Our guide to saving money by staying in some of the best budget hotel chains in Barcelona. Read our guide and find out which hotel chains will generally offer you a lower rate and good quality rooms. Also find out how to save more money by visiting Barcelona at the cheapest time of the year.

As costs rise each year, many family budgets are very tight, especially for holidays. Barcelona is a city well worth visiting, however, finding a good hotel at a reasonable price can be challenging. I have done a summary of some of the best budget hotel chains in Barcelona worth checking out. All of these hotels feature modern facilities, up-to-date rooms and are generally well located. The good news is they are budget hotels, meaning you can save money compared to other hotel options in Barcelona.

Since you will be finding out about the best budget hotel chains in Barcelona, we have added a few other tips to save money. I have created another section to give some tips on saving money when visiting Barcelona. Find out how to get around the city and pay as little as possible. Also, I have included the best times of the year to get a cheap hotel in Barcelona. Furthermore, I will share some great places you can visit for free in Barcelona. To complete this article, I have a few extra tips on how to keep your budget to a minimum when eating and drinking around Barcelona. Read on and let me help you save some money on your next trip to Barcelona.

The Best Budget Hotel Chains in Barcelona

Here is our pick of the best budget hotel chains in Barcelona. Each has been picked for having good facilities, modern rooms and good transportation links to the city centre. Each budget hotel chain also has decent reviews from travelers that have visited Barcelona. Please note we DO NOT earn commision if you book with these hotels. Most of the budget hotel chains below I have actually stayed in, found them to be very good and with very cheap rates. So let’s take a look –

Room Mate Hotels

Room Mate Hotels is a Spanish budget hotel chain that operates four hotels in Barcelona. These are Room Mate Anna, Room Mate Carla, Room Mate Gerard, and Room Mate Pau. All of them are located in the elegant Eixample district. This district is within walking distance of some of the main attractions, such as the Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, and Plaça Catalunya. The Room Mate Hotels brand are known for their bold and colorful design, inspired by different themes and personalities. You will find the rooms are spacious and comfortable, with top-quality beds and showers. The breakfast is served until noon, and some of the hotels also have a rooftop pool and a bar. The average nightly rate for a double room is around €100, depending on the season and the hotel. Here you can visit the website to check prices and offers.

Chic & Basic Barcelona

Chic & Basic Hotels is another Spanish budget hotel chain with three hotels in Barcelona. The Chic & Basic Born, Chic & Basic Ramblas, and Chic & Basic Zoo. As the name suggests, these hotels offer a simple but stylish accommodation, with a minimalist and futuristic aesthetic. The rooms are decorated in white and silver, with splashes of bright colors and LED lights. The bathrooms are integrated into the rooms, with glass shower cubicles and twisted PVC curtains. The hotels have a lounge area where guests can relax, read, or listen to music. There is also a self-service kitchen where they can prepare snacks and drinks. The Chic & Basic Ramblas also has a retro-themed restaurant and a rooftop pool. The average nightly rate for a double room is around €80, depending on the season and the hotel.

You can check out the visit the website here to view availability and prices. Having stayed in La Rambla hotel a few times when i had to stay in the UK for a while. I found it close to La Rambla, it also had modern and comfortable rooms,. An added bonus was the best smelling shower gel I have ever used! Last time I stayed here I phoned this hotel to book, and they actually offered a better deal than the website prices. So it is worth giving them a call and try to negotiate a good price.

Ciutat Hotels

Ciutat Hotels is a Catalan chain that has two budget hotels in Barcelona: Ciutat de Barcelona and Ciutat Vella. Both hotels are located in the historic center of the city. They are close to the Gothic Quarter, the Boqueria Market, and the Picasso Museum. Ciutat Hotels are modern and functional, with wooden floors and walls painted in red, green, or blue. The rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and flat-screen TVs. The hotels also have a rooftop terrace with a plunge pool and a solarium, that offers great views of the city. The Ciutat de Barcelona also has a Japanese restaurant and a tapas bar. The average nightly rate for a double room is around €70, depending on the season and the hotel. Take a look and visit the website to see current prices.

