The Best Hostels in Europe
For Backpackers & Travelers
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Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
Trip’N’Hostel Seaside
Himare
Hostelworld
Wanderers Hostel
Shkoder
Hostelworld
The Galley
Shkoder
Hostelworld
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
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Albania
Overall, Albania is probably one of the top countries in Europe in terms of hostels. All of these selections are by far the top ones in the country (and there is still loads I’m missing too).
Each one is super social, and my personal favorite is Trip’N in Tirana, which I stayed at in June of 2025 and had an amazing time. Plus, all of the Hostels in Shkoder are great for organizing you into the Valbona Valley Hike, which is very useful. The Galley is definitely more of a full on party hostel, but The Wanderers is known to be Albania’s best hostel and gets booked out quick! Lastly, in both Gjirokaster and Himare I think each of these are the best picks with good vibes and good enough facilities.
Stone City Hostel
Gjirokaster
Hostelworld
Trip’N’Hostel
Tirana
Hostelworld
Hasta La Vista
Saranda
Hostelworld
Montagu Hostel
Innsbruck
Hostelworld
Yoho Hostel
Salzburg
Hostelworld
Austria
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
Firstly, I should point out that Austria itself is one of the most expensive countries in Europe when it comes to Hostels. It also doesn’t have as wide of a variety as other places, especially outside Vienna.
Any of the 3 mentioned for Vienna are good picks, with Wombats or Ruthensteiner for social vibes, and Jo&Joe which prioritizes functionality and modern rooms. Montagu in Innsbruck is combined with a bar, and by far the most social one in the city. And whilst Salzburg isn’t exactly world class for hostels, it’s a great city so I’ve included Yoho on the list.
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Hostel Ruthensteiner
Vienna
Hostelworld
JO&JOE
Vienna
Hostelworld
Wombats Hostel
Vienna
Hostelworld
MEININGER
Brussels
Hostelworld
2GO4 The Legacy
Brussels
Hostelworld
Belgium
Overall, Belgium has some pretty solid hostels in the main cities, and you can kind of clearly see that cleanliness is a huge factor, as most of the hostels have a pretty modern style with great quality facilities and rooms.
Hostel Uppelink in Ghent is by far one of the coolest hostels - the location is literally inside the historical center of Ghent and you get views of the beautiful architecture straight from your window. YUST in Antwerp is another great hostel, you can check them out on TikTok to see more. And for Brussels, it depends on what you’re looking for. The Legacy is close enough to the main Brussels square which makes it really popular, whilst MEININGER also has excellent facilities with so much cool stuff downstairs in the common areas. Latroupe Grand Place is also good if you don’t like the other two, really, however it wouldn’t be my first pick.
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
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YUST
Antwerp
Hostelworld
Hostel Uppelink
Ghent
Hostelworld
Latroupe Grand Place
Brussels
Hostelworld
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
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Bosnia
Hostel Kucha
Sarajevo
Hostelworld
Balkan Han
Sarajevo
Hostelworld
Hostel Miran
Mostar
Hostelworld
Bosnia is such a cool country with so much to explore, however there are mainly just 2 major cities - Mostar and Sarajevo.
I personally stayed in Balkan Han Hostel when I visited Sarajevo, and it was amazing. Firstly, you get a welcome shot of Rakija on arrival, and the bar is cheap too. It has great common areas and is really social too. Hostel Kucha is the second best choice for Sarajevo, and I would pick it if you’re more interested in the facilities. For Mostar, the clear winner is Hostel Miran. Stay here for the best vibes, plus guided tours and access to some of Mostar’s best day trips.
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
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Bulgaria
Old Plovdiv
Plovdiv
Hostelworld
Hostel Mostel
Sofia
Hostelworld
Yo-Ho-Hostel
Varna
Hostelworld
Bulgaria itself isn’t known for the hostel experience, but it has some stand outs in the major cities of Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna
If you go to Sofia, you have to stay in Hostel Mostel. It’s the most social out of them all, and the common area downstairs has things like a pool table, chess, and a kitchen. It’s a great hostel with really good rooms. In the old city of Plovdiv, the Old Plovdiv hostel is the top pick, the inside decor is very cool and it has been rated ‘Best Hostel in Bulgaria’ numerous times. If you do make it all the way out to Varna, I recommend Yo-Ho Hostel for the best vibes overall with good living spaces.
