Best Hostels in Europe for Solo Travellers
Best Hostels in Europe for Solo Travellers
Picking the ‘right’ hostel is never an easy task, especially when there are so many to choose from. I’m currently backpacking my way through Europe ticking off one hostel at a time. I wanted to create this guide to help you find the perfect hostel for your trip.
This post will be updated regularly with each hostel I stayed in throughout my trip, from the good, the bad and the ugly. All hostels are rated out of 10 with a quick summary of why I did or didn’t like them. For me, the most important aspect of a hostel is safety, cleanliness, a social environment and a good kitchen. I will also comment on the hostel’s location, facilities and staff. Ok, Let’s begin with some of the best hostels in Europe for Solo Travellers.
Hostels in Croatia
When it comes to hostels Croatia really knows what they are doing. If I am being honest, I have never had a bad experience. All the hostels I have stayed in have been fun, welcoming and enjoyable.
Hostels in Dubrovnik: Hostel Angelina
Hostel Angelina is one of my favourite hostel stays to date. The staff are fantastic and really work hard to create a fun and social environment for everyone. They run evening activities each night making it super easy to make new friends. The dorms are comfortable, the kitchen is well equipped, the Wifi is decent (for a hostel), and it’s clean & quiet at night. The hostel is located in the heart of the old town, making it easy to reach most of Dubrovnik’s top attractions. I’d highly recommend Hostel Angelina to anyone who is looking for a place to stay in Dubrovnik. Click here to book Hostel Angelina.
| Location ✔ | Facilities ✔ | Clean ✔ | Social ✔ | Kitchen ✔ | Safe ✔ | Total Score 9.5/10 |
Hostels on Hvar Island: Youth Hostel Villa Marija
I really enjoyed my stay in Hostel Villa Marija, the staff were super helpful, always smiling and made my trip to Hvar extra special. They even greeted us with some ice cream on arrival. Which was a nice and very much-needed surprise. Everything you need is onsite, a well-equipped kitchen, a fast food restaurant underneath, a large social area (which even has a mini pool), and clean and spacious rooms. I liked that each bed had a curtain for extra privacy. I found it super easy to make friends at hostel Marija, especially out on the terrace. The only downside to the hostel was its location, it was located about a 20-minute walk from Hvar Old Town and the majority of the walk was uphill. Therefore, once I went out for the day I didn’t tend to return to the hostel until I was ready to sleep. However, I do believe most hostels in Hvar are located a fair walk away from the old town. All in all, I’d highly recommend a stay here. Click here to book Hostel Villa Marija.
| Location ✖ | Facilities ✔ | Clean ✔ | Social ✔ | Kitchen ✔ | Safe ✔ | Total Score 8/10 |
Hostels in Split: Enroute Hostel Split
A trip to Split is a must on anyones Interrail itinerary, and EnRoute is a lovely hostel to stay in, it is clean, big and has a fantastic kitchen. The dorm capacity runs a little bit on the larger side with 12+ beds in some rooms however, they are well spaced out and each person has their own privacy curtain. To be honest, the large number of beds didn’t really affect me. The social area is a nice place to chill and make friends. On my first night there, not many people were chatting however, that is the luck of the draw when staying in hostels. On my final night, there must have been about 20 of us chatting to the early hours. It was a really nice environment. The hostel is around a 15-minute walk from Split Old Town and is right beside a big supermarket. I would 100% recommend staying here to anyone who is looking for a hostel in Split. Click here to book your stay in Enroute Hostel Split.
| Location ✔ | Facilities ✔ | Clean ✔ | Social ✔ | Kitchen ✔ | Safe ✔ | Total Score 9/10 |
Hostels in Zadar: Downtown Boutique Hostel
Downtown Boutique hostel is located in the heart of Zadar Old Town making it easy to get around and see the top attractions. One of my favourite things about the hostel is its rather active Whatsapp group. It made it super easy to make friends even if you didn’t cross their paths earlier that day in the hostel. The rooms are really clean and live up to the ’boutique’ interior. There are privacy curtains on each bed, which is always a nice bonus in a hostel. Unfortunely, the hostel does not have a ‘real’ kitchen, just a microwave and a fridge. Food is rather affordable in Zadar but I always like to have the option to make my own dinners. I really enjoyed my stay and would recommend the Downtown Boutique Hostel to anyone looking for somewhere to stay in Zadar. Book your stay here.
