![\"Nomadic](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2024\/mattrome.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve been staying in hostels in Europe<\/a> for over 15 years. I\u2019ve probably stayed at close to a thousand by now. Some were wonderful; others I couldn\u2019t leave fast enough. Some have stood the test of time while others have long since vanished. <\/p>\n Unlike hostels in the US, the hostel scene in Europe is very popular and established. In fact, there’s a growing boutique hostel trend that incorporates more amenities for travelers who want more than just bare-bones accommodation.<\/p>\n In short, hostels today aren’t the hostels you found ten years ago. They are way nicer, cleaner, and offer a lot more amenities and activities.<\/p>\n To help you plan your trip, here is my list of the best hostels in Europe. If you don\u2019t want to read the longer list below, the following hostels are the best in each category:<\/p>\n Best Hostel for Budget Travelers<\/strong>: Hostel Mostel<\/a> Want the specifics of each hostel? Here’s my comprehensive list of the best hostels in Europe:<\/p>\n City Backpackers at a glance<\/strong>:<\/p>\n In general, I really like the St. Christopher\u2019s brand. They offer fun, clean, social, and modern hostels all over Europe.<\/p>\n St. Christopher\u2019s at a glance<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Moreover, this hostel has some of the comfiest beds and fluffiest pillows of any hostel I’ve ever stayed at. It may not be the cheapest hostel in the city, but the showers are good, and the pillows and beds are super comfy. There are charging points by each of the beds too. <\/p>\n The Flying Pig has three locations in Amsterdam<\/a> (uptown, downtown, and the new beach location). I prefer the uptown location because it’s smaller and easier to meet people.<\/p>\n The Flying Pig at a glance<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Goodnight Hostel at a glance<\/strong>:<\/p>\n The art on the walls is from local artists and is for sale (for those not traveling on a budget). The beds have very thick mattresses and the rooms have lockers to store your stuff. There are lights for each bed as well and some beds have small dividers for extra privacy.<\/p>\n Keep in mind that sometimes they have a two-night minimum. <\/p>\n Gallery Hostel at a glance<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Usually, everyone stays at all the Hostel Mostel locations, so you run into the same people frequently. I found them booked up a lot, so book in advance if you want to stay here.<\/p>\n Hostel Mostel at a glance<\/strong>:<\/p>\n The beds and pillows are comfy, though there are no privacy curtains in the dorms. While it’s a social hostel, it’s not a party hostel so it’s easy to get a good night’s sleep here. The hostel also has female-only rooms. It’s located near Termini (the main station) so it’s easy to access. Just note that they don’t have 24\/7 reception so you can’t arrive late.<\/p>\n The Beehive at a glance:<\/strong><\/p>\n HostelPass members get 10% off<\/a><\/p>\n On the other hand, they have two separate buildings, so if you want quiet at night, you can stay in the non-party building. They offer free breakfast, they cook you a meal every night (salad, potatoes, pasta, or meat), they have Nintendo and Playstation consoles, and there\u2019s a large movie collection. But what I loved the most was the massaging showers. It was the best shower I took in months.<\/p>\n Greg and Tom’s Party Hostel at a glance<\/strong>:<\/p>\n They have a lively common room area and organize nightly outings. The dorms are very clean, the beds comfy, and the showers have good pressure. But what makes Kabul so wonderful is the downstairs common area. The common area takes up a whole floor of the building and comprises a caf\u00e9, bar, tables, internet kiosks, and a pool table. Here travelers eat, play pool, drink, and hang out – and the people here want to hang out. It’s a good hostel for a solo traveler because everyone here wants to make friends. The hostel is booked out weeks in advance, especially during summer, so don’t book last minute!<\/p>\n Kabul at a glance<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Archi Rossi at a glance<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Francesco’s at a glance<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Snuffel Backpacker Hostel at a glance<\/strong>:<\/p>\n While the bunks don’t have curtains, the mattresses are decent and there are plenty of outlets to charge your devices.<\/p>\n Castle Rock at a glance<\/strong>:<\/p>\n So there you have it: my current favorite list of the best hostels in Europe. Europe has thousands of hostels \u2014 and god knows I feel like I’ve stayed in all of them. But only a few dozen follow the guidelines that make a hostel truly great, going out of their way to provide stellar services and making guests feel welcomed and at home.<\/p>\n For more hostel suggestions for each city, click here to check out my list of the best hostels in each destination!<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n My detailed 200+ page guidebook is made for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel while in Europe. It has suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on and off the beaten path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, safety tips, and much more! Click here to learn more and get your copy today.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Get all my best Europe travel tips as well as free planning guides sent straight to you and see more of the country for less! <\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n
\nBest Hostel for Solo Female Travelers<\/strong>: Goodnight Hostel<\/a>
\nBest Hostel for Digital Nomads<\/strong>: City Backpackers<\/a>
\nBest Hostel for Partying<\/strong>: Greg and Tom’s<\/a>
\nBest Overall Hostel<\/strong>: Kabul<\/a> or The Flying Pig<\/a><\/p>\n1. City Backpackers (Stockholm, Sweden)<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Outdoor](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/citybackpackers2.jpg\")
\nI stayed here years ago and recently returned when my tour group was in Stockholm<\/a>. The place was just as amazing as I remember. They still have a very nice caf\u00e9 and an outdoor eating\/sitting area. Their beds and pillows are still super cozy and comfortable, plus they have a huge kitchen, common room, sauna, and laundry facilities. It’s my go-to hostel whenever I’m in the city.<\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n2. St. Christopher\u2019s (Barcelona, Spain)<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Dorm](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/stchristophersbarcelona.jpg\")
\nLocated right near Barcelona’s<\/a> most famous thoroughfare, La Rambla, I really love the curtains on the dorm beds and the gigantic bar\/outdoor area next to the hostel. The mattresses aren\u2019t super thick, but the beds are cozy pods, so you can actually get a decent night\u2019s sleep (they have lockers too, so you can keep your stuff secure).<\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n3. The Flying Pig (Amsterdam, Netherlands)<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Bar](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/flyingpigamsterdam.jpg\")
