Street Art Barcelona

noviembre 19, 2015 by staff

Sometimes you are walking throught the city and you discover things from the City that you have never seen before. Every day can be a new day of discoveries. But one thing is for sure, Barcelona is a city of art, you can tell this for the modernism buildings, squares, museums…etc., but what about the street art?

You can lost yourself between the streets or better you can join a walking street art tour. There are a few companies that organize these tours. This walking tours goes from Borne, Gothic Quarter to Raval.

As example, there is a daily tour of the El Borne and Gothic neighborhoods that begins at 14.00h (2:00pm) Monday through Sunday (everyday) meeting just on the side of the Arc D’ Triomf.

This tour showcases Barcelona’s historically rich neighborhood of El Borne and the Gothic Quarter highlighting many of the classical, earlier examples of Barcelona street art found all over its walls with some remaining for years, and some even decades.

Also out from downtow in a very local neighbourhood you can join a bike street tour. This neighbourhood is the most developing industrial neighborhood of Poble Nou, where the remains of the industrial revolution meets the ever expanding digital revolution. You get more information : http://barcelonastreetstyletour.com/

Apart from being home to the newest murals done by some of the Europe’s top street artist, this blossoming district holds some of Barcelona’s modern architectural treasures, and at the same time remains as a reminder of a booming textile industry with giant factories and gypsy camps.

But if this tours are not enough for your and you want to see more art, we recommend you to visit some arte galleries. The city has plenty of them. You can check this link: http://www.artbarcelona.es/en/

Discover Barcelona, enjoy the city and enjoy your stay in our hostel in Barcelona.

Amistat Beach Hostel spreading friendship!

To eat cheap in Gothic Quarter

noviembre 12, 2015 by staff

El Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter), located in the very center of Barcelona, is one of the most famous places in Barcelona. This District is made up by a fusion of buildings dating from many different times, from Roman settlements to 20th century structures. This is one the most interesting places to visit in Barcelona, it brings you to past times.

The Gothic Quarter has narrow streets , ancient building and absence of traffic. Many of the streets are for pedestrians. There is an interesting historical novel that use Barcelona medieval time as a scenario, this book is Cathedral of the Sea.

We recommend you to visit the Catalan Government, the Palau de la Generalitat, the

Cathedral and other Gothic churches, as Santa Maria del Pi , also visit Plaça de Sant Jaume and lost yourself walking this narrows streets.

You can find a lot of intersting shops and multitud of bars and restaurants. We have designed a list for you with some of the cheapest bars and places to eat in Gothic Quarter.

1- TASCA Y VINS.

You can have a menu for 7€ and try a traditional catalan sausage dish for 5,95€. Cool, isn’t?

Where: Between Bruc and Girona

2- BUN BO VIETNAM

You can try vietnamese food for 7€/ dish. We recommend the strawberry mojito for 3,5€. Find this place in Carrer dels Angels, 6.

3- SANTA PIADINA!

Small place to taste an italian piadina with fresh products. A piadina cost between 3€ and 5€.

Where: Plaça San Pere 11.

4- LA REPÚBLICA

Argentinian restaurant where you can find very delicious empanadas and meat sandwitches. Very cheap from 3€ to 15€.

Where: Calle Mercé, 13.

5- THE DOG IS HOT

A fully menu of hot dog + nachos + drink cost between 5€ and 6€. Great deal!

Where: Calle Joaquin Costa 47.

6- PIM PAM BURGUER

Good fast food.High quality of meat. You can have an hamburguer just for 4,5€.

Where: Calle Sabateret, 4.

Not excuses now for saving money for clubbing at night. 🙂

If you need indications or more information how to get to this places ask our staff.

Enjoy your stay in our hostel and your visit!

How to buy a cheap flight to Barcelona?

octubre 29, 2015 by staff

Barcelona! The greatest destination in Catalonia! The most cosmopolitan, exciting and colorful city in Spain.

There some great cheap offers available and many reasons to visit Barcelona. There are a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Sagrada Familia cathedral and Park Guell. There are numerous art galleries showcasing a range of classic and contemporary pieces, with artists such as Miro, Tapies and Picasso. For a break from art and culture, head to one of Barcelona’s beaches – between them there is over 4.5 km of sand, also there are some exceptional parks in the city and a mountains around as Collserola if you want to head to a green space.

Four strategies for booking cheap flights to Barcelona

1) Book your flight with a budget airline We’ve listed many of the budget airlines f. Some of these also fly from European cities to Barcelona but you’ll have to check which because their schedules are always changing.

To reduce overheads and keep ticket prices low, these airlines only offer bookings through their on-line web sites or by a telephone reservation system.

It’s important to check their terms and conditions before you book as most of these airlines will not refund your ticket if you change your plans.