| Location ✔ | Facilities ✔ | Clean ✔ | Social ✔ | Kitchen ✖ | Safe ✔ | Total Score 8/10 |
Hostels in Plitvice: Falling Lakes Hostel
I have visited Plitvice, both on a day trip and by staying nearby, and personally, the experience is much better when you have accommodation near the park. Especially, when it is a hostel like Falling Lakes. I made so many wonderful friends while staying in this hostel. And all of us explored the National Park together and went white water Kayaking the following day (organised by the hostel). Falling Lakes organise evening activities each night like sunset hikes. The hostel itself is quite basic in terms of dorm rooms, however, you have everything you need, a big kitchen, clean bathrooms and a large social area. The hostel is in a house located in a small town called Korenica, the building gives off a ‘homely’ feel. Almost like being in a home away, from home. The hostel also organises a paid shuttle service to Plitvice each day. You can book your stay with Falling Lakes Here.
| Location ✔ | Facilities ✔ | Clean ✔ | Social ✔ | Kitchen ✔ | Safe ✔ | Total Score 8.5/10 |
Hostels in Zagreb: Swanky Mint Hostel
Swanky Mint Hostel is the perfect spot for those who want to experience Zagreb both, by day and by night. It is very much a party hostel. It is easy to meet people in the Kitchen or by the rooftop pool (yes, they have a pool). The dorms tend to be a little cramped so I would only stay for a day or two, however, all the other hostel facilities are great. The hostel was clean, however, the bathrooms could do with an extra going over. There are lockers in the room, and a bar and restaurant onsite. I would recommend Swanky Hostel to those who are looking to party while visiting Zagreb. Book your stay here.
| Location ✔ | Facilities ✔ | Clean ✔ | Social ✔ | Kitchen ✔ | Safe ✔ | Total Score 7.5/10 |
Hostels in Italy
I’m not going to lie, there are a few hostels in Italy that I LOVED and some that I probably wouldn’t stay in again. I spent over a month travelling around Italy, exploring beautiful spots like Lake Como, the the busy streets of Rome. But, I just want to put out a little disclaimer, just because I wasn’t too fond of the hostel does not mean it is not the right fit for you. I will write in detail what I did and didn’t like to make the choice easier for you.
Hostels in Trieste: Hotello Hostel
When visiting Trieste I stayed in Hotello Hostel and if I was stuck for accommodation in Trieste I would probably stay there again but only for one night. And even at that, I would sooner find an alternative option. I was in a 6 bed mixed dorm, and as a solo female traveller, I expect the doors in the bathroom to lock. Unfortunely, the door handle was broken which meant anytime I used the toilet or had a shower I was terrified of someone walking in. The crate under my bed (used as a locker) was also extremely difficult to open and close. I spent maybe 2/3 mins trying to open it each time. There is no common area or kitchen onsite so I found it quite difficult to meet other travellers. There was a bar on the ground floor but it was hard to tell who was from the hostel as they let people from the general public in. The hostel was in a good location and not too far from the train station which made it ideal for exploring Trieste. Book your stay here.
| Location ✔ | Facilities ✖ | Clean ✔ | Social ✖ | Kitchen ✖ | Safe – (bathroom) | Total Score 4.5/10 |
Hostels in Venice: Anda Venice
This hostel is definitely a cool place to stay for those looking to spend a few days exploring Venice, it is located in Mestre just s short train ride to Venice city. It is a multi-story complex, almost like a big hotel with dorm rooms. They have ‘party’ nights most days of the week with live music, DJs and more. It’s pretty easy to meet people in the bar/social area. The staff are fantastic and the beds are comfy with a good size locker storage. The only downside to the hostel is the kitchen, the facilities are not the best for those wanting to cook a meal and the fridge situation is not ideal. No one has to label their food with a checkout date so there is A TONE of food squished into the fridge. Finding space was a massive challenge. I also wanted to note that the hostel is not located in the safest area. It is ok to walk around during the day but I would not venture out by myself at night. All in all I would highly recommend booking for those visiting Venice. Click here to book your stay in Anda Hostel Venice.