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
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Croatia
Hurricane Hostel
Split
Hostelworld
Old Town Hostel
Dubrovnik
Hostelworld
Villa Skansi
Hvar
Hostelworld
Croatia is SUCH a good place for backpackers and there is so many awesome hostels, it was hard to only pick 6. However, I think these should definitely cover all the main tourist cities and give you plenty of options.
The Lazy Monkey Hostel in Zadar is by far the best hostel I have ever stayed at in my entire life. The owners are soo friendly and nice, and they have cool volunteers on site all the time. If you go to Zadar, it should be your only option. Note that it isn’t in the old town, and closes over winter. For Split, if your main focus is partying, pick Booze & Snooze Hostel. The facilities are not the greatest, but it’s literally centered around going out. Hurricane Hostel is another good option in Split where I’ve stayed, and it's still social but not fully party focused. Both the Hostel’s I have here for Dubrovnik are situated right in the historic areas, and either one is a great option for Old Town views and social vibes. And lastly, if you make your way to the island of Hvar and want to have fun in high quality rooms, I would pick Villa Skansi Hostel.
Booze & Snooze
Split
Hostelworld
The Lazy Monkey
Zadar
Hostelworld
Hostel Angelina
Dubrovnik
Hostelworld
Of course, the main show of Czechia is Prague, and there is a a load of different hostel options here depending on whatever you prefer.
Onefam actually have about four different hostels in Prague, but in my opinion the all round best ones are OneFam Home and OneFam Old Town. They both have a good location (Old Town obviously being the best), and are super social and enthusiastic. Drunken Monkey is basically a party hostel, so check them out on TikTok (@drunkenmonkey.cz) and you can see what it is like. The MadHouse has also been recommended to me a few times but it probably wouldn’t be my first pick. And lastly, Best Spot Hostel is a great choice, as it is literally like 20 steps from the Astronomical Clock but not the best pick for experiencing Prague nightlife.
Onefam Oldtown
Prague
Hostelworld
Czechia
The MadHouse
Prague
Hostelworld
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
Best Spot Hostel
Prague
Hostelworld
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OneFam Home
Prague
Hostelworld
Drunken Monkey
Prague
Hostelworld
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
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Denmark
Steel House
Copenhagen
Hostelworld
Next House
Copenhagen
Hostelworld
CityHub
Copenhagen
Hostelworld
Denmark’s top spot is of course Copenhagen, and luckily since the city is so great and high quality, it means the hostels are as well. Copenhagen isn’t really known for the partying, but the hostels are genuinely just great places to stay for comfortability.
All the 3 hostels mentioned are excellent picks for your Copenhagen stay - Every single one has such incredible facilities with great rooms, clean and modern bathrooms, gyms, bars, kitchens, etc. I know for a fact Steel House even has an arcade and a cinema room. The common rooms are great too, and the main thing separating them is that Next House and Steel House are hostel rooms, whereas CityHub gives you more of a capsule/pod bed.
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
OneFam Notting Hill
London
Hostelworld
St. Christophers Inn
(Any)
London
Hostelworld
Elterwater Hostel
Lake District
Hostelworld
St Christophers Inn
Newquay, Cornwall
Hostelworld
Wombats City Hostel
London
Hostelworld
To be honest, England isn’t as good as you may expect when it comes to hostels. Inside London, you have endless options, but outside London in can get a bit tricky to make friends in some of the bigger cities.
