Carmen
Travel editor at Reisedrop · 2026-07-31
Sleeping in central Barcelona for the price of a lunch? That still works, thanks to hostels. And the old image of shabby backpacker digs is pretty much out of date. Many modern hostels come with designer lounges, co-working corners and breakfast with a sea view. Even so, if it’s your first time, a few basics are worth knowing.
Dorm or private room?
The dorm is the classic option: 4–12 beds from around 20 francs a night. Prefer a bit of privacy? Hostel private rooms are usually 30–50 percent cheaper than a comparable hotel, and you still get kitchen access plus that social side of things. A proper insider tip for couples.
The 4 things that make a good hostel
One: a rating above 8.0, backed up by plenty of recent reviews. Two: in-room lockers (bring a padlock). Three: bed curtains and reading lights. Sounds minor, but it’s often the difference between sleep and no sleep. Four: a communal kitchen, because cooking for yourself saves more than any discount code ever will.
Safety: better than its reputation
Keep valuables in the locker, store your passport and emergency cash separately, and in most cases that’s enough. Women can filter for female dorms. And if you're 40+ and assume hostels are only for students, think again: the good ones tend to draw a far more mixed crowd than you might expect.
How to book smart
Weekdays are usually quieter and cheaper than weekends. Lower bunks get snapped up first, so book early. On Reisedrop you'll find hostels directly in the hotel search via the 'Hostels' filter, with ratings, location and cancellation terms visible at a glance.
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