Swimming pools, complimentary lattes and wine tasting, private beaches, elaborate buffet breakfasts, heated shower floors – these services and amenities seem like the stuff of four and five star hotels.
Would you believe me if I told you that you can find hostels with many of these services and amenities too?
After spending three years living in Europe and treating every possible break from work as an opportunity to travel, I realized that I spent a lot of time in a lot of different hostels. (FYI: I’m all about budget travel). I’ve previously written about essential items to pack and amenities to look for when planning hostel stays. However, this post is dedicated to showcasing some of the most glamorous and some of my favourite hostels in Europe, because so many hostels out there are oh, so seriously great.
And if you’re having any doubts about my claim, let the details and pictures of some incredible European hostels featured below make your doubts vanish into thin air.
Top European Hostels for 2018
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Each hostel listing below identifies the month of the hostel stay and the type of room booked. The hostel highlights described are based on my essential hostel services and amenities post published in October 2017.
1. St. Julian’s, Malta: Inhawi Boutique Hostel
| Month of Stay: | September |
| Room Booked: | 1 Bed in a 12-Bed Female Dorm |
Hostel Highlights:
If I ever have the chance plan another trip to Malta, I will not hesitate to book another stay at the island’s Inhawi Boutique Hostel. The hostel is located just a few minutes away from St. Julian’s waterfront. It is also walking distance to an abundance of lovely and lively cafes, restaurants, shops, bars, and nightclubs. As well, with the help of public transportation, it’s easy to access many of the country’s hotspots, such as the capital of Valetta, Sliema, the Three Cities, from Inhawi. With its in-ground pool and countless indoor and outdoor lounging areas, guests will find the boutique hostel an ideal place to relax and unwind after a busy day of sight-seeing.
The Inhawi Boutique Hostel Pool.
A snap of one gorgeous hostel common area.
2. Interlaken, Switzerland: Backpackers Villa Sonnenhof – Hostel Interlaken
| Month of Stay: | December |
| Room Booked: | 1 Bed in a Quadruple Room |
Hostel Highlights:
A few years ago, there was a pretty viral post going around Pinterest about some affordable, yet luxurious hostels in Europe. I didn’t have any luck finding that post today, but I remember a hostel from Interlaken making the list. The description of that Interlaken hostel was 100% responsible for putting the Swiss town on my “must visit” list.
I’m not sure if Backpackers Villa Sonnenhof was that hostel on the list, but it 100% met my expectations when it came to having the ultimate Interlaken hostel experience. The hostel itself is extremely clean, cozy, and secure and is situated right by a paragliding landing field in the centre of town. Upon arrival, guests receive vouches for complimentary lattes and get thorough information about the area. Through the hostel, visitors also have the opportunity to book a whole ton of unique Swiss activities and excursions, such as mountain night sledding, fondue feasting, and more.
Backpackers Villa Sonnenhof‘s Grand Entrance.
3. Riga, Latvia: Tree House
| Month of Stay: | October |
| Room Booked: | 1 Bed in a 10-Bed Female Dorm |
Hostel Highlights:
Riga’s Tree House is the hostel you want to have the privilege of calling home (even if it’s just for a night or two). On Booking.com, the hostel has one of the top ratings in the city for a whole list of good reasons. Found on the edge of Riga’s Old Town, the hostel’s location is nothing short of ideal. The hostel’s common area and kitchen are also absolutely well-stocked and cozy. As well, the hostel’s staff go above and beyond to make sure guests have the perfect stay and experience the best of Riga. All in all, a stay at Riga’s Tree House is ridiculously affordable. A night in a dorm room can cost as little as $15 USD. It’s also worth mentioning that the complimentary breakfast is significantly more satisfying than the typical hostel butter and toast.
Tip: Stays in the hostel’s 10-bed Female Dorm (pictured above) have the most favourable reviews.
