Barcelona El Raval

Let’s Go ’s favorite area of El Raval, by far, is the neighborhood around Carrer Dr. Dou and Carrer Elisabets —these student-dominated streets boast healthy restaurants and good shopping. (Even further toward Universitat, on C. Pelai, you’ll find a number of chain stores, but these have less character and higher prices than the shops on C. Elisabet.) The lower part of El Raval is split roughly in half vertically by las Ramblas del Raval. The area between las Ramblas del Raval and Las Ramblas (Liceu) is well-traveled and feels perhaps deceptively safe (there are pickpockets aplenty here). Be careful on the far side of Las Ramblas del Raval, as streets can be eerily deserted late at night.

Hotel Peninsular, C. de Sant Pau, 34 (☎934 12 36 99; www.hpeninsular.com). Liceu. This Modernista building has 78 rooms with green doors, phones, and A/C around a beautiful 4-story interior courtyard festooned with hanging plants. Breakfast included. Safety deposit boxes €2 per day with €20 deposit. Free internet and Wi-Fi. Check-out 11am. Singles €55; doubles €78; triples €95; quads €120; quints €140. MC/V.
Barcelona Mar Youth Hostel, C. de Sant Pau, 80 (☎933 24 85 30; www.barcelonamar.es). Paral·lel. This hostel hosts Spanish cooking classes (€18), a tapas-and-flamenco-night (€22), a pub crawl that includes cover and 1 drink per bar (€15), a free walking tour, and more. Shared bathrooms with separate rooms for toilets and new shower curtains. 125 dorm-style beds and ocean-themed decor. Breakfast and lockers included. Linens €2.50, towels €2.50; both €3.50. Self-service laundry €4.50. Free internet and Wi-Fi. 6- to 16-bed dorms in summer €26, in winter €16-19; Doubles €46-58, F-Sa add €2 per person. AmEx/MC/V.
Ideal Youth Hostel, C. la Unió, 12 (☎933 42 61 77; www.idealhostel.com), off Las Ramblas, on the street next to the Gran Teatre Liceu. Liceu, L3. Located just a block off of Las Ramblas, this hostel feels like the most chic garage you’ll ever step into. Entirely concrete 1st floor includes a mural, kitchen, and lounge space. 4- to 10-bed dorms are some of the best deals in the city. Vending machines. Linens €2.50. Laundry €4. Free internet and Wi-Fi. 4-bed dorms €23, 10-bed €20; private room with bath €30.
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Hostal Gat Xino, C. L’Hospital, 155 (☎933 24 88 33; www.gatrooms.com). Liceu. 2nd location at C. Joaquin Costa, 44 (☎934 81 66 70). This posh hostel’s minimalist rooms are done up in black, white, and lime green and come with plasma TVs, phone, A/C, and bath. Breakfast room feels new, and rooftop terrace has a shady trellis, low wooden furniture, and brand-new-looking lounge pillows that encourage laziness. Singles €47, with bath €50; doubles €66/70. MC/V.
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Center Ramblas (HI), C. de l’Hospital, 63 (☎934 12 40 69; www.center-ramblas.com). Liceu. Young staff and 200 cheap beds in 4- to 10-bed dormitories. The ambience leaves something to be desired but feels well-kept and is in a great student district. Breakfast included. Lockers €2 per use. Linens included. Towels €2. Laundry €5. Free internet and Wi-Fi. Dorms in summer €24, in winter €17-21. MC/V.
Hostal Ramos, C. L’Hospital, 36, (☎933 02 07 23). Liceu. This hostel has nicely carpeted hallways and 32 particularly clean rooms with windows that open either onto balconies or a peaceful interior courtyard. Rooms have TV, phone, and hairdryer. Internet in a sala de estar and Wi-Fi. The one suite has a small sitting area, a large bathroom with a hot tub, and a large outdoor terrace. Singles €55, in low season €35; doubles €72/45; suite €125. MC/V.
Pension Mare Nostrum, C. St. Pau, 2, (☎933 18 53 40; www.hostalmarenostrum.com). Liceu. This welcoming hostel has a pleasant breakfast room that overlooks las Ramblas. All rooms have TV, phone, and A/C. Pets allowed. Breakfast included. Wi-Fi available. Doubles €50, with bath €55; quads with bath €95. Discounts available online. MC/V.
chic&basic, C. Tallers, 82 (☎933 02 51 83; www.chicandbasic.com) Universitat, L1/2. Take the C. Pelai exit, turn left at the end of the block, and then left again at the pharmacy. This uber-modern hostel boasts a breakfast space with dandelion-meets-disco-ball glass chandeliers and clear plastic barstools. All rooms have plasma TVs, A/C, and bath; some have balconies. Internet and Wi-Fi. Singles €50-59; doubles €65-80. AmEx/MC/V.