Is Barcelona a good place to learn Spanish?

1. If you're considering learning Spanish in Barcelona, you are probably asking if it's the right choice. 

You might have read that Catalan is the native language of Barcelona and the surrounding region.

Will your language learning be affected?

Will you struggle to practice Spanish in the streets?

Are you making a mistake?

You might also be worried about the city's popularity with tourists or the prevalence of English in certain areas.

So let’s tackle the question head on.

Is Barcelona a good place to learn Spanish in Spain?

At Speakeasy BCN, we've heard these concerns before, and we understand them. 

When we chose Barcelona as the home for our Spanish language school, we did so with great consideration. We believed – and still firmly believe – that Barcelona offers an incredible environment for learning Spanish. 

And we’re not alone in that.

Speakeasy BCN has picked up over 1,000 online reviews and become one of the most popular Spanish schools in Spain. We welcome hundreds of students every year who leave with a strong grasp of the language, official qualifications and unforgettable memories.

Why can't you be one of them?

First of all, let's dive in to the top three most common questions we receive about learning Spanish in Barcelona.

Top 3 questions we hear about learning Spanish In Barcelona

1. Can I learn Spanish in Barcelona?

Absolutely! While Catalan is the official language of the Catalonia region, Spanish remains the dominant and widely spoken language in Barcelona itself. All residents speak Spanish fluently and in most social, professional and everyday settings, Spanish is the go-to language of communication. 

This means you'll have plenty of opportunities to practice your Spanish skills in real-world situations – whether you're ordering in restaurants, navigating public transport or chatting with locals. Additionally, language schools in Barcelona, like Speakeasy BCN, use Spanish as the primary language of instruction, creating an immersive environment that helps students quickly improve their fluency.

2. Can I live in Barcelona without speaking Catalan?

Yes, you can live comfortably in Barcelona without speaking Catalan. 

Catalan is used in government settings and is part of the cultural fabric of the city, but Spanish is the main language for daily interactions. Barcelona is a metropolitan city with many residents who were born outside the region. 

For this reason, most signs, menus and public communications are available in both Spanish and Catalan, and residents are fluent in both. If you choose to learn only Spanish, you'll still be able to fully participate in the vibrant life of the city. 

Many international residents live and work in Barcelona without needing to learn Catalan especially in sectors like tourism, technology, and education.

3. Is it better to learn Spanish or Catalan in Barcelona?

For international students, learning Spanish in Barcelona is typically the better option. 

Spanish is spoken by all residents in Barcelona. It’s the official language throughout Spain and much of Latin America. While learning Catalan can enrich your cultural experience in Barcelona and the wider Catalonia region, it has limited use outside these areas. 

Spanish, on the other hand, will let you live like a local in Barcelona with the added benefits of you learning a global language.

It’s worth noting that Catalan is mandatory in certain educational settings, particularly in public schools where Catalan is the primary language of instruction. It's also required for some public sector jobs, including government positions and roles in local administration. 

Additionally, a basic understanding of Catalan may be necessary for accessing certain university programs or professional certifications within Catalonia. If you’re planning to live and work in Barcelona and be involved in these fields, then you can enhance your stay by learning Catalan, too. But international students should not be turned away by this, outside of the public sector, you’ll find that the dominant language is Spanish. 

If you’re an international student looking to learn Spanish in Spain for global opportunities, Barcelona is a great option.

5 reasons why Barcelona is a good place to learn Spanish in Spain

Now that we've covered the main 3 questions...we're going to cover 5 key reasons why Barcelona is a fantastic place to learn Spanish. We hope to help you see why so many students choose Barcelona as their destination to immerse themselves in the Spanish language. 

We’ve selected the 5 reasons below because they’re exactly what our student advisors tell prospective students.

Also, these are the comments we see most often in positive reviews about us.

So this is not just our opinion, but the opinion of students in a similar situation to you.

1. Barcelona is a Cultural Capital of Spain and Europe

Barcelona isn't just a beautiful city; it's a cultural capital of Spain and Europe.

The city offers a unique environment for immersing yourself in the Spanish language. Barcelona is the most-visited city in Spain and the 4th most-visited city in Europe, with close to 10 million visitors in 2022.

The beautiful architecture, street art and cultural sites make Barcelona a perfect backdrop for photographs. And that’s why #Barcelona has been hashtagged more times that #Milano on Instagram!

