Life in Barcelona


The Graduate School of Management is located in one of Europe’s most dynamic cities, Barcelona, which is a thriving business, industrial, cultural and intellectual hub. Nestled comfortably amidst the gardens and charm of Plaça d’Urquinaona, about 300 meters from Barcelona’s central square, Plaça d’Catalunya, the GSMB is happy to participate so closely and intimately in the life of this vibrant and historical city. The more you learn and know about the origins of this beautiful city, the more you will be able to understand and powerfully situate your post-graduate studies in the timeline of Western European history.

Despite being one of the most important metropolitan brands on the planet, Barcelona is a surprisingly easy place to live and be and do your thing. Most places of historic interest are in the Gothic Quarter, which – despite its confusing streets and alleys– is small enough to cover quickly on foot. A couple of central plazas, one of which serves as the GSMB home, were formerly defensive positions for various governors and today boast several world-class museums. Barcelona’s excellent public transportation system, in combination with a decent map, are all you will ever need to find your way around. Barcelona’s neighborhoods and architecture are a spellbinding tribute to the energy of this wonderful city.

If you do a little research about people who have visited or lived in this wonderful city, you will see that it is almost impossible not to have fun here.  The city has an active cultural life. Local and regional governments continually organize and sponsor business and social events, many of them free or at least well below the European standard for such events.

As Spain’s second largest city, Barcelona has its own very distinct language, culture and identity. Here is only a partial list of things of many social and cultural attractions to visit:

  • La Rambla
  • Barri Gótic
  • Port Olímpic / Barceloneta
  • Tibidabo
  • Parc de la Ciutadella
  • Montjuїc
  • Ruta del Modernisme
  • Museums
  • Montserrat
  • Sitges