We asked members of the BuzzFeed Community to tell us about their favorite hostels in Europe. Here’s what they had to say:
"This hostel is by a lake just outside of the city. All of the rooms are little caravans — there's even a little caravan movie theatre. Also, the kitchen is outside with tables to share with fellow travelers!" —georgiaeloiser
Beds starting at $38.10 per night.
"I stayed in City Circus Athens last year, which was really nice. Very clean with a good breakfast, and they host fun activities so you can get to know other travelers. Movie night with an ouzo tasting was the best part. They also have a roof garden that overlooks the Acropolis!" —Purpleangel97
Beds starting at $17.99 per night.
"Words cannot describe how cool it is. Please search it on Google Image! Really affordable, central but on a quiet street, and very friendly!" —kirstyb5
Beds starting at $42.33 per night.
"It was my first time staying in a hostel while traveling alone, and it completely changed the way I travel! Before I'd even checked in, the owners had introduced me to the other guests chilling in the lounge. All of a sudden, I was part of a family instead of a random stranger. We cooked together, ate together, and took drunken bicycle rides back to the hostel together after two-for-one cocktails in town. They even gave everyone a ride to the best surf breaks every morning, and their surf camp prices are ridiculously affordable." —Katie Dawes, Facebook
Beds starting at $19.03 per night.
"The guys who run it are awesome, the dorms are nice, and there's a really cool bar on the roof!" —sophieh26
Beds starting $20 per night.
"It is a nice hostel with a really great bar and communal seating area. If you want to get acquainted with the city, they offer free walking tours every day. It has a great atmosphere, and the staff is really friendly and welcoming. Great place to meet people." —Alicia Loffhagen, Facebook
Beds starting at $20.84 per night.
"Super cheap, perfect location, and such a great vibe! It is super cozy, and they have movies and games for when it rains. We also had free breakfast, and it was actually substantial and tasty, not just some cereal and tea." —Ashoka Alvarez, Facebook
Beds starting at $12.64 per night.
"Clean, bright, and in a great setting. Played a druken pub quiz in the upstairs bar, which was hilarious and well-organized. The staff was also super helpful and fun!" —Kanziray
Beds starting at $9.22 per night.
"Definitely the best choice when traveling throughout the Balkans. Modern hostel, friendly staff, and it is open 24/7. It is close to the main attractions, the city park, and next to the trendy bars and restaurants of Debar Maalo. You will meet and greet a lot of people, and not just Macedonians. It is part of the Balkans Best Hostels Group, which gives discounts to people who are going from a hostel to hostel." —Borys Rodchenko, Facebook
Beds starting at $7.38 per night.
"I met the coolest people there. The staff is so friendly and helpful and it's just a lot of fun." —Isabelle Dzwonczyk, Facebook
Beds starting at $17.81 per night.
"Good location, about a five minute walk from the tube. It’s a really modern and clean hostel; there’s a big garden and a nice lounge area, as well. We enjoyed it. Perfect for a quick trip." —antonellac4a7b89a9b
Beds starting at $24.59 per night.
"This hostel has an amazing location, new cool decor, and different size dorm rooms. It also has a great common area with a balcony and kitchen with free breakfast (free tea and coffee available all day). I met a wonderful eclectic bunch of people." —Agistribird
Beds starting at $13.70 per night.
"Amazing food, drinks, beds, and bathrooms. On top of this, the decor was hipster and attractive, I could spend hours looking at the lobby. I visited the one in Venice, but recently found out that they are everywhere including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Copenhagen, Dublin, Hamburg, London, Rome, and Paris." —rhikiana
Beds starting at $11.59 per night.
"Fantastic employees, spacious rooms with tons of outlets, close to the old city center, and great breakfasts!" —a471421d26
Beds starting at $10.67 per night.
"Very cool-themed rooms. Lots of rainforest themes and loft beds." —Matildamercer
Beds starting at $8.43 per night.