| Location ✔ | Facilities ✔ | Clean ✔ | Social ✔ | Kitchen ✖ | Safe Not Location Wise | Total Score 8/10 |
Hostels in Lake Como: Ostello Bello
If you are planning a trip to Como you NEED to stay in Ostello Bello, it can be pricey but… the facilities make up for it. They have a massive kitchen with everything you need, including FREE food. Yes, it’s free. You could use the food in the kitchen to prepare meals each night of your stay to keep the cost down. The dorm rooms are nice and clean, the bunks are 3 beds which I was a little weiry about before my stay ,but honestly I didn’t even notice the difference between them and a normal bunk. The hostel stay are so lovely and go out of their way to help. They run events in the hostel each night and even have a family-style dinner which is free of charge. This is a fun way to meet others in the hostel. I’d highly recommend Ostello Bello to anyone visiting Como – Book Your Stay Here.
| Location ✔ | Facilities ✔ | Clean ✔ | Social ✔ | Kitchen ✔ | Safe ✔ | Total Score 9.5/10 |
Hostels in Cinque Terre (La Spezia): Grand Hostel Manin
I stayed in Grand Hostel Manin when exploring Cinque Terre National Park, the hostel is located in the city of La Spezia rather than one of the 5 towns, however, staying here makes a trip to the park far more budget-friendly. The trains from La Spezia run every few minutes and it only takes 8 minutes to get to the closest town, Riomaggiore. The hostel has everything you need from a good-sized kitchen (with free breakfast), a large social area, a WhatsApp group to stay in contact with others and super friendly staff. We also had a family dinner one night, it cost an additional €5 but it was completely worth it. I met so many lovely people. Book your stay in Grand Hostel Manin Here.
| Location ✔ | Facilities ✔ | Clean ✔ | Social ✔ | Kitchen ✔ | Safe ✔ | Total Score 9/10 |
Hostels in Pisa: Hostel Pisa Tower
I stayed one night in Pisa, I had planned to use it as a resting spot, however, Hostel Pisa Tower was rediculasly hot during the day making it impossible to chill in the room. They only turned the AC on at night which meant I was sweating for the majority of my stay. Even getting out of the shower. One of my dorm mates asked for the AC to be powered on and they said due to the spike in prices that they could not. I understand that everything is more expensive at the moment but if I am being honest they could easily charge each guest a little more in order to keep the hostel at a comfortable temperature. The hostel itself was not overly clean, there was a dirty sock under my bed when I arrived and the lockers were all broken. Thankfully the people I was sharing my dorm with seemed nice but I was a little anxious leaving my valuables in a half-locked locker. The doors in the room were very squeaky which meant it was impossible to get a good night’s sleep. The staff were friendly and welcoming but if I am being honest I would not recommend a stay here.
| Location ✔ | Facilities ✖ | Clean ✖ | Social ✔ | Kitchen ✖ | Safe ✖ | Total Score 2.5/10 |
Hostels in Florence: YellowSquare Florence
I stayed in the YellowSquare in Florence in June 2022, at the time it was brand new and only open a few weeks. Still, everything ran super smoothly, the staff were nice and welcoming, the facilities were perfect and it had a large kitchen downstairs for those who want to cook their own meals. The Yellowsquare has everything you need for a social stay, an onsite restaurant (very affordable), a bar with daily events and even a rooftop swimming pool. I really loved my stay here, the rooms are comfortable, clean and safe. Location-wise, the hostel is located slightly outside the main city centre (about a 20-minute walk) but I honestly quite enjoyed the walk in and out. There is an option to get public transport but it is not really needed. I would 100% stay here again. Book your stay in the Yellowsquare Florence.
