Top 5 Hostels in Eastern Europe
Time Out New York composed a list of the best and cheapest hostels. Ljubljana’s Hostel Celica is at the top of the list. It used to be a prison facility but it has been redesigned and transformed into a hostel. Lonely Planet, the largest travel guide and digital media publisher declared Celica to be ‘the most modern hostel in the world’.
Hostel Celica – Ljubljana, Slovenia
Do not be deterred by shady-looking graffiti on the walls of the frontal side of the building since it used to be a military prison. Hostel Celica is within walking distance from the train station and the rooms are clean and cozy – you can even request to stay behind bars in a prison cell and it will make you feel like sleeping in a Buddhist temple.
Rates start at around $23.50 per person per night; for more information visit souhostel.com
Hostel Split Mediterranean House – Split, Croatia
With the exception of bunk beds and shared bathrooms, this hostel (with a beautiful Mediterranean courtyard) feels like home. Maybe the reason for this lies in the fact that the owner, Elda, who lives in the hostel, acts like Mom. She makes sure you eat your meals, make it to ferry on time, and lends you her computer if you need the Internet. The Hostel has air-conditioning, which means a lot in the summer.
Rates start around $17.50 per person per night; for more information visit hostel-split.com.
Hostel Miran – Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
At first glance, this hostel doesn’t look like much, but once you meet Miran you’ll ignore the elementary accommodations and courtyard sink that is used for teeth brushing and laundry. Miran will pick you up at the train station and walk you to the hostel where he lives with his parents, his wife and a small child. Try and get him to tell you about his wartime experience, and the best local restaurants.
Rates start around $14.50 per person per night; for more information visit hostelworld.com
Nathan’s Villa – Sighisoara, Romania
Nathan’s guests have created a sort of a cult and some of them visit only to spend a few days in the hostel. The rooms are clean, and it feels like a college dorm with hospitable and pleasant staff. In addition to Sighisoara, there are four Nathan’s hostels in Poland.
Rates start around $14.50 per person per night; for more information visit nathansvilla.com.
Home Made Hostel – Budapest, Hungary
The most important thing about this hostel is that there are no bunk beds. Apart from that, the atmosphere is very homey and the kitchen fantastic. The staff are always at your service and the bathrooms clean.
Rates start around $18 per person per night; for more information visit homemadehostel.com.
Hungary is not geographically in The Balkans, so I do not write about it here. If you want to know more about it, here is a great post written by my friend Miss Tourist, that I have found super useful! http://misstourist.com/budapest/
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Way сool! Some vеry vɑlid points! I appreсiаte you writing this write-up and the rest of the website is extremely good.
Whoa! I don’t know if I could stay in a previous military prison! I think that would creep me out. Cool idea though and these hostels are pretty budget friendly as well!
Backpacking Eastern Europe sounds interesting too. I heard how cheap most Eastern European areas are and for obvious reasons, most people flock to western EU neglecting the beauty of these countries. I will keep this post for future reference, I’d backpack eastern Europe on day.
Croatia and Bosnia are both on my list, so I’m going to bookmark this and try these places out when I go.
I’m planning to head East this year, so this list will be super helpful. I think a good hostel makes such a big difference to your trip, as in a good social hostel you tend to meet more people and we all know people are the secret to really enjoying a place.
Thanks for the suggestions 🙂
Hostel Celica sounds awesome. Would love to stay in a faux prison cell. I love when hostels have historical backgrounds. I still have yet to visit Slovenia but it’s on my bucket list 🙂
Nice Tips! I have lived in Europe for a few months and there are lots of hostels that you can choose from and I think this post helps a lot especially to those who are planning on going there!
I know Hostel Celica in Slovenia. this is a lovely hotel or there really a great welcome. The design is very nice and very comfortable bunk beds. It is a bit like a hostel with all the friendliness of the place
Ohh thanks foe the tips on Split, I want to spend a few nights there this year and the choice was overwhelming!
you have really provided extremely good ideas regarding hostels in Eastern Europe i really had no idea thank you for that i hope to share it
We are just leaving to Balkan this Friday so I’m sooo happy that I found your website. I’m gonna check it all right now, thank you so much for great article and website! Kamil
Nice collection. I just have been in the Home Made Hostel in Hungary, but on my next eastern Europe trip I will really consider to visit the other ones 😉
Hostel Celica is definitely worth a look.
I remember staying there back when it first opened, somehow I ended up on a bus from the airport with the Slovenia food and agriculture minister of sorts…talking my ear off about the country’s great wines…saw him wandering around on the streets with a bottle of wine in his hand later in the evening. Sampling the wares, of course.
Llubljana is like the little Venice of the Balkans.
wow! hotels first need to when you go somewhere and if you get the best hotel with all facilities and amazing looks.you fell great.