What the campus reviews tell you about living nearby
The Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) sits on a large, modern campus in Bellaterra, about 20 kilometres north-west of Barcelona’s city centre. The campus itself receives a Google rating of 4.2 from over 1,300 reviews, but the comments reveal a stark divide in user experience.
One reviewer, Rajat Basavaraj, gave a 5-star rating and described the campus as a “beautiful place with modern contemporary styled buildings. Natural landscaping and serene environment adds to the ambience of this place. You are in touch with nature always. Students are lucky to be studying in such an amazing location.” This matches the general impression of the campus as green, spacious, and well-maintained.
However, another reviewer, Didier Canovas, rated it only 2 stars and wrote: “Campus looks nice. We went on a Saturday because the wife was summoned for an exam that day: it was dead. Hungry? Good luck, everything closed. Thirsty, same. Toilets? Very hard to find. Somewhere comfy to wait until your partner is done? Forget it, all the bibliotecas are closed. Wifi? Nope, not working.” This highlights a major issue for anyone planning to rely on campus facilities outside normal weekday hours. If you need to study or work on weekends, you may find few amenities open.
A third review by Adrian Cosmin Rusin, also 5 stars, simply says: “Great university, humongous campus and plenty of learning opportunities.” That reinforces the academic advantages but does not address the practical downsides.
A fourth review, by Saroor Mukhtar, gives a 1-star rating and describes an administrative problem: “I requested to change my major before the semester started, and they told me they agreed. They said I had to apply for the new program I wanted and pay new registration fees. I paid them, and also paid €5,000, but after that they never replied. I sent many messages with no answer, and I waited for 5 [months].” This suggests that administrative responsiveness can be poor, which may affect international students in particular.
What do these reviews mean for your housing decision? If you live on or very near campus, you will enjoy the peace and nature but may struggle with limited services on weekends. If you live in Barcelona city, you will have easy access to shops, restaurants, and nightlife, but you need to plan for the commute and for campus closures. The choice depends on whether you prioritise academic convenience or urban lifestyle.
Barcelona as a student city: context and costs
Barcelona is a major European student destination, with a diverse population of local and international students. The cost of student housing varies widely by neighbourhood and type of accommodation. Based on available listings, the minimum price for a student room or shared flat in the city is around €250 per month. That figure is indicative — confirm with the operator. The average rent for a room in a shared apartment typically ranges from €350 to €550, while a studio or one-bedroom apartment can cost €600–€900 or more.
The city is divided into districts: Ciutat Vella (the Gothic Quarter, El Raval, Barceloneta), Eixample, Gràcia, Sants-Montjuïc, Les Corts, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, and others. Each has its own character and price level. For a student on a tight budget, districts like Sants or Les Corts tend to offer better value than the city centre. For those with a higher budget, Eixample and Gràcia provide a central location with good transport links.
Transport is essential because UAB’s campus is not in central Barcelona. The nearest train station is Bellaterra, served by the FGC line S2 (Barcelona-Vallès) from Plaça Catalunya. The journey takes about 30–40 minutes. Buses also run from various points. A monthly transport pass (T-Jove for students under 25) costs around €40 and covers unlimited travel within the metropolitan area, including both train and bus.
When budgeting, remember to include transport costs, food, utilities, and social expenses. The typical monthly budget for a student in Barcelona (excluding tuition) is €700–€1,200, with housing being the largest item.
Walk versus transit: getting to Bellaterra campus
UAB’s campus is not within walking distance from Barcelona. The campus itself is walkable — it covers a large area and you may need to walk 10–20 minutes between buildings. But the key transport mode is the train.
If you live in Bellaterra or neighbouring towns like Sabadell or Sant Cugat del Vallès, you can walk or cycle to campus. Bellaterra is a residential suburb with limited shops and nightlife. The advantage is a short commute of 5–15 minutes on foot or by bike. The disadvantage is isolation from the city’s cultural and social life, especially on weekends when the campus is quiet.
If you live in central Barcelona, you will rely on the FGC train. From Plaça Catalunya, trains run every 10–20 minutes. The total door-to-door time from a flat near a metro station to the classroom is usually 45–60 minutes. That is a reasonable commute by European standards, but it adds up to 90 minutes daily. Students with classes spread across the day may find it tiring.
Some students choose to live in Sants or Les Corts, which are on the same FGC line (Sants station is also served). This shortens the train journey to about 20 minutes from Sants. Commuting from Sants or Les Corts is a good compromise: you get a quieter residential area with lower rents than the city centre, plus a quicker trip to campus.
