Top Hostels Around the World!

A Backpacker’s Guide to Traveling on a Budget by Travel with Nat

B u d g e t  T r a v e l  E x p e r t

Hi friends! My name is Nat, and I’m a travel photographer, trip planner, and group tour host from Miami, Florida. I’ve spent the last 10 years traveling the world on a budget (40 countries and 6 continents to be exact!) Part of how I have been able to travel on a budget is because I usually stay at hostels. This guide is a list/review of all the hostels I’ve stayed at over the years by continent/country. I hope you find it helpful!

h o s • t e l

An establishment which provides inexpensive food and lodging for a specific group of people, such as students, workers, or travelers.


I know what you’re probably thinking…

Hostel? As in the horror movie, Hostel, about a backpacking trip throughout Europe gone bad? I was skeptical myself at first, but after staying at over 30 hostels around the world, I can say with full confidence I 10/10 recommend to solo or group travelers alike!

Contrary to what you might believe or have heard, hostels are not dangerous, sketchy, dirty, or scary at all. I have made some of my closest friends, had some of my best experiences, eaten some of the best food, and had some of the greatest romances come from staying at hostels.

Hostels are made by travelers, for travelers. They are budget friendly, often times include cheap or free food and activities, and they always show you the best things to do in whatever part of the world you’re in. Best of all, on a budget!

Accommodation Abroad on a Budget

Traveling abroad can seem intimidating. The planning process can be overwhelming and you might think you have to have a lot of money to travel abroad, but the truth is - you don’t!

Hostels help cut the cost of traveling by offering reduced accommodation prices, and often times, free breakfast and activities.

Why are hostels so affordable? Mostly because they are shared accommodation (dorm-style).

What to Know Before You Go:

Hostels offer different rates. The cheapest rate to stay at a hostel is in the room that has the most beds (the more beds per room, the cheaper the nightly rate. The more expensive, the less people per room).

“Mixed” dorms are male and female dorms, and are generally the cheapest. There are also fully male and female dorms (with both few and multiple beds) - choose what makes you feel comfortable!

Most hostels have private rooms with private bathrooms (cheaper than most hotels). All hostels differ when it comes to bathrooms - some have one set of communal bathrooms, others have bathrooms in the smaller dorms in additional to the communal bathrooms - it depends on the hostel!

Pro tip: I always refer to Hostelworld to find all the hostels in a given location and read reviews (a must!) Once I select a location, I book directly through the hostel’s website for the best rate.

European Hostels

  • Lisbon Destination Hostel - Portugal

    Centrally located (literally - it’s inside a train station!) Quiet, clean, and sister hostel does mixer BBQs with great food!

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  • Paraga Beach Hostel - Mykonos, Greece

    Camp site. Amazing pool overlooking the ocean, private beach access, and right next to some famous beach clubs. A party spot!

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  • Hostel Brikette - Positano, Italy

    Beautiful views of Positano. The best French toast I’ve ever had in my life! Be prepared to hike hundreds of stairs to and from town!

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  • Meininger Bruxelles City Center - Belgium

    Centrally located, quiet, free breakfast, and great free (tip-based) walking tours of the city!

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  • Yellowsquare - Rome, Italy

    Centrally located, you get a free shot on arrival, and has a great bar across the street!

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  • Sant Jordi Rock Palace - Barcelona, Spain

    One of my favorites in Europe. The 8 person mixed dorm I stayed in had a balcony that overlooked a garden. It has a rooftop pool with awesome pool parties, instruments anyone can play, is centrally located, has amazing food, and awesome free bar crawls!

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  • Loft - Reykjavik, Iceland

    Best free breakfast spread at any hostel I’ve been to. Extremely clean, quiet, and centrally located.

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  • Surf Riders Fuerteventura - Spain

    Most amazing staff! Free breakfast, awesome daily events/activities, a view of the volcanos, and a pool!

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  • Athens Backpackers - Greece

    Centrally located, clean, easy to walk to nearby sites, and a bar downstairs next door!

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  • Hostel Malti - St. Julians, Malta

    Quiet, cozy rooms, great food and fun mixers on the rooftop, awesome atmosphere. Offers great bar crawls in town, although town is admittedly a little far.

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  • Generator Venice - Italy

    Good location, clean, and the downstairs lounge turns into a club at night.

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Central American Hostels

African Hostels

  • Equity Point - Marrakech, Morocco

    Inside an authentic riad with a pool and rooftop to watch the sunset. Incredible food, quiet, bathrooms in dorms, and centrally located!

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South American Hostels

You might be thinking…

But Nat...what about my stuff? Every hostel has lockers for you to look your things by your bed in the dorms. Hostels have locks and keys available for purchase.

Pro tip: Bring your own lock and key to avoid paying!