Barcelona Hostels

Why stay in Barcelona?

photo: Akuppa

After a long day of museum-hopping in Barcelona, followed by a long night of dancing, you'll want to hit the hay in one of the many Barcelona hostels. Don't think that hostels are just for the young backpackers of yesteryear, however - today's hostels aren't all dorm-style or communal bathrooms, and they're almost always the best bargain beds in town. If you're traveling on a budget, or if you're just interested in meeting up with other like-minded travelers, hostels are the way to go. And if you happen to see the word "hostal" - with an "a" - it's not a typo. A hostal is a different kind of accommodation, usually somewhere between a hotel and hostel in price, and generally more akin to a guesthouse. There is often overlap between hostals and hostels, so don't be surprised if you find the same place listed under both titles.

One of the more popular hostels in Barcelona is the Centric Point Hostel, which has a stunning 400 beds and a fabulous location near Catalunya Square and Las Ramblas. It has everything from dorms to singles and doubles, most with private facilities. The nearby Sant Jordi Arago Hostel, a short walk from the Plaza Catalunya, is all about the communal spaces - oh, and there's free coffee. The Kabul Backpackers Hostel is in the same area, just off Las Ramblas on Plaza Real. There's no curfew or maximum stay, and there's WiFi in the lobby. Bohemia Barcelona (also in the same neighborhood) is recently renovated, with single and double rooms as well as dorms. And if none of those places strikes your fancy, never fear - there are plenty more Barcelona hostels to choose from.

Barcelona is one of those cities backpackers in Europe have been visiting in droves for years. This Catalonian city boasts an active nightlife and first-rate football team - oh, and several museums and cultural highlights as well, in case anyone asks. Go for the clubbing, stay for the architecture. Or at least tell your family that's what you did.

To get to the city in the first place, just search for international airfare to Barcelona and you're good to go. And read up before you leave with our Barcelona Travel Guide.

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