When you think of Barcelona, your mind probably jumps straight to La Sagrada Família, Park Güell, or the bustling Las Ramblas. But studying abroad in this colorful and creative city gives you the chance to delve a little deeper into the layers that most visitors don’t have the time, or perhaps insight, to explore.
Here are 8 reasons that you might fall in love with Barcelona that are perhaps a bit less expected.
BARCELONA’S ARCHITECTURE WILL SURPRISE AND DELIGHT YOU. Beyond Gaudí’s iconic masterpieces, Barcelona is alive with architectural surprises in every neighborhood you visit. Wander through Gràcia to find colorful façades, ornate balconies, and hidden courtyards. In Poblenou, you’ll find industrial buildings turned into creative hubs. The Gothic Quarter will transport you to medieval times with streets that lead to secret squares and small chapels. Around almost every corner, you’ll find a story hidden in the bricks and tiles and intricate details dotted around the city.
BARCELONA’S MARKETS ARE FOR MORE THAN JUST FOOD. Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria is the famous market that you’ll surely visit, but local markets like Mercat de Sant Antoni or Mercat de la Concepció hide away treasures besides produce. Mercat dels Encants is a fun place for flea market finds. Take a look at some of the smaller markets and you’ll come across handmade crafts, local sweets, and vintage clothes while mingling with residents. Listen to Catalan conversations, catch impromptu street performances by local buskers, and take time to stop and let your senses take it all in. Don’t miss Mercat de la Terra by the brick towers of an old power plant in Jardins de les Tres Xemeneies for a farmer’s market run by Slow Food Barcelona. Another fun one, for fashion and music, is Palo Alto in a repurposed 19th-century wool factory in Poblenou.
BARCELONA HAS LOTS OF RELAXING GREEN SPACES. Barcelona’s beaches get a lot of hype, and so do its gritty city streets, but it’s also packed with parks and gardens. Parc de la Ciutadella has boating, sculptures, and shaded spots to study or read. Montjuïc’s gardens, botanical corners, and Olympic stadium trails invite you to explore. Even tiny squares in El Born or Gràcia give you a chance to enjoy outdoor life with locals. Try Turo Park with its pretty pond, Parc de Cervantes where 10,000 roses bushes bloom from April to November, and nearby Turo de la Peira Park with incredible views over the city.
BARCELONA IS A FOOD LOVER’S PARADISE. This is a city where you can eat your heart out. At the launch of the 2025 Barcelona Restaurant Guide, the mayor highlighted the fact that “the city is experiencing a gastronomic boom at the moment, with more than 10,000 bars and restaurants, and has become a global benchmark for restaurants.” So plenty to choose from. Tapas and paella are just the tip of the iceberg. You’ll also find Catalan pastries like xuixos to try, fresh seafood in Barceloneta, and a mix of tradition and innovation. You can splash plenty of cash on food if you really want to, but if you follow the lead from the locals (ask the ASA team for suggestions!), you’ll find some really delicious options that suit a student budget.
BARCELONA HAS A RICH LITERARY AND MUSICAL HERITAGE. Culture lovers will have plenty to explore here. Barcelona has been recognized by UNESCO as a City of Literature since 2015. There are over 300 bookshops to entice you in, including new, second‑hand, and specialty shops. There are “Literary Barcelona” walking routes that link neighborhoods to famous writers such as Joan Maragall and Mercè Rodoreda. You’ll also find a vibrant live‑music and nightlife scene that includes jazz clubs like the historic Plaça Real, which has been around since 1960 and is one of the oldest in Spain, flamenco, Latin, soul, and other types of music and dance, including Razzmatazz in Poblenou for bigger shows around indie rock, electronic music, and more contemporary concerts.
BARCELONA SHOWS OFF ITS CREATIVITY EVERYWHERE, NOT JUST MUSEUMS. You can, and should, visit the Picasso Museum or MNAC, but the creative spirit of the city can’t be contained; it is also found in factories turned to art spaces, small independent galleries, hidden gallery spaces tucked at the backs of cafes and shops, in open-air exhibitions, and of course, on the streets. Sculptures, installations, murals, and other creative forms will pop up unexpectedly around corners in many neighborhoods, including El Raval, Poblenou, and Poble Sec. If you’re wandering around the city, it’s almost impossible not to encounter art in some form.
THE CITY BLENDS TRADITION WITH MORE MODERN, QUIRKY EXPERIENCES. Some historically industrial or working‑class districts have been reimagined through art, design, and grassroots cultural initiatives. Poblenou is a great example. La Mercè, the city’s flagship festival, transforms streets, squares, and public spaces every September with parades, human‑tower “castellers,” dance, live music, and “correfocs” (fire‑run shows) and more that bring tradition to the public. You’ll also find smaller neighborhood festivals with community vibes, like Festa Major de Gràcia, for example, when the residents decorate the streets with imaginative themes.
BARCELONA CELEBRATES LIFE ALL YEAR ROUND. One of the big highlights we mentioned above is La Mercè in September, which celebrates the city’s patron saint and transforms the city into an open air festival. On April 23, the uniquely Catalan celebration of Sant Jordi celebrates love and literature, and the city streets and plazas light up with book stands and rose sellers. From summer‑solstice fire festivals like Sant Joan (with bonfires, fireworks, and beach gatherings) to winter holiday lights, markets, and seasonal neighborhood fiestas, Barcelona will fill you with wonder at every turn. Each neighborhood has its own distinct character, the streets are full of life and energy, and even the quietest corners are enticing for a bit of peace and relaxation. Studying abroad here means you get to experience the city like a local, taking in the art, culture, food, festivals, and everyday life that give the city its character.