Some of the budget airlines: Ryanair, Easyjet, Eurowings, Germanwings, Pegasus, Vueling, Transavia, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Niki…etc.

3) Bookings in advance & Mid-week.

Bookings made on weekdays as Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are often the cheapest tickets. Also with at least two weeks in advance.

4) Take a late night or early morning flight

These flights are always more economical.

5) Consider a different airport

If you can’t find any cheap flights to Barcelona International Airport consider flying to Girona Airport or Reus airport. Both are located 1 hour 30 min aprox by bus.

After all this information NO EXCUSES. Come to visit us and stay in our hostel, Amistat Beach Hostel.

😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀

Clubbing in Barcelona

octubre 22, 2015 by staff

Hey guys! Do you feel like clubbing? As you probably know Barcelona has the most exquisit, cool and populars clubs.

Here there is list of the most popular clubs:

SALA APOLO: It’s a 1940s dancehall. Everday you can find live music and also you can get into the night club. Check it ou its agenda: https://www.sala-apolo.com/en/

RAZMATAZZ: Located near by Amistat Beach Hostel , it’s the coolest club. Has five distinct spaces form the night-time playground of seemingly all young Barcelona. There’s indie rock in Razz Club, tech-house in The Loft, techno pop in Lolita, electro pop in the Pop Bar and electro rock in the Rex Room. Live acts run from Arctic Monkeys to Banarama. More info at: http://www.salarazzmatazz.com/.

SIDECAR: Located in Plaza Real. It’s a temple of indie rock is 25 years old and still fit as a fiddle, with a different session every day and self-assured in the knowledge that the hip, the happening and the cool will descend upon the place at least once a week. Get more info at: http://www.sidecarfactoryclub.com/

MARULA CAFE: It’s a very emblematic and nice place. It’s mostly R&B, Sly & the Family Stone, Michael Jackson and their ilk, always with a big sound and always 100% danceable. More info at: http://www.timeout.com/barcelona/music-and-nightlife/marula-cafe

CITY HALL: Located in Plaza Catalunya offers you a variety of music from deep house to electro rock. http://www.cityhallbarcelona.com/

Barcelona is plenty of clubs, nightlife is full of options. You can have a look at this link: http://www.barcelona-life.com/barcelona/nightlife

If you are staying in our hostel, Amistat Beach Hostel, you can join the night tours with Vini. Your chance for clubbling with a local cool guy who will show you the best clubs & night bars in the city.

Dance, laughs, experiences, happyness, beach, sun, friendship…this is what we offer you in your visit to our hostel. Discover Barcelona city! Looking forward your visit!!

Easy ways to save money in Barcelona

octubre 7, 2015 by staff

Hey guys! Wondering to visit the best Mediterranean city? Hesitating because of money? No worries! check out for the cheapest flights in Skycanner application. Book the flight, book your stay with us, pack and follow our tips!

This are the best ways to save money during your visit:

1. Get a hostel with kitchen.

Stay in a hostel with a kitchen and save big bucks on food. Amistat Beach Hostel has an amazing equipped kitchen. Also don’t forget we offer BREAKFAST FOR FREE and PASTA FOR FREE. You save breakfast and lunch! Great right??

2. Get the T10 transport ticket.

This is a metro card that lets you take 10 rides and costs just under €10. A single bus ticket is €2, so the savings are clear. If you have a few days in Barcelona, you’ll surely use up your T1

3. Check discount websites.

Websites such as Atrapalo.es (in Spanish) offer deep discounts on theater and concert tickets in Barcelona, also you can check things to do for free or less than 5 euros in www.forfree.cat.

4. Get a FREE walking tour

Ask to our reception desk for our FREE walking tour. A easy way to discover the city of the Barcelona.

5. Eat the Menú del Día.

If you don’t want to cook. It’s a set lunch special Monday – Friday for around €10. Your Menú del Día will include, normally, a starter, main dish, a drink, bread and a dessert. Very good deal!

Have you already been in Barcelona city and you know more tips? share with us! Let’s make this list longer!

We look forward to seeing you at our Youth Hostel in Barcelona!

Summer still going on in Barcelona!!!

septiembre 25, 2015 by staff

Already autumm is here but fortunately Barcelona has a warm-temperate subtropical climate! so why don’t you take a plane and extend your summer? In Amistat Beach Hostel we will provide you with the information and best activities in the city.

What to do this September?

WET AND WILD!

Put on your favourite swimsuit and get in the mood for getting wet and showing off your summer shape. It’s time for the Sky Bar at Hotel Axel. Every Monday there’s music, water games, cocktails… a great way to start the week.

