After an incredible semester in Barcelona, the city has firmly secured itself as my favorite place I’ve ever visited. I lived in a local apartment in the lively neighborhood of Eixample, right on Aragó Street. I was just five minutes away from the breathtaking Sagrada Família and had dozens of bars and restaurants right downstairs to choose from.

My building only had ten apartments, mostly occupied by elderly residents who turned out to be some of the kindest locals.

One thing about me: I love a good public transportation system. Barcelona’s was clean, efficient, and could take you anywhere you wanted to go. Nothing beats a 20 minute commute from my apartment to Barceloneta Beach, the famous Razzmatazz club, or directly to an FC Barcelona match.

The city’s walkability also stood out to me. Superblocks, where pedestrians and cars share the road, are common, and Barcelona’s grid of thousands of even square blocks makes walking easy and enjoyable. Along the way, the city’s stunning architecture and thoughtful city planning constantly surround you. Works like Casa Batlló, Casa Milà, the Sagrada Família, and Park Güell, all masterpieces by the famous Antoni Gaudí, made every walk feel like a tour of living art.