Studying in Barcelona

Barcelona is linked to the rest of Spain and Europe by an efficient rail network. The city has two main stations: Barcelona Sants (the main station) and Estació de França, both served by AVE, TGV and regional trains (Rodalies).

• From Madrid, it takes around 2h30 by AVE to reach Barcelona. Valencia is 3 hours 15 minutes away, Zaragoza 1 hour 30 minutes, and Girona less than an hour. These high-speed lines ensure frequent service, even at weekends.
• Rodalies regional trains also connect Barcelona to all the towns in Catalonia (Terrassa, Sabadell, Mataró, Sitges, etc.). This means that students living outside Barcelona can attend classes without necessarily having to live in the city center, thanks to fast, regular journeys.
• Students can benefit from reduced fares on rail and urban transport using the T-Jove card, integrated into the T-mobilitat platform.
• Find out about the T-Jove card and train journeys

Barcelona’s El Prat airport is one of Southern Europe’s biggest air hubs. It serves over 200 international destinations as well as numerous domestic routes in Spain. Located just 15 kilometers from the city center, it is easily accessible by public transport.

• By metro: the L9 South line links Terminals 1 and 2 directly to several districts of Barcelona. It takes around 30 minutes to reach the university areas and the city center via a connection with line L5 at Collblanc or L1 at Torrassa.
• By train: Rodalies line R2 North (suburban trains) connects terminal 2 to Barcelona Sants station, in around 20 minutes.
• By bus: the Aerobús shuttle bus runs every day, departing every 5 to 10 minutes, and serves key points in the city center (Plaça Espanya, Plaça Catalunya) in less than 35 minutes.

Barcelona is also committed to a policy of sustainable mobility, with an extensive rail network that favors the use of trains whenever possible, particularly for domestic routes to Madrid, Valencia and Girona.

The INSEEC Barcelona campus is easily accessible from the main Barcelona Sants train station. Depending on the building (Diagonal, Ganduxer or Sarrià), there are several quick options.

• To reach the Diagonal building:
• Take metro line 3 (L3), direction Trinitat Nova, from the “Sants Estació” station, get off at the “Maria Cristina” stop and walk about 8 minutes.
• To reach the Ganduxer building: From “Sants Estació”, take line 5 (L5) towards Vall d’Hebron, get off at “La Bonanova”, then walk about 5 minutes.
• To reach the Sarrià building: From “Sants Estació”, take the FGC lines (S1 or S2) to the “Sarrià” stop. The campus is a 2-minute walk away.

The three campus sites are also accessible by cab or VTC, with a journey time of 10 to 20 minutes depending on traffic.

The INSEEC campuses in Barcelona are served by several bus lines, depending on the building concerned.

• To reach the Ganduxer building:
• Take bus 70 or V13 to the Via Augusta – Ganduxer stop, then a 4-minute walk.
• For the Diagonal building :
• Lines 6, 7 or 33 stop at Av. Diagonal – Ganduxer, about 5 minutes’ walk from the campus.
• For the Sarrià building:
• Buses 68 and H6 serve the area, get off at Sarrià – Pl. Artós, then 6 to 7 minutes’ walk.
• You can also get off at Pg. de la Bonanova – Miret i Sans for a more pleasant journey along the tree-lined streets of the Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district.

All campus buildings are integrated into the TMB network, with regular frequencies even during off-peak hours, making bus journeys convenient and reliable on a daily basis.

Find out about my route

The INSEEC Barcelona campus has no private parking facilities for students and lecturers. However, several public parking lots are available in the immediate vicinity of each building:

• For the Ganduxer building: Parking Saba Bonanova or Parking Vía Augusta 215 are just a few minutes’ walk away.
• For the Diagonal building: Parking Saba Diagonal – Ganduxer or NN Còrsega offer convenient parking solutions.
• For the Sarrià building: parking is available on adjacent streets (such as Passeig de la Bonanova) or in nearby shopping centers.

Please note: parking in Barcelona is regulated. Many areas are zoned green or blue, with limited or paid parking. We recommend you use public parking lots or alternative means of transport (public transport, bicycles, VTC).

INSEEC’s Barcelona campus offers a rich learning environment, punctuated by academic, professional and intercultural events throughout the year.

• Conferences, masterclasses, business games and international seminars are regularly organized with professionals from various sectors: entrepreneurship, tech, finance, marketing, luxury goods, etc. These events encourage dialogue between students and key players in the local and international professional world.
• INSEEC’s Corporate Relations & Alumni Department also organizes job datings on campus, for students looking for internships, work-study programs or first jobs.
• These initiatives help to strengthen links with companies based in Barcelona and the surrounding region, and support students in their professional integration right from the start of their training.

