Catalonia is a Spanish community with a diversity of cultures and landscapes. There are coastal areas, paradise coves, crystal clear lakes, and mountains. Its gastronomic and cultural diversity results from migration and rich centuries-long history.
Spain-Real.Estate wants to take a closer look at the best neighborhoods in Catalonia to buy real estate. It will also explore how to choose an area, find an apartment, and get the best price for your purchase in Catalonia.
CONTENT:
- Reason for purchase: Investment, vacation, or permanent residence
- Characteristics of Catalonia's districts
- How can a foreigner buy an apartment in Catalonia?
- Is it worth buying property in Catalonia?
- Catalonia’s most desirable residential districts
- Spain-Real.Estate can assist you in purchasing an apartment in Catalonia
REASON FOR PURCHASE: INVESTMENT, VACATION, OR PERMANENT RESIDENCE
The reason for your purchase determines the type of property you choose.
Real estate in Spain in the city center or closer to the sea is most desirable for investment purposes.
The best option for a rental property is real estate in areas popular with tourists.
When deciding on a permanent residence, it is necessary to consider the degree of infrastructure development.
CHARACTERISTICS of CATALONIA’S DISTRICTS
Prices in the districts depend on the location, attractions, infrastructure, parking availability, and property condition.
Let’s figure out where to buy an apartment in Catalonia.
1. Sant Cugat del Valles
Location
Sant Cugat del Valles is a municipality 5 km from Barcelona. It has a hilly landscape and an area of 48.32 sq. km. The population is 81,745.
Infrastructure
Barcelona's transport links are via the Rabassada Highway and the Vallvidrera tunnels and other cities via the AP-7, B-30, and B-16 roads.
Well-functioning public transport.
Railways of the Generalitat and the RENFE Company.
Many educational institutions and high-quality education in schools.
Various shops (food, clothing, shopping centers).
There are 4 municipal markets in the center: MercatVell, Torreblanca, Volpelleres, Mirasol.
Children’s playgrounds and youth entertainment areas.
The largest park in Spain ‒ Collserola.
Cultural institutions such as Sant Cugat Museums and Monastery, Kei Jerrer House Museum, Grau Garriga Center for Contemporary Textile Art, public libraries, and dance and music schools.
Development and housing types
In Sant Cugat del Valles, real estate consists mainly of mansions in the Barcelona style of modern villas with gardens and swimming pools.
Average price per square meter
| Purchase | Rent |
|---|---|
| Average price per sq. m. – 4510 € | Average price per sq. m. – 15 € |
| Average real estate price – 439 591 € | Average real estate price – 1391 € |
| Price per number of rooms (sq. m.): | Price per number of rooms (sq. m.): |
| Price per studio or 1 room – 4994 € | Price per studio or 1 room – 1127 € |
| Price per 2 rooms – 5234 € | Price per 2 rooms – 1260 € |
| Price per 3 rooms – 4360 € | Price per 3 rooms – 1368 € |
| Price per 4 rooms – 4283 € | Price per 4 rooms – 1536 € |
| Price for services (sq. m.): | Price for services (sq. m.): |
| Price per sq. m. with terrace – 4544 € | Price per sq. m. with terrace – 1500 € |
| Furnished real estate – 4333 € | Furnished real estate – 1457 € |
| Real estate with elevator – 4579 € | Real estate with elevator – 1501 € |
| For a parking space – 4770 € | For a parking space – 1670 € |
Advantages and disadvantages
Pros: It is the third city in Spain with a high per capita income, high standard of living, young, dynamic population, and the lowest unemployment rate in Catalonia.
The disadvantages include the high housing prices.
2. Sitges
Location
Sitges is a municipality in Barcelona. It is located between the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains of the Garraf Natural Park. It covers an area of 43.85 sq. km. The population is 26,617.
Infrastructure
Developed transport links (railway, public transport).
Cultural institutions like the Stämpfli Foundation exhibit contemporary art, the architectural complex Maricel Palace and the Maricel de Mar Museum with various paintings and sculptures, the Miramar Cultural Center, and numerous theatrical, dance performances and opera productions. This includes the International Festival of Fantastic Cinema in Catalonia, etc.
Restaurants and cafes with diverse cuisine.
17 beaches.
Bars, boutiques, shops, and markets.
Development and housing types
Homebuyers can choose a penthouse with a sea view, a 19th-century house in the garden city of Terramar, an Art Nouveau property in Ensanche de Sitges, a fisherman's house on the seashore in narrow snow-white alleys, or even a village house.
