Finding the perfect accommodation in Barcelona for you depends on various factors, such as your budget, what you plan to do while you are in the city, and what your travel style is. However, there are so many different Barcelona accommodation options that it can be overwhelming to decide where to stay! In this post I’ll be sharing my tips for finding the best hotels in Barcelona for your budget, as well as hostels in Barcelona, apartments and other places to stay, so you have all the information you need to choose your perfect stay in Barcelona.
Where to Stay in Barcelona
There is no bad choice when deciding where to stay in Barcelona; it just depends on the best option for you.
The area around Placa Catalunya and La Rambla is popular for tourists as you can step out of your Barcelona accommodation and into all of the action. However, La Rambla can be noisy and extremely busy, and the area isn’t the most pleasant to walk alone at night, so I would recommend staying a little further away!
In my opinion, the best place to stay for your first visit to Barcelona is the Gothic Quarter or El Born, so you can be in the heart of the city and explore this beautiful area right on your doorstep. However, the Eixample is another great lovely neighbourhood for your first stay.
➡️Read this post about the best areas for a first-time stay in Barcelona.
The Eixample is above Placa Catalunya, and the main road running from here up to Gracia is the Passeig de Gracia – probably the second most famous street in Barcelona (after La Rambla). This is a more upmarket area to stay in and has plenty of four-star hotels to choose from, as well as some cheaper hotels and apartments. It is still within walking distance to most of the attractions in Barcelona, so is another great neighbourhood to stay in.
To the south side of La Rambla is the neighbourhood of Raval, traditionally a low-income area populated by immigrants and students, although it is now more gentrified and a relatively cheap place to stay in Barcelona, as the prices are still low. However, it is one of the less-safe neighbourhoods in Barcelona, so if you are a woman travelling to Barcelona alone, I’d give this area a miss.
Barcelona city centre accommodation tends to be the most expensive, so staying a little further out can save you money on hotel costs, but it’s best to be close to a metro stop so you can get into the centre quickly and easily.
If you have a flight that departs early in the morning, you could consider staying at a hotel close to Barcelona airport, especially one with a shuttle so you have the convenience and ease of getting to the airport quickly.
Which Kind of Barcelona Accommodation to Choose
There is a wide variety of options for accommodation in Barcelona, to suit all budgets and tastes.
Hotels in Barcelona
There are hundreds of hotels in Barcelona to choose from, and you can find something for every budget, although prices are certainly on the high side. Staying outside of the city centre is cheaper, but if you only have a short time in Barcelona, then staying in a central location is probably best so you can get to the main attractions easily.
While there are international chain hotels in Barcelona, I prefer staying in independent or family-run hotels whenever I can, and boutique hotels that are owned by local people instead of huge companies are more sustainable for the local economy.
These are just three of my personal top hotels in Barcelona, or check out the lists below for more specific recommendations for different kinds of hotels in Barcelona.
$$$: The 5* Mercer Hotel has a rooftop pool, chic décor with original beamed ceilings and exposed brick walls. Guests love the helpful staff, comfortable beds and the location.
$$: Casa Bonay is a lovely 4* boutique hotel in the Eixample neighbourhood that emphasizes sustainability through its use of locally sourced products, organic linens, and natural materials. There is a rooftop terrace and free bike hire available.
$: Chic & Basic Lemon Hotel is in a central location, close to Plaça Catalunya. The rooms are spacious with comfortable beds, there is a lovely terrace garden area downstairs and a tea, coffee and snack station available all day.
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Barcelona Hotels with Landmark Views
For a special occasion, there is no better way to wake up than with a stunning view from your hotel window. I’ve stayed in a couple of hotels in Barcelona with special views, my favourite being the Sercotel Hotel Rosellon which has incredible views of the Sagrada Familia from some of the bedrooms and the terrace.
When you’re looking at hotels with a view, be sure to book the rooms with a landmark view (like the Sagrada Familia) or a sea view room if you are staying in a hotel close to the beach in Barcelona. Once you’ve made your booking you can also reach out to the hotel to put in a special request to make sure you get the best room available.
Other hotels with amazing views include:
$$: Sercotel Hotel Rosellon (formerly the Ayre Hotel Rosellon) – incredible views of the Sagrada Familia from some of the bedrooms and the terrace
$$: Lamaro Hotel (Formerly the Hotel Colon) – Right in the centre of the Gothic Quarter, enjoy unbeatable views of the Gothic Cathedral from selected bedrooms and the roof terrace bar
$$: Catalonia Barcelona Plaza – view of Plaça Espanya right from your room or from the roof terrace (perfect for the fireworks on New Year’s Eve!)
$$$: The W Hotel – Some rooms have incredible ocean views or views of the beach at Barceloneta.
