ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥ Coworking Spaces
The 11 best places for creatives to get working
By Duncan Rhodes
Find your perfect ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥ co-working space on this page! We compare a selection of the best places in the city, in terms of price, location and facilities (and we have also negotiated discounts for ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥ Life readers!).
In a city full of creative, independent minded people, as well as young ambitious start ups, the coworking spaces phenomenon has found fertile ground in ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥.
Dozens of fantastic spaces have sprung up in recent years serving the many lifestyle-driven entrepreneurs who have ditched the corporate path to forge their own way forward, working on their own terms as autonomos (Spain’s term for self-employed workers).
And it’s not only individuals who are searching for desk space and lightning fast WiFi. Increasingly, smaller companies are looking to hire hot desks and office space for their teams in a professional creative environment, where they can thrive, saving them the overheads of a large office lease.
Before we take a look at the very best co-working spaces in ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥, let’s consider the advantages they afford “the solopreneur”, who has to balance the additional cost vs. working from home, and consider the benefits.
Benefits of Coworking (vs. Working from Home)
- Professional working environment = greater productivity
- Delineates working and leisure time
- Social aspect (work colleagues!)
- Networking benefits
- Access to facilities (meeting rooms, terraces / bars etc)
- Access to events and workshops
- Mental health benefits of leaving the house!
Top 7 ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥ Coworking Spaces
There are many great co-working spaces in ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥, but rather than list them all, we’re going to take an in-depth view of the very best. Where possible, we’ve tried to negotiate a discount for ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥ Life readers to enjoy, where they’re a Spain resident or a digital nomad passing through.
1. The Social Hub ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥
A co working space and boutique hotel in one, The Social Hub ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥ is a meeting point for locals, expats, digital nomads and travellers, in the city’s chic Poblenou neighbourhood. Co workers can choose between flexible memberships or dedicated desks, with personal lockers, both at competitive rates, while all members enjoy access to the Social Hub’s gym (open 24 hrs a day), meeting spaces, theatre, playroom, and the swish rooftop pool and bar. Membership also grants you access to a diverse community of dynamic folk, and a wide programme of activities and events with a focus on creativity, technology, and education. Finally, being part of comes with international benefits too: it enables you to work from any of their other hubs across Europe and enjoy benefits such as discounted rates for their hotel rooms and restaurants. Perfect for those that love to work and travel.
2. MOB Bailen
, the original branch of MOB – Makers of ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥ was launched in 2011, soon after the global economic crisis, it’s mission to offer the people of ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥ a new way of working, emphasising collaboration, design, lifestyle and new technologies. That’s still Makers of ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥’s goal today and this beautiful, remodelled textile factory on Carrer Bailen remains a hub of activity and innovation. The Bailen branch of MOB has over 100 desks available, as well as several meeting rooms, isolated Skype booths, an event venue, an exhibition gallery, a maker space and a cafe. They are also big on events – both professional and social, so you expect to partake in everything from tech talks to yoga in the park and camping trips, should you wish. Designed by architects, the gorgeous whitewashed interior is full of plants, natural wooden surfaces and furniture and original factory tiles. Flex memberships start at just €120 a month, while fixed ones are €230 a month and include your personal desk. Best of all membership enables you to access BOTH branches of MOB – Makers of ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥ and each and every event.
*10% DISCOUNT CODE FOR MOB BAILEN*
ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥ Life and MOB have teamed up so that you can save 10% per month on your membership pass, each and every month for 1 whole year! That’s a saving of around €300 if you choose the fixed desk membership for 12 months.
Just quote the code BARCELONALIFE24 when you email or contact them.
3. Cahoot
This refurbished industrial space is located in the hip Sant Antoni district, famous for its vermouth-selling cafes and bars and excellent restaurant scene – so for professionals who like to eat and drink well after work, you’re off to a great start. The 800 square meter space is extremely impressive: high ceilings, low sofas and plant life create a beautiful and relaxing environment to work in, and Cahoot’s facilities include soundproof phone booths, meeting pods, workshops and event venue. Membership comes in many shapes and forms, from full membership (€245 a month) with your own dedicated desk and locker and access to full facilities and events, to flexi memberships with daily desk and events access (€180 a month), as well as the chance to ‘hot desk’ (€20 a day) if you are just passing through the city.
