We get it: Europe is huge! When backpacking this part of the world you surely want to discover the absolute best hostels in Europe out of the many, many on offer.
That’s where we come in. Only Hostel Geeks such as us can deliver the coolest hostels worth staying in. Why?
Well, we’ve worked hard to find epic 5 star hostels you simply cannot miss. Our team have personally stayed in these hostels and we know many of the European cities like the back of our hand. That means insider tips and tricks! Believe it or not, there are many amazing hostels to be discovered on this continent.
FYI: This guide includes all of the major, must-visit cities in Europe.
Are these really the top hostels in Europe?
Yes! Oui! Ja! Si!
We’re so confident, in fact, that we’ve included only the #1 most epic and coolest hostel in each major city in Europe.
However! In case you’d like to compare, you’ll find links to our guides to that particular city and country. In each of these guides you’ll find the top 3 hostels, plus party hostels, insider tips, handy map etc. Basically, everything you possibly need to plan a perfect adventure.
Read: Full guide for the Best Hostel Chains in Europe.
Good to know: We also wrote a detailed guide on the best party hostels in Berlin. The best party hostels in Europe and the best coworking hostels in Europe.
List of cities with the Best Hostels in Europe
Come on then, we know you’re eager to discover the best and cheapest hostels in Europe.
In no particular order, the hot European destinations we cover in this article are:
- Lisbon
- Porto
- Seville
- Madrid
- Barcelona
- Paris
- Amsterdam
- Berlin
- London
- Budapest
- Warsaw
- Vienna
- Prague
- Athens
- Dubrovnik
- Rome
- Venice
- Latvia
More Highlights for Backpacking Europe
- Map of ALL best hostels in Europe
- Getting around Europe
- FAQs
- How to book hostels in Europe?
- Destination not listed?
Phew, that’s a lot of ground to cover! Grab a large coffee and let’s go!
This map will help you plan your backpacking Europe trip. We’ve added all hostels, colour coded to help you save time.
Overview: Best Hostels in Europe by Traveler Type
| 😍 Best Hostel in Portugal: | The Passenger Hostel in Porto |
| 🌅 Best Sunset View in Madrid: | The Hat Madrid |
| 🙎♀️ Best for Female Solo Traveler in Budapest: | Maverick City Lodge |
| ♻️ Best Eco Hostel in Amsterdam: | Ecomama |
| 👩💻 For Digital Nomads in Venice: | Combo Hostel |
| 👩❤️👨 Couple Hostel in Berlin: | The Cirus Hostel |
| 👫 For Socializing in Paris: | Generator Paris |
| 🧘 Cozy Hostel in Warsaw: | Safestay Warsaw |
| 🏡 Hostel with best garden in Vienna: | Hostel Ruthensteiner |
Best Hostels in Lisbon, Portugal
Ok, ok so we said before that we only list one 5-star hostel per destination. Yet, Lisbon is an exception and is home to two! It’s easy to see why once you’ve seen them.
The 5 star hostels in Lisbon are:
You can find all of the best hostels in Lisbon here, as part of the bigger guide to the best hostels in Portugal.
We went one step further and created another guide to the best surf hostels in Portugal – your answer to the best beach hostels in Europe.
Sunset Destination
This award winning hostel Lisbon will not let you down when it comes to social vibes, awesome location and impressive amenities.
Get ready for sunset views and a rooftop swimming pool on a budget at Sunset Destination!
You’ll also spot a pretty cool hostel bar named Zebra Bar which just so happens to be right by the rooftop pool.
Start the day with a FREE breakfast (pancakes included), and pay a small fee to enjoy a tasty dinner/BBQ each evening.
Read: Best Beach Hostels in Europe
Looking to meet lots of new people? Join in on the many activities: pub crawls, walking tours, DJ nights…oh and there’s free beer hour at the bar each evening. See you there!
Location: Sunset sits right on top of the main train station in Lisbon – Cais do Sodré. From here you’re in walking distance to pretty much everything!
Compare prices at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Lisbon Destination Hostel
Inside Rossio Railway Station is another super impressive 5 star hostel named Lisbon Destination Hostel.