You’ll notice that London has a load of different St Christophers Inn hostels all across the city, and they are a great hostel chain with loads of social events all the time, plus clean rooms and great facilities in large buildings. I’d really recommend the one at London Bridge, it has a pub attached and is really nice, right by The Shard. You’ve also probably heard of the OneFam Hostel chain across Europe - London has 2, but Notting Hill is definitely the best one - the location is amazing in such a popular place and it is very fun. Otherwise, Wombats City Hostel is close to the Tower of London and very popular too. Bristol has 1 top option for me, which is The Full Moon as it is connected to a pub and has an awesome vibe. Elterwater in the Lake District is REALLY cozy and family owned which is why I’ve included it, and if you do make it down to Cornwall you’ll find another option for a St Christophers Inn stay too.
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England
The Full Moon
Bristol
Hostelworld
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
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Estonia
Fat Margaret’s
Tallinn
Hostelworld
The Monk’s Bunk Hostel
Tallinn
Hostelworld
Looming Hostel
Tartu
Hostelworld
Estonia’s 2 biggest cities and destinations are Tallinn and Tartu, so I’ve collected the two best options to make sure you have a fun stay in Tallinn, plus the top recommended pick for those venturing to Tartu.
In Tallinn there are a lot of hostels, but The Monk’s Bunk Hostel is great because it’s really social and they always have activities at night, plus the bar is connected to the hostel. The facilities are good enough. Your other option is Fat Margaret’s, which is in the center of the old town with everything nearby and comfy rooms too. Included is also a sauna which is a bonus. Looming Hostel in Tartu is a really pleasant hostel with an artsy vibe and free breakfast included. The beds and decorations are good enough, and everything is made of eco materials too!
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
The Yard
Helsinki
Hostelworld
CheapSleep
Helsinki
Hostelworld
Hostel Ibedcity
Rovaniemi, Lapland
Hostelworld
Finland’s best hostels in both the capital and Lapland are pretty well set up and modern, so here are the best 2 options for Helsinki, plus the definitive top spot in Lapland.
CheapSleep in Helsinki is a massive commercial building with a giant common area including arcades, foosball, TV’s and a bar. I think it has a really cool vibe and it is good that it has a fully equipped kitchen - highly recommend. Your other choice in the capital is The Yard Hostel, which has a WAY better location in the center plus slightly better sleeping arrangements. It is more pricey, but the common area is fresh and it has all the buzz of the city in walking distance, unlike CheapSleep. If you visit Lapland, you' should stay in Ibedcity in Rovaniemi, the main city. It is a quick walk to Santa’s House and I like it because it has the ‘christmas camping hut’ vibe to it.
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Finland
Hostels in France are definitely on the more expensive side within Europe, but there is some solid options and the facilities are usually good. Although, sometimes it is hard to get a place directly in the city center in big cities like Paris.
For Paris, I have two recommendations which stand out. Of course you can go for the well known St Christopher Inn Hostels or something else, but I think Plug Inn Montmarte is really good. It’s a 10 minute walk from the Sacre-Coeur and is really vibrant, with free breakfast. My other selection for Paris is the JO&JOE Nation Hostel which has a lot of downstairs common spaces and events every day. It is definitely more social and clean, located by Place de la Nation. Down on the south coast, try looking at Villa Saint Exupery Beach Hostel in Nice which is very large, near the beach in downtown, and has loads of good facilities. It isn’t extremely social, so don’t get thrown off by the advertising. The People have hostels all around France, but the ones in Marseille and Lyon are extremely modern and well organised. They both have good locations as well. Lastly, in the stunning city of Bordeaux I suggest choosing Central Hostel because it is right in downtown, and it’s real nice with big open areas. The location is the main selling point though.
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
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France
JO&JOE Nation
Paris
Hostelworld
Plug Inn Montmarte
Paris
Hostelworld
The People
Marseille
Hostelworld
The People
Lyon
Hostelworld
Central Hostel
Bordeaux
Hostelworld
Villa Saint Exupery
Nice
Hostelworld
Germany obviously has a wide selection of hostels since there is loads of popular big cities, so these are the best hostels in my opinion to balance comfort and social activity.
