MumAbroad

Sant Cugat is a very popular town for international families due to its proximity to Barcelona, its good schooling and green space that is lacking in so many capital cities. Local resident and owner of Textura Baby, Rachael West, shares her experience with us.

"Sant Cugat has the largest proportion of child population in Catalonia. The good side to this is the capacity to meet other parents in the same situation as you, the total acceptation of children everywhere you go from restaurants to boutiquey shops all happy to amuse your child while you browse. And the town is literally full of children's play areas and green areas. The negative side is the difficulty of getting into the school of your choice, all private ones have long waiting lists, and state schools is by "lottery" system where supply rarely meets demand so often you cannot get into your first choice. Sant Cugat is a typically commuter town, very well connected with Barcelona by FGC train (trains run every 3 mins to Bcn in rush hour, 10 mins off peak and Sundays). It is surrounded by countryside so ideal for nature lovers. Walking paths and routes in Collserola (protected national park area) run right beside and within St.Cugat itself, ideal for children." (RW, May 08)