Check Out Some of the Most Interesting Hostels in Europe.
Whether you’re new to the whole “hostel thing” or you’re a veteran of the dorm room, choosing a great hostel in a new city can make or break your experience.
So, if you’re travelling to Europe and looking for a unique hostel experience – look no further!
From a former prison turned into art gallery to a hostel with a seaside terrace, you’ll find some of the coolest hostels – as rated by our fellow travellers!
Some of these places are rated as the best hostels in Europe for solo travellers, while others are the best hostels in Europe for couples because of their boutique style and elegant locations. There might even be one hostel with a pool – but you’ll have to read on to find it!
And if you need any help planning that perfect Europe trip – check out Eric’s Europe trip itinerary to learn more about cities, transportation, what to do, hostels, and more!
Whatever your style or vibe, here are nine of the most interesting, unique, dreamy, and fun hostels in Europe!
Mosi Firenze – Florence, Italy
Recommended by Catherine from Her Bags Were Packed
Mosi Firenze in Florence is by far the nicest and most peaceful hostel experience I’ve ever had. Mosi is only about a year old and is different than most in that it’s a combination of a hostel and a bed and breakfast.
There are five private rooms for couples or duos of travelers and one dorm with four cozy beds. I stayed in the dorm, and it was the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in while traveling. The small number of beds allows for the perfect amount of privacy mixed with community.
The host and owner, Simona De Martina, is a lover of travel who started Mosi because she wanted to take the experience of meeting other travelers home with her. Simona is the perfect host – ready for a lively discussion about your travel plans and experiences or open to giving you your privacy.
Breakfast is served from 8:30-10:00 AM and consists of freshly baked pastries, yogurt, fruit, eggs, granola, tea and coffee. I even saw Simona packing breakfast-to-go for a guest who was leaving early in the morning for a tour.
Mosi is in an ideal part of Florence — not right in the midst of everything, but only a short walk to just about anything. A great choice for any mature, independent solo traveler, Mosi offers safety, comfort, and a bit of community. Check to See the Latest Prices at Mosi Firenze!
Soul Kitchen Hostel – St. Petersburg, Russia
Recommended by Campell and Alya from Stingly Nomads
We’ve stayed at hundreds of different hostels all over the world some of them we don’t even remember, some became a real home, Soul Kitchen Hostel in St.Petersburg is one of them.
The location is great, in the heart of the city, 5-10 minutes walk from the main attractions; the Hermitage, St.Isaac cathedral, Kazan cathedral as well as main bar streets and metro stations.
Both private rooms and dorms are very cozy and modern, beds are very comfortable and the whole place is super clean and neat. Each dorm bed has its own luggage box, light, several outlets, curtains – you have some privacy even when staying in a shared room.
The hostel has a great common area with a cool design that includes a living room with three Macbooks for guest use, many board games and a very well equipped kitchen.
The hosts are awesome, very friendly, helpful and fun people and always ready to help with planning and answer your questions.
The vibe here is great it’s a very social place with many international travelers from all over the world. The only problem is that it’s so nice to be here that you don’t even want to go outside.
No matter if you’re planning to spend only three days in St.Petersburg or stay for two weeks Soul Kitchen hostel is a great place, it will make you feel like at home here.
Needless to say, Soul Kitchen has been chosen many times as one of the best hostels in Europe according to the guests’ reviews. Check to See the Latest Prices at Soul Kitchen Hostel!
Francesco’s Hostel – Ios, Greece
Recommended by Nathaniel from TravelLemming.com
You’ll have to climb up narrow winding staircases through back alleys to get there, but upon checking in at Francesco’s Hostel you will be rewarded with magnificent views of the Aegean Sea.
This charming hostel is situated on a hillside on the island of Ios, Greece, a quintessential stop for anyone backpacking through Europe.
But just because you’re a backpacker doesn’t mean you’ll have to sacrifice amenities at Francesco’s. For starters, the hostel has a large pool and deck with an unforgettable view of the ocean.
