Apartments and rooms near Pompeu Fabra

Universitat Pompeu Fabra was founded in 1990 and quickly became one of the youngest yet most prestigious public universities in Spain, with around 17,000 students enrolled across its three urban campuses in Barcelona. The Ciutadella campus next to Parc de la Ciutadella is the headquarters and houses the schools of Economics, Law, Humanities and Political Sciences. The Poblenou campus, in the city's tech district, hosts Communication, Translation and Engineering, while the Mar campus in front of Hospital del Mar is home to Health and Life Sciences. Ranked consistently among the top young universities in the world by Times Higher Education and QS, UPF is internationally recognised for its research output and English-taught programmes.

According to the Spotahome Rent Index 2026, here is the available accommodation in Barcelona and the average price by property type.

Best neighbourhoods near Pompeu Fabra

These four neighbourhoods sit closest to the Ciutadella and Poblenou campuses and combine excellent transport links with a diverse student vibe:

• Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i la Ribera: a historic district right next to Ciutadella campus, with the Born neighbourhood and Picasso Museum at its heart. Apartments cost 1,980 € on average, rooms 700 € and studios 1,410 €.
• El Barri Gòtic: a stone's throw from Ciutadella through narrow medieval streets. Spotahome lists 525 rooms here at 724 €, with apartments at 2,100 € and studios at 1,288 €. The Ciutat Vella student apartments section covers this area.
• El Poblenou: home to the Poblenou campus, with a startup atmosphere, beach access and old factories converted into co-working spaces. Apartments average 2,000 €, rooms 700 € and studios 1,840 €.
• El Parc i la Llacuna del Poblenou: between Ciutadella and Poblenou campuses, offering apartments at 2,100 €, rooms at 825 € and studios at 1,340 €.

In these four neighbourhoods around UPF, Spotahome lists more than +1,300 properties. Every unit is fully furnished and ready to live in from your first day in Barcelona.

What you should know about Pompeu Fabra

UPF stands out for its strong research orientation, ranked top in Spain by the Shanghai Ranking and among the most cited European universities in fields like economics and political science. The university teaches around 70 master programmes and 27 bachelor programmes, with many delivered partly or entirely in English. It hosts world-class research centres in Genomics, Communication and Economics, and is a member of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance.

Erasmus Life at Pompeu Fabra and in Barcelona

UPF runs one of Spain's largest Erasmus+ programmes, with more than 350 partner universities across 50 countries. Each year around 1,500 incoming exchange students join UPF in Barcelona while UPF students travel abroad. The campuses are surrounded by the city's best hotspots: Parc de la Ciutadella for picnics, Barceloneta for swimming, the Born for nightlife, and Poblenou for skating and art galleries. More information is available at the UPF International Mobility Office.

How to get to Pompeu Fabra from Barcelona city centre

Both main campuses are within a 15-minute ride of Plaça Catalunya:

• Take Metro line L4 from Catalunya to Ciutadella - Vila Olímpica for the Ciutadella campus, around six minutes.
• Take Metro line L4 to Llacuna or Poblenou for the Poblenou campus, around eight minutes.
• Catch bus V21 or H16 for direct connections along the seafront and Diagonal.

Common questions (FAQ) about renting near Pompeu Fabra

Which are the best neighbourhoods for students near Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona?

Most UPF students live near Ciutadella, the Old City or Poblenou for quick metro access.

• Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i la Ribera: a few minutes from Ciutadella, with bars and cafés.
• El Barri Gòtic: medieval and central, ideal for students who want history and nightlife.
• El Poblenou: bohemian and beach-adjacent, perfect for the Poblenou campus.
• La Vila de Gràcia: a slightly longer commute but a unique village atmosphere with plenty of student rooms.

How much does student accommodation near Pompeu Fabra cost?

Prices vary by property type. The table below shows the range of average prices in Sant Pere/Santa Caterina i la Ribera, El Barri Gòtic, El Poblenou and El Parc i la Llacuna del Poblenou according to the Spotahome Rent Index 2026.

The most popular option among UPF students is a room in Barcelona: the average stays around 700 €, and most listings include bills in the monthly rent. Studios suit students who want privacy, and apartments work well for couples or close friends sharing.

When should I start looking for accommodation near Pompeu Fabra?

Start your search at least two to three months ahead. Demand peaks between June and September for the autumn term and in late December for the spring term. Spotahome lets you book online from anywhere, meaning you can finalise housing before arriving in Barcelona.

How does Spotahome verify properties and what happens if the apartment doesn't match the listing?

Every listing on Spotahome is verified before going live: photos, descriptions and amenities are reviewed. If the apartment doesn't match the listing on move-in day, report it within the first 24 hours and our team will help with mediation, relocation or alternatives.

How much deposit do I have to pay? And when is it returned?

The deposit is usually one to two months of rent and is paid directly to the landlord. On listings tagged "Deposit protected", Spotahome refunds you directly if the landlord doesn't return the deposit within three months of move-out and you've met the contract terms. Many listings are also deposit-free and can be filtered in the search.

Do I need a guarantor to rent on Spotahome?

No guarantor is needed. You only have to provide a valid ID or passport, proof of student or worker status, and a payment method. Once the landlord accepts the booking, they may request proof of income and a direct debit authorisation to finalise the contract.

What is included in the monthly rent? What is not?

The monthly rent on Spotahome always includes rent, IBI property tax and community fees. Utilities such as electricity, water, gas and Wi-Fi are included in many listings.

• Always included: rent, IBI, community fees.
• Often included: electricity, water, gas, Wi-Fi.
• Not included: toiletries, food, optional services like cleaning or parking.

Read the listing description carefully to see exactly what is covered.

Why is Spotahome the best option for Erasmus stays at Pompeu Fabra?

Spotahome is the ideal platform for UPF students because it offers:

• Wide supply near campus: more than +1,300 properties in Sant Pere/Santa Caterina, El Barri Gòtic and Poblenou, many less than 15 minutes from campus.
• Affordable choices: over 799 rooms in shared flats with an average price of 700 €/month, and bills included in many cases.
• 100% online booking: rent from any country or city before arriving in Barcelona.
• Flexible contracts: stays of 3 to 11 months, ideal for Erasmus, with room for shorter or longer periods.
• Lower fees: smaller commissions than traditional real estate agencies.

At Spotahome we have been helping students find accommodation since 2014, and more than 200,000 have already booked with us.