*10% DISCOUNT CODE FOR CAHOOT*
ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥ Life readers can save 10% per month on their membership pass, each and every month for up to a year!
Just quote the code JUNGLE25 when you contact them.
4. PAU
Located in the resurgent Sant Antoni district, since opening its doors in 2015, PAU has always strived to be much more than just a place to park your laptop. Rather it looks to be a focus point in the community, bringing together professionals of diverse backgrounds to become a creative and collaborative hub in ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥. With patio, terrace and lounge areas there is plenty of space to relax and exchange ideas, while PAU’s regular events are a great way to meet other co-workers. There are memberships to suit every need, from part-time Flex desks from €90 a month, to 10 day passes and full-time fixed desks from €190 a month. You can save 10% by using the discount code provided below.
*10% DISCOUNT CODE FOR PAU*
ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥ Life readers can save 10% per month on their membership pass, each and every month for up to a year!
Just quote the code WEAREPAU when you contact them.
5. Cowork Rambla Catalunya
Cowork Rambla Catalunya is a boutique coworking space named after the wonderful, pedestrianised Rambla Catalunya, one of the best-looking streets in the city (and not to be confused with Las Ramblas!). The space occupies the 1st floor of a gorgeous 19th-century apartment block, with light-filled salon, balcony, kitchen, reception area and access to a vast wood-decked terrace, with shaded canopies. It is home to a big family of freelancers, small businesses, and startups with a passion to learn and innovate. Membership comes in all shapes and sizes, with part-time flexi pass for €150 and full-time fixed desk for €225 per month… but with many more options. The location is ideal for anyone based in Eixample or Gracia.
*5% DISCOUNT FOR COWORK RAMBLA CATALUNYA*
ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥ Life readers can save 5% per month on their Cowork Rambla Catalunya membership pass, for their first three months! Just quote the code HIGH 5 BCN when you contact them.
6. Itnig
Situated in the former industrial area of Poblenou, Itnig is the caterpillar that has sprung from the cocoon of an abandoned printer factory. The high ceiling, open plan space, with natural light streaming in from the skylights, is a motivating place to work and it also has its own terrace, lounge area and play room (with Foosball and ping pong) for relaxing. Facilities wise and you can count on fast WiFi, meeting rooms, and even a soundproofed podcasting room, while the space adjoins a Syra Coffee cafe, for some of ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥’s best brews. Assigned desk membership costs €199 per month, while a hot desk costs €119 per month. Itnig is bike and pet friendly!
7. BDN Lab
Relocating to ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥ can be expensive, especially if you’re just setting up your business, but you can enjoy all the privileges of the Mediterranean lifestyle, with close access to ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥, by choosing Badalona instead. This large urban area is just north of BCN and boasts an amazing seafront with spacious urban beaches and plenty of fantastic chiringuitos to sip a smoothie or cocktail on. BDN Lab is the pick of the coworking spaces serving Badalona, located in a beautifully refurbished shipyard hangar, with high speed WiFi, lockers, meeting rooms, kitchen and Skype booths. Its so-called Fab Lab is a series of workshops dedicated to teaching new skills and part of their fixed membership programme (just €150 a month, plus VAT).
Coworking Spaces Location Map
Best of the Rest…
Let’s round up some of the other cool spaces available in BCN.
8. BCN Newt
This homely coworking was established back in 2014 on C/Pere IV.
9. BCN575
Personal desk costs €225 plus VAT per month at this smart and modern space in the city centre.
10. OneCoWork
Not the cheapest place but good facilities and a choice of three locations.
11. Valkiria
A big hub space that specialises in events.
12. Betahaus
Chilled out coworking offices in Gracia, just outside the centre of the city.
Moving to ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥?
If you’re relocating to the Catalan capital, then you might want to get orientated by heading to our expat advice article.
We also have listed several health centres, real estate agents, lawyers and language schools in our Services section, which you can check out.
About the Author
Duncan established ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥ Life in 2009, whilst freelancing for the likes of Conde Nast, The Guardian, Easyjet Magazine, CNN Traveller and many more. From interviews with Ferran Adria to revealing the secrets of the city’s poetry brothels, he knows the city inside out… and shares all his best tips right here.