And whether you chose a dorm or one of the private rooms, the comfortable mattresses, impeccable cleaning, and numerous sea-view terraces may make you feel like you’ve checked into a hotel, not a hostel!
But, lest you have any doubt, Francesco’s provides all the organized social activities you’d expect from a hostel atmosphere.
Go have a drink at the hostel’s bar and you may find the hostel’s namesake there introducing the latest guests.
And each evening the hostel’s staff organize a pub crawl through Ios’s famous backpacker bar scene. If you like the hostel vibe, you’re sure to love Francesco’s! Check to See the Latest Prices at Francesco’s Hostel!
Port Eynon Youth Hostel – Wales, United Kingdom
Recommended by Jo from Where Jo Goes
You can’t get much closer to the sea than Port Eynon YHA youth hostel unless you’re actually splashing around in it. On the stunningly beautiful Gower peninsula in Wales, Port Eynon hostel is in a converted lifeboat station right on the beach.
Watch the waves crash on the slipway outside, borrow a surfboard and wetsuit from the hostel and hit the surf or stroll the miles of sandy beaches that line the coast.
The hostel has an outdoors vibe and attracts families, singles, and groups looking to make the most of the area’s natural beauty. Paddleboarding, boat trips, and the Wales coastal path are all literally on the doorstep.
Port Eynon YHA sleeps 28 in 8 rooms including en-suite and family rooms. Cosy and clean, the hostel has a self-catering kitchen or there are some local pubs and traditional fish and chip shops if you want to eat out.
A fantastic fresh air location with an unbeatable sea view, Port Eynon is a hostel for beach lovers, walkers and watersports fans alike. Check to See the Latest Prices at Port Eynon YHA!
City Backpackers Hostel – Stockholm, Sweden
Recommended by Arzo from Arzo Travels. You can find her Stockholm 3 Day City Guide here.
Stockholm is a beautiful city and even if you are not a big hostel fan, the prices for accommodation might convince you of booking a stay in a hostel – no reason to be upset though.
Stockholm has a beautiful hostel that is fun and centrally located. It is City Backpackers Hostel in Stockholm, Sweden.
I am not the super-expert when it comes to hostels but I am definitely a picky guest.
So, if I say this, it means a lot: City Backpackers Hostel is a good choice for your stay in Sweden – it is located in the district of Upplandsgatan and close to the main shopping street of Stockholm – Drottninggatan Street and the old part of Stockholm, Gamla Stan, is also within walking distance (about 10-15 minutes walk).
But it is not only the good location which convinces: It is clean and the staff is super friendly. The social areas at that hostel made it easy to make friends, and if you are a solo traveler it is a perfect opportunity to meet new people.
So, if you are heading to Stockholm the City Backpackers might be the right choice for you as well! Check to See the Latest Prices at City Backpackers Hostel!
Bcool Hostel – Bilbao, Spain
Recommended by Mike and Sue of 197 Travel Stamps
First impressions matter. And after the first impressions of our room at Bcool Hostel Bilbao we had already fallen in love with it. We didn’t stay in one of the dorms but opted for a more quiet double room.
The room was very spacious with modern furniture and a huge bathroom and shower. On top of that, these two wonderful swans were waiting on our bed. What a nice way to say welcome.
Bilbao is a small town and Bcool Hostel is located very close to the old town and the city center. During the two days we spent in the city, we didn’t need to use any public transport at all – a fact that made our trip so much more relaxing.
The hostel also has a bar where you can have a relaxing drink in the evening before heading out into Bilbao’s nightlife or where you can start your day with an affordable breakfast.
For us, Bcool Hostel felt like a more upscale hotel at the price of a hostel room – just perfect! Check to See the Latest Prices at Bcool Hostel Bilbao!
Lisa lived in Bilbao for 5 months and absolutely loves this city – you should definitely consider planning a trip to Bilbao!
Maverick Lodge Hostel – Budapest, Hungary
Recommended by Halef and Michael at The Round The World Guys
The Maverick Lodge Hostel is located in one of the best places to stay in Budapest, right in the middle of the Jewish neighborhood. The famous Ruin Bars, or Szimpla Kert, are located merely a block away.