In Berlin I would 100% pick Circus Hostel to stay in - the location is good enough and it has the tram and metro right outside, plus it gets really fun thanks to the karaoke and quiz nights held by the hostel, overall great place. My number 2 selection for Berlin is EastSeven which is still centrally located but a bit more chill and cozy. In Cologne I definitely suggest staying in Die Wohngemeinschaft. It is an amazing hostel, the rooms are really high quality and there is a bar downstairs with events and communal spaces around. For sure one of the best all round hostels in the country, only about 1km from the cathedral. Wombats City Hostels are prominent all around Germany, and the ones in Munich and Leipzig definitely get my vote thanks to the great location (Munich has 2 so pick the one by the Hbf) and the cleanliness of the facilities. Definitely look into these two. Lastly, near Leipzig is Dresden and I’d pick Mondpalast Hostel cause I think it’s really good if you want to meet other travelers. The in house bar and downstairs area is pretty cool.
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
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Germany
EastSeven Hostel
Berlin
Hostelworld
The Circus Hostel
Berlin
Hostelworld
Wombats City Hbf
Munich
Hostelworld
Wombats City
Leipzig
Hostelworld
Die Wohngemeinschaft
Cologne
Hostelworld
Mondpalast Hostel
Dresden
Hostelworld
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
Greece has some incredible hostels all over the mainland and across the stunning islands, so here’s my compilation of the most social and beautiful stays in the country.
For your visit to the capital definitely stay in the iconic Athens Backpackers, it is so close to all the historic sites and has a crazy view of the Acropolis. There is also free breakfast and a rooftop cocktail bar. When you go to Santorini, EVERYONE knows to stay in Caveland. The vibes are amazing and they even have dogs which live there. Every room is in its own little cave and the staff are amazing, def Greece’s best hostel. Chania on Crete is a lovely place and the Cocoon City Hostel is very spacious and clean, and they have their own pool as well. Overall a tidy social place. On Ios island Francesco’s hostel is very popular, he runs the hostel brilliantly and they’ve been rated the Best Hostel in Greece every year since 2012 which says enough for you to check them out. Lastly, look into Paros Backpackers on Paros. Super vibey with an amazing rooftop.
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Greece
Caveland
Santorini
Hostelworld
Francesco’s
Ios
Hostelworld
Athens Backpackers
Athens
Hostelworld
Cocoon City Hostel
Chania (Crete)
Hostelworld
Paros Backpackers
Paros
Hostelworld
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
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Hungary
Hungary, specifically the beautiful and buzzing capital of Budapest is one of the cities with the best hostel selections in Europe.
The top 3 hostels in Budapest (in my opinion) are each slightly different and special in their own way. Firstly, let’s start with option 1: Onefam Budapest. Onefam hostels are always amazing and the one in Budapest has such a tight knit community and is really really social. It definitely comes to close to being a party hostel but it isn’t one outright. If you want a party hostel (and to not sleep), The Hive is one of the most famous party hostels in Budapest and still has really good facilities too. And if you want a more chill stay, Maverick Central Market is a massive hostel building with great rooms and bathrooms, but not party centric at all.
The Hive
Budapest
Hostelworld
Onefam
Budapest
Hostelworld
Maverick Central Market
Budapest
Hostelworld
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
Of course, if you’re travelling one of the most beautiful countries in the world you want some great hostels to go along with it, and luckily Iceland’s main hub has a good few.
I’ve given you 3 choices in Reykjavik, so lets start with Loft HI Eco Hostel. It’s the most central hostel and the hostel has a great common area and incredible kitchen. The second competitor would be Nordic Hostel, which is also very modern and has a happy hour in the bar downstairs as a bonus. Both these two hostels are almost perfect. My 3rd recommendation for Reykjavik would be KEX Hostel. This is my choice for those who really want something chill or some place to work. It’s beautiful but doesn’t have the full backpacker vibe all the time. Out south of Reykjavik is Holsvollur, and it is a tiny town with an amazing hostel called Midgard Base Camp which sits beautifully in the countryside and features a rooftop hot tub too. Definitely stay here for easy access to the main sights of south Iceland and a comfortable and fun time.