The design of this place is certainly what stands out. Just look at that glass rooftop and indoor garden area!
Once again, travellers are made welcome with endless social activities – free sangria every night, pub crawls, walking tours – and privacy curtains on the bunks.
Also: Some of the largest rooms have been transformed into co-working spaces to accommodate the needs of digital nomads.
Compare prices at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Best Hostels in Porto, Portugal: The Passenger Hostel
Like all great hostels in Portugal, The Passenger Hostel is also located within a train station! Sao Bento Station is one of the most beautiful train stations in the world.
And now it is home to the only 5 star hostel in Porto!
Here you can enjoy a tasteful blend of vintage furniture with contemporary design. It’s certainly a groovy design hostel which easily makes it one of the coolest hostels in Europe.
It’s a big place, accommodating a total of 123 guests. Not only is there female dorms, but male dorms, too. Awesome!
What else?
- Two large kitchens
- Bar & lounge
- Huge luxury suite
Don’t forget to check out all the best hostels in Porto.
Compare prices at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Best Hostels in Seville, Spain: The Nomad Hostel
The Nomad Hostel&Pension is set within a renovated traditional Sevillian house, ran by a collection of locals that know the city very well.
We believe that female solo travellers and small groups of friends will particularly enjoy it here.
Having said that, there are so many room types on offer that we’re pretty sure you’ll feel at home no matter who you are.
A free breakfast and all-day free coffee & tea is a wonderful thing if you want to hang out on the small terrace. Otherwise, why not rent a bicycle and explore, or join a free walking tour?
Read: 27 Best Hostels in Spain
To top it off, the team organise cooking, Spanish and flamenco classes, plus family dinners and parties on the terrace.
Compare all of the 3 best hostels in Seville and see which one is your ideal accommodation.
Location: A mere 600 metres from the cathedral and heart of the city. Perfect.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Best Hostels in Madrid, Spain: The Hat Madrid
With a motto of “home is where your hat is”, The Hat Madrid holds the coolest name and wins the best hostel in Madrid award from us.
We think you’ll agree. Here are some of the things to look forward to during your stay:
- Rooftop with sunset views
- Free activities & walking tours
- Restaurant & bar
- GORGEOUS rooms
Yep, all the rooms are big, bright and inviting. The luxury versions even come with a balcony.
The Hat is just one hostel from our collection of the best hostels in Madrid. Check out the guide for more design-led hostels.
Location: Situated at Plaza Mayor, the main square in Madrid. Puerta del Sol, the absolute centre, is an easy few minute walk away.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Best Hostels in Barcelona, Spain: Casa Gracia
Here’s a little secret: we actually LIVE in Barcelona! As our home, we know the city inside-out and just love to share all it has to offer with you.
As for where to stay? Well, Casa Gracia is the only 5 star hostel in the city and a must-visit.
Firstly, the building will make you wow, and the interior will have you uploading pictures on Instagram in no time. If you’re looking for luxury hostels Europe, you’ve found the best one.
The room design is particularly clever. We really enjoy the little staircases which reach to the top bunks. They also work as lockers for your things!
Enjoy all things social: tapas tours, yoga classes, foodie nights. Not to mention cosy spaces including a library, lounge and terraces.
Find all of the best hostels in Barcelona, including a neighbourhood guide + safety tips.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Best Hostels in Paris, France: Generator Paris
Looking for 5 star hostels in Paris? Sorry, there isn’t one (yet). But never fear, for the Generator Hostels team have you covered. Generator is one of the leading hostel chains in Europe.
Generator Paris is a fresh and cool design-led hostel that we highly recommend for solo travellers.
It’s the kind of hostel you go to chill, meet new people, work and/or use as a base for exploring the city.
The rooftop space is the highlight. Grab a drink from the bar and collapse into a beanbag or deck chair as you overlook the Sacré-Cœur and Montmartre.
A continental breakfast will give you energy for the day, and the onsite Café Fabien is always open for a locally-inspired pick me up.