Travelodge Budget Hotels in Barcelona

A budget hotel chain that travellers from the UK will be familiar with as Travelodge Hotels is a British budget hotel chain. They currently have four Travelodge hotels in Barcelona. These include the Travelodge Barcelona Fira, Travelodge Barcelona Poblenou, Travelodge Barcelona Sants, and Travelodge Hospitalet. They are generally located near public transport stations, making it easy to reach the city center and areas of interest. The Travelodge budget Hotel chain are ideal for travelers who are looking for a basic and affordable accommodation, with no frills or extras. The rooms are clean and cozy, with private bathrooms, air conditioning, and TVs. The hotels have a 24-hour reception, a vending machine, and a café-bar where guests can have breakfast or a snack.

The average nightly rate for a double room is around €60, depending on the season and the hotel. Click this link visit the website to check availability. You really can’t go wrong with Travelodge. I have stayed in many visiting the UK from Spain for short breaks and they are basic, modern and comfortable. The best part is they are also very cheap.

Ibis Budget Hotels

Ibis Hotels is a French budget hotel chain and has five hotels in Barcelona. These are the Ibis Barcelona Centro, Ibis Barcelona Meridiana, Ibis Barcelona Mollet, Ibis Barcelona Montmelo, and Ibis Barcelona Santa Coloma. All of them are located outside the city center, but well connected by metro, bus, or train. As most be know, Ibis Hotels are a reliable and economical option, with a standard quality and service. The rooms are modern and comfortable, with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and TVs. The hotels have a 24-hour reception, a business center, and a restaurant where guests can have breakfast or dinner. The average nightly rate for a double room is around €50, depending on the season and the hotel. Take a look here and visit the website to see Ibis deals and hotels in Barcelona. Again, like Travelodge, you know what to expect with an Ibis hotel. Modern rooms, comfortable and always good prices.

Easyhotel Budget hotels in Barcelona

Easyhotel, part of the easyJet group, are again a British budget hotel chain with two hotels in Barcelona. The hotels are located slightly away from the main city centre. They are however in areas that allow easy access to the city’s main attractions and transport links. The first one, Easyhotel Barcelona Fira, is situated in the L’Hospitalet de Llobregat region, just 10 km from the airport and 20 minutes from the city centre by public transport. The hotel is also close to the Fira Congress Centre and the Gran Via 2 shopping centre, making it ideal for business and leisure travellers alike, or for people attending a Fira exhibition show.

The second one, Easyhotel Barcelona Saint Andreu, is set to open in 2024 in the historic Saint Andreu district, in the north east of the city. The hotel will be located near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sagrada Familia, the iconic masterpiece of Antoni Gaudi, and both the Navas metro station and La Sagrera rail station, which connect to the rest of the city and beyond.

Both hotels offer clean and comfy rooms with private bathrooms, air conditioning, heating, TV, and free wifi. The rooms are available in different sizes and configurations, from single to family, and some of them have windows. The hotels also have 24-hour reception, vending machines, luggage storage, and optional extras such as towels, hairdryers, and late check-out. The rates are very affordable, starting from as low as €51 per night, and can be even lower if you book directly on the Easyhotel website. Basic, modern and lots of optional add-ons.

Tips on How to Get the Best Hotel Rates in Barcelona

Barcelona is a popular destination all year round, but there are some ways to save money on your hotel booking if you plan ahead and follow these tips:

• Book in advance: The earlier you book, the more likely you are to find lower rates and more availability. You can also take advantage of early-bird discounts and special offers that some hotels may have.
• Be flexible with your dates: If you can, avoid traveling during peak seasons. These are summer, Easter, and Christmas, and hotel prices tend to be higher and the city is more crowded. You can also save money by traveling during weekdays rather than weekends. Also try choosing less popular dates, such as the beginning or the end of the month.
• Compare different websites and platforms: Don’t just rely on one website or platform to find the best hotel deals. Use a comparison tool like KAYAK to search for hotels in Barcelona across different websites. You can also check the official websites of the hotels you are interested in, as they may have exclusive deals or discounts that are not available elsewhere.
• Use a travel card or a loyalty program: If you travel frequently, you may benefit from using a travel card or a loyalty program. These offer rewards or discounts on hotel bookings. For example, you can use an [Hola Barcelona travel card] to get unlimited rides on public transport and discounts on some hotels and attractions in the city. You can also join a loyalty program of a hotel chain or a booking platform, such as [Booking.com] or [Hotels.com], and earn points or credits that you can redeem for free nights or discounts on future bookings.
• Consider alternative accommodation options: Hotels are not the only option for staying in Barcelona. You can also look for alternative accommodation options, such as hostels, guesthouses, apartments, or bed and breakfasts. These may offer lower rates and more flexibility. You can use platforms like [Airbnb] or [Hostelworld] to find and book these types of accommodation in Barcelona.