Apartments & Airbnb in Barcelona
There have been problems with Airbnb in Barcelona, with large companies buying up apartments to rent to tourists and pushing out local residents. I speak from personal experience when I tell you that renting a long-term apartment in Barcelona is extremely difficult, and Airbnb and similar tourist rentals certainly contribute to the issue.
If you do decide to book an Airbnb in Barcelona, I recommend staying in a private room in an apartment where the owner lives, so you are not contributing to the housing crisis here. That said, I know that having your own private space has many benefits, especially for families or groups of friends.
Booking.com also has a wide range of holiday rentals in Barcelona, many of which have better cancellation terms than on Airbnb. You can check out the holiday apartments in Barcelona here on Booking.com.
Barcelona Airbnb Alternatives
Instead of staying in an Airbnb or holiday apartment, consider other options like a home exchange or house-sitting, which can save you money as well as being a more sustainable option that doesn’t take away local housing stock – read on for more tips on that!
Cheap Accommodation in Barcelona
Hostels in Barcelona
If you are visiting Barcelona on a budget, do not fear – there are plenty of hostels in Barcelona to choose from so you can get a cheap bed for the night. Youth hostels in Barcelona actually cater to a variety of travellers, with the choice of shared dorm rooms (often with female-only rooms available) or private rooms to choose from.
For solo travellers I love the social aspect of hostels, where you can meet people easily but still have your own space in a private room – and a good night’s sleep! I must admit I’m less keen on shared dorms these days, but they are often the cheapest accommodation in Barcelona!
Fabrizzio’s Petit Hostel is my favourite hostel in Barcelona but there are plenty of options to choose from, depending on your budget and whether you are looking for a party hostel or something more low key! Here are some of the top Hostels in Barcelona to choose from:
- Fabrizzio’s Petit: small but sociable hostel that offers an all-day breakfast included in the price. They host weekly events such as a free paella or tapas evening to eat and socialise together.
- Onefam Batlló: A short walk from Plaça Catalunya, this sociable hostel gets great reviews for the fun atmosphere and friendly staff. Daily events and activities help solo travellers to make friends and enjoy their time in the city to the max!
- Sant Jordi Hostels Gracia: This popular hostel is in the trendy Gracia neighborhood, and consistently gets excellent reviews for the staff and social events. It’s close the the L3 metro station to whizz into the city centre, or up to Park Guell.
- Toc Hostel Barcelona: This high-tech hostel is close to Plaça Universitat, a couple of minutes from La Rambla. Its sunny rooftop terrace and pool is a great place to hang out when you’re not in the social areas downstairs.
- Yeah Hostel Barcelona: In between Casa Batlló and La Sagrada Familia, this sociable hostel is a little out of the way, but it makes up for it with regular events and bar crawls. It has an onsite bar and an excellent paid buffet breakfast.
FIND A HOSTEL IN BARCELONA
Camping Near Barcelona
There are no campsites in the centre of Barcelona, but there are several campsites nearby, mainly along the coast or in the surrounding hills. These can be great for families where the kids have outdoor space to play, away from the busy city centre and usually offer bungalow, chalet or glamping accommodation as well as camping pitches for tents and motorhomes.
However, I don’t recommend driving into Barcelona, so check if there are convenient train, bus or shuttle services to get into the city centre. Bear in mind it can take over an house to get into the city from these campsites, so plan on taking a day trip or two into Barcelona instead of spending all your time there.
Some options for campsites near Barcelona include:
- Camping Tres Estrellas (Gavà): The closest campsite to Barcelona, located right by the beach and about 12 km from the city. Good for tents, caravans, and bungalows.
- Camping Estrella de Mar (Castelldefels) – A bit further south, also near the beach, with good facilities.
- Camping Barcelona (Mataró) – A well-equipped campsite about 30 km north of Barcelona, offering a free shuttle bus into the city.
- Càmping El Pasqualet (Caldes de Montbui) – Located inland in a quiet, natural setting around 25km from the city, ideal for hiking.
- Càmping Vilanova Park (Vilanova i la Geltrú) – A larger, resort-style campsite about 50 km south of Barcelona with pools and lots of amenities.
House-Sitting in Barcelona
Depending on the time of year you’re travelling to Barcelona, house-sitting or pet-sitting could be a great option for you. Around Easter, Christmas and the summer holidays, many people living in Barcelona take a trip outside of the city, and often have pets they can’t take with them. Try looking on house-sitting sites like Trusted Housesitters to see what options are available for your dates.