Barcelona offers a rich cultural life just minutes from the INSEEC campuses. Here are just a few of the places not to be missed:

• MACBA – Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art: located in the Raval district, the museum offers a rich collection of modern and contemporary art, with regularly renewed temporary exhibitions.
• MNAC – Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya: housed in the Palau Nacional on Montjuïc hill, it features works ranging from the Catalan Romanesque to modern art. Admission is free on Saturdays after 3pm and on the first Sunday of every month.
• CCCB – Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona: exhibitions, conferences and screenings dedicated to major contemporary issues (city, society, digital technology, ecology…).
• Palau de la Música Catalana: UNESCO-listed modernist concert hall, offering student discounts on a selection of classical, jazz and world music concerts.
• Teatre Lliure & Teatre Nacional de Catalunya: Barcelona’s leading theatrical institutions, with programming open to young audiences and reduced-price tickets for under-30s.
• La Filmoteca de Catalunya : a low-cost arthouse cinema offering retrospectives of major international filmmakers and debates.

Barcelona is also a city of festivals,free outdoor events and cultural markets, all year round, in every district. Barcelona City Council’s cultural calendar keeps you up to date with all the latest news.

arcelona’s reputation as a festive, lively and gourmet city is well established. Its cosmopolitan atmosphere is reflected in its many bars, rooftops and restaurants, particularly in the Gràcia, El Born, Raval and Sarrià districts – just a stone’s throw from the INSEEC campuses.

Rather than listing our favorite addresses, here are a few thematic compendiums we invite you to explore to compose your own culinary and festive itinerary:

• Top 10 unusual bars in Barcelona: hidden spots, conceptual cocktail bars, speakeasies and surprising addresses to discover after class.
• Where to brunch in Barcelona? Here’s an approved selection to get your weekend off to a good start.
• Barcelona’s best student restaurants (Capitaine Study): low prices, great flavors, close to campus… everything we love!

Tapas, markets, street food, rooftop bars or paella by the sea: in Barcelona, there’s no shortage of options for discovering rich, convivial cuisine in ever more creative venues.

You won’t be bored: Barcelona is one of the cultural capitals of Southern Europe, known for the richness and diversity of its year-round festivals!

• Primavera Sound: one of Europe’s most renowned contemporary music festivals. It takes place at the end of May/beginning of June, on the seafront, with a program mixing international artists, headliners and indie discoveries.
• Sónar Festival: a world reference in electronic music, digital and visual arts, Sónar attracts thousands of music, sound design and immersive technology enthusiasts every June.
• La Mercè: Barcelona’s biggest popular festival, celebrated every September. For several days, the city comes alive with free concerts, parades, castellers (human pyramids) and open-air shows in every district.
• Festival Grec: theater, music and dance festival held every summer in the ancient open-air theater of Montjuïc. It showcases the local and international artistic scene in a unique setting.
• Cruïlla Festival: an eclectic mix of rock, pop, hip-hop and world music, also held in July on the same site as Primavera Sound, with a more convivial, alternative atmosphere.
• Loop Barcelona & Mira Festival: dedicated to digital creation, visual arts and performance, they have become a must for fans of contemporary culture.

Throughout the year, Barcelona also hosts events focusing on cinema, literature, photography and digital art, at reduced prices for students.

In Barcelona, sport is an integral part of the lifestyle. Between the sea and the mountains, the city abounds with spaces and infrastructures for exercising, relaxing or simply getting some fresh air, close to the INSEEC campuses.

• Barceloneta and Nova Icaria beaches: ideal for running, beach volleyball or swimming… or simply relaxing in the sun after class.
• FC Barcelona & Montjuïc Olympic Stadium: experience the atmosphere of major La Liga matches and international competitions in Europe’s biggest stadiums. Student tickets are sometimes available.
• Parc de la Ciutadella and Montjuïc Hill: the city’s emblematic green spaces, popular for yoga, picnics, cycling or sports sessions with friends.
• Sports clubs & gyms: the city has a large network of private gyms (DIR, VivaGym, McFit…) and municipal centers accessible with the BCN Esports card or T-Jove pass.

Barcelona offers an active and balanced lifestyle, with plenty of opportunities to practice a sport or simply enjoy the outdoors all year round. Visit the city portal to discover all the sports and well-being activities available to all barcelona.cat/esports

Some Catalans will tell you that Barcelona isn’t the “real” Catalonia… It doesn’t matter, because one thing’s for sure: the region is brimming with natural, cultural and historical wonders accessible by train, car or even bike!

Here are a few ideas for weekend or day trips from Barcelona:

• Sitges: just 40 minutes by train, this lively seaside village is famous for its beaches, artistic atmosphere and international festivals (cinema, carnival…).
• Montserrat: a unique mountain with a stunning silhouette, home to a monastery perched in the rock. Accessible by train + funicular, about 1h30 from Barcelona.
• Tarragona: an ancient Roman city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its bullring, aqueduct, beaches and Mediterranean ambience.
• Girona and the Costa Brava: discover the white villages, turquoise coves and landscapes that inspired Salvador Dalí. Girona is 40 minutes away by train, the Costa Brava around 1 hour by car.
• Montseny Natural Park: ideal for lovers of hiking, forests and unspoilt nature. Accessible by train from Barcelona, classified as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.