The Cheapest Time of the Year for Hotel Prices in Barcelona

The cheapest time of the year for hotel prices in Barcelona is usually late January and early February. This is when the average nightly rate for a double room is around $50, depending on the season and the hotel. This is also a good time to visit Barcelona if you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy the mild winter weather. However, you should also be aware that some attractions and events may be closed or have reduced hours during this period.

Another cheap time of the year for hotel prices in Barcelona is in November and December. This excludes the Christmas and New Year holidays, when the average nightly rate for a double room is around $60, depending on the season and the hotel. This is also a good time to visit Barcelona if you want to experience the festive atmosphere and the local traditions, such as the Christmas markets, the nativity scenes. However, you should also be prepared for colder and wetter weather during this period..

How to Save Money When Visiting Barcelona

Barcelona is a wonderful city to explore, but it can also be quite expensive. Make sure you plan ahead and look for ways to save money. Here are some tips on how to enjoy Barcelona on a budget, without compromising on quality or fun.

• Use public transport. Barcelona has a great public transport system, with metro, bus, tram, and train lines that cover the whole city and beyond. You can save money by buying a T-10 ticket. This gives you 10 trips for €11.35, valid for any mode of transport and transfer within 75 minutes. You can also use the train from the airport to the city center, which costs €4.60 one way, instead of taking a taxi or the Aerobus, which is more expensive. You can also walk or bike around the city, as Barcelona is very pedestrian and bike-friendly, with many bike lanes and rental options.
• Eat like a local. Barcelona has a lot of delicious food to offer, but you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy it. You can save money by eating at local markets, where you can find fresh and cheap produce. You can also look for restaurants that offer a menu del día. This is a fixed-price lunch menu that usually includes a starter, a main course, a dessert, and a drink, for around €10-€15. You can also try some typical Catalan dishes, such as pa amb tomàquet (bread with tomato), escalivada (roasted vegetables), or calçots (grilled spring onions). These are simple but tasty and filling. Another option is to have a picnic in one of the many parks or beaches in the city. A great chance to relax and enjoy the sunny weather and the views.
• Visit free or discounted attractions. Barcelona has a lot of amazing attractions to see, but some of them can be quite pricey. You can save money by visiting some of the free or discounted attractions, such as the Parc de la Ciutadella, the Montjuïc hill, the Gothic Quarter, or the Barceloneta beach. You can also take advantage of the free entry to some of the museums on the first Sunday of the month, such as the Picasso Museum, the National Art Museum of Catalonia, or the Maritime Museum. You can also use a sightseeing pass, such as the Barcelona Pass, which gives you free or reduced admission to over 20 attractions, as well as a hop-on hop-off bus tour and a guidebook, for a fixed price.
• Enjoy a night on the town: Barcelona is famous for its nightlife, but you don’t have to spend a lot to have a good time. You can save money by going out during the week, when many bars and clubs have happy hours, discounts, or free entry. You can also look for bars that offer free tapas with your drink, such as La Xampanyeria, La Esquinica, or El Tigre. You can also enjoy some of the free or cheap cultural events that take place in the city, such as concerts, festivals, or street performances. You can also watch the Magic Fountain show at Plaça Espanya, which is a spectacular display of water, light, and music, every weekend from Thursday to Sunday.

Conclusion

If you want to enjoy a Barcelona on a budget, the best way of doing so is to research carefully. Visit websites, check offers, and book in advance. Make sure you opt for travel cards for public transport rather than paying for each trip individually. My best advice for a cheap hotel is checking all the travel websites you can carefully. Once you have found a good hotel at a decent price, take note, then try to find a similar offer even cheaper. Booking at least three months in advance should give you the best chance of finding a good hotel within your budget. You can also try to contact the hotel to see if they will give you a special deal. Most hotels have to pay a commision to hotel booking sites, so by booking direct you may get an extra discount compared to the price on a hotel booking site.