Barcelona has some of the best nightlife in Europe, which attracts backpackers and partygoers from around the globe. It’s also well-known for world-class music festivals like Sonár and Primavera Sound, which step things up in the summer. Oh, there’s also amazing food, art, architecture, surfing, football and culture to explore. If you haven’t been, there’s no excuse. Book your trip now!
There are more than 100 hostels in Barcelona to choose from, which means you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to cheap accommodation close to the city centre. If you want to enjoy the nightlife in Barcelona, pick a youth hostel that makes it easy to socialise and meet other travellers. For foodies and culture lovers, why not book a private room in one of Barcelona’s many boutique hostels?
Some of the best hostels in Barcelona offer free breakfast, cooking lessons and city tours. A few even give you access to a gym and swimming pool! Regardless of where you decide to book, you can find youth hostels, party hostels, design hostels, boutique hostels and… you get the point.
A few of the best areas to stay in Barcelona include Las Ramblas, Barceloneta, and Barri Gòtic, also known as the Gothic Quarter. Las Ramblas is in the heart of the city centre and puts you within easy reach of the best attractions, but the prices can be a bit higher than other areas.
East of Las Ramblas is Barri Gòtic, the city’s oldest neighbourhood, which is home to a lot more cheap accommodation and offers just as much to do. There are artisan shops, endless food options and epic nightlife. For beach lovers the only option is Bareceloneta, which puts you within walking distance of the beach and some of the city’s best seafood. It's also a great spot for skating in Barcelona.
You could also look for places to stay in El Born, which is home to cool bars and restaurants hidden away in narrow historic alleys, or Gracia, which is off the beaten path and feels more like a small village than a district of Barcelona. It’s also very cool, and a great option if you want Catalan cuisine.
No trip to Barcelona would be complete without a visit to La Sagrada Familia, one of the most intricate and awe-inspiring pieces of architecture in the world, which is also the most visited monument in Spain. For foodies, there’s La Boqueria market, which attracts over 45,000 visitors a day with its cheeses, charcuterie, seafood, and fresh produce.
If you prefer to explore on foot, then head straight for Las Ramblas, which is the perfect place for people watching, street performers and a bit of shopping, just keep an eye on your wallet. There’s also Museu Picasso for an afternoon of art appreciation or Camp Nou for the football fanatics.
The first step is getting from the airport to the city centre. You can take a shuttle which runs every five minutes and takes 30 minutes to get you into town, or the train which takes about 25 minutes.
Barcelona is one of the most compact and densely populated cities in Europe, which means you’re rarely more than 20 minutes’ walk away from a point of interest. The city also has a good network of cycle lanes, which makes renting a bicycle a great option. Finally, there’s public transport, which includes the metro, plus an extensive network of buses and trams.
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