The best hostels in the world offer something unique without even intentionally trying. Take Stone City Hostel in Albania as an example. After a 12-hour journey, backpack weighing a ton, I finally arrived absolutely exhausted.
Before I could even put my bag down, someone thrust a glass of homemade rakia in my hand, and the owner – this lovely Albanian gentleman with the warmest smile – got telling me a few stories about the historic town as if we’d been friends for years. By midnight I’d made friends with other travellers from four continents, and exhaustion turned into feeling like I’d found my second home.
That’s what’s amazing about brilliant hostels, isn’t it? They’re never just a place to sleep for the night. They’re where solo travels transform into shared adventures, where £15 gets you not just a bed but potentially lifelong friendships, and where you feel genuinely comfortable and rested.
I’ve spent years hunting down the world’s most unforgettable hostels. Not the fancy pants “poshtels” with their artisanal breakfasts (though I won’t say no to those either), but the genuine community hubs that make budget travel feel like a privilege rather than a compromise.
So before you head out into the world, here’s my list of hostels that I’ve been working on over years of travel.
What Makes a Hostel Worth Writing Home About?
After staying in more hostels than I can count, I’ve noticed patterns in what backpackers rave about – and what sends them running for the nearest hotel.
The social atmosphere is absolutely everything. Those hostels with gorgeous common areas where you can’t help but chat to strangers are gold dust. Places that organise family dinners, pub crawls or even simple movie nights create the kind of environment where you can rock up alone and leave with travel buddies.
Then there’s the basics – clean showers (without those grim hair clumps, ta), comfy beds, and decent WiFi that actually works when you need to FaceTime home. Location matters too – close enough to the action but not so central that bass from nearby clubs keeps you up till dawn (unless that’s your thing).
But the X-factor has to be those unique touches that stick in your memory. Like the Lisbon hostel with free sangria nights where I ended up learning Portuguese folk songs, or the place in Vietnam where the staff remembered everyone’s names after meeting them just once.
Europe’s Hostel Hotspots
Europe spoils us for hostel choices. From the party palaces of Barcelona to the cozy hideaways in Eastern Europe, the continent’s got something for every type of backpacker. These are the spots that had me extending my stay “just one more night” (which usually turned into a week).
Stone City Hostel, Gjirokaster, Albania
Stone City feels more like staying at your long-lost Albanian cousin’s house than a hostel. Set in a gorgeous traditional stone building with views over the Ottoman old town, it’s the perfect size – about 20 beds – so you get to know everyone without feeling overwhelmed.
What makes this particular hostel special is Tomi and Valentina, the owners who pour their heart into the place. They’ll cook you traditional dinners, organise impromptu town tours, and tell you local secrets you never would’ve known about without their help. I was meant to stay two nights and ended up staying seven – partly because of the nightly conversations and card games on the terrace under string lights, with the castle glowing in the background.
The best bit though, was waking up to fresh mountain air and homemade burek pastries. If you’re on the Balkan trail, this is an absolute must-stop.
Kabul Hostel, Barcelona, Spain
OK, I’m not in my early twenties anymore, so this isn’t so much my scene these days – but Kabul Hostel will give you one of the maddest nights out ever. This place is really quite legendary in backpacker circles for a reason – it’s basically a non-stop party.
The common room is always buzzing with travellers playing pool, the beer’s cheap, and their pub crawl is infamous. These Irish lads who’d been there for a week hadn’t seen a single tourist attraction in Barcelona – they couldn’t tear themselves away from the hostel vibe.
Fair warning: book well in advance (I’m talking months), don’t expect much sleep, and maybe have a recovery day planned afterwards. But if you want to experience the epitome of hostel social life, this is it.
The Lost Inn, Lisbon, Portugal
The Lost Inn feels like it was designed by someone who’s stayed in a million hostels and fixed all the annoying bits. It’s in this gorgeous old building with tile work that’ll make you swoon, but with modern touches like spacious bathrooms (hallelujah!) and actual comfortable mattresses.
Their free sangria nights are the stuff of legend. I turned up solo and within an hour was chatting with a Swedish photographer, a Brazilian chef, and a retired Kiwi couple on their gap year. The staff organise walking tours that actually show you cultural gems rather than just the touristy spots.
What I loved most here was the location – central enough to walk everywhere, but tucked away on a quiet street so you can actually sleep when you want to. If you’re in Lisbon, you’d be daft to stay anywhere else.
EastSeven Hostel, Berlin, Germany
Berlin’s got loads of party hostels, but EastSeven is for when you want to meet people without having to shout over techno at 3 am. Their garden is an absolute dream – fairy lights, hammocks, and always someone interesting to chat with.
The staff organise these brilliant walking tours (the street art one blew my mind), and their happy hour in the garden is perfect for meeting fellow travellers before heading out to explore Berlin’s nightlife. The rooms are simple but spotless, and the location in Prenzlauer Berg gives you a taste of local Berlin rather than just tourist central.
I met the loveliest group of people here – we ended up cooking dinner together in their well-equipped kitchen and then hitting a local jazz club that the staff recommended.
Asia’s Best Hostels
Asia’s hostel game has seriously levelled up in recent years. Gone are the days of bare-bones backpacker digs – these spots combine budget-friendly prices with genuinely amazing experiences.