The Speakeasy BCN school is located on the edge of Barcelona’s central Gothic Quarter.
We are a stone’s throw from cultural highlights like the La Rambla boulevard, the Els Quatre Gats bar that was popular with Picasso, the Plaça Jaume which hosts many festivals and human castles (castellers), the Pont del Bisbe arch-bridge, Barcelona’s Cathedral, street art and countless bars and restaurants.

Barcelona’s deep cultural roots and vibrant arts scene provide endless opportunities to practice Spanish while exploring world-class landmarks, festivals, and events.

You won’t get this in any other language school in Spain.

Here are some more fun facts about Barcelona:

• Barcelona is home to the most visited site in Spain: the Sagrada Familia, designed by Antoni Gaudí.

• The city boasts nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Gaudí’s Park Güell, Casa Milà, and Palau de la Música Catalana.

• Barcelona hosts numerous cultural festivals year-round, such as La Mercè, the Gràcia Festival, the Sant Jordi festival and the famous Casteller human towers.

• The city's museums, like the Picasso Museum and the Joan Miró Foundation, offer immersive experiences in Spanish art and culture.

• Barcelona is also home to Europe’s largest football stadium, FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou.

• The city has Roman and Iberian ruins dating back to over 5,000 BC and is believed to be older than Rome!

• The 1992 Olympic Games were hosted in Barcelona and it’s the host of the 2024 America’s Cup.

2. Spanish is the Dominant Language of Communication in Barcelona

Catalan is the native language of the Catalonia region.

However, according to Statista, around 39% of the population of Catalonia considers Catalan their mother tongue. Meanwhile, around 47% consider Castilian Spanish or ‘Castellano’ their mother tongue.

In a cosmopolitan city like Barcelona the balance tips slightly more in favour of Castilian Spanish. A study found that under 28% of people in Barcelona use Catalan on a regular basis and 60% exclusively use Spanish.

So despite the presence of Catalan, Spanish remains the dominant language in Barcelona. 

You’ll be able to practise with everyone you meet.

To recap:

• Over 98% of Barcelona's residents speak Spanish, and it's the primary language of communication in the city.

• In most social settings in Barcelona – such as restaurants, shops, and markets – Spanish is the language you'll most frequently encounter.

• While Catalan is also spoken, it coexists with Spanish, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in the Spanish-speaking environment. 

• At least 60% of Barcelona residents exclusively use Spanish as their habitual language.

3. Barcelona is Home to the Top-Rated Spanish Schools in Spain

Barcelona is a hub for language education, with some of the best Spanish schools in the country.

Our own Spanish school, Speakeasy BCN, is one of the top-rated with over 1,000 online reviews and students from all over the world.

The city's reputation for high-quality language instruction makes it an excellent choice for serious students looking to advance their Spanish skills. On the Language International website there are some 219 Spanish courses available in Barcelona. This compares with 188 Spanish courses in Madrid, 170 in Salamanca, 169 in Malaga and 111 in both Alicante and Seville.

On the Instituto Cervantes website, there are 21 accredited schools in Barcelona.

In Barcelona you’ll find both the widest variety of Spanish courses and the best Spanish schools in Spain.

To recap:

• Speakeasy BCN has over 1,000 online reviews, making it one of the most highly-rated language schools in Spain.

• There’s an estimated 219 Spanish courses available in Barcelona – more than in Madrid, Salamanca, Malaga, Alicante or Seville.

• Barcelona is home to 21 schools accredited by the Instituto Cervantes, and is home to the top-rated language schools.

4. The Lifestyle in Barcelona is Unbeatable

Barcelona’s unique lifestyle is one of the many reasons students fall in love with the city. 

From its stunning Mediterranean beaches to its lively neighborhoods, Barcelona offers a perfect blend of relaxation and excitement.

But don’t just take it from us!

Check out the video reviews from former students at Speakeasy BCN and what they loved most about the lifestyle while studying with us in Barcleona.

5. Your Spanish Skills Open Up More Job Opportunities in Barcelona

Learning Spanish in Barcelona not only enriches your cultural experience but also enhances your career prospects. 

Getting official qualifications is one of the main reasons that international students come here.

And…many of them stay!

(See Jeremiah's story above, about how learning Spanish at Speakeasy BCN helped him land a job here.)

