Freelance creatives are easy to find in Barcelona – and one of the best places to spot them is in the city’s many coworking spaces dotted across the city.
(Photo: Coworkidea)
It’s easy to see why the Catalan capital in northeastern Spain is an appealing choice for digital nomads and self-starters. Cheap metro travel, a popular bike-sharing initiative, year-round sunshine and beautiful beach on its doorstep make the city a hugely desirable destination in which to both live and work. If you’re coming to Barcelona for an extended period and would like to use a coworking space during your stay, we’ve picked out some of the best that the city hads to offer.
Coworkidea
Based near the city’s university, Coworkidea is set over two floors of office and shared workspace. On the top floor you’ll find larger teams, while on the first floor, the open coworking area is split between a hot desking zone, mainly utilised by independent, freelancers who can opt for part-time or full-time access; and fixed desks rented by small collectives, businesses or freelance regulars. Different types of membership plans are available, with prices starting at €105 per month for 10 days a month access. There are also day passes priced at €21 per day. Regular activities include weekly lunches, yoga sessions and networking events.
Carrer de Torres i Amat, 21, 1º, Ciutat Vella / www.coworkidea.com
Aticco
Photo: Courtesy of Atico
Aticco has multiple coworking spaces in Barcelona, each offering a mix of desk spaces and private offices that appeal to small independent businesses and collectives. Member amenities and perks across the venues include 24-hour access, a rooftop terrace with 360-degree views and gym membership. Coworking flex membership starts at €220 per month and allows you to choose a different table each day, between flex areas and common spaces. There are also day passes priced at €35 per day.
Venues across Barcelona / www.aticco.com
Cahoot
(Photo: Cahoot)
Situated in the busy, central Eixample district and surrounded by stylish boutiques, bars, and restaurants around iconic Plaça de Catalunya, this coworking space puts you at the heart of the city action. They offer both fixed and flexible desks, along with amenities including meeting rooms, phone booths, and free coffee. Flexible desk membership rates start at €165 per month and there are also weekly passes for €80 and day passes for €21. For coworking memberships, there’s no lock period, so you simply pay for what you sign up for, with the option to cancel at any time.
S.L. Carrer de Floridablanca 92 / www.cahootcoworking.com
Regus
Regus have a large presence in Barcelona, with a total of 13 office venues dotted around the city, all featuring dedicated business lounges that help them attract business travellers requiring somewhere to host on-site meetings. They also offer a choice of open-plan spaces or shared offices. Rates vary by location, but start at €99 per month for a hotdesking package. All memberships include access to facilities including printers, scanners and photocopiers, plus invites to networking and community events. Contracts are available on a monthly rolling basis, or you can ease your monthly payments by locking into a long-term contract of up to 24 months.
Venues across Barcelona / www.regus.com
La Vaca
Photo: Courtesy of La Vaca
Located in Barcelona’s Poble Sec neighbourhood, La Vaca is housed in a former dairy that has been converted into a contemporary workspace, with the exposed stone interior lit by the windows in its high ceilings retained to this day. After a busy working day upstairs, members can move downstairs where socialising is prioritised, with a bar, games area and cinema space. Like most co-working venues, there are membership packages to suit all working patterns and needs, with prices beginning at €140 for part-time use of the venue.
La Vaca is offering a free Coworking day to TravelMag Readers. If you want to test the space, please contact La Vaca via their Website, or message them via WhatsApp at +34 653 16 63 51 (please Mention Travelmag!)
Utopicus
One of Spain’s leading flexible workspace management providers, Utopicus have a total of five Barcelona coworking spaces dotted across different neighbourhoods. Hotdesking membership is priced at €239 per month, which includes 24/7 access, comfortable furniture within marked areas in an open workspace, meeting room hours, a locker, complimentary coffee/tea, use of common areas, and a passport that allows you to make use of other Utopicus venues. Alternatively, for €250 they also offer a 10-day Working Pass which must be used within 3 months.
Venues across Barcelona / www.utopicus.es
Makers of Barcelona
(Photo: Makers of Barcelona)
In 2011 the old textile factory on carrer Bailén was transformed into two giant open spaces equipped with more than 100 desks, workshop and meeting rooms, an event venue, an exhibition gallery, a maker space and a café. Today Makers of Barcelona comprises two Barcelona venues, each home to a vibrant community of freelance designers, makers, marketers, start-ups and developers. Flexible desk membership at both spaces starts at 120 per month for part-time access and rises to €170 per month for full-time access. There are also day passes costing €20 per day.
Two venues across Barcelona / www.mob-barcelona.com
Transforma
Transforma is a community of professionals and start-ups in the heart of Barcelona’s Eixample district. Alongside its work spaces, the venue offers areas for relaxing and socialising complete with ping-pong tables, hammocks and sofas. There’s also an on-site restaurant and bar. Transforma has an event space available to rent for exhibitions, networking, masterclasses, conferences, book launches and much more. Flexible membership packages have been designed to suit all workers’ needs, with prices starting at €125 per month for flex part-time access. All memberships also include a range of discounts for local services and attractions.
C/ del Consell de Cent, 394, L’Eixample / www.transformabcn.com
CREC
(Photo: CREC)
Comprising two spaces in Barcelona and another in the Catalan city of Sabadell, about two hours inland by road, CREC boasts a community of over 200 professionals spanning industries, nationalities and backgrounds. Notable amenities available at all of their venues include meeting rooms, skype rooms, photo studio, printing/scanning equipment and relaxation areas and there is also a regular programme of social and professional events for members to attend. Flexible hotdesking membership is priced at €185 per month.
Venues across Barcelona / www.crec.cc
Betahaus
Based in Barcelona’s trendy Gràcia district, Betahaus is a flexible coworking space catering to remote workers and small companies. It is open 24/7 and provides workers with high-speed internet, outdoor workspaces and a variety of membership plans to fit individuals’ or businesses’ needs. The space is made up of five floors, complete with stunning views of the city. Hotdesk monthly membership is priced at €219 per month, or for those seeking less regular use you also buy hourly and day passes.
Carrer de Vilafranca, 7, Gràcia / www.betahaus.es
OneCoWork
(Photo: OneCoWork)
OneCoWork boasts three coworking spaces dotted across Barcelona: one situated harbourside, another in the old gothic quarter, and a third in Eixample next door to Plaça Catalunya. All of the spaces offer great views, vibes and opportunities to connect with a diverse community of entrepreneurs, start-ups and other small businesses through regular events. Use of the spaces is kept accessible through a variety of flexible membership plans and day passes, with prices varying by location but starting at €150 per month for flexible desk use.
Venues across Barcelona / www.onecowork.com
Cloudworks
Cloudworks is a unique coworking and office rental initiative that offers a total of seven coworking spaces across Barcelona. These spaces span the city’s most popular districts, with each offering various membership plans ranging from fixed desks, private offices, flexible rentals, and daily or weekly passes. All plans include use of common spaces, kitchen facilities and access to frequent social and networking events, including talks and workshops and talks. Coworking rates start at €250 per month.
Venues across Barcelona / www.wearecloudworks.com