Youth hostels in Barcelona: our favourites!

There are so many different accommodation options in Barcelona that it can be hard to know what to choose. Backpackers will be spoilt for choice, with hostels in all four corners of the Catalan capital. The range on offer has increased massively over the last few years, and there are now over 150 possibilities!

No need to sort through the masses of search results on Google, though. We’ve done all the work for you, so just read on for hints, tips and a run-down of our favourite hostels in Barcelona.

(Youth) hostels, hostals and hotels: what’s the difference?

Obviously, you know what a hotel is – but do you know the difference between a hostal, a hostel and a youth hostel?

As you’ll find all three types of accommodation on offer in Barcelona, here’s a quick guide to help you work out what’s what and avoid any nasty surprises, especially if you’re on a tight budget!

Hotels and Hostals

• A “hostal” generally offers the same services as a hotel, but is slightly more basic – for example, the rooms may be smaller than is standard for a hotel. Prices are generally lower than for hotels offering a similar level of service.
• Hostals generally offer the same types of amenities as hotels, including towels and bedlinen, internet access, daily cleaning, etc.
• Like hotels, hostals only offer private rooms.

(Youth) hostels

• Not to be confused with hostals: the basic concept is very different. In a hostel, you can book a bed in a dormitory or shared room, whereas in a hostal, you’ll be booking the whole room.
• Some hostels have a number of private rooms, with or without bathrooms.

Youth hostels in Barcelona: prices

Youth hostels are the cheapest option for accommodation in Barcelona, particularly for solo travellers, and offer excellent value for money.

Depending on when you’re planning to visit, allow around €15/night per person off-season (e.g. November), going up to around €35/night during the summer months, for a bed in a dormitory.

Generally speaking, the bigger the dormitory, the lower the price per bed.

If you want a private room, expect to pay roughly the same as in a hotel or hostal of similar quality: 50 – 120 euros a night for a double room, depending on the season and the level of facilities offered by the hostel.

Hostels with a pool: just the thing for hot summer days

It gets hot (and humid) in Barcelona in the summer. Opportunities to cool off are highly appreciated, so hostels with pools are very much a Good Thing!

Here’s our selection of hostels with THE added extra everyone wants after a long day (or night) of sightseeing under the mediterranean sun. Don’t forget your costume!

Ten to Go: a great hostel in an unspoilt location near Sants station

The lovely Ten to Go hostel is one of our latest discoveries, and it’s fast becoming a favourite! In a great location (a stone’s throw from Sants train station), it’s attractive, welcoming, and offers everything you need. It’s one of the top-rated hostels in Barcelona, which is always a good sign.

• This light, bright hostel is housed in a recently-renovated building dating back to 1878, set on a quiet side street. If you’re looking for something “authentic”, a far cry from some of the tourist traps in the city, this is the hostel for you!
• The manager, Louis, is super-friendly and speaks perfect English, as well as Spanish and French.
• The dorms are bright, impeccably kept, and each fitted out with 14 brand-new wooden beds (see the first photo above).
• The common areas are welcoming, pleasant and clean.
• There’s a pool in the inner courtyard: while you won’t be swimming lengths in it, it’s big enough for a cooling dip after a long day’s exploring.
• The hostel is fully accessible.
• Where? Carrer de Valladolid, 43; metro:Sants

Sant Jordi Rock Palace: a music-themed hostel in an Art Nouveau building

Or how about something completely different? The Sant Jordi Rock Palace Hostel is housed in a modernist residence in the Eixample quarter, covering over 1300 m2. As the name suggests, it’s designed to appeal to music fans, with features including:

• A rock theme. Each floor is dedicated to a number of rock legends and to the clubs where they made their debuts.
• The second floor has retained much of its original modernist charm: the dorms all have high ceilings with original cornices and mosaic floors. There’s a magnificent common room featuring instruments from the golden age of rock and impressive early-20th Century stained glass windows.
• The basement houses a large, modern kitchen, common rooms and a hip bar, offering a pleasant contrast with the art nouveau style of the rest of the establishment.
• A lovely top-floor terrace overlooking the city: take a dip in the pool (if it isn’t too busy!) or stretch out on one of the sun loungers. (Note: the terrace is closed for refurbishment until late spring 2018).
• Where? Carrer de Balmes, 75; metro: Provenza

Inout youth hostel: escape to the country

If you’d prefer to stay somewhere a little quieter, perhaps in a more rural setting, this option –  30 minutes from the centre of Barcelona – could be for you. And as it’s further out, there’s more space for a proper pool…

• The Inout hostel is a timeless haven, set in lush green surroundings in the Collserola national park – it’s easy to forget that there’s a bustling city a few miles down the road.
• Major selling points include the setting, the large pool, the basketball court, the terrace for al fresco dining, and free parking.
• Inout is run by a charity which creates employment opportunities for the disabled. By staying at the hostel, you’ll be supporting this valuable project.
• The Inout hostel is fully accessible.
• ¿Dónde? Carrer Major del Rectoret, 2, Ferrocarril: les Planes

• Note that if you’re visiting Barcelona for the nightlife and you don’t have a car, Inout may not be the option for you: during the week, the ferrocarril service to get back from Barcelona stops at midnight.

• It takes around half an hour to get to the hostel from Plaça Catalunya, including a ten-minute walk uphill on arrival (good to know if you’re laden down with bags). Take the Barri del Rectoret exit from the Ferrocarril station and follow the signs for Inout Hostel. It’s worth the effort!

Youth hostels in central Barcelona

There are plenty of options in the historic centre of Barcelona – but just be aware that they’re not the quietest places in the city!

Some hostels in the central area also rely on their location to attract tourist traffic, and do not necessarily pay much attention to the level of comfort or to the look of their accommodation.

