Volunteer Programs in Barcelona, Spain

Volunteer at a youth hostel in the center of Barcelona while exploring all that the exciting city has to offer while meeting new and interesting people from all over the world! Barcelona is a vibrant city with many different historical, cultural, and architectural attractions. Volunteers will have ample free time to explore such attractions, relax on the warm beaches, or enjoy the bustling night life. Volunteers will be expected to work rotating shifts including serving at the bar at night, helping with breakfast in the morning, promoting and organizing social events, implementing a recycling program at the hostel, and leading tours around the hostel for guests.

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally—from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservation, Medical Outreach, and Environmental Sustainability. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported over 147,000 volunteers on life-changing journeys. We specialize in fully-hosted volunteer trips that are safe, affordable, and accessible—starting from just $20 per day. Your experience includes airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, and round-the-clock support from our local teams. With flexible booking options and no change fees, planning your volunteer adventure has never been easier. Our programs run year-round and are available for 1 to 24 weeks across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South and Central America, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Volunteering with IVHQ is about more than giving back—it’s about growing, learning, and building genuine global connections.

Looking for an international internship that will set you apart—and give you the skills, experience, and confidence to thrive in your career? Connect-123 designs fully customized programs that match your background and goals, offering hands-on experience in some of the world’s most exciting cities: Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Dublin, and Sydney. Whether you’re a student, recent graduate, or experienced professional, our programs span dozens of fields including business, finance, medicine, public health, journalism, marketing, human rights, law, sustainability, education, and more. You’ll gain meaningful, career-related experience while also exploring life in a new culture. We take care of the details so you can focus on making the most of your time abroad. From the moment you apply, our team helps guide you through the process, secure your placement, and prepare you for your new adventure. With flexible start dates and customizable program lengths, your life-changing internship begins on your schedule.

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller grassroots NGOs and local specialists in more than 80 countries. All these with just one click! Find projects in wildlife, teaching, community development, and several other areas. Simply choose your desired destination and desired travel date, and our search engine will compare the best volunteer abroad programs on your behalf. Whether you wish to gain experience at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa or teach English at a monastery in Nepal, we've got you covered. Volunteer World guarantees a quick and easy application. We will guide you through this process, as well as help plan your next meaningful trip. We provide free access to quality-checked projects and flexible options. And if anything goes wrong, we've got your back with our qualified support team and our refund guarantee.

Join a transformative two-week marine conservation program on the Mediterranean coast. Learn from expert diving instructors, clean up the sea bed, and contribute to vital marine ecosystem protection work while earning an internationally recognized Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS) diving certification. Discover the perfect blend of environmental action and cultural immersion as you explore Barcelona's heritage on land and underwater. From monitoring marine biodiversity to collecting crucial environmental data, you'll gain valuable field experience while making a real difference to ocean conservation. The Mediterranean waters around Barcelona host diverse marine life including various fish species, octopuses, seahorses, and colorful coral formations, though these ecosystems face increasing challenges from pollution and climate change.

Spain attracts travelers with its old-world charm and vibrant people. Explore the country in a way most tourists never will! Beyond experiencing ancient sites and modern cities, you become exposed to a beautiful and untainted Spain. Dive into an unforgettable and authentic experience through community collaboration in our partner local communities on this student travel program to Spain! Focus on environmental conservation as you connect with locals. Our Spanish adventure takes you through all the must-see places and beyond the tourist track. These are adventures you do not want to miss! Program Options: Spain: Sustainable Communities & Mediterranean Culture - 17-day high school program through Madrid, Malaga, Granada, and Barcelona

Gain a head-start in your career through our Environmental Studies Internships in Spain! You will focus on a quickly expanding field, getting the chance to contribute to efforts aimed at protecting the planet. Grab this opportunity to combine your love for nature with practical application in marketing, international business, or engineering! This program is also open to volunteers. You will spend four weeks to 12 weeks in Barcelona, allowing you to understand why it receives a huge influx of tourists each year. Ranking as Spain’s second-largest city, it boasts a vibrant ambiance and rich history. There will never be a boring moment in Barcelona, what with tons of activities waiting to be experienced! Participate in events and festivals or immerse in cultural artworks in exhibits. Of course, don’t miss going to one (or all!) of Barcelona’s best beaches; and there are a lot! It is not called the world’s second-best beach city for nothing. While you’re at it, check out surrounding restaurants, markets, shops, and other businesses.

