Barcelona Montjuïc And Poble Sec

Poble Sec is first and foremost a residential, working-class neighborhood that is conveniently located near everything else. Las Ramblas, El Raval, and the beach are a fifteen-minute walk from here; hopping on the green (L3) line makes the trip even shorter. Montjuïc is a five-minute uphill walk (or a quick funicular ride) away. Because of this great location, many new hostels, pensiones and hotels have sprung up here, eager to capture your tourist euro. Among apartment buildings and warehouses, a dusting of bars and clubs cater to the locals who live here permanently and the tourists who pass through. Though not as glitzy as some parts of town, Poble Sec might be just the authentic, down-home Barcelona that you’ve been searching for.

Hello BCN, C. Lafont, 8-10 (☎934 42 83 92; www.hellobcnhostel.com). Paral·lel. You’ll never want to say goodbye to this new and brightly colored hostel that knows what backpackers want and delivers. Spacious common area/bar with TV. Walking and bar tours available. Board games, gym, kitchen, breakfast, lockers, and linens all free. Laundry, internet, and Wi-Fi available. 4- to 6-bed dorms €17-24; doubles €30-35. AmEx/MC/V.
Melon District Residencia and Hostel, Av. Paral·lel, 101 (☎933 29 96 67; www.melondistrict.com). Paral·lel. Walk up Av. Paral·lel. This new, spotless dormitory, while mostly occupied by university students, also has 19 rooms (all with bath) that it rents out to travelers. Gym and swimming pool, kitchen, luggage storage, linens, and towels all free. Laundry, internet, and Wi-Fi available. Singles €45 per night or €672 per month.
Pension Pier, C. Lafont 1-3 (☎933 29 89 91; www.hostalapolo.com). Paral·lel. Pension Pier is located 1 fl. above the Hostal Apolo; the 2 establishments share a building and an owner. Don’t be scared off by the building’s dilapidated facade; the hostel and its rooms have ample natural light and are clean and tranquil. Request a room that has been recently renovated. Rooms with TV and A/C. Singles €20, with bath €25; doubles €40/45.
Hostal BCN Port Barcelona, Av. Paral·lel, 15 (☎933 24 95 00; www.hostalbcnport.com). Drassanes or Paral·lel. Walk down Avinguda Paral·lel towards the ocean. This hostel (which feels like a hotel) is in a somewhat grimy area, but makes up for it by being meticulously clean. Its 32 rooms come with phone, TV, bath, hair dryer, security box, and A/C. Some have Wi-Fi, also available at reception. Breakfast €7. Wheelchair-accessible. Singles €40-50, with bath €60-74; doubles €55-65/74-84. MC/V.
Hostal BCN, C. Roser, 40 (☎934 42 50 75; www.barcelonahostal.com). Paral·lel. The hostel’s 63 hokey but tidy rooms (think orange bedspreads and landscape prints) juxtapose with a newly renovated breakfast and living space. Rooms with TV and A/C. Breakfast €5. Singles €36; doubles €59. AmEx/MC/V.