidl
• Carrefour

If you're looking for North American comfort food, check out Taste of America. Here, you will find all kinds of imported American goods, from Blue Moon to Beef Jerky and Airheads. Pricing can be high.

Two popular locations:
          1. Carrer d'Arago 231, 08077
          2. Carrer de Balmes 294, 08066

Bank Account Locations:

• Banco Sabadell in Carrer d'Aribau, 51, 08011 has friendly English speakers
• Sabadell - any location is easy to open an account at.
• BBVA - Pg. de Gràcia, 25, L'Eixample, 08007.

2. Transportation

Barcelona has more ways to get around the city than I can count on one hand. Here are some of the popular options:

• Metro 🚇: A single ticket will cost you 2.55€ (Be careful not to exit the station if you go the wrong way. You will have to buy another ticket to enter. Just simply switch platforms). Single tickets have no time limit as they are not integrated with other means of transport. Once it has been validated, it is only useful to exit. Please keep your ticket with you until exiting as you can be controlled, and you can be punished for not showing your ticket with a fine of up to 100€. An Airport ticket will cost you 5.50€ one way. 
  
  
• Bus 🚍: A single ticket will cost you 2.55€. Be careful not to exit the bus at the wrong station. If you get off and can quickly get back on, you will have to purchase another ticket, even if you are getting off at the next stop. Single tickets have no time limit as they are not integrated with other means of transport. Once it has been validated, it is only useful for exiting. Please keep your ticket with you until exiting as you can be controlled, and you can be punished up to 100€ for not showing your ticket.
   
  • Popular ticket selections: Although single-journey tickets allow certain travelers to get to a destination and not have to use transport again, multi-journey tickets allow travelers to get all over the city using the same ticket till it expires. (All integrated tickets allow you to access Barcelona's METRO, BUS, FGC, TRAM, and RENFE services). Barcelona is split into 6 different zones. The center of Barcelona is Zone 1. Prices for integrated tickets vary based on the zone you choose.
  • T-casual: A T-casual, formerly known as T-10, is a ticket that allows you to take 10 journeys until it expires. This card can be shared with friends, but once your 10 rides are over, you must get a new ticket. Be careful to keep this ticket with you at all times until it expires, and you exit the metro. Price: zone (1) 12.15€

• • T-dia: Allows an unlimited number of journeys in the zone (1) only on the day validated. Price 11.20€
  • T-usual: This ticket allows you to take unlimited journeys in zone (1) for one month. Price 21.35€
  • T-Jove (Youth card): If you are under 30, you can buy this card and make an unlimited number of travels within 90 days. You can apply for this ticket at any machine or personal booth. You will need only your passport and passport number to be entered. Remember to always carry a copy of your passport or your ID with you, as all controllers may ask for your ID to verify that this card belongs to you. Guard this card because once it's lost, you will have to pay for another. Price Zone (1) - 42.70€
    
    

•  
• Bikes 🚲: For those who prefer commuting via bikes, there are two options for those who are staying long-term in BCN and enjoy a good leg workout. You can apply online or in person via the Smou app. There are two options: a flat rate or the pay-per-use (occasional) rate. If you are planning to ride a bike often, the flat rate is the best option and costs 50.00€ a year. For those who want to use it every once in a while, it will cost 35.00€ a year. You will find bicycle stations in almost all major places that easily allow you to pick up a bike and drop it off at another location. No hassle of someone stealing your bike, bike seat, or bike wheels.

3. Health and Wellness

Hospitals & Doctors (English Speaking):

Three hospitals that are recommended in Barcelona are:

• Hospital Clinic: Carrer Villarrorel, 170, 08036
• Hospital de Sant Pau: Carrer de Sant Quinti, 89, 08026
• Hospital del Mar: Passeig Mariti, 25-29, 08003

Beauty Supply Stores, Hairdressers & Barbers:

Shops and hairdressers geared towards African-American/black males and females include:

• Diva Barcelona S L
  Carrer de Sants, 43, 08014
  Phone: 932 508 562
• Kamal Afroseventy
  Carrer del Turo, 9, 08016
  Phone: 601 361 555 (Ask for Kamal)

Many more places can be found in the El Gothic district.

4. Restaurants and Cafes

From authentic Catalan dishes to satisfying that burger craving, here are some places to eat in Barcelona. 

• La Tagliatella: An Italian chain restaurant with many locations all over Barcelona. I prefer the locations in Les Arenes/Pl. Espanya - Carrer Gran Via les Cortes Catalanes 373-385).
• A Tu Bola: This little Mediterranean/Italian gem is a must-try, especially if you enjoy meatballs and hummus. Carrer de I'Hospital, 78, 08001 (Raval).
• Zodiaco: Carrer de Blai is the street for Pinchos and tapas in Barcelona. This restaurant looks like a hole in the wall at first glance, but the quality of the food, portion sizes, and pricing are all on point.
• Els Quatre Gats: Exquisite, authentic Catalan dishes that cost a pretty penny. Carrer de Montsio, 3, 08002 (El Gothic). 
• El Bosque Palermo: Typical Spanish food.
• Maitea: Pintxos.
• 100 Montaditos: Cheap food options.
• Kapadokya: Durum/kebabs.
• Timesburg: This place is great for burgers and has a few vegetarian burger options. They also have 1/2-kilo fries that are great for sharing with friends. Various locations throughout Barcelona. 

