Barcelona is a fascinating city. With its amazing architecture, vibrant culture, and brilliant culinary scene, there’s so much to explore here. You could spend days wandering the streets and still have a wealth of places to discover.
However, being the popular tourist destination that it is, prices can get pretty steep. Finding somewhere that suits your budget and travel style can be difficult, especially during peak season.
That’s why we’ve created this guide on the best cheap hostels in Barcelona, to help you find somewhere to stay that’s slightly easier on the wallet. Staying in the Catalan capital doesn’t have to break the bank, so we’ve picked our top five hostels to show you how it’s done.
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Sant Jordi Hostels’ Sagrada Familia put themselves forward as a bit of an edgy hostel, with skateboarding-inspired interiors throughout. They’ve really embodied this theme, think skate decks on the walls, and graffiti everywhere. It’s the best Barcelona hostel for experiencing the counter-culture of the city.
Don’t worry if you’re not into skating though, as there’s some substance to this hostel too. There’s a vibrant atmosphere going on here, but the hostel itself claims that it’s just as good for people who want a “quiet night” as is it for party animals. Check out their free walking tours to get your bearings when exploring the city too.
Not only that, but there are loads of cool little nooks throughout to hang out in. There’s even a mini ramp for guests to use, just in case you’ve got your board handy. If you’re a skateboarder visiting Barcelona then this is the hostel for you! The rooms themselves are less urban-inspired and more bright, clean, and airy.
Where is Sant Jordi Hostels’ Sagrada Familia?
This budget hostel in Barcelona is situated near to one of the icons of the city: Gaudi’s famously incomplete Sagrada Familia Cathedral in central Barcelona. This central location means you’ll be within walking distance of other attractions, or you can opt to hop on the metro or bus to get around and see places like The Gothic Quarter. This being Barcelona, there’s plenty of spots to eat and drink pretty much on the doorstep, they don’t offer a free breakfast but a buffet is available for just €5.
There are a whole load of room options available at this hostel. Here’s what you can choose from in terms of the dorms:
- Mixed dorm
- Female dorm
As for the private rooms, your options include:
- Single room
- Twin room private
- Double room
- Four bed room
Prices here are from $23 USD per night.
Any extras?
It may be one of the cheaper Barcelona hostels, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some great extras on offer. Staying here means you’ll get access to all this goodness…
- Communal kitchen
- Outdoor terrace
- Skate ramp
- Laundry facilities
- Multilingual staff
- Free Wi-Fi
- Cafe
- Games room
There’s also a nightly events schedule, which is sure to get you chatting to other guests and making friends in no time, making it one of the best hostels for solo travellers. It’s some of the best cheap accommodation in the city especially given the facilities.
Overall, because this place is part of Sant Jordi Hostels – an award-winning Lisbon-Barcelona chain – it’s a reliable place to stay. The staff are professional, it’s clean, and the decor at least has some character to it.
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Despite the name, this hostel, unfortunately, isn’t actually free (Rude!). But it is surprisingly swish for a hostel in Barcelona. The interiors are smart and contemporary, with modern additions, innovative dorms, and a sparkling communal kitchen.
Free Hostels is actually a mini-chain, with another location in Rome. This franchise-level shiz means you’ll get a professionally run hostel with a bit of affordable luxury thrown in, too. There’s even contemporary art adorning the walls from artists at the Barcelona Academy of Art. It’s not often you get to stay in one of Europe’s best boutique hostels for this cheap!
So while it may not be free, it is good value for money. It’s also a fairly sociable hostel, perfect for solo travellers visiting Barcelona, Spain.
Where is Free Hostels Barcelona?
You’ll find this budget hostel near Barcelona-Sants railway station, and close to two metro stations. The neighbourhood itself is quiet, situated away from the tourist crowds, but still safe. It’s a 25-minute metro ride to Las Ramblas, while many other of Barcelona’s attractions are within a 20-min stroll. There is plenty of drinking and dining options in the vicinity too. So it’s one of the best hostels if you want a pretty chill time in Barca.
In terms of the types of rooms on offer, Free Hostels Barcelona includes the following innovative dorm room options:
- Female dorm
- Mixed dorm
There is also a whole lot of private rooms to choose from, too…
- Double bed ensuite
- Three bed ensuite
- Two bed tent ensuite
- Four bed ensuite
Prices start at $20 USD per night.
Any extras?
As well as being a cheap place to stay in Barcelona, this innovative hostel has a good amount of amenities to help you save money. These include:
- Free WiFi
- Air-con
- Tours/travel desk
- Cafe
- Cable TV
- 24-hour reception
- Laundry facilities
- Security lockers
As far as budget hostels in Barcelona go, this is definitely one that seems as though it should be more expensive. That’s because of just how modern it is, especially the cool design features in the dorm rooms. It may not be that central, but you get the bonus of staying in a very nicely designed hostel. It might just be the best hostel for the price in Barcelona, Spain.
One of the successful and award-winning St Christopher’s Inn hostel chain, the Barcelona iteration is awash with cool design and funky features. This budget hostel is set inside one of Barcelona’s heritage buildings, that’s been lovingly morphed into an awesome place to stay. It’s located at the top end of Las Ramblas right in Barcelona city centre so you can easily explore the gothic quarter and the Picasso museum from here.
The period features are combined throughout with colourful and contemporary design. You get some dorm rooms here that have grey tiled floors and white walls, and private rooms with eye-catching murals on the walls.
This hostel also packs a punch when it comes to socialising. The on-site Belushi’s bar, a mainstay of the St Christopher’s chain, offers discount prices to guests. It’s also home to Barcelona’s longest happy hour (or so they say). Combine this with an in-house entertainment team, and you’ve got yourself an epic party hostel in Barcelona.