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Iceland
Nordic Hostel
Reykjavik
Hostelworld
Loft HI
Reykjavik
Hostelworld
Midgard Base Camp
Holsvollur
Hostelworld
KEX Hostel
Reykjavik
Hostelworld
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
Ireland has a small number of great hostels spread across the gorgeous country, so here are the top hostels within Dublin and some other spots too.
Both Clink and Jacob’s Inn are very high quality hostels in Dublin, both in great locations with a modern feeling and excellent facilities. It’s really down to personal preference. They each have their own bars which is where the social vibe comes from, and you can basically just look at the rooms or price and decide which one suits your needs better cause they’re both great. Over in the charming city of Galway, Kinlay Eyre Square Hostel is very popular, award wining hostel right in the middle of town with great rooms and an ambient common area. Definitely a top choice in Galway. Lastly, if you venture out to Dingle (definitely recommend), The Grapevine Hostel is really homely and can easily accommodate your stay. It’s not super social, but the hosts are lovely and it is SO cozy overall.
Quick Search:
Ireland
Jacob’s Inn
Dublin
Hostelworld
Clink Dublin
Dublin
Hostelworld
The Grapevine Hostel
Dingle
Hostelworld
Kinlay Eyre Square
Galway
Hostelworld
Germany obviously has a wide selection of hostels since there is loads of popular big cities, so these are the best hostels in my opinion to balance comfort and social activity.
In Berlin I would 100% pick Circus Hostel to stay in - the location is good enough and it has the tram and metro right outside, plus it gets really fun thanks to the karaoke and quiz nights held by the hostel, overall great place. My number 2 selection for Berlin is EastSeven which is still centrally located but a bit more chill and cozy. In Cologne I definitely suggest staying in Die Wohngemeinschaft. It is an amazing hostel, the rooms are really high quality and there is a bar downstairs with events and communal spaces around. For sure one of the best all round hostels in the country, only about 1km from the cathedral. Wombats City Hostels are prominent all around Germany, and the ones in Munich and Leipzig definitely get my vote thanks to the great location (Munich has 2 so pick the one by the Hbf) and the cleanliness of the facilities. Definitely look into these two. Lastly, near Leipzig is Dresden and I’d pick Mondpalast Hostel cause I think it’s really good if you want to meet other travelers. The in house bar and downstairs area is pretty cool.
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
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Italy
EastSeven Hostel
Berlin
Hostelworld
The Circus Hostel
Berlin
Hostelworld
Wombats City Hbf
Munich
Hostelworld
Wombats City
Leipzig
Hostelworld
Die Wohngemeinschaft
Cologne
Hostelworld
Mondpalast Hostel
Dresden
Hostelworld
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
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Kosovo
Kosovo is a pretty under-the-radar country, but in the main tourism city of Prizren there is one great hostel I’d recommend for sure based on my experience.
Ura Hostel in Prizren can be found smack bang in the old quarter of Prizren, and the hostel is amazing. It is so modern which is not what I expected, and the owner Rita is genuinely so lovely and makes your stay amazing. The common area is amazing, they have a big TV and piano, and the rooms and bathrooms are great. If you go to Prizren and don’t stay here, you’ve messed up.
1) Ura Hostel, Prizren
Link
Ura Hostel
Prizren
Hostelworld
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
Riga Old Town Hostel
Riga
Hostelworld
The Naughty Squirrel
Riga
Hostelworld
Tree House Hostel
Riga
Hostelworld
Cinnamon Sally
Riga
Hostelworld
Latvia, inside its capital city of Riga, is actually a great place for hostels! You’re spoiled for choice when visiting Riga, so I compiled the 4 best choices.