Where: Axel Hotel Barcelona, Aribau 33

47th Voll-Damm Festival Internacional de Jazz de Barcelona: Diana Krall (26th September)

The 47th Voll-Damm Barcelona International Jazz Festival kicks off with Diana Krall, and the sensuality of a voice that has won over audiences and critics for nearly three decades. Krall is the Winner of five Grammys and eight Junos, Krall’s latest album, ‘Wallflower (2015), was produced by 16-time Grammy winner David Foster and released last February.

Diana Kralll plays pop hits from the 1960s to what’s hot right now. With a sophisitcated production, Krall’s vocals and piano are accompanied onstage by Anthony Wilson on guitar, Dennis Crouch on bass, Stuart Duncan on violin, Karriem Riggins on drums and Patrick Warren on keyboards.

Where: Auditori Forum, Sant Martí

Exhibition. Joan Ponç. L’enigma. (25th September)

This exhibition includes a selection of 16 works, among which highlights include paintings and drawings from between 1947 and 1968 as well as the screening of the video ‘Joan Ponç – J.V. Foix. La piel de la piel’. Ponç was a solitary, visionary and damned painter. Some say he was crazy. The artist was one of the creators of the Dau al Set movement along with painters Modes Cuixart, Antoni Tàpies and Joan Tharrrats; painter Joan Brossa; and philospher Arnau Puig.

Where: Galeria Mayoral, Eixample

And also of course do not forget to enjoy the nice beaches! You can choose between Bogatell o Marbella beach near our hostel in Poblenou.

Have fun!

Ñami, ñami….best burgers in Barcelona

septiembre 17, 2015 by staff

Barcelona is not just about tapas! We list for you the best burgers in the city! Are you hungry?

Negro Carbón

An amazing Argentinian restaurant. These Argentineans serve stupendous barbecued meat and generous burgers made from premium beef. Where: Pla de Palau, 16 (Born-Ribera)

Santa Burg

One of the city’s venues that is committed to turning the humble hamburger into a quality dish that’s healthy and, above all, delicious. Don’t miss the Richard Burger, with onion confit, foie gras and egg. Alain Guiard, world champion catering chef, always makes sure the meat is top-quality, and he’s always on the lookout for the best products for this cosmopolitan neighbourhood spot. Where: Carrer de Vallespir, 51

El Kiosko

El Kiosko is a gourmet burguer restaurant. Try any of the delicious recipes with special chutney sauce, home-cooked fries and you’ll know what I mean. Where: Marquès de l’Argentera, 1 (Born-Ribera)

Timerburg

All the hamburgers, sandwiches, fries and desserts ingredients are carefully selected, fresh and tasty. Try it! Where: C/Pujades, 168 (Poblenou)

What’s on this September?

septiembre 14, 2015 by staff

Hey Guys! Summer has not yet finished in Barcelona!!

The most important event is coming from 18th of September until 24th September. Save the dates for La Mercé Festival 2015!

La Mercè is Barcelona’s local festival or festa major, the festival for everyone. At the heart of La Mercè are the artists and popular culture, the giants from our city’s neighbourhoods, the musicians and the people who listen and dance to the beat of their music. La Mercè’s spirit is embodied in the city’s boys and girls who learn our community’s traditions during the festivities and who make them their own, in the adolescents who go out alone for the first time during the festivities, the young adults who make the city’s summer nights their own, the mothers, fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers who marvel at the festive activities as if they were once again young children.

The La Mercè is, what’s more, a perfect excuse for discovering neighbourhoods outside your beaten track, for taking a stroll along places you don’t normally see. And don’t forget: public transport will be the fastest way to get to places over the coming days!

This are the spaces where it will take place different activities and performances: Antiga Fàbrica Estrella Dam, Ajuntament de Barcelona, El Parc del Fòrum, Plaça Catalunya, Parc de la Ciutadella, Avinguda Reina Maria Cristina, Avinguda de la Catedral, Plaça dels Àngels, Plaça de la Mercè, Plaça de Sant Jaume, Castell de Montjuïc, Palauet Albéniz, Plaça Joan Coromines, Moll de la Fusta, Platja de la Barceloneta and Palau de la Virreina.

What does includes the festival?

La Mercè is the festival of festivals, where, in just a few days there are hundreds of activities like these:

:: Barcelona Acció Musical (BAM): to hear new sounds.

:: Mercè Arts de Carrer (MAC): circus arts, dance and street arts

:: La Festival of Tradition: human castles, bigheads, giants and all the festive beasts of the city.

:: The Fire Festival: all kinds of sparks from the musical fireworks to the Fire Run…

With a long etcetera of more than 500 activities to everyone’s taste.

If you want to download the program click in here: http://lameva.barcelona.cat/merce/en/programa-per-dia

Enjoy a local experience! Do not hesitate to enjoy and stay in our hostel next to the beach!

