How to make friends in Barcelona as an expat: beach volleyball, castellers and Catalan classes
30 October 2026 · 3 min read · By the I Am Mate team
Barcelona is sunny, social and international, but many locals keep lifelong friend groups and expats come and go. Where people in Barcelona actually meet (beach sports, run clubs, Spanish and Catalan classes, castellers, volunteering), the best things to do alone, and a first-month plan.
In Barcelona, locals often keep friends from childhood, and the expat crowd changes constantly. Build something lasting with weekly groups: beach volleyball or a run club, Spanish or Catalan classes, a colla castellera (human-tower team), or regular volunteering. Adjust to the late schedule. If you're struggling, call 024, Spain's free suicide prevention line, any time.
Barcelona seems built for a social life: beaches in the city, terraces in every square, warm evenings that run late. Lots of people move here for the lifestyle, and the first months can feel like a long holiday. But many newcomers notice that friendships with locals are slow to form. Catalans often keep the same close group of friends from childhood (the "colla"), family life is central, and the expat community has a revolving door, with people leaving after a year or two.
The way in is to join the city's own traditions and activities, not just the expat ones. This guide covers where people in Barcelona actually meet, the best things to do alone and a first-month plan.
Why Barcelona can feel lonely
- Lifelong friend groups. Many locals have known their friends since school.
- The expat revolving door. Easy to meet people, hard to keep them.
- Two languages. Spanish and Catalan are both spoken, and much local life happens in Catalan.
Where people in Barcelona actually meet
Beach sports and run clubs
Beach volleyball courts at Barceloneta and Bogatell have regulars and pickup games, and run clubs meet along the seafront, in Ciutadella Park and on Montjuïc, often early in summer to beat the heat.
Spanish and Catalan classes
Spanish courses run all over the city, and the Consortium for Language Normalisation (CPNL) offers affordable Catalan courses for newcomers. Even a little Catalan is warmly received.
Castellers
Building human towers is a Catalan tradition recognised by UNESCO, and many neighbourhood teams (colles castelleres) welcome newcomers of every size, since every tower needs a big base of people. Weekly practice, festivals and a strong team spirit make it one of the most local ways to make friends.
Volunteering
The Banc dels Aliments (Barcelona food bank), beach clean-ups, animal shelters and community groups all need regular volunteers, and it's a natural way to practise Spanish or Catalan.
Libraries and civic centres
Barcelona's public libraries (Biblioteques de Barcelona) and neighbourhood civic centres run free or cheap classes, talks, language exchanges and workshops.
Great things to do alone in Barcelona
- Watch the sunset from the Bunkers del Carmel, a hilltop with a 360° view of the city.
- Walk the seafront from Barceloneta to Bogatell beach.
- Visit a museum on a Sunday afternoon: many city museums are free then.
- Hike the Carretera de les Aigües, a flat path along the Collserola hills with views of the city.
- Wander Gràcia's squares for coffee and people-watching.
- Climb Montjuïc and walk through its gardens.
A first-month plan for Barcelona
- Week 1: Find your café, your market and your nearest library. Shift your dinner time later: 9pm is normal.
- Week 2: Try a group run or beach volleyball session and one language exchange.
- Week 3: Sign up for a Spanish or Catalan course, visit a castellers practice or start a weekly volunteer shift.
- Week 4: Make one specific invite: "Want to get a vermut in Gràcia on Sunday?" The Sunday vermouth is a beloved local ritual.
Chat while you settle in
Every I Am Mate character chats in your language, so you can practise Spanish: write in Spanish and they'll reply in Spanish. Sophie, an AI personal trainer and yoga teacher, is great for beach-season fitness (see Sophie's motivation guide), and Mia, an AI photographer, has tips for capturing the city: see Mia's photography tips. They're AI characters, not real people, and they're there to help you get out and meet people. The general method is in our new city friends guide.
If it gets heavy
If loneliness lasts for weeks or turns into thoughts of hurting yourself, please talk to a person. Call 024, Spain's free suicide prevention line, any time. The Teléfono de la Esperanza listening line is on 717 003 717. In an emergency, call 112.
Frequently asked questions
Is it hard to make friends in Barcelona?
Meeting people is easy, but lasting friendships with locals can take time because many Catalans keep lifelong friend groups. Weekly activities and learning the languages help most.
Should I learn Spanish or Catalan in Barcelona?
Spanish is the most useful to start with. Learning some Catalan as well is warmly appreciated and opens up much more of local life.
What are castellers?
Teams that build human towers, a Catalan tradition recognised by UNESCO. Many teams welcome newcomers, and practices are very social.
What are free things to do alone in Barcelona?
The beaches, the Bunkers del Carmel, Montjuïc, the Carretera de les Aigües, Ciutadella Park and city museums on Sunday afternoons.
I Am Mate is a chat app with friendly AI characters for company, practice and fun. Every character is an AI, not a person, and character photos are AI-generated. The app is for adults (18+). It's not a dating app, a therapist or a crisis service. If you're struggling, see our helplines.