Barcelona is one of the most popular cities in Spain for learning Spanish. The city combines an international atmosphere with Mediterranean lifestyle, strong cultural appeal and a wide choice of Spanish language schools. For students comparing different options, one useful quality signal is whether a school is accredited by Instituto Cervantes.
Instituto Cervantes is the public institution responsible for promoting the Spanish language and Spanish-speaking cultures internationally. Schools accredited by Instituto Cervantes have passed an evaluation process related to areas such as teaching quality, academic organization, facilities, student services and administrative procedures.
Accreditation does not mean that every school is the same. Spanish schools in Barcelona can differ significantly in atmosphere, size, location, course structure, accommodation options, student profile and activity program. Some students prefer a larger international school, while others look for a more personal learning environment, smaller groups, evening courses, long-term study options or support with accommodation and visa-related documentation.
When choosing a Spanish school in Barcelona, it is worth looking beyond accreditation alone. Students should also consider the type of course they need, the number of lessons per week, class size, teaching method, location, total price, accommodation availability, start dates, reviews and the kind of student experience they want outside the classroom.
Below you will find a list of Instituto Cervantes accredited Spanish schools in Barcelona. The list is intended as a practical starting point for comparing recognized Spanish language schools in the city.
Study Visa
Critically for international students, these accredited schools can provide the letter of acceptance that supports a Spanish student visa application. Because they are recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, their documentation meets the specific criteria needed for a successful application, provided you enroll in a full-time program of at least 20 hours per week.
List of Instituto Cervantes accredited schools in Barcelona
source: cervantes.es
LINGUASCHOOLS Barcelona
Passatge Permanyer, 17 and Carrer del Bruc, 140
Linguaschools Barcelona is the partner school recommended by Estudio Hispánico in Barcelona. It is an Instituto Cervantes accredited Spanish school for adult learners, with two central buildings on Passatge Permanyer and Carrer del Bruc. The school offers small-group Spanish courses, private lessons, evening courses, exam preparation and longer-term study options, as well as outdoor spaces and a year-round activity program. Read more about Linguaschools on our Barcelona page.
BCN Languages
Plaza Gal·la Placidia 22, entre. 1ª
Offers a variety of languages, among which Spanish, all year round. One of the more established schools in Barcelona.
Academia Guiu
C/ Balmes, 58
Has a long history of offering Selectividad courses in Barcelona. Apart from that they also offer Spanish courses.
AIL Barcelona
C/ Mallorca, 201, bajo
Better known as Ole Languages, is now part of the AIL group of schools, offering excellence in Spanish language education for many years.
BCN Lip
C/ Aviñón, 50
C/ Neptuno, 32 bis
Located right in the heart of the Gótico neigbourhood. They offer a mix of online and face-to-face lessons in Spanish, Catalán and many other languages.
Escuela Mediterráneo (Tandem / International House)
C/ Santa Mónica, 2
Right next to the famous Rambla, they offer many different options at an affordable price.
Camino Barcelona
C/ Diputació, 119
A centrally located Spanish school that offers Spanish courses and student accommodation in the same building.
CIEE Barcelona
Pasaje Permanyer, 10
Offers study abroad programs in one of the nicest streets in Barcelona.
Don Quijote Barcelona
C/ Mallorca, 27-31
One of the biggest schools dedicated to Spanish language teaching and part of the Ideal Education Group with schools all over Spain and Latin America.
EF Barcelona
C/ Balmes, 155
The Barcelona branch of the famous world-wide chain of schools.
Enforex Barcelona
C/ Diputación, 92-94
Together with Don Quijote part of the Ideal Education group. They also have schools in Marbella and Alicante, as offered on the Estudio Hispanico website.
Expanish Barcelona
C/ Passatge de Méndez Vigo, 8
Barcelona branch of a Spanish school once started in Buenos Aires.
Freeda Language Space
C/ Flassaders, 7
C/ Alegre de Dalt, 57
Located in Gracia and Born, leave you the choice between two of the most vibrant neigbourhoods in Barcelona.
Idiomes UPF
C/ Ramón Trias Fargas, 25-27
Language programs by the Pompeu Fabra University.
Kingsbrook
C/ Ecuador, 82-84 Local
Right in the heart of Gracia, one of the most charming neighborhoods of Barcelona.
Oxford TEFL
C/ Diputació, 279, bajos
Renown for it’s English (TEFL) courses, they also offer some Spanish language programs.
Speakeasy
C/ Ronda Universidad, 7, 1.º 3.ª
Closeby Plaza Catalunya, has been around for many years.
IS Barcelona
Vía Laietana, 45, 6.º -2
International school with it’s origin in Sweden.
Sunlight BCN
C/ Ortigosa, 14 1-4
Offering a variety of courses in their campus in Barcelona and Valencia.
Worldclass BCN
C/ Bisbe Laguarda, 4
Offering full time and part-time Spanish courses.
Instituto Cervantes accredited schools outside Barcelona
Idealog
C/ Castanyer, 41, Castelldefels
On a short train ride distance from Barcelona, closeby the beach, an excellent place to study Spanish.