Wondering to travel in a Van? Exciting, right?

septiembre 3, 2015 by staff

Have you ever thought how could be travelling with a Van? would you like to enjoy this experience?

Amistat Beach Hostel is the first hostel in Barcelona offering this service. Would you like to know more about it?

First of all – During your stay in our hostel you have to decide with who you want to share this new experience. A friend of yours that also is staying at our hostel? Maybe with some friends that you just made in the hostel? or maybe with this cute girl or this hot guy that there is next to your room? Why not? Make your proposal to one, two or three more persons and dive into the adventure! Discover Catalonia.

Second – Ask at the reception desk about Van availability. We have a special pack for our guests that are staying with us minimum 3 nights. Also we would recommend some routes!

Three – Pick up the van and make sure that you have all the aminities that you may need: drinks, food, towels, toiletries,..etc.

Catalonia has many beautiful places that you “must” visit. After three days visiting Barcelona city you can drive out and visit amazing places as:

Girona, Figueres and Dali Museum

Discover the Salvador Dali Museum at Figueres and the magical medieval town of Girona on a full-day trip from Barcelona. Figueres and Girona are two of the most famous attractions in northern Catalonia, making your visit to Barcelona complete

Costa Brava

The Costa Brava is a 160 kilometer stretch of beautiful, rugged coastline in the region of Catalonia in the North East corner of Spain. Natural beauty, endless miles of sandy beaches and summer

sunshine. You’ll find modern, international tourist resorts with high-rise hotels alongside unspoilt fishing villages, sheltered rocky coves and medieval towns with ancient castles.

Costa Daurada

The Costa Dorada or Costa Daurada (The Golden Coast) The color of gold – soft, warm and bright – is predominant along the marine littoral in the southern part of Catalonia and has rightly given it the name of Costa Dorada (Golden Coast).

Lleida Pyrenees

The Lleida Pyrenees invite tourists to discover nature in its purest form. Highlights include: the Aigüestortes and Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, which is the only national park in Catalonia; the El Cadí-Moixerò natural park, the protected space with the largest number of habitats and species of interesting European flora and fauna in Catalonia; and the Alt Pirineu (High Pyrenees) Park the largest natural park in Catalonia.

There is also a greatest treasure: the group of Romanesque-style monuments in the Vall de Boí has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Also you can visit Olot and its Garrotxa Nature Reserve. The best example of volcanic landscape in Catalonia covering a surface area of 11,300 ha. The strombolian cones, explosion craters and lava flows make very unusual features.

Do not hesitate and go to the adventure! If you are staying in our hostel in Barcelona we will help you to make it real.

The most unique bars of Barcelona

agosto 27, 2015 by staff

First time in Barcelona city? Wondering to discover the most unique bars in Barcelona?

Here we are with some information that would help you to choose some bars!

1.Can Paixano, best known as “La Champañería”, is an old bar in the old Barceloneta neighborhood. This bar is famous for their “cava” (typical Catalonian sweet sparkling wine, similar to champagne) and also for their big and tasty sandwiches. Very cheap! Carrer Reina Maria Christina, 7

2.Cosmo Bar, great drinks and snacks (natural juices and carrot cake are awesome!), original art exposition, just next to you while you are charting with a friend and chill out atmosphere. Carrer Enric Granados,3

3.Milk, is a local celebrity. Seven days a week serves up a brunch till late afternoon, a well as a selection of international dishes, like thai curries, fajitas and burgers. Carrer Gignas, 21 4.Marmalade, burgers, some international classics and a nice selection of beers and drinks to keep you going on your sightseeing trip. Carrer Riera Alta, 4-6

5.Cat bar, is very popular. Offes a set menu for 10 euros all day, also serves burgers and different vegan snacks.C/ Bòria, 17 (Carders)

6.Chill bar, multicultural, easygoing and open minded clientele. Live DJs will make your night amazing!Carrer Provença 424

7.Casa Almirall, Opened in 1860, this Modernista (Catalan Art Nouveau) bar in the popular El Raval district is one of the oldest and best-preserved establishments in Barcelona. The antique decoration recalls the relaxed, bohemian atmosphere of the 19th century with the elegance of the Modernisme era showing in the wood and marble. Carrer Casa Almirall, Joaquín Costa, 33

8. El bosc de les fades, If you’re looking for an other-worldly experience in Barcelona, look no further than “The Fairies’ Forest”. A magical indoor forest with cocktails! This unique cafe bar is decorated as an esoteric land of fairies and is split into four rooms; the magic forest, a fairy cave, an old tea room and a lounge. Carrer Passatge de la Banca, 7

After all this information you have a lot homework to do! discover the greatest bars in Barcelona 🙂

If you are staying in Amistat we recommend you to rent a bike and make your own route visiting all this bars. Ask our reception staff for renting a bike and get directions.

Enjoy your stay!