Average price per square meter
| Purchase | Rent |
|---|---|
| Average price per sq. m. – 4360 € | Average price per sq. m. – 16 € |
| Average real estate price ‒ 446 423 € | Average real estate price – 1390 € |
| Price per number of rooms (sq. m.): | Price per number of rooms (sq. m.): |
| Price per studio or 1 room – 4648 € | Price per studio or 1 room – 1073 € |
| Price per 2 rooms – 4738 € | Price per 2 rooms – 1253 € |
| Price per 3 rooms – 4108 € | Price per 3 rooms – 1363 € |
| Price per 4 rooms – 4150 € | Price per 4 rooms – 1593 € |
| Price for services (sq. m.): | Price for services (sq. m.): |
| Price per sq. m. with terrace – 4538 € | Price per sq. m. with terrace – 1512 € |
| Furnished real estate – 4179 € | Furnished real estate – 1617 € |
| Real estate with elevator – 4841€ | Real estate with elevator – 1521 € |
| For a parking space – 4775 € | For a parking space – 1747 € |
Advantages and disadvantages
Pros: favorable climate, beautiful beaches (San Sebastian Beach is considered the best in Europe), a leisurely rhythm and high quality of life, and a beach town.
The disadvantages include the high housing prices.
3. Costa Brava
Location
Costa Brava is Catalonia's most famous coastal area, situated in Girona. It extends 138 km from Blanes to French.
Infrastructure
Extensive road network and developed transport infrastructure (rail, bus, and air transport).
The E-15 motorway passes through Girona, which connects Barcelona and France.
There are flights from Costa Brava Airport to various European cities.
Cultural institutions and art events include the Dali Theater-Museum, various exhibitions, and classical music festivals.
Sports activities such as golf, tennis competitions, sailing, and hiking.
Establishments with various cuisines on offer.
High-quality services in hospitals and medical centers.
Development and housing types
There is a wide range of real estate in the housing market at attractive prices, like villas with swimming pools, houses with sea views, and apartments with piers.
Average price per square meter
| Purchase | Rent |
|---|---|
| Average price per sq. m. – 1950 € | Average price per sq. m. – 10 € |
| Average real estate price – 171 167 € | Average real estate price – 881 € |
| Price per number of rooms (sq. m.): | Price per number of rooms (sq. m.): |
| Price per studio or 1 room – 1654 € | Price per studio or 1 room – 538 € |
| Price per 2 rooms – 3584 € | Price per 2 rooms – 751 € |
| Price per 3 rooms – 1554 € | Price per 3 rooms – 893 € |
| Price per 4 rooms – 1493 € | Price per 4 rooms – 1041 € |
| Price for services (sq. m.): | Price for services (sq. m.): |
| Price per sq. m. with terrace – 2521 € | Price per sq. m. with terrace – 1074 € |
| Furnished real estate – 1923 € | Furnished real estate – 992 € |
| Real estate with elevator – 1590 € | Real estate with elevator – 894 € |
| For a parking space – 1941 € | For a parking space – 1224 € |
Advantages and disadvantages
The pros include the mild Mediterranean climate, proximity to France, beautiful landscapes, effective healthcare system, high level of safety, low taxes, and low prices.
4. Lleida
Location
Lleida is a city in Spain and the capital of the province of the same name in the autonomous community of Catalonia. It is located on an area of 211.7 sq. km. The population is 139,176 (the sixth most populous city in Catalonia).
Infrastructure
Cultural institutions and art events include the Jaume Murer Art Museum, Seu Vella Cathedral, Sirena Fountain, Reconquista Festival, concerts, art exhibitions, and theatrical performances.
Well-developed transport links: airport, railway station, and public transport.
Development and housing types
The housing market offers various residential as well as commercial real estate.
Average price per square meter
| Purchase | Rent |
|---|---|
| Average price per sq. m. – 1178 € | Average price per sq. m. – 8 € |
| Average real estate price – 117 349 € | Average real estate price – 693 € |
| Price per number of rooms (sq. m.): | Price per number of rooms (sq. m.): |
| Price per studio or 1 room – 1575 € | Price per studio or 1 room – 468 € |
| Price per 2 rooms – 1344 € | Price per 2 rooms – 639 € |
| Price per 3 rooms – 1123 € | Price per 3 rooms – 737 € |
| Price per 4 rooms – 1106 € | Price per 4 rooms – 758 € |
| Price for services (sq. m.): | Price for services (sq. m.): |
| Price per sq. m. with terrace – 1187 € | Price per sq. m. with terrace – 764 € |
| Furnished real estate – 1185 € | Furnished real estate – 692 € |
| Real estate with elevator – 1236 € | Real estate with elevator – 704 € |
| For a parking space – 1420 € | For a parking space – 796 € |
Advantages and disadvantages
Pros: High standard of living, favorable climate, low unemployment rate, convenient infrastructure, and ski resorts.
