3 Best Hostels in Europe
Are these the 3 best hostels in Europe I've stayed in?
As I write this from the hostel Balcony in Split, Croatia, I think about how lovely this place is. There is artwork everywhere, all created by travellers that have been and gone. From inspirational messages to pure vulgarity, it’s pretty entertaining.
But it got me thinking, Is this one of the best hostels I've stayed in? And what other hostels were just as good?
When I first started travelling around Europe, I used travel blogs and reviews from Hostelworld to find out the best places to stay. I’ve been travelling Europe for about 3 years now, And It’s fair to say I’ve been to some great hostels and not-so-great hostels. So here are my 3 best hostels in europe.
General considerations
When I look for a hostel, There are a few things I like to consider when deciding where to stay:
Price
Traveling on a budget means you need to find accommodation that gives you the best value, if you can find a great place for a great price, that’s more money for activities or even a beer! Price isn’t always an indication of how good or bad a place is, but it can help you make an informed decision.
And where in Europe is a big consideration as well. In Western European cities such as London, Paris and Amsterdam, 30+ euros may be okay, but in Krakow, Budapest and Ljubljana, that’s questionable.
Location
Imagine you’ve had a long, sweaty travel day, you’ve arrived in the city you’re staying in, and your hostel is 50 minutes on public transport away from you. Nightmare. Depending on which city you’re staying in and how easy it is to get about, location is something that you need to consider.
Amenities
This one depends on what you, yourself, can put up with, and the situation you find yourself in. As a minimum, free WIFI, a bed, a shared bathroom and a common area should be standard with hostels. Most hostels have a shared kitchen and living area/common area which can save you pennies with food and socialising with other fellow travellers
Reviews
Context is super important, Not every review is going to be a good review, I don’t care if Hostelworld’s rating is over 9, Someone would have had something to say. It’s important to note that your tolerance of some things is not the same as someone else. Look deeper into a place you may want to stay.
Beach Hostel, Split, Croatia: A Backpacker's Dream by the Sea
Chill, social hostel vibes here. This hostel is a really good place for solo backpackers to meet fellow travellers. A lovely 10-minute stroll away from the city centre, the Beach hostel is situated by Bacivce Beach, with beautiful, clear, blue water, essential during the summer months when temperatures are mid-30s. There’s a reason why I’ve stayed here 3 times.
The hostel has 2 members of staff, one who manages and the other who cleans the whole place daily, and the work they do reflects how clean and well-run the place is. They also have volunteers working and they are amazing help. I loved speaking to all of them about the area, and they gave me some amazing recommendations.
Split, In my experience, and from talking to other travellers, is one of those places where it’s either really expensive or really cheap. Like a practical person, I measure how expensive somewhere is when buying a beer from a supermarket vs in a bar. In Split, it was not uncommon to find the local beer for under €2 in supermarkets, but out and about for the same bottle, around €6!
That being said, this hostel has all the amenities you need, including a Washing machine, cooker, kettle and even free tea, which as a Brit is great when you’re feeling homesick. The outdoor area has so much area to dry clothes and is a great place to even get some work done if you’re living the nomad life.
It’s quite a small hostel, but that’s the charm and creates an intimate, fun experience in the evenings. I’ve stayed here three times now, and every time it’s been super easy to make plans with other travelers. And in terms of price, it’s probably the best and you get great value for your money.
On my last trip to this hostel, I met some amazing people and every day we went to the beach during the day, had dinner and drinks in the hostel, then went for a drink again, and then went for a nighttime swim. Perfect place to switch off, escape and relax from whatever is going on back home.
My recommendations:- Free walking tour of Split - Day trip to Krka Waterfalls - Spend the day(s) at Bacvice beach -Get a burger at BBQ Skatula, Best fries in Split! - Go for a night swim! (Never do this alone!)
The Tent, Munich, Germany: Europe’s Most Unique Hostel Experience
To me and many other solo travelers, This hostel is a very unique and special place. This hostel is excellent for all sorts of wanderers, not just solo backpackers, but for groups and families too!