The trade-off is clear: living near campus means more time for study and less for city life; living in the city means more social opportunities but a longer commute and higher rent.
Shortlisting housing using the given nearby residences
The sample of nearby student accommodations includes five addresses in Barcelona. These are indicative listings — confirm with the operator for exact prices and availability.
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Diagonal 1 – Located on Avinguda Diagonal, a major thoroughfare in the Eixample district. This is a central location with good metro and bus connections. The nearest FGC station for UAB is at Provença or Gràcia (about 10–15 minutes walk). Expect rents around €400–€700 for a room, indicative.
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Rosselló 2 – Carrer Rosselló is in Eixample, close to landmarks like Sagrada Família. Similar to Diagonal 1 in terms of centrality and transport. Buses and metro (L2, L5) are nearby. Commute to UAB: 40–50 minutes via train from Plaça Catalunya (15 minutes walk or one metro stop).
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Rambla Del Brasil 7 2-4 Sants-Montjuïc – This address is in the Sants district, near Sants station. Sants is a major transport hub with FGC trains to Bellaterra (line S2) departing from Sants station directly. The commute to UAB can be as short as 30 minutes by train. Rents in Sants are generally lower than in Eixample, around €300–€500 for a room.
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Sant Pau – This refers to the Sant Pau area, likely near the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (a UNESCO site) in the Guinardó neighbourhood. It is further north-east, not directly on the FGC line. The commute would involve a metro or bus to Plaça Catalunya first, adding 15–20 minutes. Rents may be slightly lower due to less central location.
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Carrer De L’Equador 77 2-4 Les Corts – Les Corts is a residential district west of the centre, home to FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou. It has good metro (L3) and bus links, and is relatively close to the FGC line at Les Corts station (actually called “Les Corts” on the FGC line? The FGC line has a station named “Les Corts” on the Barcelona-Vallès line? Wait: The FGC line from Plaça Catalunya to Bellaterra passes through stations including Gràcia, Muntaner, Sarrià, etc. Les Corts is not directly on that line. The nearest FGC station might be Sarrià, about 20 minutes walk or a short bus ride. So commute would be about 35–45 minutes. Rents in Les Corts are moderate, around €350–€550.
When shortlisting, consider these factors:
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Budget: If you have a low budget (under €350 indicative), focus on Sants or Les Corts, or shared flats in smaller rooms. If your budget is mid-range (€350–€550), consider any of the five options, but note that Diagonal and Rosselló may require sharing a room. If you can spend over €600, you can get a private studio in any district.
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Commute time: For the shortest commute, choose Rambla Del Brasil in Sants (30–35 min door-to-door). For a medium commute (40–50 min), Diagonal 1 or Rosselló 2 are fine. For a longer commute (50–60 min), Sant Pau is less convenient.
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Lifestyle: If you want to be near nightlife and restaurants, Diagonal or Rosselló place you in Eixample, which is central. If you prefer a quieter residential area with parks, Les Corts or Sants are good choices. If you want to be close to the university with a more suburban feel, Bellaterra itself is not in the sample, but you can search for rooms in Bellaterra or Sant Cugat.
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Amenities: Check if the accommodation includes utilities, internet, and whether the contract is for a full year or a semester. Many student residences near UAB offer all-inclusive rent. Confirm details with the operator.
The sample shows that student housing in Barcelona near UAB covers a wide price and location range. Use the list as a starting point, then filter by your personal priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to commute from central Barcelona to UAB?
From Plaça Catalunya, the FGC train to Bellaterra takes about 30–40 minutes. Add walking time from your flat to the station and from Bellaterra station to your building, for a total of 45–60 minutes. From Sants station, the train journey is about 20 minutes.
Is it better to live on campus or in the city?
It depends on your lifestyle. Living on campus (Bellaterra or Sabadell) gives you a short walk to class and a quiet environment, but limited shops and no weekend nightlife. Living in Barcelona city gives you access to everything the city offers, but you need to factor in the 45–60 minute commute each way. Many students choose to live in Sants or Les Corts as a compromise.
What is the typical budget for student housing near UAB?
A shared room can start from €250 per month (indicative — confirm with the operator). A private room in a shared flat typically costs €350–€550. A studio or one-bedroom apartment ranges from €600 to €900 or more. These are indicative prices and may vary by season and demand. Always confirm the latest rates with the housing provider.
Data for this guide is based on listings available in 2026. Prices and availability are indicative — confirm with the operator before booking.
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