There can be a lot of competition for Barcelona housesits, so if you’re already an experienced housesitter with good reviews you’ll have a better chance of securing a pet-sit, but there’s no harm in applying even if you’re a beginner. I did some petsitting in Barcelona for friends before I moved back here and it was a great way to save money on accommodation!
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Barcelona Work Exchanges
For backpackers, budget travellers, and beginner digital nomads, work exchanges are a great way to work and travel, as you can extend your travels and save money on Barcelona accommodation.
Doing a work exchange in Barcelona means that you work in exchange for accommodation and other benefits, giving your time and skills for a few hours a day for a free bed for the night. Then you can explore the city in your spare time and experience everything Barcelona has to offer!
The easiest way to find work exchanges in Barcelona is to apply through a work exchange website like Workaway or Worldpackers.
Worldpackers is my personal favourite site as there is a wider range of opportunities in Barcelona to choose from, including some hostel work which seem to have disappeared off Workaway.
Usually, the minimum duration of a work exchange is a couple of weeks so if you’re only coming to Barcelona for a few days, then this probably won’t work for you. Many of the volunteer hostel jobs in Barcelona listed on Worldpackers ask for a minimum of four weeks, but you can find some with a minimum of one or two weeks.
The kind of work available for work exchanges in Barcelona range from hostel work to volunteering for an animal shelter or with families and helping to teach their kids English.
➡️You can find more information about working in a hostel in Barcelona here.
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Top Tips for Picking the Best Barcelona Accommodation for Your Trip
When choosing accommodation in Barcelona, before you book anything, you should think about the following to make sure you pick the best option for your needs.
Barcelona is divided into various neighbourhoods, which offer different atmospheres. You’ll need to decide which areas suit your preferences and choose accommodation options in those neighbourhoods. Think about factors such as proximity to attractions, access to public transportation, and safety, as well as other amenities like bars, restaurants and shops that might be nearby.
Set a budget for your accommodation and stick to it. Accommodation in Barcelona can be expensive, especially during peak holiday times. You usually can find options to suit your budget, from luxury hotels to hostels and family-friendly vacation rentals, although you may have to stay further away from the city or consider cheaper options like a hostel instead of a hotel. Make sure you have a clear idea of how much you’re willing to spend per night and see what you can find to fit your budget.
Reviews and Ratings
Before you book, read reviews and check ratings for the accommodation options you’re considering. Websites like Booking.com provide valuable insights from previous guests regarding the quality of the room and fittings, staff and location. Pay attention to the most recent reviews to get an idea of the current state of the property, as what might have been luxurious a few years ago could have gone downhill or changed owners in the meantime!
Amenities and Services
Look at the amenities and services offered by the accommodation. Do you need Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a kitchenette, or a swimming pool? If you’re visiting Barcelona on a budget, then having kitchen facilities means you don’t have to eat out every day so you could save some money by cooking some meals.
During the summer, air conditioning would be very useful, and conversely, in the winter, you might be glad of some heating as it can get cold at night!
Safety and Security
Make sure that the accommodation you choose is in a safe area, especially if you’re travelling alone or with a young family. The Eixample neighbourhood is one of the safest areas to stay in Barcelona. Look for properties with security measures such as surveillance cameras and secure entrances, ideally on wide streets with good lighting. Reading reviews from previous guests can also give you an idea of the safety of the area.
Accessibility
Some older buildings in Barcelona don’t have elevators (lifts), so if you struggle with stairs, then make sure there is a lift available. Be aware that some properties may have stairs that lead up to the lift, so ask the property about that if you need step-free access. If you plan to use public transportation or explore the city on foot, see how close the accommodation is to metro stations, bus stops, and major attractions.
Noise
If you’re a light sleeper like me, then be aware that Barcelona is generally quite a noisy city! All sorts of things could keep you awake, from busy road noise to late-night street cleaners and people in bars and restaurants. Consider requesting a quiet room, and read reviews from past guests carefully for any noise complaints.
I also highly recommend bringing earplugs, and I always use a white noise app on my phone to drown out background noise.
Flexibility and Cancellation Policy
Check the accommodation’s cancellation policy before making a reservation. You might need to make unexpected changes to your plans, so some flexibility can be very useful. I’d also suggest looking into travel insurance, which can cover some costs related to cancellation, depending on the reason for cancelling.
Book in Advance
Barcelona is a popular tourist destination, and prices increase as demand increases. To secure the best accommodation options at competitive prices, book as far in advance as you can – as long as the cancellation policy allows you to make changes or cancel should you need to.
I hope that this has given you a better idea of what to look for when you’re planning your trip, and how to choose the best Barcelona accommodation options for your stay. I’m working on more articles with specific recommendations soon, so look out for those, or you can browse hotels in Barcelona here!