| Location ✖ | Facilities ✔ | Clean ✔ | Social ✔ | Kitchen ✔ | Safe ✔ | Total Score 9/10 |
Hostels in Rome: Yellowsquare Rome
The Yellow Square is a hostel chain in Italy, in fact, they are known for being one of the best party hostels in Europe. After my stay in Florence, I knew I would enjoy the Yellow Square in Rome just as much. Once again the hostel has everything you need, a large kitchen, a nice social area and comfortable dorms. The hostel is located in a nice area in Rome about a 20-minute walk from the cities major attractions such as the Trevi Fountain and some lesser known spots too. There is a bar and restaurant onsite with drink promotions/discounts for hostel guests (this is the perfect place to meet fellow travellers). The hostel also runs daily events making it easy to meet others. I met so many wonderful people while staying here, I felt perfectly safe and liked that I did not have to get an uber or public transport to explore most of the city. I’ll definitely be back. Book your stay in the Yellow Square Rome here.
| Location ✔ | Facilities ✔ | Clean ✔ | Social ✔ | Kitchen ✔ | Safe ✔ | Total Score 9/10 |
I went from Rome to Vienna and made use of the convenient night train service. Which is essentially a hostel on wheels so if you would like to know more about this I do have a dedicated post on my experience.
Hostels in Austria
Austria is a country I am so glad I added to my Europe Itinerary, with beautiful mountains, historic cities and incredible scenery. I spent 3 weeks exploring this beautiful alpine country while on my 4-month backpacking trip through Europe. Thankfully, I had a good experience in most of the hostels <3
Hostels in Vienna: Do Step Inn Central
This is the first time I stayed in a Self Check-in hostel and if I am being honest it really wasn’t for me. I missed the human interaction with the staff and knowing that if anything was to go wrong I would be able to seek help. There wasn’t a very ‘social’ aspect to the hostel and I found it hard to make friends outside the dorm room. The bed/locker situation was awful. There were no lockers or space to leave your belongings so you had to place them at the end of your pod-style bed. Leaving very little room to lie down. There are also no lockers in the room but it is possible to lock your bed. The check-in is very confusing and most guests relied on others staying there to help as there were no staff around. The hostel itself was very clean and it had a nice big, well-equipped kitchen. It was located a short walk from the city centre and right beside the train station. Therefore, it may be the perfect place to stay for those looking for a short visit to Vienna and a not-so-social environment but for me, it just was not my cup of tea. Book your stay here.
| Location ✔ | Facilities ✔ | Clean ✔ | Social ✖ | Kitchen ✔ | Safe ✖ | Total Score 4.5/10 |
HOSTELS IN SALZBURG: YOHO YOUTH HOSTEL
Overall, I really enjoyed my stay at YoHo Youth Hostel, it is close to both the city centre and the train station. The rooms are cleaned well and the beds are super comfortable. It is the perfect location for those looking to explore Salzburg or take day trips to Berchtesgaden National Park (The park is so beautiful, I highly recommend a visit). The hostel plays the Sound of Music Movie each night at 8 pm, which is a lot of fun. They also have a bar onsite, although I never really saw people socialising in it. The easiest way to make friends is to stick around till the end of the Sound of Music. Generally, people start chatting and making plans to hang out. The hostel’s only downfall is a lack of a kitchen. They do have a microwave and fridge but no cookery, you can ask to borrow some from the bar/breakfast area but if there is a line at reception you can be waiting anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes. It’s also important to note that while they advertise as a Youth Hostel they didn’t seem to follow the typical youth hostel age restrictions. I was staying for a week and on two occasions was in a room with a family of all older adults which isn’t ideal for solo travellers but not a deal breaker. Book your stay in YoHo Youth Hostel here.
