BEST HOSTELS IN BERLIN: The Top 11 Places to Stay in September 2019

Posted: 1/9/2019 | January 9th, 2019

Berlin is a gigantic city. It stretches over 883 square kilometers and is home to over 3.6 million people.

I hated the city when I first visited it. I just couldn’t vibe with the city.

But the more I came back, the more I grew to love it. Berlin is cheap (always a plus for me), it’s home to some of the best art, culture, music, festivals, and tech companies on the continent. The food scene has also really blown up in recent years and you’ll find some of the most innovative things in food happening in the city.

Traveling Berlin is awesome.

Berlin is also home to plenty of hostels and, in a city so spread out, it’s important to know where the best hostels in Berlin are. Picking your location is crucial to enjoying the Berlin experience.

How do you know which are the best hostels to stay in? What are the best neighborhoods?

Here is my list of the best hostels in Berlin to help you make sense of all the hostels you see listed on Hostelworld.

11 Best Hostels in Berlin

(in no particular order)

1. Meininger Berlin Tiergarten

This hostel feels more like a traveler/backpacker hotel. The rooms are spacious, the beds have comfortable mattresses, there are big storage spaces, and rooms have ensuite bathrooms. The company is part of a chain that stretches across Europe, and you’ll often find it used for group tours, school trips, and families (so it’s generally pretty quiet). Pets are allowed for an extra 10 EUR/11 USD per night. There’s a large common area with a foosball table too! It’s a little outside the city center in Moabit but Berlin’s easy public transit makes it quick to get around. The hostel is next to Tiergarten which is a popular hangout for Berliners. If you’re looking for a quiet stay and want more space to yourself, this might be the hostel for you.

Beds from 8 EUR/9 USD, privates from 45 EUR/50 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Meininger Berlin Tiergarten!

2. Plus Berlin

This historic building used to be a fashion school and survived both World Wars. Located in Friedrichshain, an artsy area near the East Side Gallery, I like this hostel because it has an indoor pool and sauna — rare finds when it comes to hostels! It’s a bit of a posh place and offers some hotel perks at hostel prices. The rooms are clean, and the beds are fine. They have laundry services as well as a courtyard garden, which is great for relaxing and having a drink. They also offer a free shot to all guests, so you’re looking to party on a budget you might want to stay here.

Beds from 9 EUR/10 USD, privates from 40 EUR/45 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Plus Berlin!

3. Heart of Gold Hostel

The rooms in this hostel each have a different décor and hand-painted artwork. The courtyard is a great place to sit and enjoy free coffee and tea in the morning. During happy hour, they have 1 EUR (1.15 USD) beers! You have to pay a 5 EUR/6 USD deposit for sheets and towels, but you’ll get that back at checkout. This is just and overall awesome place to stay and meet some travelers. The showers aren’t great but the hostel is located in Mitte, in the center of the city, so it’s easy to get to any other neighborhood you’d like to visit and Alexanderplatz and the Brandenburg Gate are close by.

Beds from 11 EUR, privates from 40 EUR/45 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Heart of Gold Hostel!

4. ONE80°

Located just a few steps from Alexanderplatz, this hostel is clean, filled with modern amenities, and has super soft pillows. Berlin’s extensive bus, subway, and tram system is literally just outside the front door. The staff here organizes tours, including a free walking tour, a pub crawl, and a trip to Sachsenhausen (a concentration camp just outside of town). There are plenty of electrical outlets (one at every bed) and the lockers are spacious. Watch out though – the communal showers have no doors or curtains (they are separated by gender though). Overall, the hostel has a modern, stylish feel and the dorms are all reasonably sized (8-bed dorms are the largest you’ll find, so you’re not crammed in like sardines!).

Beds from 12 EUR/14 USD, privates from 75 EUR/85 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at ONE80°!

5. Circus Hostel

Circus Hostel is an institution in Berlin. It’s been here for over 20 years is one of the oldest hostels in the city. It’s a friendly place with comfy beds and a super fun common area. You can also rent bikes and iPads here. The bar is astounding (they have their own microbrewery and cafe) and there’s live music on Friday nights, and they also host weekly trivia and kareoke nights too. Check out the delicious breakfast buffet as well — it’s all you can eat and super cheap! The hostel staff offers free walking tours and there are always fun events happening. They also have a really fantastic app that travelers use to meet other people and to make plans in the city — it works really well! Overall, this is just an awesome centrally located hostel and one of the best hostels in Berlin.

Beds from 12 EUR/14 USD, privates from 40 EUR/45 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Circus Hostel!

6. Wombats

I love Wombats. It’s a bit big for a hostel as there are hundreds of beds (the only downside) but its filled travelers, has really snug beds, ensuite bathrooms, lockers, and a big breakfast. It’s clean and there’s a fully equipped kitchen too. But the real highlight is the rooftop bar with the outdoor patio that offers sweeping views of the city! It’s an awesome spot to drink a beer and meet people! The staff here go over and above too, which is a huge perk if you want to ask lots of questions and get some itinerary input. Lastly, the hostel is located in Mitte, one of Berlin’s best neighborhoods, so it’s close to Alexanderplatz, Museum Island, and Prenzlauer Berg.

Beds from 13 EUR/15 USD, privates from 55 EUR/63 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Wombats!

7. EastSeven Berlin Hostel

EastSeven has a great social atmosphere and really clean rooms. The hostel is located in a quieter area between Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg, but the nearby U2 subway line will take you right to Alexanderplatz. The hostel organizes walking tours twice a day, which is a great way to mingle with other travelers. They have an awesome kitchen — it’s got everything you need — and you can also cook in the outdoor BBQ area (another great social activity). They offer a cheap breakfast that is well worth the price, and beers are just 1.50 EUR/1.75 USD during Happy Hour. There’s no elevator, so be prepared to climb lots of stairs with your bag. On the plus side, there are lots of extra little perks like a document printing, hairdryers, umbrellas, free luggage storage, and late checkout that help make this one of the best hostels in the city.