Ostello Bello, Inle Lake, Myanmar
The sunsets from Ostello Bello’s rooftop are unbelievable here. This Italian-run hostel chain has locations across Myanmar, but their Inle Lake branch is something special. They offer free breakfast AND free dinner (absolute gold when you’re on a tight budget), plus activities every night from traditional dance lessons to cooking classes.
The staff arrange affordable boat tours of the lake, and they’ve got these lovely little balconies where you can sit and watch local life unfold. But what really got me was how they’ve created this perfect cultural exchange – local staff teaching travellers about Burmese culture while creating a home-like atmosphere.
When I stayed, they organised this incredible day where we helped at a local school, followed by drinks on the rooftop as the sun set over the mountains. I’ve never felt so connected to a place so quickly.
Laura’s Backpacker, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
If you want to understand Indonesian culture rather than just pass through it, Laura’s is your spot. The host Laura herself is this incredible woman who welcomes you like family, cooks amazing traditional meals, and has rescued about a dozen cats and dogs that roam the hostel (heaven if you’re missing pets from home).
The hostel arranges affordable trips to Borobudur and Prambanan temples, but the real magic happens in the evenings when Laura shares stories about Indonesian history and culture. I spent hours chatting with her and other travellers about everything from politics to food.
It’s not flashy – just simple, clean rooms and shared bathrooms – but the atmosphere is unbeatable. Laura even took us to her family’s celebration one night!
Hanoi Central Backpackers, Hanoi, Vietnam
I walked into Hanoi Central Backpackers feeling a bit nervous about travelling solo in Vietnam, and walked out with six new travel buddies and plans to meet up in three more countries. Their free beer hour (yes, FREE BEER) breaks the ice like nothing else, and their bar crawls through Hanoi’s Old Quarter are legendary.
The dorms are basic but clean, with solid lockers for your valuables. The real value is in the common areas – always buzzing with travellers planning trips, sharing tips, or just nursing hangovers together. Their staff can arrange anything from Ha Long Bay cruises to Sapa trekking at competitive prices.
My favorite memory has to be sitting on tiny plastic stools at a street food spot the staff recommended, slurping pho with new friends after a night out.
Oceania and Beyond
Australia and New Zealand might not be the cheapest backpacking destinations, but goodness, their hostels know how to deliver value for money.
Nomads Queenstown, New Zealand
Queenstown is already exceptionally beautiful, but waking up to lake and mountain views from Nomads’ massive windows takes it to another level. This place is huge but somehow maintains a cozy vibe with its excellent common areas and hot tub (yes, a proper hot tub in a hostel!).
It’s perfect for adventure junkies – the staff can book everything from bungee jumps to skydives, often with discounts. After a day of adrenaline, their movie room with bean bags is the perfect recovery spot. When I stayed, they organised a hilarious pub quiz that had everyone mingling.
The location is spot on too – right in town but still peaceful enough to sleep.
Gilligan’s, Cairns, Australia
Gilligan’s is more like a resort than a hostel – massive pool, onsite restaurant, and an actual nightclub attached. It’s where backpackers on working holiday visas tend to land when they first hit Australia, so the atmosphere is electric with excitement.
The rooms are modern and clean, with good air con (essential in tropical Queensland). They organise regular events from pool parties to quiz nights, making it nearly impossible not to make friends. Their job board is brilliant for working holidaymakers too.
I spent a week here when I first landed in Oz and met people I ended up travelling with for months. It’s the perfect introduction to Australia’s backpacker scene.
Beyond the Usual Suspects
While Europe, Asia and Oceania get loads of attention, don’t sleep on other regions. Milhouse in Buenos Aires is party central for South America, while Auberge NOLA in New Orleans offers a rare taste of proper hostel culture in the States.
One of my all-time favourites is tiny Kilronan Hostel on Inishmore, one of Ireland’s Aran Islands. Imagine cycling around an island with ancient stone forts, then coming back to home-cooked meals and pints with locals who teach you traditional songs. What travelling is all about, yet it feels worlds away from the typical backpacker trail.
How to Find Your Perfect Hostel Match
After years of trial and error (and a few hostels I’d rather forget), here’s how I sort the good ones from the duds:
- Consider your travel style. If you need eight hours of beauty sleep, that “top party hostel” isn’t for you, no matter how amazing the reviews. I’ve learned this lesson the hard way in Barcelona (see: Kabul).
- For solo female travellers, I always check the security ratings and reviews from other women (like this one). Female-only dorms can be worth the extra money for peace of mind.
- My personal rule is to choose smaller dorms when possible. The price difference between a 12-bed and a 4-bed is usually worth it for better sleep and less snoring!
The Real Magic of Hostel Life
At the end of the day, what makes these places special isn’t the free breakfast or the cool decor – it’s how they transform solo travellers into temporary families. It’s sharing sunrise over Inle Lake with people you met hours earlier, or getting travel advice from someone who’s just been where you’re heading next.
The hostels I’ve mentioned – Stone City, Kabul, Ostello Bello, and all the rest – they’re more than just budget accommodation. They’re little communities that exist for just a moment in time, creating connections that somehow manage to last.