Whether you want to grab a coffee or do some lesson planning for the week, here are some cafe chains to explore!

• Vivari: locations throughout Barcelona
• SandwiChez: locations throughout Barcelona. They also make a decent iced coffee.
• 365 cafe: locations throughout Barcelona

5. Bars and Clubs

Bars to try:

• The George Payne: This Irish Pub plays the latest hits and oldies. There are many foreigners here. Order the "Black Out", you will thank me later. Carrer Plaça d'Urquinaona, 5, 08010.
• Candy Darling: Bar located on Gran Via. It has a great ambiance, and is full of live music. Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 586, L'Eixample, 08011
• Bar Marsella: An Absinthe bar that Hemingway and others drank at during their time in Barcelona. The interior looks as though you stepped back in time. Carrer de Sant Pai, 65, 08001 (El Raval).
• Belushi's: This hostel/bar/restaurant chain has great drink specials and really great portion sizes of food. You can also watch football games, play billiards, and play beer pong! Cerrer de Bergara, 3, 08002 (Central-Plaça de Catalunya).
• L'Ovella Negra Marina: It's a trendy tavern located in a former warehouse. There are two locations; however, the one in Marina is much larger. There are pool and foosball tables. Overall, it's great for large groups.  Carrer de Zamora, 78, Sant Martí, 08018.

Clubs:
Here are my best picks for Barcelona clubs. Remember, the locals start entering the clubs between midnight and 1 a.m. and party the morning away. Enjoy!

• Apolo (Sala Apolo): Carrer Nou de la Rambla, 113, 08004
• Museum: Carrer de Sepulveda, 178, 08011
• Razzamatazz: Carrer dels Almogavers, 122, 08018
• Jamboree: Plaça Reial, 17, 08002
• Safari: Career de Tarragona, 141, 08014
• Arena: Carrer de Balmes, 32, 08007

6. Parks and Beaches

Parks:

• Parc del Laberint d'Horta: Would you believe me if I told you that Barcelona has a Labyrinth? Well, it's true, and it's quite cheap to enter (1-5€ per person). Metro Green Line 3: Mundet is the easiest way to get there (Zone Horta).
• Parc de la Ciutadella: Locals and foreigners alike enjoy this huge park, which even includes the Barcelona Zoo (Renfe, Metro stop Arc de Triomf, or Tram).
• Parc Güell: Although a privatized park, meaning you do have to purchase tickets, it's definitely worth checking out one of Gaudi's creations and declared UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Beaches:

• Platja de Castelldefells: End of Zone (1), more locals than foreigners. Far from the city center, accessible by Sants Estacion by Renfe R2 SUD, direction "Vilanova i la Geltru."
• Platja de la Mar Bella: Get your nude beach on! The best mode of public transport to get there is either Bus 36-71-141 or Metro Yellow Line 4 - Selva de Mar.

7. Housing

Permanent Housing Resources:
I used a mix of apps and websites, and definitely recommend downloading the Idealista and Badi apps on your phone. 

• Idealista (Most Popular) 
• Nestpick
• Spotahome
• Erasmusu
• Badi

Barcelona Facebook Housing Groups:

• Housing Barcelona
  
• Barcelona Rentals
  
• Barcelona Rent a Room/Flat/Apartment
  
• No Agencies Rooms Barcelona

8. Expat Community Resources

Expat communities are mainly found on Facebook groups or through Meet-Up:

• Facebook Groups:
  • Barcelona TEFL Teachers Association
  • Teachers who Teach Kids in Barcelona
  • TEFL Barcelona
  • Expats in Spain
    
    
• Meet-Up:
  • An app that allows you to meet people with similar interests and participate in activities like yoga, biking, rock climbing, swimming, etc.

9. Make the Most of Your Experience

In addition to our resources to help with a smooth transition to your new life abroad, here are a few of our favorite tips to enhance your time overseas.

• Do your research if you haven't been to the city before. Moving to another country is not easy, and the more you research before, the easier the process will be. Many people expect to live the same life they had back home, but it is all so different).
• Get assistance with your visa if you need help. ITA offers a Barcelona Student Visa Program for those looking to make the process seamless while settling into this amazing city. 
• Learn the language. You can take a Spanish course or learn Catalan for free at a beginner's level by registering at Consorci per a la Normalització Lingüística.
• Celebrate holidays and festivals. There are so many festivals and events happening in Barcelona, so make time to join in on the festivities. Some we recommend not to miss are Sant Jordi, Noche de San Juan, and Festa Major de Gràcia.

Go Further:

• Check Out Our Spain Blog & Stories from Alumni Living in Barcelona
• What Are the Requirements for Teaching English in Spain?