Any backpacker in Barcelona who’s ever wandered down las Ramblas will testify that it’s the world’s greatest stage for street performers. In fact, the ‘Living Statue’ is something of a local art form.
And that’s precisely what the above clip so cleverly pokes fun at.
If it’s rough and shaky (which some people will find annoying), the effect is undeniably pretty impressive. The clip slowly sets the scene, moving through a number of other performers, before settling on a kneeling, donkey-headed figure, with a small deposit of, ahem, manure, to its rear quarters.
It’s odd and, frankly, a bit dark. (There’s something a little unsettling about the children going up, peering into the hollow shell of a donkey’s head, and then giving it money…) But in HostelBloggers’ humble opinion, it’s definitely got something.
The first point about Home Guesthouse is that by tube it’s about 20 minutes from central Barcelona towards Canyelles, but once there, in a residential area, and once inside the house, you have the impression that you are in Mexico! It’s an old house, but inside it’s all nicely painted with a garden where you can chill. All kinds of rooms, from singles to big dorms (10 beds), very lively colors, green, yellow, red, without being too over the top. Staffs are quite animated, friendly and helpful even funny at some point. At the time we were there we couldn’t feel the atmosphere because of the distance from the city center, not much to see around the guesthouse, the tube finished around midnight, so you have to run if you’ve been out in the center. Even still, you can cook at the hostel and buy some beers around the corner to drink in the nice garden that they have, a little compensation to the geographic situation.
The Hostal Centric is a really interesting building - surprisingly gorgeous, clean, tidy, full of charm. Staying there just one night must make people want to stay longer and longer! It’s central, next to shops, bars, restaurants, and a couple of clubs too, easy to reach by metro. It has a spacious and welcoming reception, staff are ok, rooms are on two floors from single to private 6 beds, all ensuite. This place gives you a maximum of privacy, reminds me of some Spa in the Pyrenees, fresh atmosphere, would recommend it to large families group booking.
Plaza de Catalunya
Quite close to the Plaza Catalunya (and Las Ramblas) is Hostal Lazza providing accommodation with a family atmosphere. The Hostel is bright, clean, not that spacious but still comfortable. One of the rooms has a jacuzzi, while most of the others have showers and toilets, and a couple of economy rooms for budget travelers. Manolo, the bird, will welcome you from your first step in the hostal (he’s whistling when you say his name). Hosteria Grau is a small family hotel, and will probably always be a pleasure to visit. It’s a small comfortable hotel, one of the most beautiful and authentic places in Barcelona - a welcoming reception, a beautiful lounge with fireplace, clean and tidy rooms, fans all over the place. Friendly and helpful staff with a bar café next door that you can directly get to from the Hosteria. They provide private rooms from single ensuite to private 5 beds, also apartments self catering. Location is great, 5 minutes from la Ramblas, and from Plaza Catalunya, surrounded by intimate shops and restaurants in small and safe street. Would definitely recommend it.
How to forget La Ciutat Hostel We’d been walking for an hour under the heat because the directions we had from the web site were overly vague….situated quite close “La Sagrada Familia” - 15 minutes or so in the heat! We were exhausted and thirsty …the worst and most tiring day in Barcelona ;( The building is old and decadent though with no air conditioning. Rooms are quite spacious and some of them are private with a small TV. We visited the breakfast room and we realized that the time the breakfast is offered only between 8h and 9h, 100 people eating in 1h?? difficult no..?
Paraiso Travellers Hostel is owned by 4 friends, not in the centre of town, but the metro is nearby and a few step away are nice bars and restaurant…A very slippery stairwell led up to the inner entrance with a very small and untidy reception where we met Gabriel one of the owners. We couldn’t see the rooms because the hostel was fully booked, but we went in the roof where Gabriel organizes a sangria party for free twice a week. Not too many facilities on offer, though there is internet and TV.
Barcelona’s Night Life
When you walk out of the Sea Point Hostel your feet are on the sand! The entrance is a bar, so that it puts you straight away on a “beach and cocktail” mood. Artwork all over the walls, from the bar to your bed, making the hostel ultra bright and welcoming, reception is a bit tiny, on your right the free internet access and sofas, on your left the hostel, access to all floors, kitchen and lounge. They also organize tours, with Tapas, Spanish Shots, and Flamenco for really cheap (18 euros, but was free for us…), involving backpackers in Barcelona’s night life. Sea Point work quite a lot with Contiki Tours, who sometimes take over the building (100% Oz and Kiwis), the majority of the rooms are not that spacious as they mainly sell small dorms.
Located in the city centre, next to Las Ramblas the Sun and Moon Hostel is a perfect place for those travelers who are on budget. The owner is a funny Indian man, and his daughter Hina is working at the reception and she is a very friendly and smiling girl. The place is very clean compared to others in the area, it seems to have been just renovated and everything was spotless. I believe there are people constantly wiping the floor and it smelted fresh and clean…like lemon soap.