| Location ✔ | Facilities ✔ | Clean ✔ | Social ✔ | Kitchen ✖ | Safe ✔ | Total Score 7.5/10 |
HOSTELS IN HALLSTATT: HOSTEL BAD GOISERN
If you are looking to visit Austria’s fairytale town of Hallstatt then the Bad Goisern hostel is the perfect place for you. Located just a 10-15 minute train ride from Hallstatt station is a beautiful rural town surrounded by mountains. It is extremely expensive to stay in Hallstatt, therefore, staying outside the town is the best budget-friendly option. I really enjoyed my stay here, the owner is nice and explains all there is to do in the area with detailed maps. There is a fully equipped kitchen, which is rather social and an easy place to meet other travellers. The rooms are clean and tidy and each guest is provided with a towel which is always a nice bonus when booking a hostel. I really enjoyed my stay here, I will 100% come back on my next visit to Hallstatt. Book your stay now.
| Location ✔ | Facilities ✔ | Clean ✔ | Social ✖ | Kitchen ✔ | Safe ✔ | Total Score 8/10 |
HOSTELS IN INNSBRUCK: MEININGER HOTEL INNSBRUCK
The Meininger Hostel has more of a hotel feel with all the ‘hostel amenities’ for example a well equipped kitchen, a ‘social’ area and dorm-style bedrooms. I put the word social in inverted commas because although there is a large area to sit and chat, it isn’t an overly social hostel due to the clientele. The hostel attracts a range of guests from Backpackers, Families and couples. Therefore, I personally found it difficult to make friends outside the dormatories. However, with that being said my overall experience in the hostel was positive. I really enjoyed my stay, the rooms where clean, the staff where polite and the location was perfect. The only downside to the rooms is the two twin beds beside each other. I was originally placed beside a stranger in basically a double bed. Luckily, I was the first to arrive in my room and requested to change. Overall, I would recommend this hostel to anyone who is looking for a place to stay in Innsbruck. Book your stay here.
| Location ✔ | Facilities ✔ | Clean ✔ | Social ✔ | Kitchen ✔ | Safe ✔ | Total Score 9.5/10 |
HOSTELS IN MAYRHOFEN: GASTHOF ZILLERTAL
The Gasthof Zillertal is the ideal hostel for anyone looking to do a little bit of hiking in the Zillertal/Tyrol area of the Austrian Alps. My stay in the hostel was short as I decided to go on a last-minute trip in search of Austria’s famous rope bridge. Luckily, I found it <3 The hostel itself is basic but does the trick for those wanting to enjoy nature in the area. It has a basic kitchen with a hob, fridge and utensils. The rooms are nice and spacious and there is a bar onsite. It is a little bit of a walk from the nearest supermarket, however, the scenery along the way makes it enjoyable. There isn’t a social area beside the bar so it can be hard to meet people. Although I found that most people staying in these hostels were there to do their own thing. It was still nice to have fellow travellers to chat to in the evening time. If you are looking for a place to stay in Mayrhofen I would recommend booking this hostel.
Hostels in Poland
Poland is one of my favourite countries in Europe, the people are super friendly, the architecture is beautiful and the nature is breathtaking. On my backpacking trip through Europe I was lucky to stay in both Krakow & the Zakopane Region.
| Related Post: How much I spent 4 months backpacking Europe |
HOSTELS IN KRAKOW: DOWNTOWN DIZZY DAISY HOSTEL
I stayed in the Dizzy Daisy Hostel on two occasions, for one week in a private room and four days in a 10 bed dorm. Ironically, the dormatories where much nicer than the private rooms. They had a more modern decor and were a lot cleaner. The private room did what I needed too (a place to rest) however, if I was to book this hostel again I would just stay in a dorm. The Hostel was located a 9 minute walk from both the old town and the train station. It had a well equipped kitchen too. I met some lovely people in my room, however, the hostel did not have a very social ‘vibe’ to it. With all that being said, it is not my favourite hostel I have ever stayed in, but if I was visiting Krakow again I would stay in Dizzy Daisy. Book your stay here.
