Which neighbourhood to choose: the short answer
For a family looking for a home in Barcelona, Sant Gervasi offers the best balance between neighbourhood life, schools and access to the city centre; Pedralbes is the option for those who prioritise space, gardens and international schools; while Eixample is ideal for urban families who want to do everything on foot and value spacious apartments with high ceilings.
All three neighbourhoods share something unusual for a major city: quiet streets, a strong educational offering and services just minutes away. What sets them apart is the way they shape everyday life. This guide, prepared by the aProperties Barcelona team based on the transactions we handle every week in the upper part of the city and the centre, compares the three neighbourhoods using practical criteria so that each family can identify the one that best suits them.
At-a-glance comparison
Pedralbes is the most expensive of the three neighbourhoods in terms of price per square metre, but it is also the one offering the largest homes and the most outdoor space; Sant Gervasi and the upper part of Eixample fall within a similar price range.
Sant Gervasi: between €7,078/m² (La Bonanova) and €7,688/m² (Galvany). Three- and four-bedroom apartments, schools within walking distance and a neighbourhood atmosphere just ten minutes from the city centre. Ideal for families with young children.
Pedralbes: €8,338/m². Apartments of more than 150 m² with gardens, swimming pools and parking, close to international schools such as the Lycée Français. Ideal for families who prioritise space and outdoor areas.
Eixample: between €6,944/m² (Antiga Esquerra) and €7,841/m² (Dreta). Grand period apartments with high ceilings, everything within walking distance and metro stations on almost every corner. Ideal for urban families with older children.
Sant Gervasi: the balance between neighbourhood and city
Sant Gervasi is the most common choice among the families we assist in Barcelona because it allows parents to walk their children to school while still reaching the city centre in ten minutes. It comprises two neighbourhoods with their own distinct character: Sant Gervasi-Galvany, which is more urban and commercial, and Sant Gervasi-La Bonanova, which is more residential and has a higher concentration of schools.
The homes. Three- and four-bedroom apartments predominate in buildings dating from the 1960s to the 1980s, many of them with parking spaces and terraces. In La Bonanova and around Putxet, penthouses with large terraces and occasional detached houses can be found — the scarcest and most sought-after properties.
According to Idealista, Galvany stands at around €7,688/m² and La Bonanova at €7,078/m², with the latter recording a year-on-year increase of close to 13%.
Everyday life with children. La Bonanova has one of the highest concentrations of private and state-subsidised schools in the city, including schools such as La Salle Bonanova and Benjamin Franklin International School, while Escola Pia Balmes is located in Galvany. Turó Park is the meeting point for families in Galvany, while Parc del Putxet offers play areas and views in the upper part of the neighbourhood.
Things to consider. The supply of large, renovated apartments is limited, and well-priced properties sell quickly. It is worth having your financing prepared before you start viewing properties.
Pedralbes: space, greenery and international schools
Pedralbes is the benchmark neighbourhood for families looking for space, outdoor areas and a very peaceful environment. It is also the most expensive of the three: according to Idealista, €8,338/m² in August 2026. Administratively, it belongs to the Les Corts district, although in terms of lifestyle it is generally associated with Barcelona's upper area.
The homes. The area is characterised by apartments of more than 150 m² in buildings with landscaped communal areas, swimming pools and concierge services, alongside detached houses in the upper part of the neighbourhood. It is common to find two parking spaces and a storage room, something that is relatively uncommon elsewhere in Barcelona.
Everyday life with children. The presence of Lycée Français de Barcelone and Kensington School, together with Col·legi Sant Ignasi in neighbouring Sarrià, makes it a preferred area for many international families. The gardens of Palau de Pedralbes, Parc de Cervantes and the proximity of Collserola provide access to green spaces without leaving the city.
Things to consider. It is a less commercial neighbourhood with longer distances, meaning that the car plays a greater role in daily life. The L3 metro at Palau Reial and the tram along Diagonal provide good connections towards the city centre and the university area.
Eixample: family life in the heart of Barcelona
Eixample is the option for families who want to experience the city on foot, with schools, work, extracurricular activities and leisure just a few blocks away. It is a large district made up of very different neighbourhoods. For families, Dreta de l'Eixample (€7,841/m² according to Fotocasa) and Antiga Esquerra (€6,944/m²) are among the most sought-after areas.
