Where to stay for Primavera Sound Barcelona

If you’re eager to bump into a few of your fave musicians, head to the Princess. This is where almost all the acts who’re playing at Primavera Sound stay – but, star power aside, it’s still a pretty great accommodation choice. With views overlooking the festival grounds, it’s a four-star establishment with airy rooms, two stylish bars and a stunning rooftop terrace and pool.

While the Plaça de Catalunya might seem rather far from the Parc del Fórum, it’s actually ideally located for visiting the festival. Shuttle buses run between the two sites day and night – plus, the Plaça is well placed for doing touristy stuff in the daytime. This one’s really luxurious, a penthouse with a vast private terrace that feels a million miles from the Prima’s pounding beats and sweaty bodies. 

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A bit like the Princess but with fewer rockstars, Marriott’s AC Hotel Barcelona Fórum is a decidedly quieter option for those wanting a hotel within a few minutes’ walk of the festival. Expect modern, clean and well-equipped rooms, as well as access to a swimming pool and rooms with views out over both the city and the Mediterranean.

If you’re used to camping at festivals, even a hostel is likely to feel a bit more luxurious than usual. When choosing a hostel, we’ve got one big tip: pick one that has bunks with curtains! More often than not, you’ll be sleeping through the days rather than the nights. St Christopher’s Inn has curtains and much more, a hostel near both Las Ramblas and Plaça de Catalunya that is secure, comfortable and, if you want it to be, sociable, too.

While Airbnb has plenty of options in Barcelona’s main city centre, the rental platform also has many offerings nearer to the Parc del Fórum. There are quite a few options like this one: mid-size places which, if you can fill them to capacity (this has space for six people) provide comfort and convenience at a reasonable price.

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Hotels are generally the more expensive choice when it comes to accommodation for Primavera, but there are some cheaper options. The Room Mate Pau is an affordable three-star city-centre hotel with quirky, characterful rooms – all just a few metres from the Plaça de Catalunya.

When it comes to hotels near the Parc del Fórum, the Princess and Hotel AC are the established favourites for festival attendees. There are, however, some very decent alternatives. Social Hub, for example, is a marvellously sleek and well-designed option that is just as close to the festival and not much less luxurious. Here you’ll find rooms with ensuite bathrooms and air-con, as well as complimentary breakfasts and a resplendent rooftop pool.

While Airbnbs in Barcelona can become pretty scarce (and pretty spenny) during Primavera, it’s possible to find really nice ones with a load of beds that, per person, work out at a very affordable nightly rate. Take this huge one in Eixample, for instance – which has nine beds and plenty of space in which to kick back and recharge.

All booked up? Check for more Airbnbs nearby here.

Not all hostels are all-hours partying: take Zero, for instance, which has tonnes of comfort, privacy and feels, in general (and dare we say it), really rather civilised. With air-conditioned rooms, bunk curtains and big beds, it’s also in Poblenou – just half an hour’s gander from the festival.

You don’t have to split the cost of staying near Primavera Sound between a large group in order to afford the festival. This Airbnb is a basic but remarkably cheap option for couples - plus, it's in the centre of the city, and therefore ideally located for bus shuttles to the festival.

All booked up? Check for more Airbnbs nearby here.