The disadvantages include being landlocked.
5. Tarragona
Location
Tarragona is a city in Spain, part of the province of Tarragona in the autonomous region of Catalonia. It has an area of 61.91 sq. km. The population is 140,184. It is a port city located in the northeast of Spain, on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, on the Costa Dorada.
Infrastructure
Developed social infrastructure: shopping malls, sports facilities, parks, theaters, and libraries.
Convenient transport system: 18 day and 4-night bus routes, RENFE railway station, Spanish high-speed train (AVE), long-distance Trenhotel trains, and an airport.
One of Spain's leading higher education institutions, the University of Rovira and Virgili, is considered the International Campus of Excellence of Catalonia (CEICS) by the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports of Spain.
Development and housing types
The housing market consists of apartments, villas, and houses.
There are many modern villas in prestigious residential urbanizations. The houses are equipped with heating, air conditioning, and security systems.
Average price per square meter
| Purchase | Rent |
|---|---|
| Average price per sq. m. – 1605 € | Average price per sq. m. – 9 € |
| Average real estate price – 155 061 € | Average real estate price – 755 € |
| Price per number of rooms (sq. m.): | Price per number of rooms (sq. m.): |
| Price per studio or 1 room – 1988 € | Price per studio or 1 room – 576 € |
| Price per 2 rooms – 1712 € | Price per 2 rooms – 694 € |
| Price per 3 rooms – 1522 € | Price per 3 rooms – 768 € |
| Price per 4 rooms ‒ 1572 € | Price per 4 rooms – 821 € |
| Price for services (sq. m.): | Price for services (sq. m.): |
| Price per sq. m. with terrace – 1745 € | Price per sq. m. with terrace – 844 € |
| Furnished real estate – 1654 € | Furnished real estate – 756 € |
| Real estate with elevator – 1794 € | Real estate with elevator – 795 € |
| For a parking space – 2029 € | For a parking space – 983 € |
Advantages and disadvantages
Pros: Favorable climate, High standard of living, affordable real estate prices, calm atmosphere, and beautiful beaches.
The disadvantages include the high prices and taxes.
HOW CAN A FOREIGNER BUY AN APARTMENT IN CATALONIA?
- Choose a real estate agent.
- Housing valuation by a real estate agency in Spain.
- Obtain an NIE.
- Open a bank account in Catalonia.
- Verification of documents (in Catalonia, notaries do not check documents. The buyer is responsible for the purchase).
- Conclusion of a deposit agreement.
- Conclusion of the sales agreement.
- Sales agreement.
IS IT WORTH BUYING PROPERTY IN CATALONIA?
Buying property in Catalonia is a safe and profitable investment. It is possible to combine housing, work, and leisure in the same area. Residential complexes have common areas, recreation rooms, event halls, swimming pools, parks, warehouses, parking lots, green zones, and recreation areas.
Living in Catalonia allows people to enjoy all the modern technological developments offered by the local real estate market.
Foreign buyers are mainly French, Chinese, Moroccan, Italian, and British in the Catalonia market.
CATALONIA’S MOST DESIRABLE RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS
Where is the best place to buy an apartment in Catalonia?
You can choose an area in Catalonia to buy and rent property based on your interests, lifestyle, and budget.
Recommendations for choosing an apartment in Spain for residence depend on the buyer’s desires.
The areas close to the city center or near universities are suitable for students and youth, such as Sant Cugat del Valles and Tarragona.
Costa Brava is an area where foreigners and pensioners can happily live.
Green areas with developed infrastructure and low housing prices like Sitges are suitable for families with children.
Lleida is the best area to buy an apartment to rent or invest in.
Costa Brava is the best area to buy real estate if you wish to live by the sea.
It is best to live in Sitges or Lleida if you plan to live in Spain for a long time.
This Catalonia district guide for different buyers can assist you in selecting suitable housing.
SPAIN-REAL.ESTATE CAN ASSIST YOU IN PURCHASING AN APARTMENT IN CATALONIA
These are some of the best places to live in Catalonia but not the only ones. Suppose you are thinking about moving to Catalonia, the Spain-Real.Estate experts can help you choose the best option to suit your interests perfectly.