Let’s start with the Naughty Squirrel Hostel. It is Riga’s most popular hostel and has been amazing for years. It’s designed for backpackers and is right in the old town with an amazing social vibe. There is Pub Crawls every day and an on site bar to connect everyone. My top choice for sure. Another social Riga hostel is Riga Old Town Hostel, which is a really clean and great hostel for backpackers too. They also have pub crawls and a big terrace out the back complete with their own Aussie style pub, so it is definitely social as well. If you want something else, try either Cinnamon Sally or Treehouse Hostel. The former has a free big breakfast buffet and matches the social vibe too, whereas Tree House Hostel is the most chill of the 4. Any one you pick will be great really, so don’t think too much into it and just enjoy being in the heart of Riga.
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Latvia
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
The Monk’s Bunk
Kaunas
Hostelworld
Jimmy Jumps
Vilnius
Hostelworld
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Lithuania
Although it looks like there isn’t much selection, Lithuania actually does have 2 great hostels which will guarantee a good stay.
Since you’ll obviously be visiting Vilnius, I have to recommend Jimmy Jumps Hostel every time. It is by far the most social and fun hostel in the whole city and I can promise you’ll meet some incredible people. You are also literally a few steps from the main square and the rooms are sufficient enough. Over to the awesome city of Kaunas, definitely stay in The Monk’s Bunk. Just like the one in Tallin, it’s popular and cozy, and it is pretty social most of the time too. It is worth mentioning the staff are so amazing as well.
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
Marco Polo Hostel
St. Julians
Hostelworld
Follow the Sun
St. Julians
Hostelworld
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Malta
When visiting the island of Malta, you’ll want to stay in the municipal area of St. Julians which is right outside beautiful Valletta. These are my two top hostels in the area.
Firstly, Follow the Sun Hostel which has gained immense popularity recently thanks to their own private pool zone and cool hangout spaces. It’s a super colorful hostel and the atmosphere is amazing in the Maltese sun. Definitely obvious why it is a top choice. My second pick is Marco Polo Hostel which is probably one of the most social hostels in Malta and has balconies with exceptional views. The rooms are great quality with the privacy curtains and I’d definitely stay here if you want to make friends because it attracts social backpackers primarily.
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
I LOVE Hostels in Montenegro. All of the major tourist spots have amazing, extremely social hostels and you will have such a fun stay. These are my collection of the greatest hostels in a country known so well for them.
Let’s start with Kotor, the top spot in the country. Stay in either Old Town Hostel, or Hostel 4U. Both of them are very socia and have pub crawls and events every day, often combining with each other anyway. They are 100% the 2 best hostels in the city and both right in the old town. If I had to pick one, I’d pick Old Town Hostel just because the hostel reps were so fun when I was there, but both are so lively and social. Over to Budva, stay in Freedom Hostel. It is in the center of the Old Town and has absolutely beautiful bedrooms with everything you need nearby including the beach. This choice is a no brainer. Pirate Backpackers in Ulcinj is another classic social Montenegro hostel and has SO many events, with the best being the boat trip for sure. This is, in my opinion, the only contender in Ulcinj for social hostels - it is absolutely beautiful. Lastly, for the hikers up in Zabljak, Hostel Hikers Den accommodates your stay being right next to the major hiking trails, with cozy rooms and opportunities for you to find hiking buddies.
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Montenegro
Hostel 4U
Kotor
Hostelworld
Pirate Backpackers
Ulcinj
Hostelworld
Old Town Hostel
Kotor
Hostelworld
Freedom Hostel
Budva
Hostelworld
Hostel Hikers Den
Zabljak
Hostelworld
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
I LOVE Hostels in Montenegro. All of the major tourist spots have amazing, extremely social hostels and you will have such a fun stay. These are my collection of the greatest hostels in a country known so well for them.
Let’s start with Kotor, the top spot in the country. Stay in either Old Town Hostel, or Hostel 4U. Both of them are very socia and have pub crawls and events every day, often combining with each other anyway. They are 100% the 2 best hostels in the city and both right in the old town. If I had to pick one, I’d pick Old Town Hostel just because the hostel reps were so fun when I was there, but both are so lively and social. Over to Budva, stay in Freedom Hostel. It is in the center of the Old Town and has absolutely beautiful bedrooms with everything you need nearby including the beach. This choice is a no brainer. Pirate Backpackers in Ulcinj is another classic social Montenegro hostel and has SO many events, with the best being the boat trip for sure. This is, in my opinion, the only contender in Ulcinj for social hostels - it is absolutely beautiful. Lastly, for the hikers up in Zabljak, Hostel Hikers Den accommodates your stay being right next to the major hiking trails, with cozy rooms and opportunities for you to find hiking buddies.
