Eugéniés Year in Barcelona

Barcelona is undoubtedly the ultimate destination, because it offers the full package! You can not only find sunshine, beaches and the sea there but also a vibrant city centre and breathtaking sights! As her first step in living abroad, our French colleague Eugénie lived in this beautiful city for a year. Read all about her experience in this blog! 

Why I wanted to Live Abroad?

I always had a dream of going on an adventure outside of France to experience something new and foreign. Working abroad seemed like the perfect opportunity to broaden my horizons, discover a new way of life and improve my language skills. Although I really loved my life in Paris, I was ready for a new adventure. So when the opportunity presented itself, I didn’t hesitate even for a second!

Why Barcelona?

Before my departure, I had lots of doubts on where I would want to go. Which countries will I want to consider and which city best suits my lifestyle? It was a tough decision, because every country seemed to have something I liked. Initially, Italy and England were at the top of my list, but Barcelona ended up beating the competition. It was not a completely foreign place to me, because I had previously made several weekend trips there. During my trips I had already fallen in love with the energy of the city, the vibrant colours and the friendly atmosphere on the streets. The combination of all of this eventually made me want to move there.

Barcelona is a city filled with beautiful and diverse architecture. The centre is full of mediaeval remains, and the famous architect Gaudi’s work can also be found all over the city. Additionally, there are many fun things to do in Barcelona! There are of course the famous beaches, but also a lot of museums and galleries to explore. For lover’s of nightlife, the city offers a wide variety of clubs, restaurants and bars to visit. There are so many things to do that even the one year didn’t give me enough time to experience everything I would have wanted. 

My Favourite Spots in Barcelona

Despite experiencing so many amazing things in Barcelona during my year, I did end up having a couple of favourite spots in the city. The Bunkers del Carmel and the El Born Neighborhood left a strong impression on me and I never got tired of visiting them. 

Bunkers del Carmel

Located at the top of a hill, these bunkers offer a breathtaking view of the entire city. This really is the ideal place to enjoy a picnic or spot Barcelona's famous landmarks from above. I spent countless nights here, experiencing the most beautiful sunsets. I would highly recommend to visit during your stay in Barcelona! 

El Born

While living in Barcelona my apartment was located in the Gotico district, which was right next to the El Born neighbourhood. This ended up becoming my favourite neighbourhood in the entire city! It is filled with charming cafes and tapas bars. There are also multiple markets to explore, enchanting local convenience stores. You can also enjoy a stroll in the beautiful Ciutadella park. 

A Taste of Beautiful Barcelona

Would you like to get a small taste of Barcelona before you visit? Then I would highly recommend these two films! They perfectly capture the charm and atmosphere of the city. 

The Spanish Inn (Cédric Kaplisch, 2002)

Vicky Cristina Barcelona (Woody Allen, 2008)

I do not regret moving to Spain at all, I gained only amazing memories from Barcelona and it feels like it truly became my city. I can only recommend and advise you to choose this city for your adventure abroad as well!