Best Neighborhoods in Barcelona for Families
Coming up: parks, playgrounds, hanging with the locals, family-fun hipster districts, lots of Gaudi, hacks for easily finding a nice place to live, and the best family-friendly neighborhoods in Barcelona.
A while back, we brought you the 13 best neighborhoods in Barcelona. That list featured mountains, bars, weird buildings, cobblestone streets, and a whole load of tapas.
But this time, we’ve returned with something different:
You have a family. And you’re moving to Barcelona with them. Good choice: it’s one of Spain’s most popular relocation hubs, AND one of the nation’s most fun-packed family-friendly cities.
But how do you find a place to live? Where are the best family-friendly neighborhoods in Barcelona? How can you make friends with other families? Where are the best international schools? And which neighborhoods have the best parks and playgrounds?
Coming up, all that, and much more: today, Homelike have brought you the 5 best neighborhoods in Barcelona for families. Let’s go!
Gracia
Not just one of the best neighborhoods in Barcelona for families—but one of the best neighborhoods in Barcelona for basically everyone!
(And, fun fact: we featured Gracia in our guide to the best neighborhoods in Barcelona for students).
Just north of the city’s very center, Gracia is ideal for being close to lots of action and adventure, but without living right in the heart of the bustle.
Because Gracia is a big district (broadly stretching north to south), it offers two distinct vibes:
- The northern section is much more residential, with small maze-like streets, and a (sort of) village vibe.
- But the southern side of Gracia is much more grid-like, featuring bars, cafes, family-friendly restaurants, playgrounds, and hip hangouts—and you also get many tourist attractions in and around this part of the neighborhood.
Rental Prices in Gracia
A 3-bedroom family-friendly home here will cost you between €2,000 and €3,500 per month.
Broadly speaking, homes in the southern side of the district (the side closer to the city center) are much more expensive—some family homes in this area can be as much as €8,000(!) per month especially when they come fully furnished.
Bad news though: because Gracia is such a popular place to live, it can be hard to find a home here. Many families want to live in the neighborhood, the good homes get snapped up quickly, and Spanish-speaking locals have the advantage over you.
… so if you’re struggling to find a nice home, move into one of ours! We have family-friendly apartments throughout Gracia, they’re all fully-furnished, and they’re all ready to move into today. A simple solution to a common problem!
Safety and Security in Gracia
Like all the districts we’ve brought you, Gracia is one of the most family-friendly neighborhoods in Barcelona. And so: it’s one of the safest neighborhoods in Barcelona.
You get safe streets, and a nice community vibe (especially as you head more north). But: in the southern part of the district, where many tourists hang out, you might want to watch out for pickpockets.
Parks and Playgrounds in Gracia
Gracia’s small Jardins de la Industria garden offers a ping pong table and a small play area, while the neighborhood is also famously home to both the iconic Park Güell, and the Gaudi Experience. Great for kids, this experience features arty exhibits, interactive areas, and a popular 4D cinema screen.
The neighborhood’s Parc de la Creueta del Coll serves up an outdoor swimming pool along with some play parks…
… and the HUGE forested area* bordering the district to the north features lots of hikes, hills, viewpoints, and family-friendly fun.
*Note: this just-north-of-Barcelona area is known as Parc Natural de la Serra de Collserola, and borders Gracia, AND both Les Corts and Sarria-Sant Gervasi (the two neighborhoods coming next in this guide). Parc Natural de la Serra de Collserola offers a whole load of fun, including hiking and cycling routes, endless viewpoints, lots of nature, many wild boars, and a popular observatory.
Overall, for outdoor action, Gracia is one of the best family-friendly neighborhoods in Barcelona.
Schools and Educational Facilities in Gracia
This is one of the city’s best neighborhoods for international schools:
Gracia is home to English Academy Santa Claus, English School Barcelona, and Barcelona High International American School. And you’re very close to all the excellent international schools in and around the neighboring district of Sarria-Sant Gervasi (more coming up on that place soon!).
Les Corts
Another big district, Les Corts sits northwest of the city center—and just like Gracia, it’s (loosely and unofficially) separated into two different areas:
- The eastern side of the district is closer to the city center. If you want a mixture of affordability, a quiet(ish) life, and decent proximity to the city center, head here. You’re close to lots of the city’s fun stuff (like Barcelona FC’s Camp Nou!), but without having to live in it.
- The western stretch is much more green and residential—and features many family-friendly townhouses, and lots of both local and international families.
