Barcelona in Spain is a lively and vibrant city and a great location from which to work remotely as a digital nomad. It’s a city rich in culture, is easy to get around it has a beach and tonnes going on.
This Barcelona digital nomads guide will hopefully provide you with an insight into the city and why it’s worth considering for remote working from.
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Why Work Remotely from Barcelona?
As remote working becomes increasingly popular, more and more people are seeking out the perfect destination to set up their digital office.
Whilst some digital nomads want to be in a beach location, others prefer to be in a city, and there are few places worldwide that combine both.
Alas, Barcelona is a vibrant city with a 4km stretch of coastline and some lovely beaches within walking distance of the main streets (such as La Ramblas).
Here are 10 reasons why, as a digital nomad, you should consider working remotely from Barcelona.
1. An Ideal Climate
With its temperate Mediterranean climate and over 300 days of sunshine per year, digital nomads can enjoy outdoor activities in Barcelona all year round.
2. Decent Digital Infrastructure
Barcelona has an excellent digital infrastructure, including reliable internet and versatile digital platforms, making it easy for digital nomads to get their digital work done.
3. Friendly International Nomads Community
There are many digital nomads living in Barcelona, so digital nomads won’t be alone in their journey. The digital nomad community is a great source of support and inspiration for digital workers looking to make the most out of their experience.
4. Well-Connected Transportation
Barcelona is a well-connected city, with plenty of public and private transport options for you to use to get around the city quickly and efficiently.
The underground rail system is excellent, i.e., very clean, inexpensive to use, and very efficient.
The city is also well connected to many other cities in Spain.
5. Plenty of Coworking Spaces
Barcelona offers plenty of versatile coworking spaces digital nomads can use to work collaboratively, network with other digital nomads, and to have a good workspace.
Some of my favorites in Barcelona include:
- La Vaca Coworking Barcelona – located in the Poble Sec part of the city (a great area), this coworking used to be a dairy but is now home to La Vaca Coworking. It is very affordable, well-run, and has a great vibe. If I were to choose my favorite it is this one.
- OneCoWork Catedral – we really enjoyed spending a few weeks also in OneCoWork, by the main cathedral. Great area and although this is a fairly small coworking, you get to meet some good people and it’s a good place for getting work done.
- CREC Coworking Eixample – we also love the Eixample area of Barcelona (lots of bars, restaurants, and cafes). It’s another relatively small coworking space but one that is very well run and it’s a place where to get to know people well.
6. Growing Digital Scene
Barcelona’s digital scene is rapidly expanding, and digital nomads can take advantage of the opportunities available in this digital hub.
Check out these two Facebook groups, for example, to learn more about the digital nomads’ scene in Barcelona:
- Barcelona Digital Nomads Group on Facebook
- Barcelona Entrepreneurs & Digital Nomads Group on Facebook
7. Year-round Events
From digital conferences to cultural festivals and expositions, digital nomads can enjoy countless events throughout the year in Barcelona.
- Here are 10 events in Barcelona worth considering
8. Affordable Living Costs
Despite its high-quality lifestyle, as a digital nomad, you can enjoy an affordable cost of living in Barcelona.
It is not cheap such as you will find in Bansko or Bali, but it is affordable as far as major cultural cities and coastal cities go.
We’ll look at the cost of living in more detail a little later on in this article.
9. Abundant Natural Beauty
Barcelona is a city of green oases, with plenty of parks and gardens to explore.
From the Barceloneta beach to Montjuic Mountain and Parc Guell, you can take regular breaks from your digital desk to enjoy nature in this beautiful city.
As a digital nomad, it is essential to get the work-to-life balance right and this city with its green spaces makes getting this balance right much easier.
10. Great City Culturally
If you choose your remote working location such that being in a place with great culture is important to you, Barcelona will be a great choice.
If Barcelona is great for one thing, it is culture.
With many buildings from Gaudi and Dali, there are also numerous great museums, art galleries, architectural attractions, and just tonnes to see and do culturally speaking.
5 Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Barcelona as a Digital Nomad
if you are planning to stay in Barcelona for an extended period of time, it is important to choose the right neighborhood, i.e., one that meets your needs.
The top five neighborhoods digital nomads should consider when visiting Barcelona are: El Born, Poble Sec, Gràcia, Barceloneta, and Sarrià-Sant Gervasi.
1. El Born
El Born is one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Barcelona with a wide range of cafes and shops that digital nomads can explore throughout the day.