Now, when you look it up on Hostelworld or Google, you will see that it’s a big site which caters to all budgets, If you want a bed, you can stay in the massive marquee tent with over 150 beds. If you have a tent, then you can camp, there’s plenty of room! They even have caravans if you want that added bit of privacy. No matter your choice, It’s a place with the traveller at its very heart.
If you’re like me and travel on a budget, Look no further. It’s easily the cheapest option in Munich, with a bed priced at 16 euros a night, even cheaper if you have your own tent, or want to sleep on the floor with a mat.
For that price, you get everything you need. A well-equipped kitchen, Laundry facilities, a Canteen that serves delicious breakfasts, dinners and snacks, Extremely well-priced beers, a beach volleyball court, and a basketball net, and you can loan musical instruments and balls to play with if you fancy a chill day at the hostel.
As above, I know I mentioned how location is a key factor when choosing a hostel, and to be fair, this hostel is not in the city centre, about 30 minutes northwest on public transport. In most cases, I’d be hesitant but for the price, facilities and the promised good vibes you get from this place, I was more than happy to overlook this.
I’ve been to the Tent 3 times now, and every time I’ve extended my stay past the original checkout day. It’s the perfect place to meet new people, unwind and disappear when you’re exhausted from travelling. I truly believe this is the best hostel for solo travellers.
Evenings here are the best, Having dinner with new friends, followed by a few liquid refreshments by the fire (If you build and start the fire, you get a free beer!), it really is a unique hostel experience which I’m still yet to find anywhere else.
Staff at the hostel are amazing too, they know the city very well and curate a daily noticeboard of what is happening in the city, which is super useful if you’re not sure what to do, activities from local flee-markets to summertime gigs in Olympic park, you won’t miss a thing!
My recommendations: - Museums are 1 EUR on Sundays! - Hang out in the English Garden - Take it easy chilling at the tent! - Stroll in Olympic Park, with amazing views of the city! - Drink Beer, responsibly. - Make friends with locals and play volleyball in the English garden!
Lola’s Backpacker’s Hostel, Istanbul, Turkey: The Heart of Istanbul
Trust me when I say, this is a real backpacker’s hostel. Owned and run by a traveller, It’s the perfect hostel for any budget nomad who fancies a trip to Istanbul.
Istanbul is one of my favourite cities in the world, and Lola’s made the experience all the better. It’s a small internet place which makes it super social and perfect for solos.
When you first arrive in the city, you may find it hard to find, it’s nestled in the middle of old Galata, down an ally-way, and if I’m being honest, you’d never know it was there, but walk down that ally and round the corner, you can’t miss it. The exterior is painted in beautiful, vibrant colours with outdoor seating. Every time I returned from a day out, there were always new people there to welcome me back. Amazing Vibes.
The hostel comes with everything you need included in the price. Bedding, laundry, enough bathrooms with hot showers, cooker stove to save money on food, however, Istanbul is a very affordable city to eat in!
Also, it was 11EUR a night. Say no more.
But here are my 3 biggest selling points for this hostel
Size
When you look on Hostelworld for hostels in Istanbul, you’ll notice there are quite a few that are quite large, but with Lola’s, the word I’d use is intimate, in a platonic way. And they use it to their advantage, The Kitchen and common area are all in one place, making the sometimes daunting experience of meeting new people less intimidating.
A fair warning, when I was there, they were still building it, step by step, but I liked this, I felt like I was contributing to a dream, and most of the work on the main spaces where finished! This was in 2023, so at the time of writing (a year later), It could be finished!
As I’ve mentioned before, with its location nestled in the alleyways of Galata, it’s not a residential area, the outdoor area has plenty of seating for many guests, and in the summer it’s a great place to chill out with a drink, play cards, exchange stories about your travels. And before you know it, you’re spending the next 5 days with the people you met on the first night, making your own Istanbul family. I don’t know about you, but in some places you visit, you form little hostel families, and this is something I’ve found much easier and more pleasant in smaller hostels.
