Liceo Italiano de Barcelona

In Brief

The school sits across two sites. Younger years (infantil, primary, lower secondary) are in Sarrià-Sant Gervasi. The Liceo (upper secondary) is in Eixample on Passatge Méndez Vigo. It's run and funded by the Italian state, which is why fees are unusually low for an international school in Barcelona (roughly €145/month for primary, around €285/month for the Liceo).

The community is mainly Italian families, plus Spanish and mixed-nationality households who want their children educated in Italian. Diplomas are recognised in both Italy and Spain. The early years are Montessori-led and well liked: according to one parent, it's the place to go if you want your child "to learn numbers and letters playing." Teachers are often described as the strongest part of the school.

The honest pushback you'll hear locally is about two things. First, English. It is taught, but parents repeatedly say the level is weak and most families top up with private English outside school. One parent said the school treats English as if it isn't important. Second, pace and methods. A few parents who've also lived in Italy describe the teaching as old-fashioned compared with what they expected, and there are grumbles about basic numeracy and spelling in the primary years. Counterview from other parents: it's a normal, unpretentious school, low on bullying, with strong value for money.

There was a real-world wobble in 2023 when insects were found in the canteen and the Italian Embassy got involved with the catering contract. The caterer was put out to re-tender. Worth asking the school directly how that's bedded in.

Bottom line for your friend: if Italian language and a genuinely Italian schooling pathway matter to the family, this is the only serious option in Barcelona and it's affordable. If they want English-medium teaching or a polished international-school feel, look elsewhere. Visit both sites, ask specifically about English provision and which exit pathway (Italian Maturità vs Catalan Batxillerat) suits their plans.