"Outside of Rome in a cute Italian village (about a 15 minute train ride from Termini), with a nice, quiet place to sleep. They offer nights where everyone in the hostel makes pasta together!" —a471421d26
Beds starting at $21.07 per night.
"G-Spot Hostel in Lisbon is the best hostel I’ve ever stayed in! I went with two friends for a weekend in May and we had the time of our lives. The staff is like family and they make sure everyone is involved in all the activities they’ve got planned. It’s also really central, very modern, and cheap for the service you get. I would 100% recommend it to everyone!" —gillianr491d7f2a2
Beds starting at $10.01 per night.
"Not only is this at the most southern point of England, but it also has the best guest book of any hostel you’ll find. There is a lighthouse with a fog horn that goes off every ten minutes or so. Personally, I tuned it out pretty quickly, but not everyone can. For some people, it results in hilarious melt downs, cursing, and temper tantrums. Thus, it created the most entertaining guest books known to man. All that aside, the staff is amazing. The view and walks are like nowhere else." —alyssaw4d201fc7b
Beds starting at $15.81 per night.
"I stayed at Superbude St. Pauli, which is located in the hipster quarter Schanzenviertel. The hostel itself offers rooms with bunk beds, but also two or three-bedrooms with private bathrooms. Its interior design is extraordinarily funky with bright colors and funny details like plungers as coat holders, fishnets as headboards, and wallpaper that looks like newspaper cutouts. Very friendly staff, you can even bring your dog for a small fee." —kaa
Beds starting at $66 per night.
"The first (and best) hostel I’ve been to in Europe was Urban House in Copenhagen. It’s great value for money considering how close it is to the local shops, central station, main square, Tivoli Gardens, etc. The staff were really friendly and helpful, and tour guides come in to pick you up from reception. It was quite busy but I never struggled for fridge space or cooking equipment, and even in an eight-bed dorm, never had to wait for the bathroom. They’ve also got a bar, which is great for meeting fellow travelers! My only regret was missing their themed bar night on Saturday and not bringing earplugs." —elizabethjum
Beds starting at $30.62 per night.
"They host free barbecues, have the best bar, and everyone is super friendly. The free breakfast included is also very good. The rooms are so spacious, even if you’re sharing with 14 people. The facilities and shower rooms are really clean, too." —kellys4096f608a
Beds starting at $10.55 per night.
"The atmosphere was so friendly and open, and it was only a couple of minutes from Sacre Coeur. Watching the moon hanging over Montmartre out of my window is one of the best memories from my trip." —loucowell
Beds starting at $17.39 per night.
"Awesome staff, cheap drinks, close to everything, and a sweet deal with the St.Ives Surf School." —gollywholly
Beds starting at $24.59 per night.
"This is the place to go if you love to party and get drunk every night. Free pub crawls every night, and the staff is there to party just as hard as you are. Free crepes for breakfast and Netflix in the lounge, so you can ‘Netflix and chill’. Can’t wait to go back." —s4709fc16f
Beds starting at $16.91 per night.
"I’ve stayed in many hostels and the best by far was Cinnamon Sally Backpackers in Riga. The atmosphere was incredibly warm and the staff was super friendly and engaging, making it incredibly easy for a solo traveller to join in a card game or convo. The pub crawl was great, and the waffles in the morning delicious!" —haha46c26c52c
Beds starting at $9.48 per night.
"Cozy, friendly, and relaxed, with super clean and comfy rooms and an awesome garden and bar." —joyaviva
Beds starting at $18.33 per night.
"My favorite hostel by far is Madhouse Hostel in Prague. It is super conveniently located in the center of Prague and the atmosphere is fantastic. It’s like one big family with people hanging out and making friends. It’s fantastic for solo travelers. Also it manages to be an incredible party hostel that organizes something fun every night, while still keeping everything clean." —hunterf466ebebdd
Beds starting at $20.30 per night.
Note: Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.