It also has a bustling nightlife and plenty of cultural attractions, making it perfect for digital nomads looking to take a break from work and immerse themselves in Barcelona’s culture.
2. Poble Sec
Poble Sec is another great option for digital nomads, especially if you are looking for a quieter area.
It offers plenty of restaurants and cafes and there are some good coworking spaces in this area.
3. Gràcia
Gràcia is a lively neighborhood with plenty of green spaces and is in a very central location that is a favorite for many remote workers.
It also has some of the best restaurants in Barcelona and you can often find some good affordable accommodation options if sharing a house with other nomads.
4. Barceloneta
Barceloneta offers digital nomads an opportunity to experience a more traditional side of Barcelona.
It is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city and digital nomads can find plenty of seafood restaurants along its narrow, winding streets.
5. Sarrià-Sant Gervasi
Sarrià-Sant Gervasi is a great option for digital nomads who are looking for a peaceful area with plenty of parks and gardens to explore.
5 More Coworking Spaces in Barcelona
Here are more coworking spaces to add to the ones previously mentioned.
1. Impact Hub Barcelona
This coworking space offers not only a place to work but also an opportunity to connect and collaborate with creative professionals from around the world.
It provides a supportive workspace and community, with access to mentors, resources, and workshops. Overall it’s a great option for networking, socializing, and working.
Visit Impact Hub here.
2. La Oficina Coworking
This coworking space is located in the beautiful Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, providing an inspiring and productive working environment.
They offer a variety of membership plans to suit different needs, from one-day passes to monthly memberships. Find More info here on La Oficina coworking.
3. La Sala
This coworking space is located in the trendy Raval district of Barcelona and offers an inspiring work environment. La sala on Instagram.
4. Cowork Central Barcelona Cloudworks
This coworking space is located in the heart of Barcelona’s tech district and provides a convenient workspace that’s close to the city center.
5. WeWork Diagonal Mar
This coworking space is located in the modern Diagonal Mar district of Barcelona. It features great facilities such as high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and more.
Learn more here on WeWork.
Barcelona Weather
The weather in Barcelona is one of the reasons why this city attracts so many remote workers.
The average high temperature of 22°C (71°F) and the weather varies from hot, sunny weather in the summer to mild weather with occasional cold temperatures in the winter.
Rainfall is generally scarce during the summer months and slightly higher during autumn and winter, usually in the form of showers.
Summer weather typically consists of bright, clear skies and warm weather that can reach temperatures of up to 30°C (86°F).
During winter months, temperatures tend to be lower and weather is often cloudy, rainy, and sometimes windy.
Spring and autumn weather in Barcelona tends to be more changeable, with some days being warm and sunny, while other days being cold and rainy.
Coliving for Nomads in Barcelona
Coasis Coliving
(Calle de Còrsega, 284, 1, Barcelona)
Coasis is in a great central location right in the heart of the city and, given that the city has a great metro system, getting around is very easy.
Diagonal metro station is the closest stop and is less than a 5-minute walk from the coliving space.
You are also only a few meters from Avinguda Diagonal, one of the main streets that bisect Barcelona.
Similar to many coliving spaces, Coasis use the sometimes frustrating system whereby you have to apply to them in order to then find out the pricing structure.
It is understandable, in that coliving places are generally few, and so they want to ensure that people who stay buy into the coliving and coworking model.
- You can apply by clicking ‘Apply Now’ on the top right of their website.
- Their Facebook page
Spain Digital Nomads Visa Options
The country has responded to this growing demand by introducing the ‘Digital Nomad Visa’, a special type of residence permit that allows digital nomads to stay in Spain for up to one year.
The Digital Nomad Visa grants digital nomads a range of benefits, including the right to take up paid work, use the Spanish healthcare system, open a bank account, and obtain a tax number.
It also allows digital nomads to travel between Spain and other Schengen countries without needing a visa.
In order to be eligible for the Digital Nomad Visa, applicants must meet certain criteria.
Applicants must provide evidence of their identity, financial resources, and health insurance, as well as a digital copy of their passport.
You can learn more about the latest digital nomads’ visas and Spanish nomads’ visas here.
Cost of Living in Barcelona for Remote Workers
Barcelona is an increasingly popular destination for digital nomads but it is not as cheap as some other locations worldwide.
You really have to decide for yourself if you want the cheapest possible locations for remotely working from (Bali is a great option here) or whether you want to be in Europe and in a city with great culture (such as Barcelona).