Budapest Maverick Lodge Hostel has a very inviting and cozy lobby, where you can sit comfortably in the public area and mingle with fellow travelers.
There is plenty of space to wait and to check out different flyers, Budapest events, and tourist information leaflets on the counter. Guests are encouraged to leave post-it notes in the kitchen, which is covered with notes of the places where guests are from.
The hostel is very strict about quiet areas in the corridors and inside the rooms. They will ask you to move to the kitchen or lobby area, where you can socialize and congregate.
If you are into the hostel scene, Maverick City Lodge Hostel is probably one of the best hostels in Budapest for your money. Check to See the Latest Prices at Maverick Lodge Hostel!
Also, if you’re heading to Budapest and need a guide on everything to do and see in 3 days – we have you covered with our Budapest post!
Gallery Hostel – Porto, Portugal
Recommended by James from Worldwide Shopping Guide. You can find his Portugal gift guide here.
Gallery Hostel in Porto is, without doubt, one of the best hostels I’ve stayed at in Europe. As a “boutique hostel”, it combines all of the best parts of a hostel with all of the best parts of a small, boutique hotel.
Gallery looks like a boutique hotel, with beautiful, comfortable bedrooms and thoughtfully-decorated common areas.
Unlike a hotel, however, it also has a strong social aspect. Every evening, the hostel offers a €10 evening meal – a fantastic chance to meet some of the other people staying at the hostel.
Breakfast is also served daily, although the evening meal does tend to be better for getting to know other people. Other facilities and amenities at Gallery Hostel include a bar, bike hire, a communal kitchen, cinema room, and a lounge area with computers.
As a boutique hostel, this hostel is a little more expensive than most other hostels – prices start from around €59 – but it’s considerably more affordable than a boutique hotel.
If you’re at the age where you’re between accommodation types, it’s the perfect compromise. Check to See the Latest Prices at Gallery Porto!
Celica Art Hostel – Ljubljana, Slovenia
Recommended by Sara from Travel Continuum
Even if its unusual 100-year history as a prison doesn’t rouse your curiosity enough to tempt you to book a stay, there are many other reasons why the Celica Arts Hostel in Ljubljana is still one of the best European hostels to visit.
Opened in 2003, the Celica is the living legacy of a group of artisans, who fought to preserve the original building after it fell into disuse following Slovenian independence in 1991.
Among the accommodation units are 20 former cells which have been individually refurbished to provide the quirkiest of rooms, each one with a different layout and theme.
Part of the charm is that you can’t pick and choose a particular cell-room when you book – much like the former prisoners, you get what you’re given!
But despite its shady past, today’s vibe is uplifting and welcoming, with friendly, knowledgeable staff and tasty, affordable food.
There’s a buzz of excitement throughout the hostel, but plenty of quiet corners for a more laid-back and reflective few moments – the Oriental-themed lounge, in particular, is a wonderful spot to ponder and plan.
The location, within a stone’s throw of the city centre, is unbeatable and makes the Celica an ideal place to stop while exploring Slovenia’s delightful capital city.
So if you’re looking for something out-of-the-ordinary whilst in Ljubljana, you won’t find anything more captivating than the Hostel Celica. Check to See the Latest Prices at Celica Art Hostel!
And there you have it – some of the most unique hostels in Europe! Did they mention your favourites or is there still a hidden gem that we should know about? Let us know in the comments below!
A huge thank you to our fellow bloggers for their contributions – now Penguin and Pia even have more ideas for hostels to stay at! Guess we’ll just have to keep on travelling to try them all.
As always, Happy Hostel Waddlin’,
-L+E
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thks a lot ! simona mòsì Firenze
Happy to show off your beautiful place, Simona! Hopefully see you soon!
I loved contributing to this because I love finding unusual hostels to stay at 🙂 Thanks for including my contribution in your round up. I’ve enjoyed reading all the contributions I’m eyeing up Ios and Stockholm!
Jo@wherejogoes