We’ve visited several different options to get an idea of what’s available. Read on for our selection of the best that Barcelona has to offer…

Christopher’s Inn: the most stylish of the city-centre hostels

Christopher’s Inn

, in the heart of the city, just minutes from Plaça Catalunya, is housed in a superb building which was renovated in its entirety in 2012.

The common areas are great, as is the range of activities on offer, and the bar and terrace are open to non-residents. The dorms are clean and you can choose from mixed or single-sex options. The hostel also boasts original design features, and offers the perfect base for a festive, relaxed holiday.

• Where? Carrer de Bergara, 3; metro: Catalunya

Want to find out more?  Head this way for a whole article on Christopher’s Inn!

Sleep Green: the most environmentally-friendly hostel in Barcelona

Looking for a central hostel with impeccable green credentials? Then head for Sleep Green, which ticks all the right boxes.

Designed to appeal to proponents of “responsible” tourism, this small, intimate hostel – the size of an apartment – attracts a friendly, inclusive crowd. It’s also in a great location, in the historic and cultural heart of Barcelona. The atmosphere is extremely welcoming and the accommodation is comfortable.

• Where? Ronda de la Universitat, 15; metro: Universitat

• Sleep Green is on the first floor of an older building, meaning that it isn’t accessible for mobility-impaired visitors.

For more information, see our article on the Sleep Green youth hostel.

 

Hostels in the historic centre of Barcelona, near Las Ramblas

Barcelona’s iconic Las Ramblas thoroughfare is a major attraction for tourists. Staying nearby, you’ll benefit from a central location and easy access to all other quarters of the city via the excellent public transport links.

Kabul Party: party central!

Kabul Party, on the gorgeous and vibrant Plaça Reial, is known throughout Barcelona as THE place to stay for party animals from around the world!

The central location, the range of nocturnal activities on offer and the switched-on vibe make this a great base for those visiting Barcelona for the nightlife.

• Where? Plaça Reial, 17; metro: Liceu

• Looking for peace and quiet? This is not, we repeat NOT, the place for you.
• Kabul Party is not accessible for mobility-impaired visitors.

• Added bonus: there’s a stunning terrace on the 5th floor, looking out over the palm trees onto Plaça Reial…

 

Hostels with dorms and private rooms

In addition to the “conventional” dorm options, many hostels now offer private rooms, with or without a bathroom. From basic, budget-friendly rooms up to more expensive hotel-style accommodation, there’s something for everyone.

Price-wise, expect to pay as much as you would for a hotel of a similar standard. That said, you’ll be able to enjoy the relaxed hostel atmosphere. Use the shared areas (kitchen, common rooms, terrace, bar etc.) and join in with the many activities on offer.

• If you’re travelling as a family or with a group of friends, renting an apartment may also be a good, budget-friendly choice.

Yeah Hostel: comfortable accommodation with a designer touch!

One of our new favourites, this superb hostel is situated in the Eixample Dret, mere metres from the Gràcia quarter, and is one of the highest-rated hostels in Barcelona.

Yeah Hostel (shown in the first photo in this article) is an attractive establishment with everything a traveller could want in terms of comfort, design and social interactions.

• Where? Carrer de Còrsega, 377, metro Verdaguer

Some of the best things about the hostel include:

• Its location, between Sagrada Familia, Casa Battló and La Pedrera – perfect for Gaudí fans.
• 200 beds spread across clean, bright dorms sleeping 4 or 6, with spacious luggage lockers to house even the biggest bags.
• Yeah Hostel also offers a handful of pretty private rooms, sleeping 2 or 4.
• The shared spaces are vast, colourful and well-equipped. There’s even a bed to relax on while you wait for your dorm room (on the first floor) to be ready – see the picture above.
• The hostel is fully accessible.
• Work is currently underway on a terrace area with a pool, which should be finished in the near future.

Generator: a hip and colourful hostel

Generator is a behemoth of a hostel, decked out in pop colours and packed with designer touches. In addition to 101 dorm rooms, the hostel also offers around 15 private double rooms.

• Where? Carrer de Còrsega, 377, metro Verdaguer ou Diagonal

For more information, see our article on the Generator.

Youth hostels near the beach

Think of Barcelona, and you think of Sagrada Familia, monuments, the old town, the nightlife… and the beach! To make the most of the city’s seaside setting, why not choose a hostel near the Med?

• Just be aware that you can’t actually see the sea from the hostels listed below. We have yet to find a hostel with sea views in Barcelona, so let us know if you come across one!

Amistat Beach Hostel: a friendly youth hostel near the beach

Set in the traditional Poblenou quarter, the Amistat Beach Hostel is a colourful, vibrant establishment in a great location. Just a ten-minute stroll from the beaches at Mar bella and Bogatell, which tend to be quieter than those at Barceloneta during the summer months.

• Where? Carrer de l’Amistat, 21, metro: Llacuna

Tickle your fancy? See our article on the Amistat Beach Hostel for more details.

Safestay Barcelona Sea: great location, but no views

Safestay Barcelona Sea is in the Barceloneta quarter, just a stone’s throw from some of Barcelona’s busiest beaches.

If your heart is set on finding a place by the sea, if the level of comfort or design on offer is of minimal importance to you and if your main aim is to enjoy Barcelona’s beaches, then this hostel could be the one for you. The hostel reception is at the back of the Sea Point café.

Where? Plaça del mar, 1; metro: Barceloneta

• This hostel is pretty basic, made up of a reception and two corridors, lined with simple, narrow and often windowless dorm rooms.
• To be perfectly honest, we’re not big fans, but the location is a good one for beach bums.

Comment below and let us know which hostels you like best!

If you need more help making up your mind, take a look at our youth hostels category for yet more options.