Student housing near ESADE Business School.
ESADE sits in the Pedralbes district on the upper western edge of Barcelona, a leafy and relatively quiet corner of the city that sits some distance from the dense student neighbourhoods closer to the centre. Getting your housing right means balancing proximity to campus, budget, and how much time you want to spend on public transport each day.
Typical rent
€650to€1400
per month, single room
Most Barcelona landlords quote rent excluding utilities, which typically adds €60 to €120 per month for electricity, water, and gas. A security deposit of one to two months is standard, and some landlords ask for an additional month as a guaranty. Short term and furnished lets aimed at international students often bundle utilities into the price, so always confirm whether the figure quoted is all in or bare rent before signing.
The neighbourhoods
Where ESADE students live
5 areas to compare on rent, commute, and vibe.
📍Pedralbes
€900 to €14005 to 10 min on foot or by bus
Quiet, residential, and affluent with large apartment blocks.
Best for: Students who prioritise a short walk to campus over city buzz.
📍Les Corts
€750 to €110015 min by Metro L3 from Les Corts station or 20 min by bus
Calm neighbourhood with good supermarkets and a local feel.
Best for: Students wanting a quieter base with easy metro access into the city.
📍Sarrià
€800 to €120015 to 20 min by FGC train from Sarrià station to Provença then bus
Historic village character, hilly streets, and upscale atmosphere.
Best for: Students who want village charm and do not mind the hillside terrain.
📍Sants
€650 to €95025 min by Metro L3 from Sants Estació then bus 75
Working class neighbourhood with good local commerce and transport links.
Best for: Budget conscious students who are comfortable with a longer commute.
📍Eixample Esquerra
€700 to €110030 min by Metro L3 and bus, or tram T1 from Francesc Macià area
Dense, social, and central with restaurants, gyms, and strong LGBTQ+ scene.
Best for: Students who want to be at the centre of city life and can absorb the commute.
Getting there
Getting to ESADE
From Les Corts, Metro L3 to Palau Reial station puts you a short walk from the ESADE Pedralbes campus in under 20 minutes. Bus line 75 connects Sants and Les Corts directly to the campus area. From Sarrià, the FGC Sarrià line runs into the city centre but requires a bus connection for the final stretch to campus. From Eixample, the T1 tram along Avinguda Diagonal reaches the Palau Reial area and is a popular choice.
Barcelona has a Bicing bike share scheme with an annual student rate around €35, though the uphill return to Pedralbes makes cycling practical only on the descent.
The T Jove card offers unlimited travel on Metro, bus, FGC, and tram for residents aged 14 to 29 at a significantly reduced monthly rate compared to single tickets.
Barcelona's weather is mild for most of the academic year, but Pedralbes sits on a slope so walking routes from the metro involve noticeable hills that are tiring in the summer heat.
The timing
When to start looking
Barcelona's rental market tightens sharply in June and July as the September intake approaches. International students starting an MBA or exchange programme in September should begin searching in May at the latest. Students arriving for the January intake have a slightly easier time but should still start looking in November. Leaving the search until August puts you in direct competition with thousands of other students across the city.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How far is Eixample from ESADE?+
From the centre of Eixample, expect around 25 to 35 minutes door to door. The most common route combines Metro L3 to Palau Reial or Maria Cristina station with a short walk or bus connection up to the Pedralbes campus. The T1 tram along Diagonal is an alternative if you are based near Passeig de Gràcia or Francesc Macià.
What's the average rent near ESADE?+
A room in a shared flat in Les Corts or Pedralbes typically runs €750 to €1100 per month, which is above the Barcelona city average of around €600 to €800 for a shared room. The campus area is one of the more expensive parts of the city. Moving further out to Sants or Eixample brings costs down to €650 to €950 while adding 10 to 20 minutes to the commute.
When should ESADE students start looking for housing?+
For a September start, begin your search no later than May and ideally in April. Barcelona's rental market is competitive across the whole city and the western residential districts near ESADE have limited housing stock compared to denser central neighbourhoods. For a January intake, November is the sensible starting point. Leaving it until August or December significantly narrows your options.
Where can I see live listings near ESADE?+
Socials.homes aggregates listings from more than 250 housing platforms covering Barcelona, so you see the full market in one place rather than checking sites individually. You can filter by neighbourhood to focus on areas close to ESADE, and the platform pushes new matches directly to WhatsApp so you hear about new listings as soon as they appear.