How to get to ESADE from the city center? What is the easiest way by public transport?

Barcelona has a great public transportation system, which makes getting around the city quite easy. You have five different transportation methods that you can choose from: metro, bus, FGC (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya), Rodalies and Renfe trains. 

To get to ESADE, the most direct way is to take a FGC from either Plaza Catalunya, Provença (in Eixample), Gracia or Sarrià/La Bonanova. The three Ferrocarrils lines that get to Sant Cugat are S1, S2 and S6; and they usually go every 10 minutes. You can also get to sant cugat by car or motorcycle, but take into account that the quickest way includes passing through a tunnel with tolls. 

What are the best neighbourhoods to stay in when studying at ESADE?

Most of ESADE students chose to live in the following neighbourhoods:

Eixample:
The “extension” to Barcelona’s old town, Eixample’s district is very large and full of blocks and parallel streets which makes it easier to get around the different neighbourhoods of Eixample. There are lots of bars, restaurants and cafes, but also some business schools and offices, which makes it a more residential zone that is less touristy than the old town. It is a wide area with big avenues that can get noisy from cars and other transports.

However, it is also filled with cycling paths and public transport options. The apartments in Eixample are usually quite big and good for sharing, but a bit pricier than in Gracia or Sants for example.

Sant Gervasi / Sarrià:
These 2 neighbourhoods combined give a more quiet and village-like atmosphere. It has some lovely squares and smaller streets that boast great apartments away from the bustle of the city. It is renown as the most expensive neighbourhood of Barcelona, being the home of the Catalan upper class, and an excellent location if you are an ESADE student looking for a safe and quiet area to live. 

Gracia:
Gracia is located in the north of the city, and is usually considered as a very local and family friendly neighbourhood. It is lively, full of squares with terraces, tiny shops and hip cafes. It almost feels like a little town inside the city, which makes it safer and quieter than Eixample for example. It is also easy to join Sant Cugat by public transport from Gracia. 

What do you need to prepare for your study year?

Here are some of the points you should take into account before moving in to Barcelona for your studies :

-The climate:
Barcelona is a city with a mediterranean climate, meaning that the winters are quite mild, and summers are warm. The “cold” months of winter are usually December and January, but the rest of the year the temperatures are very enjoyable.

-Language:
The city has two official languages : Catalan and Spanish. Due to its cosmopolitan aspect and international population, it is also very common to hear people speaking English, French or Dutch in the streets of Barcelona.

-Legal and administrative work:
Before coming make sure that you know which papers you need. If you’re coming from outside the EU you will need a student visa for example. Maybe you will also need to register at the address you live in (“empadronamiento”) or even open a spanish bank account. These are all information you can ask directly to your university.

-Security:
Barcelona is quite safe but due to over-tourism, there can be some pickpockets around so we recommend to take some basic precautions. Always make sure your bag is closed and that you keep an eye on it in the busy streets, don’t look like a typical tourist or don’t show off anything of value you may have. Those things can happen to anyone in any big touristy city, so you just have to be a bit careful. 

What can you do in your free time when you are not studying ?

Whether you are into going to the beach, sports, music, finance, entrepreneurship, food, you will always find activities that match your interests. ESADE offers the opportunity to join student clubs and associations that match with your passion. 

You can find business oriented clubs but also cultural, fashion, sports or musician associations where you can meet like-minded people.

Barcelona itself is also a bustling city filled with things to do, restaurants, bars, parks, and many other options to feel inspired.