4. Budapest, Hungary: Maverick City Lodge
| Month of Stay: | April |
| Room Booked: | 1 Bed in an 10-Bed Female Dorm |
Hostel Highlights:
Clean, secure, fast wifi, a large common area, a kitchen – Budapest’s Maverick City Lodge has all “essential” hostel amenities and more. Found just a 3-minute walk away from one of Budapest’s most famous ruin bars, Szimpla Kert, the hostel is also less than a 15-minute walk away from the Danube River and top Budapest attractions, such as St. Stephen’s Basilica and the Central Market Hall. As well, bathrooms connected to the female dorms boast heated shower floors, and hostel staff regularly organize socials featuring complimentary alcohol tastings. All in all, a stay at the Maverick City Lodge is sure to be a good one.
The entrance to Budapest’s ruin bar, Szimpla Kert.
| READ MORE: Your Guide to Exploring Budapest’s Golden Interiors |
5. Oslo, Norway: Saga Poshtel Oslo Central
| Month of Stay: | September |
| Room Booked: | 1 Bed in an 8-Bed Mixed Dorm |
Hostel Highlights:
Oslo’s downtown hostel is called a poshtel for a whole list of excellent reasons. Centrally located in downtown Oslo, Saga Poshtel Oslo Central is only a 10-minute walk away from the city’s central train station, major shopping district, and famous opera house. The hostel is also exceptionally clean and airy, and a wonderful buffet breakfast is already included in the price per night. (And I promise you, this breakfast does not disappoint. Do you dare try the Norwegian brown cheese?)
Just a fancy stairwell for a fancy hostel.
Oslo’s Opera House – Just a 10-minute walk away from Saga Poshtel Oslo Central.
6. Tartu, Estonia: Hektor Design Hostel
| Month of Stay: | October |
| Room Booked: | Single Room with a Private Bathroom |
Hostel Highlights:
I’ll be saving my lengthy list of reasons why Estonia’s second largest city, Tartu, is totally worth a visit for a different post, but I’ll take a moment now to highlight one of the city’s awesome and affordable accommodation options. Hektor Design Hostel is roughly a 10-minute walk away from Tartu’s downtown bus terminal. It’s fresh and modern interior only emphasizes the hostel’s cleanliness and commitment to ensuring that guests have nothing short of a fantastic stay. The hostel also happens to have a rather large kitchen and common area, and a yummy buffet breakfast is included in the price per night.
Romantic downtown Tartu.
7. Izola, Slovenia: Hostel Alieti
| Month of Stay: | August |
| Room Booked: | 1 Bed in a 6-Bed Mixed Dorm |
Hostel Highlights:
If you’ve read my post about Piran, Slovenia, you’ll know that when visiting the Slovenian coast, some people choose to stay in Izola so that they can spend a night at Hostel Alieti. Located a 1-minute walk away from the town’s waterfront promenade, this hostel fully deserves its 9.5 Booking.com rating. The hostel is clean and secure, and the staff is beyond welcoming. Guests even get access to an Air Conditioner during those hot summer nights. Oh, and I can’t complain about those chocolate croissants served at breakfast either!
The gorgeous waterfront promenade found right by Izola’s Hostel Alieti.
Budget does not mean shabby. Check out 7+ European Hostels offering some pretty luxurious services and amenities! #Hostel #BudgetTravel #Europe Click To TweetOther Hostels Totally Worth Booking in Europe:
While the hostels found below aren’t quite as luxe as the ones above, they are definitely worth the stay. Read on to find out why:
1. Lisbon, Portugal: Yes Lisbon Hostel
| Month of Stay: | October |
| Room Booked: | 1 Bed in a 6-Bed Female Dorm |
Hostel Highlights:
Yes Lisbon Hostel is a super safe and super clean hostel located in the heart of downtown Lisbon. The hostel is a 5-minute walk away from Praça do Comérico, Lisbon’s main city square. As well, guests can easily walk to Lisbon’s Alfama, Baixa & Rossio, Bairro Alto, Mouraria, and Cais do Sodré neighbourhoods from the hostel. Moreover, Yes Lisbon Hostel offers visitors breakfast for a small additional fee, has a fully-stocked bar, and regularly organizes social events for hostel guests.
Praça do Comérico.