Generator Paris is part of our 3 best hostels in Paris collection. An even bigger guide to the best hostels in France is ideal if you’re backpacking the country.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Best Hostels in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Welcome to another European destination which is home to TWO 5 star hostels! Woohoo! This may make choosing more difficult for you, but we’re not sorry about that… sorry, not sorry.
In fact, both hostels are owned by Clink – one of the best hostel chains in Europe.
Have a look at:
Hostels for couples in Amsterdam can be found in our best hostels in Amsterdam guide.
Cocomama
Cocomama used to be a brothel before it become a 5 star hostel, so basically, it’s always been awesome!
This boutique hostel is set in the heart of Amsterdam and is ideal for couples, female solo travellers and any traveller that likes to relax.
It offers up a wonderful blend of cosy and social vibes, so you can enjoy both. Join the red light district tour if you prefer the latter!
All of the rooms come with a Holland theme. Sleep amongst Van Gogh, the Red Light District or in the Ann Frank room. Pretty cool, right?
The free breakfast and private garden are just a few of the cherries on top. Read our full review of Cocomama below to find out more.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Our full review | Booking.com | Hostelworld
Ecomama
Fancy staying at an eco-friendly hostel? Ecomama is aptly named and the green sister hostel of Cocomama.
Any conscientious traveller that wants a special accommodation whilst in Amsterdam will surely love it here.
Imagine the luxury of a hotel mixed with the social highlights of a hostel – this is what you can expect.
It boasts come pretty cool eco features, such as a natural stone heating system and organic cotton sheets on the beds. Even the mattresses are made from natural, sustainable materials.
Location: Situated in the Waterlooplein neighbourhood which is full of bustling bars, cosy cafes and museums.
Our full review of Ecomama goes into more detail – link below.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Our full review | Booking.com | Hostelworld
Best Hostels in Berlin, Germany: The Circus Hostel
Get ready to make a dream come true and run away to The Cirus Hostel!
There’s so much that makes this hostel super cool and the obvious choice when visiting Berlin.
Good to know: We have a detailed guide about the best party hostels in Berlin.
Let’s jump straight into the amazing amenities which will have you booking in no time:
- In-house microbrewery
- Bar & Cafe
- Buffet breakfast until 1pm
- Events, trivia night, sports & music
It’s a lively place that totally suited to sociable solo travellers and couples… have a look at the deluxe double private rooms!
The overall design of the hostel is very cool in our opinion. We especially enjoy the colour palette which gives that groovy circus vibe.
Location: Centrally located surrounded by the best bars, museums, restaurants and main sights of the city.
Compare prices and read reviews at Booking.com | Hostelworld
Best Hostels in London, UK: Hostel One Notting Hill
Let us tell you a little secret: we LOVE London! What a city, and certainly one to add to the bucket list.
Hostel One Notting Hill is one of the top choices for London. It oozes a social and lively atmosphere, in big part thanks to the facility’s overall designs, which were invented by backpackers for backpackers.
This hostel is located in one of London’s most beautiful neighborhoods (Nottinghill), close to the city’s major attractions.
What we like the most about it is how easy it is to meet fellow travelers when you’re there: in addition to their social facilities, the hostel is relatively small with a few beds, which promotes beautiful familiarity between the staff and visitors.
It is also part of the 3 best hostels in London.
Your shortcut:
- Hostel One Notting Hill – best for backpackers
- Destinations Hostels @ The Gallery – best for a very British atmosphere
- Wombats City Hostel London – best for solo-travelers
Compare prices and read reviews at: Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Best Hostels in Budapest, Hungary
This striking and popular capital city happens to be home to three – yes three – 5 star hostels. The collection is owned and run by the Maverick team, and we just couldn’t limit it to one because they all stand out.
It won’t matter which one you choose because they’re all great, yet they do have differences.
A quick comparison has been made below to help you choose the right hostel for you.
Read: 3 best hostels in Budapest + GREAT party hostels.
Maverick City Lodge
Maverick City Lodge is a modern, minimalist hostel with luxury amenities and a focus on social events.
It’s the ideal choice for female solo travellers because of the ladies-only dorm, and friends will appreciate the triple room with private bathroom.