Location
Bang in the middle and easy to get to anywhere. Simple. I mean, once you’re there and find the place, you start to plan what you want to do, you can get to places super easy! Kadakoy ferry port will take you to the Asian side of the city or the beautiful Princess Island.
The Hagga Sofia and Sultanahmet are within walking distance from the hostel as well. Metro, tram and bus stops are very close, so if you’re thinking of visiting neighbourhoods like Beşiktaş, where you can sample some of the best local cuisine.
Not to mention Galata is a pretty cool place, you have the medieval citadel overlooking the hills, and it’s a walkable distance to Taksim Square. A big perk of staying at Lola’s has to be that there is a nightclub next door, which you can’t hear when you’re trying to sleep, If techno is your vibe, you won’t be disappointed.
The people
My favourite part of this hostel is the owner and the volunteers who run this place. Their mission and reason why will resonate with you, and make you love the hostel even more. Faruk is a traveller, who wanted to create a hostel for backpackers and serve the purpose and experiences one gets from travelling.
And I get it, How many chain hostels have you been to, and it’s just felt soulless? Or like a cheaper version of a hotel? Staying in those places and then comparing it to Lola’s, I realised that I like these places and the people they attract. In subsequent travels, I’ve tried to book those places, and I’ll give those hostels an honourable mention later.
Faruk and the staff are big advocates for the welfare of the stray animals in Istanbul, supporting vaccination, feeding the stray cats that walk around the ally (which is soooo cool) and even adopting 2 of them that live in the hostel! Honestly, I’m not afraid to admit that I spent a lot of my last day in the city, when I became sick, just watching these two fluffs play fight.
The recommendations they gave me and others were brilliant as well, they know why most tourists come to the city, but as local people, they know the best spots, and give really good travel advice! Faruk advised me of a tourist scam that I was nearly in the middle of after just asking me what I got up to that day, he really looks out for his guests.
Recommendations:- Jump on the ferry to Princess Island - Get the bus to Beşiktaş and eat kumpir - Visit the stunning Mosques of Istanbul by strolling over the bridge from Kadakoy. - Take a ferry to the Asian side of the city and explore the markets. - Drink Turkish coffee.
Honorable Mentions
While these hostels didn’t quite make my top three, they are still fantastic places that left a lasting impression on my travels. Each has its own unique charm and features that make them worth considering if you’re visiting these destinations.
Scenic and Social: Bled Hostel 1 & 2
Located in the Hostel Quarter of Bled, at the top of the hill, it’s benifits from being walking distance to the lake, bus station, and everything you need. A cheap laundrette is around the corner, and there’s a pub right downstairs owned by the hostel, where other guests from nearby hostels frequently gather—a real melting pot! I recommend staying in Bled Hostel 2 as the balcony offers stunning views, but number 1 is also lovely.
History and Nightlife: Little Havana, Krakow
Krakow by day is rich in history and culture, while by night, it transforms into a lively party scene—and this hostel captures both sides perfectly. An open-plan reception/kitchen/common room hosts all sorts of guests during the day and has a 24-hour bar! With everything in one room, it still keeps that small hostel vibe while accommodating many people.
If you’re keen to sample Krakow’s nightlife, this place is for you! If you join their pub crawl, all drinks are free between 10 and 11 pm. They also host drinking games at the start of the night to help break the ice. On top of that, the staff are excellent at recommending and booking excursions at the best price.
Cozy and Local: Hostel Mali Mrak, Zagreb
Similar to Lola’s Hostel, this is a small hostel run by a local traveller who’s passionate about challenging chain hostels. Local amenities are plentiful, and it has the best outdoor kitchen I’ve ever used! It’s a beautiful place to stay during the summer.
The best part of this hostel is the lengths the owner goes to in welcoming, attending to, and recommending activities to guests, all with a great sense of humour! The only downside is its location, which is a bit far from the centre. However, this was no issue for me, as trams run frequently into the city. Plus, with the owner’s amazing recommendations, I barely spent time in the centre and still had an epic time