Overall, Les Corts is a quiet place to live, and is best-suited to older parents who want to prioritize working and schooling (as you’ll find out soon, Les Corts is also great for schools!).
Rental Prices in Les Corts
For good housing at relatively low prices, the southeastern part of Les Corts is one of the most family-friendly neighborhoods in Barcelona:
Here, you can find a 3-bedroom place for between €2,000 and €3,000 a month (and sometimes even a little less!).
But in the fancier northwestern side of the neighborhood, you’ll pay substantially more. Yep, the homes are bigger here… but it’s not uncommon to pay €9,000 to €10,000 a month especially for furnished properties in this part of Les Corts.
Safety and Security in Les Corts
Again, this is one of the safest areas in the city: further proof that it’s one of the best neighborhoods in Barcelona for families.
Watch out for pickpockets around Camp Nou. Otherwise, you’re good!
Parks and Playgrounds in Les Corts
North of Les Corts (as we mentioned earlier!), you’ll find a massive number of hikes, viewpoints, and green escapes in Parc Natural de la Serra de Collserola.
Other Les Corts green spaces include Jardins del Palau de Pedralbes and Parc de Cervantes, both of which offer plants, playgrounds, fountains, and more family-friendly fun.
… and for finding many small green spaces, this is one of the best family-friendly neighborhoods in Barcelona—you don’t need to walk far to find a swing, slide, picnic spot or sports field.
Schools and Educational Facilities in Les Corts
In terms of schooling, Les Corts is well-known for being one of the best neighborhoods in Barcelona for families.
It’s home to four(!) well-respected international schools, including Escola Internacional Zürich Schule, and St. Peter’s School. And, again, you’re close to all the excellent international schools in Sarria-Sant Gervasi, which borders the neighborhood to the east (more on that neighborhood next!).
Sarria-Sant Gervasi
Bordering Les Corts to the northeast, Sarria-Sant Gervasi is relatively similar to its nearby neighbor.
But it’s even more fancy—known as one of the most exclusive and high-end neighborhoods in the city, it’s a popular option for high earners:
- The southern 3rd of the district is urban and residential, featuring family houses, homely tapas joints, and lots of lifelong locals.
- The northern 2/3rds of the district are largely green, sitting inside Parc Natural de la Serra de Collserola. So, here, you’ll find a massive bunch of outdoor fun.
Overall, for those with the money to spend, this is one of the best neighborhoods in Barcelona for families.
Rental Prices in Sarria-Sant Gervasi
Here, you’ll be lucky to find a nice 3-bedroom home for less than €3,000 a month. Many homes are MUCH more expensive than that—and the affordable ones are often pretty small.
Safety and Security in Sarria-Sant Gervasi
If you’re super-conscious about safety, you’ll think this is one of the best neighborhoods in Barcelona for families.
Of all the districts we’ve brought you, this is the safest. There’s very little crime—and very little of the petty theft and pickpocketing you sometimes see in other parts of Barcelona.
Parks and Playgrounds in Sarria-Sant Gervasi
As we’ve said for all the neighborhoods so far (but this is the last time we’ll say this, we promise!), Sarria-Sant Gervasi gives you direct access to all the fun of hilly hike-filled Parc Natural de la Serra de Collserola.
Most famously, Sarria-Sant Gervasi is also home to the park’s Observatori Fabra, with its massive telescope, and regular events. Excellent for unique family fun.
Aside from Parc Natural de la Serra de Collserola, Sarria-Sant Gervasi isn’t home to many great parks… but there are lots of little playgrounds dotted around the neighborhood’s residential streets.
Schools and Educational Facilities in Sarria-Sant Gervasi
For international schools, there is no better neighborhood in Barcelona.
We keep talking about the international schools in Sarria-Sant Gervasi…
… well, live here, and you’re living in the same neighborhood as them!
The best of all these international schools is Benjamin Franklin International, but you have many more options… including all the schools in both Les Corts and Gracia, both of which directly border Sarria-Sant Gervasi.
L’Eixample
Of all the neighborhoods we’ve brought you, L’Eixample is the most central.
(It’s not in the VERY center of the city, but it borders the most busy areas!).
It’s therefore one of the most family-friendly neighborhoods in Barcelona for young parents who want plenty of action and adventure for both themselves and their kids.
But it’s not all good news: just like in Gracia, getting a home in L’Eixample can be very tough—and without getting ripped off, you’ll likely struggle to find a nice family home here.
