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Stay hydrated with aigua mineral (mineral water) – amb gas is sparkling, sense gas, still.

The eclectic “Black Lemon” restaurant-club features ethnic and world music concerts, performance art and occasional art exhibitions.

Fancy getting out of town? Try this hostel in the coastal town of Mataró, 30 km (19 miles) north of Barcelona and easily accessible by train. Its rooms, in a 19th-century country house, have 4 to 16 beds, most with views of the sea. There’s a TV lounge and a terrace with ping-pong. Hiking and biking excursions can be organized.

Small yet wonderfully central, this hostel has basic dorm rooms for 4 to 8. Breakfast is included, and guests have the use of a kitchen.

Kabul is a favourite with young backpackers in town to party all night long, so it’s often full (and noisy). Dorm rooms, all with air-conditioning and some with balconies on the Plaça Reial (Perfect Squares), sleep 4 to 20 people. There’s a laundry, free internet access, lockers and a small cafeteria that serves cheap food during the day.

In the neighbourhood of Gràcia, this hostal residència , popular with students, has simple, well-kept double and single rooms, with washbasins and en-suite toilets.

This large hostel is quite a distance from the city centre, but it’s within walking distance of the Vallcarca metro stop. A continental breakfast is included in the price, and the hostel offers a range of services, incuding fax, laundry, a TV room, coinoperated internet acess and a cheap cafeteria. Dorms sleep 6 to 12.

This friendly hostel is some distance from the city centre, but within walking distance of Maria Cristina and Les Corts metro stops. The dorms sleep 2 to 8; all have bathrooms and air-conditioning. There are laundry facilities, plus coin-operated internet access and the use of a kitchen and two terraces.

This homely hostel has a rooftop terrace and a patio with a ping-pong table. Guests have unlimited internet access and breakfast is included.