Barcelona is a major business hub, with numerous opportunities for Engish or bilingual professionals, especially in the growing tech and startup sectors. The @22 neighbourhood is one of the leading tech hubs in southern Europe and is home to regional HQs of companies like Meta, Yahoo!, Microsoft, Capgemini and more.

There are many more companies present in Barcelona such as Amazon, Orange, HP, PepsiCo, Bayer, AstraZeneca and more.

If you’d like to use your Spanish to further your career opportunities in other countries or internationally, then you can’t go wrong in Barcelona.

Speakeasy BCN is an accredited center for the DELE and SIELE Spanish exams. So you can get robust qualifications for your resumé to avance your future job opportunities.

To recap:

• Barcelona is home to the @22 tech hub, one of the most important innovation districts in Europe, housing companies like Meta, Glovo, and HP.

• The city hosts numerous international conferences and events, providing networking opportunities in Spanish-speaking environments.

• Many multinational companies have their European headquarters in Barcelona, offering job opportunities for English-speaking or bilingual professionals.

• Spanish is a critical skill for anyone looking to work in Spain or Latin America, and Barcelona is an ideal place to develop that skill.

• At schools like Speakeasy BCN that are accredited examination centers for DELE and SIELE, you can pick up qualifications while you study Spanish in Barcelona.

Conclusion: Weighing the Pros and Cons of Studying Spanish in Barcelona

While Barcelona offers a vibrant, culturally rich environment, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges that come with studying Spanish in the city. 

There are some downdside you should be aware of.

Downsides to Studying Spanish in Barcelona:

• Prevalence of Catalan: You will find that many signs, advertising and conversations in the city use Catalan. While you’ll have no trouble speaking in Castilian Spanish you may not have the same cultural immersion as in a city like Madrid. 

• Tourist Influence: The city’s popularity with tourists means you may encounter a lot of English in certain areas. Some locals may want to practice English with you, which can make it harder to practice your Spanish. Many language schools are located in touristy areas, which may dilute the immersion experience.

• Cost of Living: Barcelona is one of the more expensive cities in Spain, which can make studying here pricier than in other cities. 

• Political Climate: The tension between Catalonia and the rest of Spain may create uncomfortable situations for students focused on learning Spanish. While this tension isn’t directed at international students studying Spanish, it’s worth being aware of differing opinions to Catalan independence. For example, some locals may have an issue with referring to the Spanish language as ‘Spanish’, preferring to call it ‘Castilian’ or ‘Castellano’.

• Language Barriers: If you wish to study in some universities or find professional work in Barcelona, you may find you are required to have an understanding of Catalan. While this is not the case in the majority of studies or jobs, it can be limiting, so it’s worth being aware of.

At Speakeasy BCN we believe that these downsides are significantly outweighed by the benefits of learning Spanish in Barcelona.

Otherwise we wouldn’t have set up our school here in 2001!

Over the past two decades, we’ve welcomed thousands of Spanish language students through our doors. And they keep coming in from all over the world.

See a recap of the 5 reasons why we believe Barcelona is the best place to study Spanish in Spain:

• Cultural Capital: Barcelona’s rich cultural scene, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites and year-round festivals, offers countless opportunities to practice Spanish in a dynamic and international environment.

• Dominance of Spanish: Despite the presence of Catalan, Spanish remains the primary language of communication, with over 98% of residents fluent in Spanish.

• Top-Rated Schools: Barcelona is home to some of the best Spanish language schools in Spain, including Speakeasy BCN, known for its experienced teachers and excellent reviews.

• Unbeatable Lifestyle: The city’s Mediterranean lifestyle, beautiful beaches, and vibrant neighborhoods make it an inspiring place to live and study.

• Career Opportunities: Learning Spanish in Barcelona can open doors to exciting job opportunities, especially in the thriving tech and startup sectors.

In conclusion, while there are some challenges to studying Spanish in Barcelona, the city’s rich cultural heritage, high-quality language schools, and incredible lifestyle make it a compelling choice for language learners. 

At Speakeasy BCN, we’re committed to helping you overcome these challenges and make the most of your time in this incredible city.

Check out the Spanish courses we offer and speak with one of our student advisors to find the perfect program for your language learning journey.

PS, you can also read our blog about the 15 best places to learn Spanish in Spain.