Some of the highlights include: free walking tours, free tea & coffee all day and 24-hour reception.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Maverick Hostel & Ensuites
Fancy sleeping in a mansion? Maverick Hostel & Ensuites offers sensational royal vibes that flashpackers and couples will just love.
In terms of service and amenities, they’re pretty in line with Maverick City Lodge & Student Lodge because they’re all sisters.
The coolest thing about this hostel is that the 5, 6 and 10-bed mixed dorms have single beds instead of bunks!
Being so large, there’s a kitchen, common area and TV on every floor of the building.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Maverick Student Lodge
What makes Maverick Student Lodge stand out from its siblings? Certainly the design!
If you hadn’t already guessed, this is a great option for students in Budapest. We deem it one of the best student hostels Europe has to offer, in fact!
It’s the ideal place to stay just a few days or an entire semester or academic year.
Travellers are also welcome to share the space. Privacy-led dorms, a spacious lobby and a fun onsite bar make for a comfortable, enjoyable stay.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Best Hostels in Warsaw, Poland: Safestay
If you’re wondering where some of the best cheap hostels in Europe are hiding, you may consider heading to Poland.
However, cheap doesn’t always equal crappy!
Safestay Warsaw is a great example of an affordable and modern, yet cosy hostel. It’s the coolest hostel in Warsaw we would pick!
There’s always fun activities coming up, so make sure you ask the friendly staff what’s on.
Read: 3 best hostels in Warsaw
The female dorm is ideal for female solo travellers that enjoy a bit of luxury. This room includes orthopaedic beds and privacy curtains!
In the lounge space you’ll find games and a bar to keep you entertained.
Oh and we also wrote a fun guide to the coolest party hostels in Warsaw.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Best Hostels in Vienna, Austria: Hostel Ruthensteiner
Over at the backpacker hostel in Vienna guests can enjoy cosy vibes, an onsite bar, secret garden and a family-run atmosphere!
Hostel Ruthensteiner really knows how to have a good time. Play some tunes on the piano, hang out in the lounge or rent one of their bikes and zip around the streets.
This is claimed to be the best hostel in Vienna since 1968 and we’re not prepared to argue against it. Whether you’re a social butterfly or prefer your own space, there are room types for all.
Here are all of the best hostels in Vienna.
Compare prices at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Best Hostels in Prague, Czech Republic: The Roadhouse Prague
If you’re looking for the best hostels in Eastern Europe, you’re going to love The Roadhouse Prague. Why?
Well, for one thing, the team here make sure to create nightly family dinners to bring people together.
The rooms are certainly a highlight here. Check out the HUGE storage space and thick privacy curtains. Note that there are no private rooms here, only shared dorms.
Roadhouse is a social hostel. If you’re looking for party, you can opt for their sister hostel aptly named The Madhouse – one of the best youth hostels in Europe.
Discover all 3 best hostels in Prague. Hostel One is certainly a high contender.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Best Hostels in Athens, Greece: City Circus
Who’s keen for an epic hostel that offers picturesque views over the Acropolis from a private rooftop terrace?! Uhh, yes please! City Circus Athens is awesome. ‘
In a bit of a rush and eager to book? Here are the major highlights you’ve to know:
- Retro furniture, local art, antiques
- Located in vibrant Monasteraki
- Daily organised events
- 10% discount at Zampano restaurant
- Shared & private rooms available
What’s wonderful about a hostel such as this, is that a range of traveller types will like it here. We recommend it especially for solo travellers, female solo travellers and older travellers.
Have a look at all of the best hostels in Athens, as part of our larger guide to the 20 best hostels in Greece.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Best Hostels in Dubrovnik, Croatia: Hostel Angelina Old Town
It’s a good idea to stay inside the walls of the Old Town during your stay in Dubrovnik, and staying at Hostel Angelina Old Town will have you feeling like you’re staying inside a castle.
This hostel is within a 400 year old building, boasting a gorgeous terrace overlooking the red rooftops of central Dubrovnik.
Use this as a base for exploring the city, and for joining social activities like cliff jumping and kayaking.
