Hostels have grown in popularity too, as they have been discovered to be safe places to stay without having the formality of a hotel room. To thwart theft most hostels now provide safekeeping of valuables, or give the guest their own locker.

Traditionally hostels were set up in a dormitory manner, hence noise from other guests may have been a detracting factor thus those staying in hostels were advised to carry earplugs, however some of the newer hostels now have single and double rooms available, some of them even en suite!

There are hundreds and hundreds of Barcelona hostels, however here are a few that appear to be highly recommended:

The Albareda Youth Hostal is located in the heart of Barcelona, within a two-minute walk from Las Ramblas, and an easy three-minute walk to the Metro. The hostel features free Wi-fi Internet connection, a huge lounge, washing machines, and a fully equipped and modern kitchen as well as air-conditioning. There are no curfews and no lockouts but they do not accept people over 40, and there is a three-night stay minimum.

The Itaca Hostel and Apartments is located in the highly desired Gothic area of Barcelona. Their clean and spacious dorm rooms have no minimum stay requirements. All rooms are exteriors and in fact have their own balcony. There is a fully equipped kitchen and their other amenities include heating and air conditioning, a games room, a lounge, TV and DVD, an ironing board, and linens and towels are included. There is also a washing machine available.

Nest Hostel Barcelona by Feet Up Hostels is centrally located and features a large common room, the Internet (Wi-fi), DVD's, games room with a pool table, and even a cinema/TV room. Linens are included, but you will need to pay extra for towels. They have both a male and female bathroom, and a huge outdoor terrace for sunbathing or just lounging. There is no curfew imposed, and laundry service is available.

If you travel to Barcelona and expect to stay in a hostel and wish to cut costs to their lowest, be assured that you will need earplugs to cover the noises that may come from the other guests as sometimes the dorms accommodate a very large amount of people. Also, you should be aware that travelers who stay in hostels might be called backpackers even if they carry luggage. However, on the plus side, most people feel that their hosts are very understanding, gracious and extremely helpful at all times.

In conclusion hostels bring total comfort to a traveler who does not mind sharing accommodations, and they are truly a home away from home and will do their very best to be sure you are safe and comfortable for a very low cost!