About Barcelona

With over 200 world-class technology and research parks, Barcelona is leading the pack. World-class facilities such as the Barcelona Supercomputing Centre and District 22@ Barcelona make it one of the most dynamic cities in the world in the field of innovation. Barcelona is ranked 8th in the world in attracting foreign investment, and the region is headquarters to more than 6,500 foreign companies. Most of these companies have been in the area for 10 years or more, demonstrating a high degree of return on investment. Innovative government initiatives have simplified the process for starting a company and established tax benefits for startups, making Barcelona one of the premier entrepreneurial hubs in Europe. Barcelona is the gateway to southern Europe, the transport capital of the Mediterranean area, a bridge to the Maghreb and a platform to Latin America. Companies with headquarters in Barcelona supervise markets all over the world.

The local professional opportunities, climate and lifestyle attract top talent from all over the world, with a full 19% of the population made up of foreign nationals. Barcelona’s human capital is well trained, with 54% of the city’s active population working in knowledge-intensive services.

Barcelona is also an important source of architectural, artistic and cultural heritage, with 9 UNESCO world heritage sites and 56 museums. The city has many different neighborhoods, each of them with a unique character and full of activities and points of interest. Moreover, really close to Barcelona, you will find several cultural, historical, sporting and natural points of interest to explore.

In 2022, Barcelona has been ranked by the Telegraph as the best city in the world.

Barcelona Neighborhoods

Barcelona has many different neighborhoods, all of them with a unique character and full of activities and points of interest. These are the most popular, more info here.

EIXAMPLE: District in which EADA is located. This is the second largest in Barcelona and occupies the center of the city. Designed by the Catalan engineer Ildefons Cerdà during the decade of 1850, the district of the Eixample is a perfect grid with long wide streets.
CIUTAT VELLA (OLD TOWN): Ciutat Vella is the core of the city and includes the popular neighborhoods of El Raval, Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter) and Barceloneta. As the heart of the city, it also includes many culturally and significant architectural structures.
GRÀCIA: It is a popular zone amongst locals to be out of the central tourist areas and have a quiet moment with friends. Don’t forget to come to the Festes de Gràcia in August, that’s where the essence of the neighborhood is found.
LES CORTS: Known as the quiet district of Barcelona, is one of the best places to live because of its many services that make life easier. It is known as the center of the public universities of Barcelona and the place that houses FC Barcelona.
SANTS-MONTJUÏC: One of the most emblematic districts in Barcelona, Sants-Montjuïc became the centre of dramatic arts including different theaters and the Festival El Grec. Also it has memorable touristic places like the National Museum of Catalonia or The Olympic Stadium of Lluís Companys.

Walking around Barcelona and other activities

Shopping: In some streets of the city, such as Passeig de Gràcia or Sants Street, you will find all kinds of stores while enjoying a stroll through the city. You can also shop in some of the city’s galleries and shopping malls, such as Illa Diagonal or Glòries.
Discover the city through cultural routes: Some companies, such as Cultruta, organize tours so that you can get to know the city as if you were a local. Join them and get to know all the
curiosities of Barcelona.
Parks: Relax or practice sports in some of the city’s main green areas, easily accessible by public transport: Parc de la Ciutadella, the famous Park Güell, Parc del Guinardó or Montjuïc mountain.
Beach: When the good weather arrives, Barcelona’s beaches fill up to enjoy the sun and a swim. Don’t miss the Barceloneta beach or the Poblenou area during the summer months.
Culture: Cinemas, theaters, music and dance events… Barcelona offers, both on weekdays and weekends, a wide cultural offer in all its neighborhoods. You can check this offer in Time Out Barcelona: https://www.timeout.com/barcelona.

Top tourist attractions in Barcelona

1. Sagrada Família: The Sagrada Família is one of the most popular and visited places in Barcelona. Built by “the architect” of Barcelona and Catalona, Antoni Gaudí, the building has become the symbol of the city of Barcelona because of its structure and particular style of modern architecture.
2. Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter): Discovering Barcelona is one of the most enjoyable tasks that you will love to have in your life. Areas like the Gothic quarter have become the essence of the city and also contain the small streets that are part of the symbol of Barcelona.
3. Casa Batlló: Located not far away from EADA Barcelona City Campus, is a building designed by the architect Antoni Gaudi also categorized as a modernist building. It has become a symbolic part of the heart of Barcelona.
4. Palau de la Música: Music auditorium located on Carrer Sant Pere and known for its architectural style, as it was designed by one of the greatest representatives of Catalan modernism, Lluís Domènech i Montaner.
5. La Pedrera - Casa Milà: La Pedrera-Casa Milà is a modernist building designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí. Becoming another of the big references of the city, the building is also near the Barcelona City Campus of EADA, approximately 15 minutes on foot.
6. Camp Nou: One of the biggest teams in the world is located in the city of Barcelona. Barça has become the football team that has taken the city of Barcelona and the football stadium Camp Nou around the world.
7. Mercat de la Boqueria: This market is not just a typical food market, it also includes restaurants where you can eat local dishes and market stalls where you can buy food like fruit, vegetables, meat, biscuits and more.
8. Basilica Santa Maria del Mar: This religious building has become one of the most relevant and popular places in Barcelona, it has also become well known because of the famous book by Idelfonso Falcones “The Cathedral by the sea”.
9. Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau: An unusual but unforgettable building of the city designed by Lluís Domenech i Muntaner, this modernist building has become one of the
references of the city. It is a memorable place because of its relevance as a hospital in the XIX century.
10. Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya: Museum noted for its collection of Romanesque art, considered one of the most complete in the world. In addition, it also offers a series of
exhibitions and activities.

Top 10 most visited places in Catalonia

Really close to Barcelona, you will find cultural, historical, sporting and natural points of interest that we invite you to visit during the weekends and free time to relax and enjoy.

1. PortAventura World: PortAventura World is a theme park where you can experience an adventure and have fun with your friends and colleagues. Open from April to December.
2. Montserrat: Montserrat is one of the most visited places in Catalunya, not only because of its beautiful monastery, but also the shape and nature of the mountain. There are walking routes for every level of fitness.
3. Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres: Located in Figueres, it is one of the most visited places in Catalonia and Spain. In the museum you can find the most relevant paintings of the artist Salvador Dali.
4. Aigüestortes National Park: Located in Lleida, this is one of the most impressive natural places of Catalonia. Containing examples of valleys, alpine pastures, among others.
5. Girona: Girona is the city where you can see a lot of memorable buildings of Catalonia like the Girona Cathedral or the arabic baths. You shouldn’t miss the opportunity to see the magical city of Girona.
6. Cap de Creus: The natural park of Cap de Creus is located not far away from the city of Girona. Between the sea and the land, Cap de Creus is a natural geological configuration that is a perfect place to visit and enjoy with your friends and family.
7. La Molina: La Molina is a ski resort located in the Catalan Pyrenees, where you can enjoy in the winter season. It also has good public transport connections with Barcelona, you can go by train.
8. Vall de Núria: Located in the village of Queralbs, Vall de Núria is another popular place of Catalonia. You can visit at any time of the year but remember that the ski resort is open in the winter season. Also the valley has a lot of magical and special places to discover.
9. Tarragona: This Roman city contains memorable buildings like the triumphal arch, the Roman amphitheatre or the Roman circus. Don’t miss the Mediterranean Balcony that has amazing views of the city of Tarragona.
10. Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park: It is the second largest wetland of Catalonia. It is formed by a group of ponds, meadows and pools that are flooded by the Muga and Fluvià rivers. It makes up a privileged habitat for the local fauna, especially aquatic birds.