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Netherlands
Hostel 4U
Kotor
Hostelworld
Pirate Backpackers
Ulcinj
Hostelworld
Old Town Hostel
Kotor
Hostelworld
Freedom Hostel
Budva
Hostelworld
Hostel Hikers Den
Zabljak
Hostelworld
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
Sunset Lake Hostel
Ohrid
Hostelworld
Old Town Hostel
Ohrid
Hostelworld
Hostel Mickitos
Skopje
Hostelworld
North Macedonia is still developing when it comes to tourism, so the hostel scene hasn’t reached its full potential yet. Here are my top 3 picks across Ohrid and Skopje.
In the gorgeous city of Ohrid, I would have to recommend that you stay inside of the Old Town. There’s plenty of hostels outside of it, but the views within it are too hard to beat. It’s personal choice between Old Town Hostel and Sunset Lake Hostel, which are the top 2 in my opinion. Sunset Lake is definitely more social, plus they have boat trips out onto the lake organised through the hostel in summer, so they’d be my pick. Over in the capital of Skopje, there isn’t a great selection, but Hostel Mickitos is definitely the one which stood out when I was there. The location is super important in Skopje and it is right next to the best sites. They have a bar and restaurant and it is genuinely a lovely place.
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North Macedonia
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
Hostels in Norway are always extremely comfortable and high quality, however that comes with a price as Norway is one of the most expensive countries to visit in Europe.
The top picks in my opinion for the 2 major cities are as follows; In Bergen, stay at HI Bergen Montana. It is outside the city center and lies up on a hill overlooking the city, and a breakfast buffet is even included in your stay. It’s a beautiful youth hostel. Now over to the capital of Oslo, where Bunks at Rode hostel is probably the most high quality hostel I have ever seen. All of the common areas are massive, and they have a giant outdoor patio with stunning views of Oslo. The bunks are so cool and you can self check in on arrival. I will say, it isn’t that social which is maybe to do with the price of the hostel. Lastly, if you visit the gorgeous Lofoten islands, stay in either Lofoten Hostel Ballstad or Stamsund Hostel. Both are found in magical fishing villages and have camp-style bunks which elevate your experience in this outerwordly place. I love the Lofoten islands and these hostels make for an amazing stay.
Quick Search:
Norway
Stamsund Hostel
Lofoten
Hostelworld
Bunks at Rode
Oslo
Hostelworld
HI Bergen Montana
Bergen
Hostelworld
Lofoten Hostel Ballstad
Lofoten
Hostelworld
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
Poland is such a great country for backpackers simply because they have so many amazing hostels spread out across the top spots in the country. These are my absolute favorite hostels in my favorite country.
In Krakow it’s really between two hostels depending on what you like. If you want a social vibe with dinner and breakfast, and an amazing atmosphere every single day, stay in Greg & Tom Beer House Hostel. If you just want pure party and club vibes, stay in the Lets Rock Party Hostel. Both have 10/10 locations and great facilities so it’s down to personal preference. In Warsaw, Safestay Old Town is where I stayed and it was great. It wasn’t overly social, but they have a free breakfast and an amazing location steps away from the old town. It’s solid enough for your stay. Over to Gdansk, the option you should consider is Hostel Mamas and Papas. It’s friendly and cozy, and decorated charmingly. I will say it is a bit far from the Old Town but there is a bus which takes you right there! Lastly, for hikers venturing down to Zakopane then check out Good Bye Lenin Hostel, it is truly an amazing hostel, one of the best I’ve ever seen just tucked away in the trees right by all the trails. And they even serve free breakfast, you just have to see it for yourself.