So… if (and when!) that happens, we’re here to help you out: we have lots of family-friendly homes throughout the neighborhood. They’re all comfy and cozy, they’re all ready to live in today, and all rent and utilities (including internet!) are included in one fee. Easy!
Rental Prices in L’Eixample
Given L’Eixample’s centrality, you’d expect homes to be expensive here.
But, no: it’s possible to find a nice 3-bedroom home in L’Eixample for around €2,500 or a little less (though you’ll have to be patient—these affordable homes are snapped up fast, and many others are much more expensive).
Broadly speaking, the homes at the eastern and western extremes of the neighborhood are usually the most affordable.
Safety and Security in L’Eixample
As we keep saying about every neighborhood we’ve brought you(!), L’Eixample is very safe.
That said, of all the neighborhoods on this list, the pickpocketing here is the worst:
In and around L’Eixample, you have lots of tourist attractions, and lots of tourist-heavy transport stations. So, keep your belongings safe and close.
Parks and Playgrounds in L’Eixample
For parks and green spaces, this really isn’t one of the most family-friendly neighborhoods in Barcelona. So if that’s what you’re looking for, L’Eixample is not the neighborhood for you.
That said, L’Eixample is home to the world-famous Sagrada Família, and very close to the excellent Ciutadella Park (with a zoo, a boating lake, many playgrounds, and lots of regular pop-up excitement). But aside from some basic playgrounds, you won’t find much more outdoor fun in the neighborhood.
Schools and Educational Facilities in L’Eixample
Overall, not one of the best neighborhoods in Barcelona for families seeking easy access to lots of good international schools.
That said, L’Eixample is home to the popular and reputable St. Nicholas School—and if you live in L’Eixample, you’re never more than a 20-minute drive from any of the other schools we’ve mentioned in this guide.
If you want your kids to learn either Catalan or Spanish, there are MANY non-international schools in L’Eixample.
Sant Martí
East of the city center (but still pretty central), a large part of the Sant Martí neighborhood sits right along the seaside. Excellent for families who want to live on (or near!) the coast.
All along the beach here, you’ll find snack bars, watersports, sculptures, cafes, and plenty of other families. You’ll also find lots of live music, a whole bunch of festivals (including the world-famous Primavera Sound), and a bunch of pop-up food and drink.
All in all, it’s the hippest neighborhood we’ve brought you—and it’s a good choice for young parents who want to balance family life with fun.
Rental Prices in Sant Martí
The average price for a 3-bedroom home here is around €3,000 per month.
That said: if you head to the northeastern corner of the neighborhood (away from both the beach and the city center), you can find reasonably-nice family homes for between €1,500 and €2,000.
Right by the beach, prices can be as high as €5,000 to €8,000 per month.
Safety and Security in Sant Martí
Again, this neighborhood is very safe.
When you’re at the beach, don’t leave your belongings unattended—just like on any other beach in any other part of the world.
Parks and Playgrounds in Sant Martí
Understandably, most of the outdoor fun in Sant Martí is centered around the seaside.
You get both sandy spots and parks, and highlights include swimming, sunbathing, calisthenics parks, kids’ play parks, sports courts, and lots of slides and swings—and Ciutadella Park borders the neighborhood to the west.
On top of all that, there are many places to walk, cycle and picnic along the shores of the thin Besòs River (which borders the neighborhood to the northeast).
Schools and Educational Facilities in Sant Martí
For schools, this isn’t one of the most family-friendly neighborhoods in Barcelona.
Yep, you’re close to the reasonably-well-known Escola Túrbula, and the neighborhood is home to Montseny Study Center (and a couple of other smaller options)..
… but for a wide range of well-known international schools, Gracia, Les Corts, and Sarria-Sant Gervasi are all better choices.
Best Neighborhoods in Barcelona for Families: Final Thoughts
And we’re done—that’s everything you need to know about the best family-friendly neighborhoods in Barcelona.
To sum up: Sant Martí is your top option for beachside living, L’Eixample is the most central, and Sarria-Sant Gervasi is best for top-quality international schools. But all five are good options!
As we mentioned earlier, you might struggle to find a place to live after moving to Barcelona. Local landlords often take advantage of newbies, you don’t speak the local language, and all these neighborhoods are VERY popular. And as a horrid little bonus, organizing your internet and utilities can be a surprisingly-horrible headache.
So: we can help! We have lovely family homes dotted around the city. They’re ready to move into today, all internet and utilities are covered in one price, and they’re all super comfy and cozy. Simple!
Thanks for reading, thanks for choosing Homelike, and enjoy your new Barcelona life. Bye for now!