Where is St Christopher’s Inn Barcelona?
The location of this cool, cheap hostel in Barcelona’s famous La Rambla means you’ll be in a very central Barcelona neighbourhood. Getting around on public transport is easy, and it’s right opposite the official transfer drop-off point for the airport at Plaça de Catalunya. You’ll be a short walk from Catalunya metro station, as well as numerous places to dine out.
The room options at the Barcelona arm of St Christopher’s Inn are pretty extensive. First off, you’ll have the choice of the following dorm rooms:
- Female dorm
- Mixed dorm
There are also a number of private rooms to choose from, too. These include:
- Single ensuite
- Twin room ensuite
- Four bed shared bathroom
- Six bed shared bathroom
Prices start from $19 per person, per night. The cheapest hostel on this list!
Any extras?
Staying here means having access to a whole load of great amenities. Those features include the following:
- Nightclub
- Free wifi
- Live sports
- Bar
- Drinks deals
- Outdoor terrace
- Postal service
- Restaurant
When it comes to entertainment, St Christopher’s has you covered. Events and activities include:
- Beer pong
- Cocktail masterclasses
- Wine and cheese tasting
- Paella cooking sessions
- Guest lists to nightclubs
This is possibly the best budget hostel in Barcelona, Spain. It may be a little hefty on the party vibes for some people, but the fact remains that it’s got a whole lot going for it. For one thing, it’s huge: 400 people can stay here at any one time.
This budget-friendly Barcelona hostel is an ideal combo of affordability, comfort, and a laid-back atmosphere. Offering dorm rooms with specially made beds, you’re bound to get a good amount of shut-eye at this place. It feels almost like you’re in your own cocoon; they come complete with privacy blinds, plug sockets, storage, and your own reading light.
The private rooms provide a little bit more seclusion and are still furnished in a cool and contemporary way. When it comes to communal spaces, you can get to know your fellow hostel-goers while hanging out on the awesome rooftop terrace.
The staff at this hostel are very friendly and super helpful. It’s partly up to them that Onefam Sants has such a great atmosphere and social environment. If you’re backpacking Barcelona on your own, this is a major plus.
Where is Onefam Sants?
Compared to other cheap hostels in Barcelona, this one isn’t as central. It’s around seven kilometres from La Rambla, for example. That said, it’s just a four-minute walk to the Badal metro station, so you can still travel around Barcelona with relative ease. It’s also an ideal location if you’re in the city for Sonar, as it’s a 30-min walk from here to the festival site.
There’s one dorm option and only one type of private room here, but the amount of privacy offered by the bunks is a good compromise.
- Mixed dorm
- Twin room with shared bathroom
Prices start from $20 USD per night.
Any extras?
As well as the decent per night price, Onefam Sants also has a handful of worthy amenities to go with it. These include the following:
- Rooftop terrace
- Basement games room
- 24-hour communal kitchen
- Security lockers
- Free WiFi
- Laundry facilities
- Breakfast available (additional fee)
- 24-hour security
It may not be as central as Barcelona’s other budget hostels, but it does have a wealth of amenities on offer. Being slightly further from the action does however mean you can avoid staying amongst the tourist crowds, which is definitely appealing. With those beds, it might just be the nicest hostel in Barcelona when it comes to dorm rooms!
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Spacious, stylish, set inside a traditional historic building – this place is far from an ordinary hostel. It’s managed to combine contemporary decor along with heritage elements to create roomy dorms, awesome communal spaces, and some funky design throughout.
It’s not the sort of place to stay in Barcelona if you want to party hard, it’s more of a cosy hostel. The dorms are pretty quiet, so it’s a solid option if you want somewhere to get a decent night’s sleep in the city. There are even desks, which is great ideal for digital nomads or anyone wanting to get some work done.
The staff here are also super friendly. They’ll help you plan your time in Barcelona, and get you involved in events like pub crawls and the like. Even so, the quieter atmosphere means it may not be the best option for solo travellers who are looking to meet a load of people.
Where is Ten To Go Hostel?
The location isn’t as ideal as that of the other hostels, but its proximity to Barcelona-Sants railway station means you can get around pretty easily. The neighbourhood itself isn’t close to key attractions, but it is an authentic area where you’ll find non-touristy places to eat and drink.
Sleeping arrangements at Ten To Go are fairly limited, but they include:
- Mixed dorm
- Twin room private shared bathroom
Prices here start from $21 USD per night.
Any extras?
There’s a comprehensive list of additional features and amenities that make Ten To Go Hostel much better than its price (and location) would suggest. These include the following:
- Bar
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Air-con
- Games room
- 24-hour security
- Free WiFi
- Shared workspace
- Cafe
As we said, the location isn’t great, but there’s something about Ten To Go Hostel that makes it pretty awesome. Maybe it’s the swimming pool, maybe it’s the decor, maybe it’s the proximity to Barcelona-Sants. What you can be sure of is that you’ll be saving money in an otherwise expensive destination.
Cheap Hostels in Barcelona FAQ
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Final Thoughts on Cheap Hostels in Barcelona
Barcelona’s cheap hostels are a varied bunch. Each has its own distinct atmosphere, catering to a variety of travellers. Whether you’re a veteran to hostels, or if it’s going to be your first time staying in a dorm, you’re bound to find a budget hostel in Barcelona to suit you.
It’s a much less daunting (and less expensive) way to explore this incredible part of Spain, and you’ll have more to spend on hitting up its cultural sights.
Which one caught your eye? Let us know in the comments!
And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!