The homes. The main attraction is the grand early-20th-century apartments, with high ceilings, hydraulic tile floors, interior galleries and surfaces ranging from 120 to 200 m². The grand period buildings in Dreta, between Passeig de Gràcia and Passeig de Sant Joan, offer some of the largest floor plans. The usual trade-off is the lack of parking within the building itself and, in some properties, the need for renovation.
Everyday life with children. Schools such as Jesuïtes Casp and Escola Pia Sant Antoni have a long-standing presence in the district. The city is creating more pedestrian-friendly space through the Consell de Cent green corridor, while renovated inner courtyards function as small local parks.
Things to consider. It is the busiest and noisiest of the three neighbourhoods. Upper-floor apartments facing the inner courtyards are particularly valued by families because they combine natural light with greater peace and quiet.
How to choose based on your family
The question that best guides the decision is not which neighbourhood is the best, but what an ordinary Tuesday will look like at home: who takes the children to school, how much the car is used and how much outdoor space the family needs.
- Young children and school within walking distance: Sant Gervasi, particularly La Bonanova, thanks to its concentration of schools and strong neighbourhood atmosphere.
- International family with a French or British school: Pedralbes, thanks to its proximity to Lycée Français and Kensington School.
- Absolute priority on space, a garden or swimming pool: Pedralbes, or a house in the upper part of Sant Gervasi.
- Teenagers and a car-free lifestyle: Eixample, where children can gain greater independence by metro and on foot.
- Family that values architecture and high ceilings: Dreta de l'Eixample.
- More limited budget while staying in the upper area: apartments requiring renovation in La Bonanova or Putxet, with potential for value appreciation following refurbishment.
How aProperties supports families buying in Barcelona
aProperties is a real estate agency specialising in residential property in Barcelona, Madrid, Palma and Valencia, and its Barcelona team works daily in Sant Gervasi, Pedralbes and Eixample. This constant presence in all three neighbourhoods allows the team to advise clients using data from real transactions rather than relying solely on asking prices.
Supporting a family goes beyond finding a home:
- Market analysis by street and building: in these neighbourhoods, two apartments just 100 metres apart can differ in value by more than 15%, depending on the floor, orientation and condition of the building.
- Access to properties outside the main portals: a significant part of the family-oriented property stock in the upper area is marketed discreetly.
- Financing with aFinance: mortgage assessment and negotiations with financial institutions, within the same group.
- Relocation from another country with aRelocation: school search, paperwork and settling-in support for international families.
- Negotiation and closing: review of the land registry information, outstanding charges and property documentation before signing the deposit agreement.
If you are considering these three neighbourhoods, the aProperties Barcelona team can prepare a selection of homes tailored to your family, together with a comparison of recent closing prices on the streets that interest you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best neighbourhood in Barcelona for families with children? Sant Gervasi, Pedralbes and Dreta de l'Eixample are the three neighbourhoods most sought after by families. Sant Gervasi stands out for its concentration of schools and neighbourhood atmosphere; Pedralbes for its space and international schools; and Eixample for its walkable urban lifestyle.
How much does it cost to buy a family apartment in Sant Gervasi? The average asking price is between €7,000 and €7,700/m² according to Idealista (September 2026). A 120 m² apartment therefore costs around €850,000 to €925,000, with significant differences depending on the floor, terrace and condition of the property.
Is Pedralbes more expensive than Sant Gervasi? Yes. Pedralbes reached €8,338/m² in August 2026, compared with €7,078 to €7,688/m² in Sant Gervasi. However, it is easier to find properties in Pedralbes with gardens, swimming pools and parking included.
Which neighbourhood in Barcelona should we choose if we are sending our children to an international school? Pedralbes and the areas around La Bonanova and Sarrià are home to a large proportion of the city's international schools, including Lycée Français de Barcelone, Kensington School and Benjamin Franklin International School.
Can you live in Eixample with young children? Yes, particularly in Dreta and Antiga Esquerra. The key is to choose a high-floor apartment, ideally facing an inner courtyard, in a building with a lift, and to consider renting or purchasing a parking space nearby.
Which real estate agency should you choose to buy a family home in Barcelona?
It is advisable to choose an agency with its own team working in the neighbourhood, access to properties that are not published on the main portals, and real data on closing prices. aProperties works continuously in Sant Gervasi, Pedralbes and Eixample and also supports financing and the relocation of international families through aFinance and aRelocation.