According to Numbeo, a cost of living comparison website, the cost of living index for an individual digital nomad in Barcelona is estimated to be 68, which is slightly higher than Madrid’s 64, but still lower than cities like Paris, London, and Zurich.
In other words, Barcelona is not cheap but is considered cheaper than Paris, London, and Zurich to live in. Rent in London, according to Numbeo, is actually more than 50% higher than in Barcelona!
Food and groceries are also important expenses to consider when budgeting for life in Barcelona.
Numbeo data on Barcelona suggest that the cost of a meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Barcelona is around 15 Euros, whilst a monthly transport pass costs around 40 Euros (all at the time of writing).
With careful budgeting and research, digital nomads can make the most of their time in this beautiful city.
Getting Around Barcelona & Public Transportation
Barcelona has an excellent transportation system and includes buses, the metro, and trams.
Buses run throughout the city and cover even the most remote areas.
The Metro system is divided into six lines, with stops at major sites and attractions around the city.
Additionally, Barcelona is full of taxis and cabs and it is not hard to wave down a cab anywhere in the city.
If you’re looking to get around Barcelona without waiting for public transport, bike-sharing is a great option.
You can find bike rentals in various spots around the city, with a variety of plans available. Barcelona also has electric scooter sharing, with convenient drop-off points throughout the city.
Getting around Barcelona is easy, no matter what your preferred mode of transportation might be.
12 Things You MUST Try in Barcelona
The city offers a vibrant atmosphere, whether it’s its bar-lined streets in Gràcia or its beachfront promenades along Barceloneta, making it the perfect place to work and explore.
1. Tapas Bar Hopping
From pintxos in the Basque Country to tapas in Andalusia, Spain has some of the tastiest bar bites around.
Take a tour of the tapas bars in Barcelona and savor all kinds of delicious morsels, from cured meats to stuffed peppers.
2. Visit La Sagrada Familia
This awe-inspiring basilica is the crowning glory of Barcelona’s skyline.
Designed by Antoni Gaudí, the masterpiece is one of the most visited sites in the city.
3. Enjoy La Boqueria Market
This colorful market has been around since 1217, with stalls selling everything from fresh produce to dried fruits and nuts.
It’s also home to some delicious tapas bars where you can try traditional Catalan dishes.
4. Explore Parc Güell
This picturesque park was designed by Gaudí, and features Mediterranean gardens and mosaics that will take your breath away.
5. Take a Stroll down Las Ramblas
This famous avenue is perfect for people-watching and bar hopping, with tons of restaurants and boutiques along the way.
6. Walk the Boardwalk at La Barceloneta Beach
Barcelona has a lovely seafront that covers several kilometers and the lively La Barceloneta beach is the most central beach.
You can spend all day on the beach, go for a walk on the boardwalk, or enjoy an afternoon working on a laptop or eating seafood in a restaurant overlooking the sea.
7. Attend a Flamenco Show
Get into the local culture by visiting one of Barcelona’s famed flamenco shows, which involves live music, singing, and dancing.
8. Visit Camp Nou
Home to FC Barcelona, this revered stadium has been hosting epic football matches since 1957.
Take a guided stadium tour and see one of the most iconic sports stadiums in the world.
9. Take a Day Trip to Montserrat
Barcelona is only an hour away from Montserrat, one of Spain’s most beautiful mountain ranges.
Spend the day taking in its heavenly views, and visit the historical monastery at its peak.
12. Try Catalan Cuisine
Barcelona is home to some of the best restaurants in Spain, serving up traditional dishes like paella and suquet de peix (fish stew).
Make sure to try these delicious Catalan classics.
Barcelona Travel – Recommended Booking Resources
I have been traveling for many years and have come to use a lot of travel sites and resources for booking my trips. They represent the companies that I often use and have served me well and they are the first ones I use when booking new trips.
- Booking.com – they tend to provide very competitive prices and the reviews are easy to view, and they normally have something available wherever in the world I am going to. They also now provide airport transfers, local attractions, and flights.
- Safety Wing Travel Insurance – Safety Wing has become one of the leaders in travel insurance, especially for remote workers and digital nomads as they provide cover that includes for long-term stays.
- Get Your Guide – is the site on which I normally book tours (I love to visit the local sports stadia, aquarium, royal palace, and some cultural attractions). With get Your Guide they have excellent customer support and have a wide range of tours.
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