Backpacking the country? Check out all 24 best hostels in Croatia. We’ve also put together a more in-depth guide to the best hostels in Kings Landing (Dubrovnik).
Head on over to Zagreb and discover Swanky Mint Hostel, one of the best hostels in Zagreb.
Hint: It’s as cool as the name suggests.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Best Hostels in Rome, Italy: Generator Rome
Our top pick in Rome? It has to be Generator Rome.
Whoever you are, you’ll have a whopping 78 shared and private rooms to choose from inside a gorgeous 19th century building. It’s the kind of hostel that has everything you need so that you might forget to leave the premises.
Onsite bar, posh cafe, hangout zones, deli-style delicacies – all is here, and more! Up on the 7th floor you’ll find the rooftop terrace which is ideal for enjoying a sunset or two.
To top it off, Roma Termini Central Station is an easy 10-minute walk from the hostel.
Here are a few other guides to help you get the best out of Rome:
Once again, here are all the 40 best hostels in Italy.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Best Hostels in Venice, Italy: Combo Venezia
Formerly known as We Crociferi, Combo Hostel is the fantastic hostel in Venice and also happens to be a renovated 12th-century convent!
It’s honestly such a striking, unique hostel that we loved.
Get ready for 255 beds to choose from with every possible layout you can think of.
Digital nomads and solo travellers are certainly going to have a great time here. Let us show you why:
- Caffe ai Crociferi (breakfast, lunch, drinks)
- Study hall & library
- Weekly events (live concerts, art exhibitions)
- Communal kitchen
You can save 10% on all types of beds and rooms at Combo Hostel. Sweet deal right?! Please say HELLO from Hostelgeeks when booking with them 🙂
Compare prices at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Best Hostel in Latvia: Cinnamon Sally Backpackers Hostel
Cinnamon Sally Backpackers Hostel is the best hostel in Latvia.
Have FUN and meet new travellers at this hostel. You can play guitar and chill in their common area with fellow guests.
They have day trips and they even organize pub crawls. Just make sure to ask their friendly staff to know more about the details.
Read: We have a detailed guide on the best hostels in Riga, Latvia.
Check prices at: Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
My Best Hostels in Europe for Female Traveler on a Map + Sights
So next up we’d like to show you our handy map pinpointing ALL the best hostels in Europe in this guide.
On the map below you find all mentioned hostels to make your planning even easier. We’ve marked them as follows:
5 Star Hostels: Black with White Star
Other TOP recommendations: Purple
(You can open the sidebar in the map to activate and deactivate groups.)
Getting around in Europe
What is the best way to travel to European countries? Well, there are a few different transport options to consider, and it depends on your preferred travel style, budget, and any time constraints you may have.
Once you’re in mainland Europe, it’s pretty easy to move between countries. If you prefer to stay on the ground, there are buses and trains and many affordable flights that get you to your next destination in no time.
We’ve actually written up some handy guides with European transport in mind:
- Omio.com – a search engine for trains, buses & flights
Personally, we prefer Flixbus when it comes to booking flights around Europe.
If you need proof of onward travel, make sure you check out Onward Ticket.
Once you’ve booked your travel and hostel, don’t forget to sort out travel insurance. We recommend Safetywing.
FAQs
How to book Europe hostels?
In every destination guide and hostel review we give you the options to book (Hostelgeeks does not offer a booking service).
We give you the most popular booking platforms, and ways to get better prices. The websites are:
- Booking.com
- Hostelworld.com
- Hostelz.com – Hostel Price Comparison
Read our guide on how to book hostels (with websites to use). We also wrote a guide how to use Hostelworld for booking hostels.
Destination not listed?
We’ve done our best to include the absolute best European hostels in each of the major cities on the continent.
In case we happened to miss your desired location, have a look at our guides to the “best hostels in“. Here we cover many more destinations, including the top 3 hostels + party hostels and insider tips.
Still not found? Or haven’t discovered the best hostel in Europe for you? Then please let us help you. Just drop us a line or leave a comment below and include a fun travel pun!
We will send you over a handpicked hostel recommendation.
Happy travels!
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