2. Bern, Switzerland: Bern Backpackers Hostel Glocke
| Month of Stay: | December |
| Room Booked: | 1 Bed in 6-Bed Female Dorm |
Hostel Highlights:
Bern Backpackers Hostel Glocke can be found in the heart of Bern’s old town and just around the corner from the city’s famous astronomical clock tower. The hostel is walking distance to many of the city’s famous sites and attractions, such as the Bern Minster, the Rose Garden, the Aare River, and the Federal Palace of Switzerland. The hostel itself is clean and cozy, and gives visitors access to a large kitchen, spacious common area, and laundry facilities (for a small fee).
The heart of Bern’s Old Town – found just around the corner from Bern Backpackers Hostel Glocke.
3. Bergen, Norway: Marken Guesthouse
| Month of Stay: | September |
| Room Booked: | 1 Bed in 6-Bed Female Dorm |
Hostel Highlights:
As with the other hostels featured in this post, Bergen’s Marken Guesthouse is able to offer its guests some pretty desirable services and amenities. The hostel has quite a few different common areas and a rather large guest kitchen. If you’re travelling on a budget, being able to cook your own meals is a great money-saving strategy – especially in pricey Scandinavia. Being around a 5-minute walk away from Bergen’s famous UNESCO site, Bryggen, and the foot of Mt. Fløyen is undeniably convenient too!
Looking out over Bergen from Mt. Fløyen.
| READ MORE: Spending an Afternoon Hiking up Mt. Fløyen |
4. Stockholm, Sweden: Castle House Inn
| Month of Stay: | December |
| Room Booked: | Double Room |
Hostel Highlights:
Stockholm’s Castle House Inn is located in one of my favourite parts of the city – the Old Town (a.k.a. Gamla Stan). By staying in Stockholm’s medieval centre, you also end up being walking distance to many of the city’s top attractions, such as the Royal Palace, the Nobel Museum, the Vasa Museum, Gröna Lund, Drottningatan, and more. If you happen to stay at the Castle House Inn in December, you’ll also be just around the corner from the city’s annual Old Town Christmas Market. While the hostel doesn’t have a whole assortment of special services and amenities, it’s clean, secure, and the location simply can’t be beat.
5. Bled, Slovenia: Garden House Bled
| Month of Stay: | August |
| Room Booked: | 1 Bed in a 6-Bed Mixed Dorm |
Hostel Highlights:
Garden House Bled is a special little gem of a hostel found in northern Slovenia. Only open during the summer months, Garden House gives its guests a taste of idyllic, rustic life. Boasting outdoor common spaces, eating areas, and fresh herbs for guests to use, a stay at Garden House Bled is bound to be a unique and memorable experience.
Garden House Bled‘s fresh herbs.
6. Munich, Germany: Euro Youth Hostel
| Month of Stay: | February |
| Room Booked: | Double Room |
Hostel Highlights:
Found just down the street from Munich’s Hauptbahnhof (main railway station) and walking distance to the city’s Old Town, Euro Youth Hostel is a pretty lively place to stay. But in all honesty, when in Munich – the land of Oktoberfest and many things beer – I wouldn’t want it any other way. Euro Youth Hostel also happens to be home to the city’s most popular hostel bar, and with its spacious common areas, the hostel is a great place to meet and mingle with other travellers.
Can you believe that this view can be experienced from a hostel room? (At the Lake Como Hostel to be exact). This hostel also has a private beach.
Without a doubt, many of the hostels featured in this post are redefining modern day perceptions and expectations of budget accommodations. Have any these hostels caught your eye? If so, go ahead and comment which one(s).
Found an ultra cozy reading nook in Tallinn, Estonia’s Old Town Hostel Alur.
Discover 7+ #European #Hostels that are redefining modern day expectations and perceptions of #Budget accommodations: Click To TweetHave you stayed at a pretty awesome hostel that wasn’t included in this post? Feel free to share your favourite European budget accommodations below too. I’d love to know which places I need to check out next!
Want more budget travel guides? Check out:
- Switzerland Train Fare Hacks you need to know.
- Going a 24-Hour Norwegian Fjord Cruise for less.
- Exploring Lake Como on a Budget.
Searching for hostel elsewhere? Continue your search today:
Booking.com
