Best Hostels in Gothic Quarter, Barcelona

Labeling itself a party hostel, Kabul Hostel sits on Placa Reial -- one of the top spots for nightlife in the city -- and just steps from lively Las Ramblas. And there's no illusion that it's anything else, from pub-style lobby with pumping music and billiards to the rooftop space with sofas made from pallets and lip-shaped seats. The 24 air-conditioned dorms are simple, but include welcome touches like curtained bunks and outlets inside the lockers. Dorms come in a range of configurations, such as twin and female-only dorms, and the largest has 22 bunks. This is a good value for its central location, but travelers wanting a quieter vibe in a similar area might prefer Pension Segre, which has some en-suite rooms, though rates are higher. 

Hostal Fernando is a nice step up from the typically dated hostels that can be found throughout Barcelona's atmospheric Ciutat Vella. It's clean and well-maintained, with a crisp, contemporary look in its public spaces. Free continental breakfast is offered at the cafeteria-style restaurant, and there's also a bar and cafe. The 38 budget-basic rooms come with air-conditioning, safes or private lockers, en-suite bathrooms, and free Wi-Fi. Regular hotel rooms have flat-screen TVs. Some rooms are quite small, though dorm rooms are handy for the truly budget conscious. 

The 24-room Pension Segre is a value hotel with an excellent location in the Gothic Quarter. It's not technically a hostel, but it has basic, no-frills Single, Double, and Triple rooms, as well as Family rooms that can sleep up to six people. Some have en-suite bathrooms and/or balconies. There's no air-conditioning, which can be rough in the summer, and only floor or table fans are offered for cooling. (All rooms at Kabul and Fernando have air-conditioning.) There's also nothing in the way of features here aside from a communal area with a small TV, microwave, and mini-fridge. Most guests who stay here do so for the price and the location.