If you are a digital nomad coming to live in Spain for a medium to long-term stay, coliving spaces are a great way to make friends and be part of a community instead of renting your own place or staying in a hotel. I’ve researched the best colivings in Barcelona so you can choose the best option for you, and enjoy your Barcelona co-living experience to the max!
What is a Co-Living?
Co-living is not a new concept but the term has definitely increased in use in recent years. Living with housemates is common for students and young professionals, and now digital nomads are finding huge benefits in sharing a living space.
There are lots of co-working spaces in Barcelona where you can go to work in a shared office, and now co-living takes it a step further where you can live in a shared apartment or building, and already have a community of people you can get to know.
The Best Colivings in Barcelona for Digital Nomads
I’ve brought together a list of the best Barcelona colivings for you to choose from, ranging from luxury villas to hostel dorms, so there is something to suit everyone here!
Co-Living Apartments & Villas – For Medium to Long Stays
Colivings in Barcelona are usually made up of large apartments with several bedrooms that are each rented out privately, with shared bathrooms and living spaces like a kitchen, lounge and terrace area.
Most will have extra perks like co-working spaces or free passes to co-workings, social events, and other benefits like yoga lessons and workshops to help you meet other digital nomads.
The length of stay varies with this kind of coliving in Barcelona, with the minimum stays varying from 30 nights up to 3 months. There isn’t usually a maximum stay, although if you plan to live in Barcelona full-time it’s usually better to find your own place after a few months.
Prices vary significantly depending on the style of the house and location, generally with cheaper rates for apartments with a longer minimum stay. If you can stay for 3 months or more you can get some good deals.
For a single room with a shared bathroom prices start from around €600 a month including bills for 3-month minimum rentals, and for a double room with en-suite in a co-living apartment, you can expect to pay from €1000 and above, depending on the length of the contract.
The best thing is that these rates usually include all other bills like electricity and internet, so you don’t have to worry about paying anything extra. Sometimes a deposit or agency fee is required but not always.
Palma Coliving – Private Rooms in a Villa near Park Guell
Palma Coliving is a beautiful 3200m2 villa with a private swimming pool close to Park Guell. It’s within easy reach of the city centre but feels like a world away from the hectic traffic and busy streets of Barcelona.
There are 10 bedrooms with a maximum capacity of 15 people, as well as shared co-working spaces, a kitchen, communal lounges, BBQ areas and a lovely garden and swimming pool for relaxing and enjoying the Barcelona sunshine.
The team at Palma also arrange regular activities to enjoy both in the house with the other co-livers, and in the city so you can meet local people and other digital nomads in the community. I enjoyed my stay here thanks to the awesome group of people I lived with, and I would have loved to stay here when the weather was a bit warmer to take advantage of the pool!
Check out my full review of Palma Coliving here, or check prices and availability on the Palma Coliving website here. They also have properties in Palma de Mallorca and in Valencia too, take a look at those on the website here.
You can also save 100€ on your first booking with Palma Coliving Barcelona with the code “CLAIREbyPalma“. Make sure you include the code on your application form to get your discount!
Aticco Coliving – Private Rooms in Shared Apartments
Aticco is a co-working company which also offers co-living spaces in Barcelona, as well as some private one-room apartments. The monthly rental includes some passes for their co-working spaces, and access to their social events, as well as all bills.
They have a 3-month minimum rental period and have several different apartments of various sizes dotted around the city so you can choose from a range of options. It is decent value for what you get however there is no screening process and they accept anyone who wants to live in a shared apartment, not just nomads
Unfortunately, I didn’t get on with one of my housemates and as she worked from home she took over the shared living space every day and made things quite uncomfortable.
Obviously, if you get better housemates this can be a good option but it didn’t work out for me, and the 3-month minimum rental means that non-Europeans will have to use their entire 90 day Schengen allocation in this one location. Check out their coliving apartments in Barcelona on their website here.
Kalima – Co-Living Near Barcelona Opening in September 2024
If you want a break from the city then Kalima is a brand new coliving near Barcelona. It is moments away from the beach, in the village of Caldes d‘Estrac, a 45 minute train ride from the centre of Barcelona.
Kalima was run as a hotel for years and is now transforming into a coliving space with 10 bedrooms for digital nomads, all with ensuite bathrooms.
I popped down to check out the space in May and while it is still a work in progress I could already see the potential and am excited to visit when it opens. I loved their focus on providing benefit for the local community as well as their digital nomad guests, and they plan on arranging regular events that the nomads and locals can enjoy.
There will also be a café onsite that is open to the public as well as a co-working space, and having a view of the sea from the terrace (and some of the bedrooms) would be amazing. I loved the idea of taking my lunch break on the beach or heading for a swim after work! Watch out for updates on their website here.
Karisma – Shared Apartment in Gracia
Karisma is a 5 bedroom apartment with a terrace at the top end of Gracia, close to Park Guell. It is dedicated to co-living for digital nomads and have a strict application process, emphasising the digital nomad community, collaboration and growth for your online business.
Flatio
Flatio offers short-term rentals in Barcelona for digital nomads, business travellers, students and anyone looking for a fully furnished room or apartment for a short to mid-term stay. There are options for co-living apartments in Barcelona as well as whole apartments, so you can choose which is best for you.