Always has been and will always be a party hostel…..the Kabul Hostel used to have a beer machine, now they have a bar! The lounge is as nice as it use to be, lot of space, view on Plaza Real and the fountain, really nice Plaza, day or night. They have 100 beds, rooms have always been the same, a bit tiny, but it’s all fine as people go there for fun and party, not really for sleeping. Very central, very easy to find, pool table, bar, loud music, live bands playing there from time to time, this is probably THE hostel that always charged for everything, Sheets, towels, Internet (net is now free). Wouldn’t be my first choice as there’s a lot of noise at night, too much alcohol, but staffs are still keeping control on what’s going on, as night crew do reception and security (loads of muscles).
Having said that, was a great place to finish our two days in Barcelona - a few beers and some pool, followed shortly by a nice stroll back to Gothic Point to get a decent night’s sleep before heading back to London. Roll on the next trip!
Our trip started on Monday 24th of July around 11h00 am, arriving in Barcelona’s center at 18h00, after a long coach trip as our airport “Reus” was situated a 100km from the city.
Because of the late hour and the proximity of the apartment to the heart of Barcelona, we started our job straight away with Gothic Point Hostel knowing that Carles, Manager and owner will only meet us the following day. This visit made us end at a Flamenco show organized by “Equity” for 18E four times a week, for us it was free and interesting, as being there with customers.
Our Vision
Now, let Mirella and I introduce you to our vision of Hostelbookers selection of hostels in Barcelona.:
The amazing part of Abba Youth Hostel was the location with view on the marina, which is quite exceptional; our appointment has been quite brief there, as Millan (manager) was “busy”, that I couldn’t believe as having such few rooms, and no one around, except a customer charging his mobile phone at an electric plug. Once half the appointment done, he actually asked us to come back later, and that he would call me…..time to move on!
Albergue New York Hostel is a YHA, location on a small street, nice entrance, but not to choose if looking for fun. Marc, the manager, was waiting for us, he’s a quite a funny character. The building is central, on a typical tiny street of Barcelona, the capacity is more or less a 100 beds, quite basic rooms, not dirty but a place to sleep. People working there could give you a wrong impression at first, but they will be there for you, whatever happens. Shops, and nice bars around, half way between beach and Las Ramblas, Albergue New York has management in common with Albergue Palau Hostel, really close from each other.
On to another YHA – Albergue Grau Hostel, a bit difficult to find, luckily one of Albergue New York Receptionist took us there. Basically it is a floor, still really typical of Barcelona, very small, 45 beds more or less, ideal if looking for a quite place where to sleep (only). Gives a feeling of being at home, no one is queuing, everything is available, whatever you need, internet, shower, microwave. Marcelo, the Argentinean in charge of reception, is a really friendly person. So what could be say to that, we gave him the t-shirts (I would by the way recommend sending a box or two by post as to make every trip easier, ufff…). He enjoyed our company, and we also enjoyed it, it should be called the Peace of Mind Hostel, as even tired, we then left from there quite relaxed.
We now getting away from the previous hostel’s concept, to introduce Alberguinn Youth Hostel, which is a clean, tidy ad design space using loads of colors in Ikea style. A relaxing place with around 50 beds. The hostel also got a lift for wheelchairs, internet free of charge, a kitchen tat you are scared to us as so clean and tidy, Really looking for something we didn’t like, but can’t find anything, as it is also close to tube stop, they are not on la Ramblas, but if it was the case, the hostel wouldn’t probably be as nice, quite and relaxing as next to Sants. Outstanding level of hospitality!
The Apartment Rooms Barcelona is a very new property from the Barcelona Mar Group. Not situated in the safest of area - as all know la Ramblas, but the building is one of the safest I stayed at in Barcelona. Recently refurbished, furnitures are great, air conditioning, great showers, comfortable beds, Wireless internet (coming soon). We can say that our stay was great, we had some good sleep there, not much noise at night, one request maybe, a lift serving all floors, still a good value (£25 per person for an apartment 4 persons, 2 double beds), very central, less than 2 minutes from the main street, shops, cafes, restaurants, all around. Barcelona Dream Hostel is still just as great as when it actually opened - beautiful building, 30 sec from tube station, surrounded by restaurants, very central, air conditioning, free internet, great painting all over the hostel’s walls etc. etc. Exactly what anyone would expect from a hostel: clean, cool, design, great atmosphere, nice kitchen, nice lounge, bright and welcoming reception, smiling receptionists (all girls), helpful. Reservations are all organized by Ana (reservations manager), she’ll tell you everything you need about availability within seconds, great organization.
