The Best Hostels in Barcelona, Spain

If you’re arriving in Barcelona by rail, wallet-friendly lodgings don’t get much closer to Barcelona-Sants – the main train station – than this place. Meeting Point is a bright, friendly and modern youth hostel, complete with shared kitchen, TV lounge and sunny outdoor terrace. Twin rooms offer privacy, while mixed and female-only dorms sleep up to six in bunk beds. Bed linen and lockers are also provided free of charge, and there are excellent metro connections to Barcelona’s central attractions.

Housed in a typical 19th-century building just off the Avenida Diagonal, this more upmarket hostel is surrounded by all the buzz of the upscale Eixample neighbourhood. A Nordic-style common room is open around the clock and a great spot to mingle with other travellers. Accommodation ranges from private doubles – with some great city views – to mixed and female-only dorms. If you’re new to the city, they also offer a free walking tour of Barcelona, departing daily from reception, and you’re just a short walk away from Gaudí’s Casa Milà and Casa Batlló.

A design-led hostel and hotel located near La Sagrada Família, sitting between the trendy Eixample and Gràcia neighbourhoods, Generator Hostel is a seven-storey urban lodging offering stylish accommodation at budget-friendly prices. The dorm rooms include lock-up storage, a privacy screen around each bed and a bedside lamp for reading. There are also private rooms on the upper floors, some with a terrace and ocean views. In the communal areas, you’ll find a trendy chill-out lounge, a rooftop terrace and an in-house bar and restaurant inspired by the city’s Festa Major de Gràcia street party.

Sitting at the north end of Eixample’s famous Passeig de Gràcia boulevard, Casa Gràcia is part-hostel, part-hotel, with dorms for up to six, hotel-style private rooms and even apartments. This Barcelona hostel also has all the communal spaces and fun activities you would expect from a bona fide backpacker haunt and then some, including multiple common rooms, a library, open kitchen, dining rooms and a terrace where you can join weekly yoga classes. The basement is a renovated old bank and civil war bunker that now hosts live music, stand-up comedy, monologues, folk performances and electronic dance nights. Gaudí’s Casa Milà is a short walk away, too.

Sitting in the foothills of Montjuic, Hostel One Paralelo is the perfect option if you’re looking to make new friends and share experiences. You get a free home-cooked meal every night, which everyone eats together in the communal living area. There are also lots of activities organised, security round the clock, and a sunny terrace to make the most of the often fabulous weather. Restaurant- and bar-lined Carrer de Blai is a mere block away.

Located just off Plaça de Catalunya in the heart of Barcelona, St Christopher’s Inn is a buzzing hostel with a fun and friendly atmosphere. Stay in a dorm to get your own pod bed, which comes with a plug, USB socket, reading lamp and secure under-bed storage. Plus, you’ll get a 25-percent discount Belushi’s bar and restaurant downstairs, which is a great place to socialise and take part in events such as cocktail masterclasses and beer pong competitions.

If you’re looking for a fiesta, Kabul Party Hostel is the perfect place for you. Located on the bustling Plaça Reial, just off La Rambla in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, this hostel is steps from some of the most popular bars in Barcelona. It also hosts and plans a variety of events, including pub crawls, allowing you to meet like-minded people and setting the mood for an epic night out. You’ll also get a complimentary breakfast.

The Pars Teatro Hostel lies in the Poble Sec neighbourhood, within walking distance of the many theatres and cabarets that line the vibrant Avinguda del Paral·lel. Housed in a renovated period building with stylish original features, the hostel has a unique vintage theatrical theme, with costumes, set pieces and other objects scattered throughout the rooms. Ideal for travel-happy millennials looking to meet people on their trip, the hostel organises a range of events and activities to help you make the most of your stay. Free dinners and free walking tours are some of the additional perks.

Located on Carrer Nou de la Rambla, Be Sound Hostel is just minutes from some of Barcelona’s best nightclubs. While it prides itself on a party atmosphere, it’s a great place to relax after a night out on the electric Avinguda del Paral·lel or La Rambla, as the hostel lies midway between these two streets. Some local flavour is thrown into the mix with daily tapas tastings and occasional flamenco shows. Some other perks include a common room, a sunny outdoor terrace and free wifi.

Named after Sant Jordi, the patron saint of Catalonia, the Rock Palace offers guests a rock’n’roll holiday on a shoestring budget. From a rooftop swimming pool to a music room with guitars, the hostel provides everything you need to feel like a rock star during your stay. Practical amenities include free wifi, a large kitchen, laundry service, secure lockers and luggage storage. It’s close to both Passeig de Gràcia and Carrer d’Enric Granados, a charming pedestrian area full of restaurants and little bars.

Located in the hip Gràcia neighbourhood (full of restaurants, lively squares, trendy shops and cinemas), Yeah Hostel has a youthful vibe and is an excellent option for solo travellers. Inside, the beds are practical and comfy, while the large private rooms offer lots of storage. It also has a rooftop swimming pool and is within walking distance of some top attractions, including Gaudí’s Casa Battló, Casa Milà and La Sagrada Família.

The family-run Barcelona Central Garden hostel pitches itself as an urban oasis in the centre of the city. Offering a more relaxed, cosy atmosphere than some of the party-focussed hostels, this is a great place for travellers looking for a safe, clean space. The relaxed vibe attracts people of all ages, as well as families and couples. The friendly staff are always around to offer advice, and the hostel has a kitchen with complimentary tea and coffee. You’re ideally placed to explore Eixample, El Raval and the Gothic Quarter on foot.

As the premier eco-friendly urban youth hostel in Barcelona, this place holds an EU Ecolabel for its dedication to promoting sustainable tourism and protecting the environment. In addition to utilising energy-saving equipment, the hostel uses biodegradable cleaning products and 100-percent renewable energy. The knowledgeable staff can provide guests with green travel tips, helping them to make the most of their time in Barcelona while watching their carbon footprint. The rooms here are modern, comfortable and extremely affordable.

A green, laid-back hostel, Garden House is located in the quiet Horta neighbourhood – on the northern outskirts of Barcelona, and close to the mountainous hiking trails of the Parc Natural de la Serra de Collserola, but still well-connected to central Barcelona by the L3 metro line. Set in a colourful townhouse, it features a large terrace and garden, the perfect places to relax and enjoy a glass of wine or soak up the sun on the loungers. It also has a kitchen for those who prefer to cook.

The exemplary service at this Barcelona hostel, located across the road from the University of Barcelona, really makes it stand out. The staff are happy to provide recommendations on what to see and do in the city – including lesser-known attractions. The ACYH aims to provide accommodation for travellers who want to relax and experience the culture rather than party. It also has security screening round the clock and free lockers so you feel happy and safe during your stay.

If you prefer active tourism and want to discover Barcelona on two wheels, look no further than Bed and Bike Barcelona, which provides accommodation in a clean, contemporary environment, a bike rental service and a spacious common area and kitchen. The hostel is close to Arc de Triomf and Estació del Nord in a reasonably central but much quieter area, yet you’re still within walking distance from attractions in El Born, Eixample, and the Gothic Quarter, as well as La Sagrada Família. Some evenings, the hostel hosts special events, such as pizza nights.

Right by the central Plaça de la Universitat and a 5-minute walk from the Museum of Contemporary Art, TOC Hostel has shared dorms, suites for four people and private rooms. The hostel features a terrace pool and a sun deck where you can lounge with a mojito in hand. Safes in private rooms, washing machines, computers for guest use, a shared kitchen and a bar are some of the additional perks, as is the location’s proximity to La Rambla, and the bars in El Raval.