Quick Search:
Poland
Hostel Mamas & Papas
Gdansk
Hostelworld
Lets Rock! Party Hostel
Krakow
Hostelworld
Greg & Tom Beer House
Krakow
Hostelworld
Safestay Old Town
Warsaw
Hostelworld
Good Bye Lenin Hostel
Zakopane
Hostelworld
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
Poland is such a great country for backpackers simply because they have so many amazing hostels spread out across the top spots in the country. These are my absolute favorite hostels in my favorite country.
In Krakow it’s really between two hostels depending on what you like. If you want a social vibe with dinner and breakfast, and an amazing atmosphere every single day, stay in Greg & Tom Beer House Hostel. If you just want pure party and club vibes, stay in the Lets Rock Party Hostel. Both have 10/10 locations and great facilities so it’s down to personal preference. In Warsaw, Safestay Old Town is where I stayed and it was great. It wasn’t overly social, but they have a free breakfast and an amazing location steps away from the old town. It’s solid enough for your stay. Over to Gdansk, the option you should consider is Hostel Mamas and Papas. It’s friendly and cozy, and decorated charmingly. I will say it is a bit far from the Old Town but there is a bus which takes you right there! Lastly, for hikers venturing down to Zakopane then check out Good Bye Lenin Hostel, it is truly an amazing hostel, one of the best I’ve ever seen just tucked away in the trees right by all the trails. And they even serve free breakfast, you just have to see it for yourself.
Quick Search:
Portugal
Hostel Mamas & Papas
Gdansk
Hostelworld
Lets Rock! Party Hostel
Krakow
Hostelworld
Greg & Tom Beer House
Krakow
Hostelworld
Safestay Old Town
Warsaw
Hostelworld
Good Bye Lenin Hostel
Zakopane
Hostelworld
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
Romania has some great hostels, and I think it’s important you make a good pick especially in Brasov as it’ll likely be your base for exploring Transylvania.
However, let’s start with the capital. T5 Social in Bucharest is one of the top rated hostels in the continent, and has extremely social vibes with amazing volunteers which I experienced while I was there. You can easily make so many friends and they have events on every single night plus an in house bar. Over to Brasov, the two options to pick from are either Zozo Hostel, which is a cottage style beautiful hostel with bungalows and a fairytale garden, or Secret Hostel which is more modern and has high quality rooms and facilities. Either one is a good base for getting around the region, but Zozo Hostel is my personal favorite. Lastly, if you venture up to Cluj, then Retro Youth Hostel is the best choice thanks to the excellent location and complimentary sauna for guests staying 3 nights.
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Romania
Retro Hostel
Cluj
Hostelworld
Zozo Hostel
Brasov
Hostelworld
T5 Social
Bucharest
Hostelworld
Secret Hostel
Brasov
Hostelworld
2) Stone City Hostel - Gjirokaster
Scotland has some high quality hostels all over the country from Edinburgh to the Highlands, but they do often come with a high price.
Castle Rock Hostel in Edinburgh is one of the genuine coolest hostels I have ever been to. It is steps away from the Edinburgh Castle, has amazing facilities including a movie room, and you’ll find freindly people everywhere. It is 100% Edinburgh’s greatest hotel. If you can’t get a booking for it, stay in the Royal Mile Backpackers instead, which is also a top tier hostel with so much going on right in the middle of town. Both picks for Edinburgh are truly elite. In Glasgow, hostel choices are slightly more limited but Revolver Hostel deserves a mention thanks to the atmopshere which comes from being directly above a bbar and a nightclub. The common areas and gym are really well maintaned and it is a really nice welcoming hostel in the city center. The last location is the beautiful Isle of Skye, where the two recommendations I have are The Cowshed Bunkhouse in the north of the island, and Glenbrittle Youth Hostel in the west of the isle. Both are not really that social, but The Cowshed is really unique and I highly suggest you check it out.
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Scotland
The Cowshed
Isle of Skye
Hostelworld
Royal Mile Backpackers
Edinburgh
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Castle Rock Hostel
Edinburgh
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