Recently refurbished, the Barcelona Mar Youth Hostel has great showers and toilets, air conditioning all over the place, painting all over the hostel again, great atmosphere, a bar is coming soon, the 200 beds hostel, right in the center. The team is great, speaking, Spanish, French, Swedish, Italian, and more, and really enforce a family atmosphere - not only with customers, but also when outside the hostel. With this kind of hostel, you miss a bit less your home, and you also wouldn’t mind staying in for days. Depending on what kind of rooms you’re looking for and what kind of customer your are, you will be sent to the party side of the hostel, or to the grandparents’ side, for a twin with air conditioning. Staff is really flexible concerning the booking, due to the reception organization, and if they can they will switch rooms. Security also is great; all customers at check in get a key and a pass to be identified when back from the outside Barcelona at anytime.
Las Ramblas
The Barcelona Ramblas Hostal is a hotel with private rooms only, bright and welcoming reception with nice sailing decoration, with a great location (2min from la Ramblas). 24hr reception, at night a security receptionist, a lift is available, at the basement the breakfast will wait for you (for a little money), rooms are all coming with fan and TV (air conditioning is coming soon, as Adria is planning to make a hostel with it). I personally stayed there last September, quite, good sleep, clean facilities, and a nice Mexican receptionist to tell you good morning everyday. It is a not a hostel, so the fun is not there, but staff are still great, helpful, smiling, I think we cannot ask for more than that considering that it is a hotel, and great value, for the price of a dorm, you get a private room…
Once you’ve picked up your keys from the main office of BCN Loft Hostel there are 4 different buildings that you can be sent to. The lofts are quite cool and stylish, with nice paintings on the walls, you either get a hamster, either a bird in your loft, fan all over the place or air conditioning. We saw 3 buildings, one is old, but lofts are cool and spacious, right on las Ramblas. The customers we saw were quite happy about what they booked.
The next stop was Center Ramblas Barcelona Hostel . We’re talking about two properties here, very central, one side YHA hostel, the other budget apartments, all check ins have to be done at the hostel’s reception, with nice, smiling receptionists The apartment building is typical for the centre of Barcelona center - old, tiny stairs, dirty and old walls, but the apartments are spacious, clean, bright, and perfect for families or group of friends. Furnitures are new, configuration of bed and sofa bed. The Center Ramblas Barcelona Hostelside got nothing to do with the apartments, on one side you have a private accommodation, on the other side you have a hostel that is quite basic, except reception that is actually the nicest area. The breakfast area is basic and small. Cristina in charge of reception and Juan in charge of the Hostel and apartments were very welcoming, and took the time to show us all, which was appreciated considering how busy reception was Centric Point Hostel is one of the newest and biggest hostels we have in Barcelona.
It’s an impressive modernist building completely refurbished in the best location ever dreamed. Situated next to Plaza Catalunya, almost in the richest and most elegant part of the city. They have an amazing common area with the biggest bar we have ever seen in any hostel! They are still working on the roof where there will be an amazing terrace with a Jacuzzi to enjoy the stunning view of the city. In the 4 floor the walls have been painted by an Italian artist with beautiful and modern painting of some birds (see picture). So everything you need is there: Kitchen, bar, private smoking room, Jacuzzi on the roof and definitely a smiling, friendly and professional staff.
Gothic Point Hostel is within walking distance of la Ramblas and has a great atmosphere, huge common room with a lot of colors, lights and music. The rooms are really cool ,we really enjoyed the privacy that loft set-up with curtains gives you so you can keep your light on and do other things without disturbing anyone else. The hostel offers a lot of tours, a cheap way to familiarize yourself with the city and the Spanish culture; we saw a Flamenco show for free. Fantastic! It is definitely a party hostel so the only downfalls are that it could be very noise at night, inside and out. This is a very welcome place for a group of young and party people
We were so curious about the Hello BCN Backpackers Hostel as it’s brand new - opened in July 2006. It’s a great hostel - they were still getting the air conditioning up and running, as well as the internet, but the staff is super friendly and incredibly helpful. There is a lounge in Ikea style, black chairs and flat screen TV sliding from the ceiling…an original and unusual atmosphere. They have a lot of facilities such as bar, laundry, internet, tour reservation and unusually a gym to stay fit during your vacation. They were giving for free a red plastic name tag to put in your luggage…good idea. What could we say more? A perfect place to stay for independent travelers and large groups of people (except for stag parties).
The 
The apartment building is typical for the centre of Barcelona center - old, tiny stairs, dirty and old walls, but the apartments are spacious, clean, bright, and perfect for families or group of friends. Furnitures are new, configuration of bed and sofa bed. The Center Ramblas Barcelona Hostelside got nothing to do with the apartments, on one side you have a private accommodation, on the other side you have a hostel that is quite basic, except reception that is actually the nicest area. The breakfast area is basic and small. Cristina in charge of reception and Juan in charge of the Hostel and apartments were very welcoming, and took the time to show us all, which was appreciated considering how busy reception was 
