Barcelona Pedralbes
Barcelona Pedralbes
About Barcelona Pedralbes
Barcelona’s Pedralbes area is famous for its 14th- century monastery, the Gaudi-designed Guell Estate as well as the beautiful gardens of its Royal Palace. Plus, thanks to being a protected area where new houses and developments are nigh on impossible to build, it also attracts high real estate prices. As a result of all the stunning buildings and countryside, Pedralbes is one of – if not THE – most exclusive and upmarket areas in Barcelona.
The Barcelona Pedralbes Area
Pedralbes is located just below the Collserola hills in Northwest Barcelona. Its close proximity to Serra de Collserola Natural Park means that residents have the nature reserve right on their doorstep. Yet, the centre of the city is only a 10-minute drive from the leafy suburb. Another draw for its residents is the fact that it is only a 20-minute drive from some of the most beautiful beaches – in particular Gavá or Castelldefels.
The area gets its name from the white stones that are so synonymous with Pedralbes. Pedralbes means ‘white stones’ in Old Catalan and the mediaeval monastery was built using them, giving the suburb its unique look. Plus, interestingly, despite the sleepy feel of the quiet enclave of Barcelona, many of its homes are modern in design with plenty of landscaped gardens, outdoor swimming pools and well-maintained balconies.
The transport here is pretty good too. One of the metro lines (line 3) runs right along the southern part of Pedralbes with three stations. Zona Universitaria is where the line ends. There is also a tram that goes up Diagonal Avenue – one of Barcelona’s main streets. Locals also make use of the extensive bus network, which can take you in, out and around many of Barcelona’s most popular areas. For example, you can get a bus to Plaça de Catalunya really easily.
Many residents do, of course, like to drive themselves. But tourists will find Pedralbes a delightful suburb to walk in, thanks to the stunning architecture and lush green spaces that create a beautiful backdrop. That being said, a walk there is not always suitable for everyone as the hilly terrain can make some of the slopes quite steep – made worse in the height of the summer when temperatures soar.
Sports and activities in Barcelona Pedralbes
There is plenty to do in Pedralbes – befitting of a suburb that houses the wealthy who have money to spend. The university in the centre of Pedralbes also means that there is always something attracting a crowd and a buzzy atmosphere throughout the day.
Outdoor excursions
With Serra de Collserola Natural Park just there to be enjoyed, many people head to Pedralbes for a day out, exploring the great outdoors. The park is huge and so it attracts hikers and cyclists, but also those who like more sedate fun like bird watchers or nature lovers. Families come here at the weekend to get some much needed peace from the hubbub of the city in addition to far more space for little children to run around.
Shopping
Barcelona is home to some of the best shopping in the world. Quirky boutiques and unique shops mean that the city sets the bar high when it comes to retail therapy. Pedralbes is not one of the main shopping areas, though it does have two large shopping centres. There is the Pedralbes Centre which is dwarfed by the L’illa Diagonal centre – technically just outside the Pedralbes boundaries. While for some they may be a bit bereft of personality, they both have everything you need under one roof. There’s a whole host of clothing stores as well as places to buy makeup, perfume, gifts and anything else you can really think of.
There’s an El Corte Ingles near L’illa Diagonal where it’s possible to buy food and groceries if you need.
Eating out in Barcelona Pedralbes
This isn’t the place to head for the best of Barcelona’s nightlife, but there are plenty of spots to enjoy a delicious meal or simply to socialise without having to head into the city. The students studying here tend to head into Barcelona itself for bars and clubs which remain open into the early morning, but young families and professionals will not struggle to find restaurants and cafes for the nights they don’t want to cook for themselves.
While there may not be the range of options that other parts of Barcelona have on offer, Pedralbes eateries are always of a high standard. That can mean that the food is a lot more expensive than in town, but you’ll never feel like you’ve been short-changed. Thanks to the close proximity to the sea and simply being in a gastronomic centre like Barcelona, food tends to be Mediterranean and fish or seafood based. Of course, being Spanish, it’s possible to find excellent steaks on many menus.
For those that want to venture just a little further afield, it can be a good idea to get the funicular train up to Tibidabo, where the restaurant La Venta is. The views are sublime, and the food is absolutely delicious too. For the majority, it would be a place to head for a special occasion but well worth it. Residents also like to head to Sarria, a small neighbourhood nearby for other fantastic restaurants or just to grab a drink with friends.
Culture in Barcelona Pedralbes
The suburb is home to some wonderful tourist attractions which make it worth a trip even if you are not staying here. The Guell Pavilions are here and were designed by Gaudi. Perhaps one of the most eye-catching parts of the Guell Pavilions is its wrought-iron dragon gate and how the pavilions have been adorned – with the colourful mosaic work that is instantly recognisable as Gaudi’s style.
Of course, Gaudi’s work punctuates so much of Barcelona, but here you’ll be able to see them in the gardens surrounding the Royal Palace – for instance in the lampposts that are dotted around trees. The Royal Palace was once a former royal residence. Now, it is home to a ceramic museum and an interior design museum, which are well curated and fascinating – even to those who would otherwise give such galleries a miss.
The ceramics museum has some works by Barcelona’s most famous former artist residents – Pablo Picasso and Joan Miro. The monastery itself also has its own museum, as well as a beautiful garden too. It’s a great place to head for some peace to take in the awe-inspiring sight of the monastery.
Family life in Barcelona Pedralbes
The suburb holds a great deal of appeal for families looking to move to Barcelona or who are already living in the vibrant city. The schools are excellent with many foreign schools open there. There is one French one in particular that attracts many French families to the area.
Of course, a major appeal of the suburb is that getting into Barcelona with a family in tow is quick and painless, while there is the ability to have an action-packed, outdoor day in the Natural Park too. Everything a family needs is, therefore, literally on their doorstep. The overall atmosphere of the suburb is far sleepier than other parts of Barcelona – another draw for families. Green spaces, even without the Natural Park, are plentiful so it’s never difficult to take the kids out to play to burn off some excess energy.
Real estate market in Barcelona Pedralbes
It’s also popular with families as the houses are usually very large, which means the outdoor space, so often a premium for city dwellers is also more common here. However, there are also many apartment buildings – all of which will undoubtedly have luxury amenities too. Apartments will often have a large terrace, sometimes with a private pool. Other apartment blocks, which may be a little cheaper, will have communal areas with a pool.
Affluent residents will also like that many of the homes here have space for live-in staff. Additionally, many will have space for a tennis court, if not a paddle tennis facility. Houses will often have been recently renovated or refurbished so that homes are usually up to date and perfect for modern-day living.
Of course, all this comes at a price. Pedralbes is an exceptionally expensive place to buy a home – with residents often being professional football players and pop stars. Shakira, for example, once lived there, while Lionel Messi is believed to own a home there. Additionally, new homes cannot be built, so the limited supply of housing stock keeps prices high even when house prices elsewhere are falling.
That being said, the homes are usually large too, so buyers will get a big property for their hard-earned cash, so arguably buying there is a good investment if prices rarely (if ever) go down.
Barcelona’s Pedralbes
Pedralbes has its own distinct feel that makes it quite different to other places in Barcelona – so usually ubiquitous with a buzzy atmosphere and a lot going on all the time. Pedralbes is much quieter, but it has its own charm and attractions thanks to its cultural hotspots and jaw-dropping mansions. It’s definitely a place to try to visit, and even to live, if finances ever allow.