Have you always dreamed of living in Spain? Whether you are a soccer fanatic, a Flamenco aficionado or a foodie in search of the best paella – you will surely fall in love with the deeply rooted Spanish culture. Join World Explorers to teach English in Spain. You will live with a local host family where you will be considered part of the familia for one to three months. You will have the opportunity to exchange your language and culture with the locals. We want you to come back from your trip with a Spanish lisp! In exchange for a clean and comfortable room and full board, all you have to do is share your native language with your hosts for 15 hours per week. The goal for your family is to practice their conversational English. This is not about teaching them reading, writing and grammar. To them, this program is about engaging in conversation and feeling comfortable communicating in English with you. No prior teaching experience is necessary! CHI works with trusted overseas partners in Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville to find the best host families possible. You will have a local coordinator throughout your stay in Spain and make new friends that will last a lifetime!

The NGO enriquezArte offers training on Community Building, centered around the creation and management of communities. We welcome students and volunteers from all over the world who aim to experience community life in Barcelona. The goal is integral personal development based on creative methodology with greater participation and involvement. The challenge for students is their own commitment to work on personal development, with individual and community goals. From our years of experience in developing projects, we create a dynamic of inclusivity and social participation.

Barcelona's laws protect all abandoned animals, making local shelters essential for managing stray cat colonies, caring for shelter animals, and promoting adoptions. The Animal Care Project offers volunteers the opportunity to support the welfare of abandoned cats in local shelters. These non-profit organizations aim to protect cats, raise awareness about animal abandonment, and facilitate adoptions into loving homes. What to expect: • Support the care and well-being of abandoned cats. • Help maintain a clean and safe environment for the animals. • Participate in events to promote animal adoption and raise awareness. Daily tasks: • Maintain clean living spaces for the cats. • Assist with feeding the cats. • Provide companionship by playing and socializing with the cats. • Help maintain outdoor spaces. • Support campaigns to raise awareness about animal abandonment. • Help with social media and photography to promote the cause.

Barcelona is a city where the option to euthanize rejected animals has been banned for over ten years. The outcome of this is that many shelters and sanctuaries are completely oversubscribed. They are desperately looking for lively volunteers to help cuddle and care for the cats. This is to ensure that these loving animals have a high quality of life before they can be re-homed. Tasks include: - Socializing the animals in the play area - Feeding - Cleaning You'll be staying in a modern eco hostel between the airport and the city center. A 2-hour tour of the city is also included on day 1. Two meals per day and a packed lunch are available on request. Dietary requirements can be catered for. Barcelona is the perfect city for volunteering and exploring! In the mornings, you will help out at two different sanctuaries with other volunteers. You will then have the afternoons off to soak up the magnificent tourist sites, cultural and historical buildings, museums, galleries, fantastic restaurants, and gorgeous beaches. The nightlife is up there with the best in the world so there is plenty to look forward to.

Volunteers have the opportunity to work with children who come from difficult backgrounds and improve their quality of life, assist individuals with disabilities and chronic illnesses, or support local environmental programs and outreach. United Planet is a US and Canadian member of the International Cultural Youth Exchange or ICYE. As a volunteer in Spain, you will be hosted by AFAIJ, ICYE’s partner organization. AFAIJ is a Spanish non-profit organization with the main aim to promote the development of young people through non-formal education as well as social and intercultural activities. Project Areas: - Children and Education - Environmental Sustainability - Conservation Placements are available all year round! There is no language requirement; however; we recommend you to at least have basic Spanish for the best and most immersive experience.