\nThis is still one of my all-time favorite hostels. The facilities here are standard and the price a bit expensive, but I love the atmosphere. While this hostel is popular with travelers looking to chill and smoke, the bar area gets very busy at night with people who don\u2019t want to get high. The staff here is what really makes this place special. They hang out with guests, are experts on the city, and are always helpful. <\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n4. Goodnight Hostel (Lisbon, Portugal)<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Common](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/goodnightlisbonhostel.jpg\")
\nI stumbled across this hostel in Lisbon<\/a> (mostly because it was super cheap), and I\u2019m really glad I did. Conveniently located downtown, they offer free dinners during high season, sangria, and organize nights out. There\u2019s a small common area, and the showers had amazing water pressure. This small hostel becomes very intimate and makes it easy to meet fellow travelers. <\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n5. Gallery Hostel (Porto, Portugal)<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Luxury](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/galleryhostelporto.jpg\")
\nThis \u201cluxury\u201d hostel in Porto, Portugal<\/a>, is probably one of the best I’ve ever stayed in and is definitely on my “all-time favorite” list. It\u2019s not the cheapest in Porto<\/a>, but this hostel\/art gallery features home-cooked Portuguese food, a backyard, free after-dinner drinks, a game room, and friendly staff committed to making sure everyone gets to know each other. I loved the nightly dinners they organized the best. <\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n6. Hostel Mostel (Bulgaria)<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Common](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/hostelmostel.jpg\")
\nThis hostel has locations in two cities in Bulgaria<\/a> (Sofia and Veliko Tarnovo), and they all follow the same principles: comfy beds, a pool table, and free, fast Wi-Fi. I honestly haven\u2019t ever seen a hostel offer so much free stuff to travelers. <\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n7. The Beehive (Rome, Italy)<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2021\/thebeehive.jpg\")
\nRun by Linda and Steve for the past few decades, this is one of the less corporate hostels in the city. It’s a great place to meet other people and be social as they organize events each night, such as quizzes and happy hours (they also do pizza nights). The hostel also offers a WhatsApp group so travelers can message each other about plans. There\u2019s both an indoor lounge and an outdoor courtyard, two fully equipped guest kitchens, and the showers have really nice water pressure. They offer fresh bagels every morning from Monday-Thursday as well.<\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n8. Greg and Tom’s Party Hostel (Krakow, Poland)<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Front](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/gregandtomhostel.jpg\")
\nI came here on the strength of a friend\u2019s glowing recommendation. What I liked about this hostel was that on the one hand, there\u2019s a strong focus on taking full advantage of Krakow’s<\/a> lively nightlife. <\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n9. Kabul (Barcelona, Spain)<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Exterior](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2018\/kabul.jpg\")
\nKabul is tied with The Flying Pig as my favorite hostel in Europe. It attracts travelers who are looking for a good time. This isn\u2019t a quiet hostel where people go to bed. If you come to this hostel, be prepared to party. <\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n10. Archi Rossi (Florence, Italy)<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Cafeteria](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2018\/ostello.jpg\")
\nThis hostel has character. You can sign your name or draw on the wall, their kitchen is the size of a cafeteria, and they have a great outdoor garden where you can kick back with a bottle of wine! While the bunks are basic metal bunks, the mattresses are decent and there are lockers for your things. <\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n11. Francesco’s (Ios, Greece)<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Pool](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2018\/francescos.jpg\")
\nWith a view like this, how could you not like this place? There’s a pool, kitchen, very clean rooms, and comfy beds. The owners are super friendly and accommodating, the porch area is a great place to make new friends, and every night they have a hostel get together so everyone can meet people (free shot included). They also organize pub crawls (because it’s Ios<\/a> and everyone comes here to party). It’s also the most centrally located hostel on the island so it’s easy to walk home…even if you’ve had one too many drinks!<\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n12. Snuffel Backpacker Hostel (Bruges, Belgium)<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Interior](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2018\/snuffel_hostel.jpg\")
\nClose to the Bruges<\/a> city center, this hostel is located in a very old building which means the rooms are small and it’s pretty inconvenient to take a shower as you have to go downstairs and then into the back courtyard. However, they have a back courtyard, free Wi-Fi, an amazing selection of Belgium beers (watch out for the 13% alcohol ones!), and bikes. <\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n13. Castle Rock (Edinburgh, Scotland)<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Cozy](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2018\/castlerock.jpg\")
\nLocated near Edinburgh’s<\/a> famous Royal Mile and (you guessed it) the castle, this hostel is gorgeous. The building is old, with beautiful wood interiors, stone staircases, and a very historic royal feel. It’s like being in an ancestral family mansion. The common area features pool tables, T.V., newspapers, and free Wi-Fi. They organize events, dinners, and the staff is really nice.<\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\nGet Your In-Depth Budget Guide to Europe!<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Get](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/GuideBookCovers\/NM_Guide_to_Europe_Flat.jpg\")
<\/div>
\n <\/p>\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPlan your trip to Europe like a pro<\/h5>\r\n
\r\n![\"GET](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/siteimages\/Optin-Books-Optin.png\")
\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n