| Location ✔ | Facilities ✔ | Clean 50% | Social ✖ | Kitchen ✔ | Safe ✔ | Total Score 6.5/10 |
HOSTELS IN ZAKOPANE: GOODBYE LENIN HOSTEL ZAKOPANE
Words can not describe how much I enjoyed my stay in Goodbye Lenin Hostel, it gives off cute cabin in the woods vibes. Everyone sits in the sitting room at night together, playing guitar, games and just chatting. It is a really lovely place to stay for those looking to meet some new people. I end up spending 2 full days with those I met in the hostel and have even met up since. Honestly, they are friends for life. The staff are also super attentive, most of them are volunteers so rotate quite often but I had a really good experience. The hostel has a small but well-eqqupted kitchen, a grocery store a short walk away and a nice outdoor space. The dorms are clean and the beds are quite comfortable. It is important to note that the hostel is not located in Zakopane itself, it is, however, a short bus journey away. The buses are rather frequent and easy to navigate. The hostel’s only downfall is the lack of backrooms/showers, there were only 2 to accommodate all the guests and staff which meant you were always left waiting. Book your stay in Goodbye Lenin Hostel Now.
| Location ✔ | Facilities ✔ (Bathroom ✖) | Clean ✔ | Social ✔ | Kitchen ✔ | Safe ✔ | Total Score 9/10 |
Hostels in the Czech Republic
While I have been lucky to visit the Czech Republic a number of times I have only stayed in hostels in Prague while on my 4-month backpacking trip through Europe.
HOSTELS IN PRAGUE: CZECH INN
I highly recommend a stay in the Czech Inn for those looking to explore the capital city, Prague. This is a party hostel so it can be noisy at night however, the rooms are super clean, comfortable and spacious. I found it quite easy to meet other travellers in the downstairs bar (which takes only cash FYI). The hostel is huge and reminded me a bit more of a hotel with dormitories than a hostel vibe. There is a small coffee shop on site too which is nice for those wanting to have a quick drink of coffee or pastry. I believe there is a good-sized kitchen but I must admit I ate out each night I was in Prague. The hostel’s only downfall is the bathrooms/showers could do with some major renovation and it is a little far away from the main city. However, Prague’s public transport is quite efficient and a tram stops right outside the hostel. Book your stay in the Czech Inn Here.
| Location ✖ | Facilities ✔ (Bathroom ✖) | Clean ✔ | Social ✔ | Kitchen ✔ | Safe ✔ | Total Score 8/10 |
Hostels in Slovakia
I have only been to the capital of Slovakia which is Bratislava. Down below is a review of the hostel I stayed in.
HOSTELS IN BRATISLAVA: THE URBAN ELEPHANT
While visiting Bratislava I stayed in the Urban Elephant hostel. It was honestly such a lovely place to stay, close to all the tourist attractions, clean, and good amenities like a nice-sized kitchen and bathrooms. I found it extremely easy to make friends and would highly recommend staying here. I must admit the hostel is a ‘party hostel’ with organised activities each night. If you decide to not take part the hostel quites down around 9/10pm and it is possible to get a decent night’s sleep. I was originally supposed to stay in the sister hostel the ‘Wild Elephant‘ however when you arrive they get you to sign a disclaimer as things can get well…wild. This hostel also has fantastic reviews so if you are visiting Bratislava to part hard this may be a good alternative. For me, I use the evening activities to meet fellow travellers, however, I am not a bigger drinker so I asked to be moved to the ‘more quiet’ hostel. The staff were lovely and ensured we all felt comfortable and right at home. Book your stay here.
Hostels in Hungary
I have visited Hungary’s capital city Budapest on many occasions, staying in Hostels for two of these trips. One of which I recommend while the other was probably one of my worst hostel experiences of my trip. However, that did not affect my love for Budapest, it is the perfect stop for those travelling Europe on a Budget, thanks to the cities affordability from the incredible attractions, such as the cave tours beneath or the party boats on the Danube.
