By Regina Winkle-Bryan
Barcelona's Sagrada Familia - Stay near Gaudi sites
Barcelona is not a cheapskate’s paradise. This city is expensive! A coffee will run you anywhere between 1.50 and 3.00 Euros, entrance into most museums is 10 Euros and up, and one ride on the metro or bus is 1.40… Little by little, a day out in Barcelona adds up, and those trying to travel on a shoestring will find that one blows through cash in Barcelona at rapid rates.
The first thing you can do to save in the city is stay in a cheap pension or hostel. Even hostels in the city are pricier than other parts of Spain, but with most hotels charging about 80.00 and up for a one night, staying in a hostel will save you 20 or 30 bucks.
The scoop is that we like hostels in the center of the city! A couple friends of my family from the USA came to town a month ago (two 20-somethings backpacking through Spain), and stayed in some hostel in Barcelona’s Sants barrio. Do NOT stay there. It may be cheap but you will be in the middle of nowhere and will have a long metro ride to look forward to every night. Stay central and make the most of your time in the Catalan Capital.
Here are some of The Scoop’s favorite hostels in the city center:
Itaca Hostel- Right next to the Cathedral on a quiet street. Free tea, Internet, cool vibe, kitchen. The owners are nice and there are several good restaurants and bars along the same street. Near Gothic sites, beach, Santa Caterina Market and the metro! This is our fave! 27.00 Euros.
Itaca is near Barcelona's beach, about a 10 minute walk
Barcelona Mar Hostel - Also puts you in the center of the city in Barcelona’s Raval barrio. This area can be dodgy at night but you will be fine if you are with a friend. Another perk is that there are TONS of cheap kebab stands in this zone (5.00 for dinner) and many happening bars. Close to the CCCB and MACBA Museums. 23.00 Euros
Barcelona's Raval Barrio is Funky and Cool
Hosteria Grau - We have mentioned this one before in other posts. This hostel is not for those looking for a backpacker experience, but rather it caters to couples and friends looking for something low-key. I have recommended Grau to many visitors. It is a stone’s throw away from Plaza Cataluna. 35.00 and up.
With all the money you save at Grau, you'll have plenty left over for a night out!
Central Garden Hostel One – We are not sure what is up with the name on this one, but the location and price is right. In the Eixample barrio, this hostel puts you near Psg de Gracia and all the most important Gaudi sites. It is also near the bus, metro and central square, Plaza Cataluna. 27.00 Euros.
Generally, look to book where you will have access to Internet and a kitchen as these perks will save you cash. Also, when you book centrally, you will save money on transportation (another reason not to book in Sants is that it will cost you 3.00 Euros round trip every day, minimum, to get to the center).
If none of The Scoop’s recommendations are available, search for additional booking options under pensions, hostales, albergues and youth hostel Barcelona. Happy hunting.
Hostels in Barcelona Spain
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