Airbnb
Airbnb started out offering rooms to rent in people’s homes, and you can still search for individual rooms in what would be a coliving space with the host. This wouldn’t give you the community of digital nomads but it could be a good way to meet local people.
There are lots of apartments and rooms on Airbnb in Barcelona to choose from, including many with discounts for long stays. If you search for less than 30 days you will have different options than searching for longer stays as some property owners don’t have a short-term letting licence.
Hostels & Hybrid Hotels – Best for Short Stays
There are plenty of hostels in Barcelona that cater more for travellers than digital nomads, but if you are just starting out as a digital nomad then it doesn’t get cheaper than a bed in a hostel dorm – although you might sacrifice some sleep with other guests coming and going at night!
For more privacy but you could consider a private room in a hostel so you can still get a good night’s sleep and use the shared kitchen and social spaces.
However, on a per-night basis private rooms in these kind of hotel hybrid colivings are more expensive than longer-stay coliving options in Barcelona, so are probably best for people on a short workation in Barcelona.
There are also some hybrid hotels which are a cross between hostels and hotels and offer more shared areas for co-working and relaxing, like Generator in Eixample and The Social Hub in the Poble Nou neighbourhood.
The Social Hub has extra perks for stays of over 2 weeks, such as free access to coworking spaces, a 24/7 gym, shared bikes and an events program.
Booking is a good place to look for hotels, hostels and hybrid coliving spaces, but mainly for short stays as they don’t tend to have discounts for long stays.
Benefits of Co-Living in Barcelona
Staying in a co-living space in Barcelona can offer several benefits for digital nomads and remote workers.
Community and Networking
This is easily one of the biggest benefits of coliving Barcelona. Co-living spaces bring together like-minded individuals in the same living space so you already have a sense of community as soon as you arrive. You can connect with other digital nomads, share experiences, and potentially collaborate on projects, as well as having someone to chat to, eat dinner with and enjoy Barcelona with.
Convenience
Co-living spaces often provide fully furnished accommodations with amenities like high-speed internet, coworking areas, laundry facilities, and sometimes even cleaning services. This convenience allows you to focus on your work and enjoying the city without worrying about the hassles of setting up utilities or maintaining a living space.
Cost-Effectiveness
Compared to renting a traditional apartment or staying in a hotel, co-living spaces can be a more cost-effective option, especially for short to medium-term stays. Shared expenses such as utilities and internet are often included in the rental fee, making budgeting simpler.
Flexibility
Many co-living spaces offer flexible rental terms, allowing digital nomads to stay for as little as a few weeks or as long as several months. This flexibility is ideal for individuals whose travel plans may change frequently or those who prefer not to commit to a long-term lease.
Cultural Exchange
Barcelona is a culturally rich city, and staying in a co-living space can provide opportunities for cultural exchange with both locals and fellow nomads. Sharing meals, participating in group activities, and exploring the city together can lead to meaningful cross-cultural interactions and new perspectives.
Work-Life Balance
Co-living spaces often emphasize a balance between work and leisure. Most colivings in Barcelona offer communal areas for relaxation and socializing, as well as organized events and activities so you can make the most of your free time.
Supportive Environment
Living and working remotely can sometimes be challenging, especially in a new city. Co-living spaces typically have staff or community managers who can provide support and assistance, whether it’s troubleshooting technical issues or offering recommendations for local amenities and services.
Downsides of Staying in a Coliving
While living in a coliving space in Barcelona can offer many benefits, there are some downsides to consider too.
Lack of Privacy
Sharing living spaces with multiple people can result in a lack of privacy. Common areas like kitchens, living rooms, and sometimes bathrooms are shared, which might not be ideal for everyone. Depending on how much space there is in your shared home, you might find getting time alone is difficult unless you stay in your room the whole time!
Different Lifestyles and Schedules
Living with people who have different routines, habits, and lifestyles can be challenging. Differences in sleep schedules, work hours, and social activities can cause friction, especially if some people make noise while you are trying to concentrate on work, or trying to sleep.
Potential for Conflict
You can’t be friends with everyone all of the time, and I know from personal experience that living closely with other people increases the chance of conflicts. Disagreements over noise, cleanliness, shared resources, and personal boundaries can all make living together less enjoyable, or downright miserable!
Lack of Long-term Stability
Depending on the minimum length of stay, residents can frequently move in and out of coliving spaces which can make it difficult to form long-term relationships and create a stable living environment. However, even with a month together you can become firm friends so you won’t know until you try.
Cost vs. Value
While coliving can be cost-effective compared to traditional rentals which have added costs, some coliving spaces can be expensive, especially if they offer a lot of extras or amenities. Make sure you consider if the cost matches with the value, convenience and benefits included.
Cultural and Language Barriers
In a diverse city like Barcelona, coliving spaces attract people from different countries and cultural backgrounds. While this can be a great way to meet new people, it can also lead to misunderstandings and communication issues if there are language barriers or cultural differences.
Is Barcelona Coliving for You?
I hope this post has helped you decide if coliving in Barcelona is the best option for you, and given you some places to look for accommodation in Barcelona as a digital nomad. Feeling like part of a community is important, so even if you decide not to go for a coliving, I’d still recommend joining a Barcelona digital nomad community on Facebook or with a coworking so you don’t end up all alone!