HOSTELS IN BUDAPEST: WOMBATS HOSTEL BUDAPEST
On my first trip to Budapest, I stayed in the Wombats hostel and honestly, I couldn’t fault it. The hostel is centrally located for those looking to stay in the Pest region of the city, in the heart of all the nightlife. It has a shared kitchen, bar and large social area on site and it is super easy to make friends. The hostel is clean, well looked after and the beds are comfortable too. If I plan a trip to Budapest again I wouldn’t hesitate a stay in Wombats. Book your trip here.
| Location ✔ | Facilities ✔ | Clean ✔ | Social ✔ | Kitchen ✔ | Safe ✔ | Total Score 9/10 |
| Related Post: Is Budapest Worth Visiting? |
HOSTELS IN BUDAPEST: FLOW SPACES
I do NOT recommend staying here. While the hostel amenities are perfect, everything you need. The experience I had while staying in Flow Spaces was the worst in all of my 4-month backpacking trip. One morning I received a call from the front desk to explain that bed bugs had been found in my room and that the room would need to be fumigated. I was asked to stay out of my room until this happen and 2 hours after the exterminator had left. I understand that these things happen and that it was out of the hostel’s control but the way the staff dealt with the situation was awful. At 5 pm, I went back up to the reception as the exterminator still had not arrived, I asked if they had an estimated time and I was told they could not get through to him. I said ok and waited until 10pm. I then asked to be moved to another room in which I was told there were none. However, I had already looked online to find a 4 bed dorm, I requested to move to that room and they responded with ‘but you paid for a 6-bed dorm, this is a 4-bed with an ensuite’. I was then told ‘that I could just stay in my previous dorm that was waiting to be sprayed because it was only ‘one’ bug the previous guest had seen and they are almost certain it was not a bed bug and the room was being sprayed as a precaution. I was not willing to stay in a room that was waiting to be treated for bed bugs, all the beds had no sheets on them, the curtains had been taken down and the exterminator could come in at any time. They eventually agreed to allow me to stay in the 4-bed dorm if I returned to my room once it was sprayed. They then didn’t clean my room until 5pm the next day even though the room was sprayed at 11 pm the night previous. So, basically, I was more than 24 hours without a room even though I had paid for one. Sorry for the rant but I highly recommend looking elsewhere if you are visiting Budapest.
| Location ✖ | Facilities ✔ | Clean ✖ | Social ✖ | Kitchen ✔ | Safe ✔ | Total Score 2/10 |
Hostels in Slovenia
One my trip I was looking to spend some time in both Ljubanna and Lake Bled. If you get a chance to backpack Europe I highly recommend adding Slovenia to the list. It is honestly such an amazing country and so BEAUTIFUL 😍
HOSTELS IN LJUBANNA: HOSTEL VRBA
I really enjoyed my stay in Hostel Vrba, I met some of the most amazing people there, some of which I continued to travel with once I had reached bled. The hostel has a well equipped kitchen (I had a look but ended up eating out), clean bathrooms and nicely sized dorms. The beds are comfortable and there are lockers inside the rooms with a provided lock which is always nice. Alex the host is super friendly, she even waited for me as my train was majorly delayed and I arrived 1 hour after the last check in time. The hostel itself is located a little outside the main city, but Ljubanna is quite small and walkable so it didn’t make much of a difference. There is shops and a bakery nearby for some cheap eats. Overall, I would highly recommend a stay in Hostel Vrba when visiting Ljubanna.
| Location ✔ | Facilities ✔ | Clean ✔ | Social ✔ | Kitchen ✔ | Safe ✔ | Total Score 9/10 |
HOSTELS IN LAKE BLED: CASTLE HOSTEL
My hostel experience in Bled was by far one of the strangest of my trip so far, the Castle Hostel is listed under 3 different names on both hostelworld and booking.com. And it is a wonder to me that all 3 hostels managed to score above 7+ in ratings. The other names the hostel goes under are ‘The Best Hostel’ and ‘Ace of Spades’. Another aspect that was really strange was that the photos used under the Castle Hostel listings is from the ‘Bled Hostel’ which is next door but a completely different company. My room was covered in flies, as well as the kitchen. I was staying for a week and was woke up each morning at 5am to the sound of fly’s buzzing around my head. We said it to the owner, he basically told us it was due to the farm next door but was reluctant to do anything to sort the problem. We asked to move room but he dismissed that idea. The volunteer staff were lovely you could tell that they too were bothered by the situation but reluctant to say anything. The location and social environment in the hostel was good which lead to me having a great time while in bled. However, I would never stay here again and would not recommend it to others.
| Location ✔ | Facilities ✖ | Clean |