The Day We Found An Apartment to Rent in Barcelona

I remember the day clearly. A new apartment popped up on Idealista early in the morning. My husband sent me the link, urging me to go check it out — even though I wasn’t convinced about the area. I called the agent (honestly, just to shut him up) and booked the first available slot.

What I found completely changed my perspective.

Barcelona is full of contrasts — one street can feel chaotic, while the next is quiet and charming. This apartment was in one of those hidden gems: surrounded by lovely gardens, with a concierge at the entrance, and a surprisingly peaceful atmosphere.

The apartment had just been renovated — more like home staging than a full reno, but it felt fresh and bright. It had four tiny bedrooms (one smaller than our storage room in Luxembourg), but it also had a pool and a cozy community area. And, most importantly — I had a good feeling about it.

We moved fast. After the visit, we contacted the agent immediately and sent the reservation deposit. Then came the twist - the couple who visited right after us offered more money for the same place.

After a bit of back-and-forth, we agreed to increase our offer by €50/month. And just like that — the apartment was ours.

Looking Back at Our Renting Experience

That was the summer of 2022. And today, the market is even crazier. I recently read on Idealista that 1 in 6 apartments is rented in under 24 hours.

So if you're searching for an apartment in Barcelona:

• Be patient

• Be prepared

• Be persistent

• And trust that your home is out there

I'd love to hear about your experience Drop a comment below!