Barrio Sant Antoni of Barcelona is a centrally located neighbourhood just away from the hustle and bustle of more touristic areas. Today, we return to our walk through the neighbourhoods of Barcelona, stopping at Sant Antoni to continue exploring the city.
Our goal with this column is to help you discover the beauty throughout this city and to describe the highlights of each area for students and young workers who want to move to an accommodation in Barcelona. Each neighbourhood offers its own unique benefits and we hope to create a guide with all the information you need to find the best neighbourhood for your shared flat.
Sant Antoni is located within the Eixample district, to the west of El Raval. Because of its size and rectangular blocks, the area is easily navigated and quickly learned. This, along with its distance from the noise of the city, makes it perfect for a room in Barcelona. Though in a quiet area, it is within easy walking distance of many major places in Barcelona such as Plaça de Espanya and Universitat de Barcelona.
Museums
Though there aren’t many museums in this neighbourhood, Casa Golferichs is just outside its barriers. With a rich history of its own, this house is a wonderful example of beautiful architecture in the city. If you’re looking for a larger museum, head to one of 5 metro stops in the small area and quickly arrive anywhere you want to go.
Free Time
The Sant Antoni Market is the most popular, well-known spot in this neighbourhood. First opened in 1882, the market went under renovations in 2009 and reopened in 2018. During the week, this market is full of fresh meat, fish, vegetables, and fruit, while the outside is surrounded by flea market-type stalls offering any good you could need – from shoes and clothing to houseware. Because it is outside of the main areas in Barcelona, you will likely find yourself shopping alongside locals here rather than tourists. On Sunday every week, this market transforms into one of the largest open-air book markets in Europe. When you’re done shopping you’re looking for a break in a nice spot, try out one of the small parks in the neighbourhood.
Services
Because of its size and location, anything you need can be easily reached. With restaurants at every corner and the famous Sant Antoni Market at your feet, you will never be at a loss for food. If you need some money, banks can also be found on almost any street in the neighbourhood. If, somehow, you manage to find something not available in the neighbourhood, its 5 metro stops (Sant Antoni, Poble Sec, Rocafort, Urgell, and Universitat) will get you anywhere else in the city.
Though it is near the city center, Sant Antoni manages to provide the best of both worlds. It is a small, quiet area, perfect for students or young workers, easily within walking distance of busier areas in the city if you are looking for a little fun. The neighbourhood does not contain any major tourist locations, so friendly locals walk its streets without interference. The most well-known place in the neighbourhood, the Sant Antoni Market, offers almost anything you could need throughout the week.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this walk through barrio Sant Antoni! If you’re looking for a shared flat in Barcelona, consider staying in this simple district. If you don’t think this is the perfect fit, make sure to check out our other blogs about neighbourhoods in Barcelona, describing different locations that may be the ideal spot for you. If you have any suggestions or questions, feel free to leave a message for us here.
Thanks for reading,
Your helpBarcelona Team