Overview and Location
Carrer De La Mercè 26 Pr-1 Ciutat Vella is a student residence located in the heart of Barcelona’s historic Ciutat Vella district, at the edge of the Barceloneta neighbourhood. The address is 26, Ciutat Vella, 08002 Barcelona. The property functions as a two-star student residence that also operates as a hotel, which is an uncommon hybrid model in Barcelona’s student housing market. The building is within walking distance of the Barceloneta beach (about 4 minutes on foot) and the Barceloneta metro station (approximately 6 minutes). Surrounding streets are filled with restaurants, tapas bars, and local shops, which makes the area lively and convenient. The residence offers non-ensuite rooms and is categorised as a branded independent house — meaning it is managed under a single brand but not part of a large institutional chain. The monthly rent ranges from 804 to 1112 EUR, which is indicative — confirm with the operator. A minimum lease of 3 months applies, and the earliest move-in date is 9 July 2026. The property has a Google rating of 4.0 out of 5 based on 374 reviews.
Who This Residence Suits
This residence is suitable for students who prioritise location and value for money over luxury amenities. The proximity to the beach — a 4-minute walk — is a genuine draw for those who want to live close to the Mediterranean. The Barceloneta metro station (Line 4) is about 6 minutes away, giving residents direct access to the city centre and other parts of Barcelona. The area is packed with restaurants, tapas places like Bar Jai-Ca and Brasa y Tapas, and cultural spots, making it a strong choice for students who want to immerse themselves in local food and nightlife.
The minimum lease of 3 months is flexible enough for exchange students or those on short-term programmes, while still allowing longer stays. The price range of 804–1112 EUR per month (indicative — confirm with the operator) is positioned well above Barcelona’s city-wide from-price of 250 EUR per month, which typically reflects shared rooms or very basic studios. At Carrer De La Mercè 26, the cost includes a private room in a shared apartment or studio-like setup (non-ensuite), so it offers more privacy than a hostel or budget dormitory while still being relatively affordable compared to luxury student residences.
Facilities include lockers, an electronic key system, and a dryer, which are practical for everyday student life. The electronic key eliminates the need to carry physical keys and adds a layer of security. Lockers are useful for storing valuables.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Students who are sensitive to noise should consider other options. The building has thin walls — a recurring complaint in resident feedback. One review explicitly mentions that soundproofing is “non-existent” and that you can hear neighbours’ phone conversations as if they were in the same room. This is a significant drawback if you need a quiet environment for studying or sleeping at irregular hours. The property also operates partly as a hotel, which means the mix of guests may include tourists, adding to potential noise and foot traffic.
The non-ensuite room type means you will share bathroom and possibly kitchen facilities with other residents. If you prefer a private bathroom or a fully self-contained studio, this residence is not the best fit. Likewise, students looking for a purpose-built student accommodation with large common rooms, gyms, or study lounges may be disappointed — this is a simpler, function-focused building.
The price, while reasonable given the location, is still relatively high when compared to the city’s minimum of 250 EUR per month. Budget-conscious students who can trade location for a lower rent should look further from the beach or in cheaper neighbourhoods.
What Residents Actually Say
The three reviews available from Google capture a balanced picture.
5-star review (Ulf Strohmayer): “Hard to beat the value for money you get here (a lot of reviews forgot to place the Residencia in the context of a two-star student residency that doubles up as a hotel). Top location at the edge of Barceloneta, 4 minutes to the beaches, 6 to the nearest subway station. Plus: good-size rooms, some rooms overlooking the…” (review cuts off, but the positive tone is clear). This reviewer underscores that for the price and star rating, the offering is fair.
5-star review (Jonathan Félix): “Being meters across from the beach is honestly my favorite part about it. 5 minutes away from Barceloneta metro station and with a unique charm. The restaurants and tapas places like bar jai-ca and brasa y tapas are also a plus if you’re trying to immerse yourself in Barcelona’s culture.” This highlights the location as the standout feature.
3-star review (Dawid Glanowski): “!Paper walls and DIY noise control! The location is the only plus. The soundproofing is non-existent; you can hear your neighbors’ phone conversations as if they were in the same room. When I complained about being kept awake at 4 AM, the hotel’s ‘solution’ was that I should have left my warm bed and come to reception…” The review ends there, but the noise issue is clearly stated. The reviewer’s tone is frustrated, and the management response is described as unhelpful.
These reviews confirm that the location and value for money are strong, but noise and soundproofing are significant weaknesses. The 4.0 aggregate rating suggests that for many residents, the location compensates for the downsides.
Pricing and Room Types
The residence offers non-ensuite rooms within a branded independent house. Non-ensuite means you will share bathroom and kitchen facilities with other residents. This is the only room type indicated in the data. The monthly price range is 804 to 1112 EUR — indicative — confirm with the operator. No deposit amount is listed, so you will need to ask the operator about the deposit policy.
To put this in perspective: Barcelona’s cheapest student housing option across all properties starts at 250 EUR per month. That figure typically represents a shared room in a flat far from the centre or a dorm bed in a hostel. At 804 EUR, you are paying a premium for a private room in a prime beachfront location. The top end of 1112 EUR approaches the price of a more luxurious ensuite studio in other parts of the city. For a non-ensuite room, this is on the higher side, but the location in Ciutat Vella justifies the cost for many students.
The property operates year-round but only has availability from 9 July 2026 as per the current listing. That suggests the 2025–2026 academic year is mostly sold out, and the next opening is for the summer term or the 2026–2027 academic year.
Booking Timing
Since the earliest move-in date is 9 July 2026, students planning to arrive in Barcelona for the summer or for the 2026–2027 academic semester should start inquiring in early 2026. Given the residence’s popularity (374 reviews on Google) and its beachfront location, rooms may sell out quickly. The minimum lease is 3 months, so it is possible to book for a short summer stay or a full semester. If you are targeting a longer stay (e.g., the full academic year), it is wise to confirm availability as soon as possible. The property’s dual use as a hotel means it may also cater to tourists in peak season, potentially reducing the number of rooms allocated to long-term students.
The indicative price range is subject to change, so always confirm the exact rate for your desired move-in date and lease length. The deposit is not disclosed — ask the operator about this as well.
FAQ
Is this residence suitable for students who need a quiet place to study?
Not generally — the thin walls and lack of soundproofing are reported consistently. If you require silence or low noise levels, consider residences with better sound insulation or a more secluded location. Some residents manage by using noise-cancelling headphones, but the building’s construction limits what you can achieve.
What are the closest metro stations and how long does it take to reach the main campuses?
The nearest metro station is Barceloneta (Line 4), about 6 minutes on foot. From there you can reach most central campuses within 15–20 minutes by metro. Many universities are located in the Eixample, Ciutat Vella, or uptown areas. Walking to some faculties in the Gothic Quarter may take 10–15 minutes. Since we cannot name specific institutions, we recommend checking the route to your own campus on a map.
How does the price compare to other student housing in Barcelona?
The starting price of 804 EUR per month is roughly three times the city’s cheapest listed option (250 EUR). That is typical for a private room in a central location with a beach proximity. However, for a non-ensuite room, 804–1112 EUR is on the higher end when compared to rooms in shared apartments in less central districts like Gràcia or Sants. The trade-off is the immediate access to the beach, Barceloneta’s restaurants, and metro connectivity. Always confirm the final price with the operator as rates may vary by room size and floor.
Sources & data date: 2026-07
For live availability and to confirm current pricing, you can use the on-site assistant on this page.
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