Beds from 14 EUR/16 USD, privates from 40 EUR/45 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at EastSeven Berlin Hostel!

8. St. Christopher’s

If you’re looking to party, St. Christopher’s is the place for you. The bar next door gets quite lively and they do a lot of drink specials (you get 25% off on food as a guest, too). I had some really fun moments here, though there’s not much common space at the hostel so the bar really is the best place to meet people (they try to get everyone there to eat and drink as much as possible). If you’re not looking to drink or party, this won’t be the best place to stay. But if you are, the rooms here are clean and it’s pretty quiet in the hostel itself. It’s located in Mitte, near Alexanderplatz, the TV Tower, and Museum Island.

Beds from 15 EUR/17 USD, privates from 50 EUR/57 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at St. Christopher’s!

9. The Cat’s Pajamas Hostel

What I love about this hostel is that it’s a quiet, calm place to stay. There’s a nice kitchen, a good common area, and less focus on drinking than in other hostels. The beds and rooms are average (not great but not bad) and the lockers in the rooms are very small. But each bunk has a light and power outlet, and towels and hair dryers are included. It’s in Kreuzkölln — in the middle of Kreuzberg and Neukölln — which is one of the best areas of Berlin for drinking and dining. If you’re not looking to party and meet people, this is a hostel worth staying at.

Beds from 15 EUR/17 USD, privates from 55 EUR/63 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at The Cat’s Pajamas Hostel!

10. Pfefferbett Hostel

This hostel is part of a former brewery complex in Prenzlauer Berg. It’s in a nice, safe location that’s just two U-bahn stops away from Alexanderplatz. They have a great 24-hour bar that has pool tables, table tennis, and foosball, which makes meeting other travelers easy and fun. They also offer free daily walking tours, which are a great way to see the area and explore the city. The beds are comfortable and the rooms are clean and not too tiny. There’s a cozy fireplace in the lobby that adds a nice touch of home to the place. As an added bonus, the hostel is a non-profit that provides jobs for disabled people, so by staying here, you are helping a great cause!

Beds from 16 EUR/18 USD, privates from 60 EUR/68 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Pfefferbett Hostel!

11. Minimal Hostel Berlin

In an arty part of Berlin, this boutique hostel features minimalist repurposed décor, in keeping with its name. It’s in the trendy Neukölln area and offers six-bed dorms and two double rooms. It’s not a party place, but it’s social enough that you’ll meet some people (plus there are bars everywhere in the area). They have bike rentals too if you want to go out and do some exploring. Cash is required when you arrive, and they also require a two-night minimum stay.

Beds from 20 EUR/23 USD, privates from 70 EUR/80 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Minimal Hostel Berlin!

***

Berlin has hundreds of hostels spread throughout this giant city. I’ve been visiting Berlin for years and have stay at some terrible and amazing places. Instead of spending hours trying to figure out where to stay, this list of the best hostels in Berlin will cut out the time for you.

Got a hostel not on this list? Add it in the comments!

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Book Your Trip to Berlin: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

Looking for more information on visiting Berlin?
Check out my in-depth destination guide to Berlin with more tips on what to see, do, costs, ways to save, and much, much more!

Photo credits: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Hosteling for Baby Boomers

Updated: 07/22/2019 | July 22, 2019

Many people believe that hostels cater only to 20-something backpackers — but that’s simply a myth. You’ll find all sorts of people from all different walks of life staying in hostels, and for most, the perks of cheap, reliable accommodation are too good to pass up.

In this guest post, Barbara Weibel of Hole in the Donut Cultural Travel tears down all the negative hostel stereotypes and tells us why they’re actually a great option for baby boomers.

When I explain to people that I usually stay in hostels during my travels around the world, the initial reaction from most baby boomers is astonishment verging on horror.

“Aren’t they filthy?”

“Don’t you have to put up with a bunch of drunken twenty-somethings who party all night long?”

“Are they really safe?”

Due to the number of budget hotels and motels spread across America, hostels have never really caught on in the U.S. as they have in other countries. According to Hostelling International-USA, only about 350 of the 10,000 hostels found around the world are located in the United States, so American unfamiliarity with them is hardly surprising.

For those who don’t know, hostels are budget accommodations where guests can rent a bed, usually a bunk bed, in a dormitory. While configurations vary, most common are dorms with four, eight, and 16 bunks.

Dorms are usually mixed gender, though in recent years many hostels have begun offering female only dorms. I’ve slept in both and never felt the least bit uncomfortable.

Each dorm shares a bathroom, and guests have access to a fully equipped kitchen where they can refrigerate groceries and prepare their own meals. There is almost always a common lounge or gathering area where people from all nationalities can mingle and share meals.

Additionally, many hostels now offer private rooms with en-suite bathrooms. (That they even have private facilities is one of the best-kept secrets about hostels. Most people I tell are shocked.)

Many hostels even offer family rooms for up to four people. Of course, these private and family rooms have equal access to all the common areas enjoyed by dorm guests.

My preference for hostels began out of necessity. As a corporate dropout determined to recreate myself into an independent travel writer and photographer, I had to watch every penny. I set out on my first round-the-world journey in early 2007. Arriving in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, with a reservation at a cheap hotel for the first two nights, it didn’t take me long to find the backpacker district and switch to the cheaper digs.

Initially, I chose private rooms with en-suite bathrooms but I soon switched to the more economically priced dorm beds. All my worries about unclean conditions, bugs, and being kept awake by boisterous hostel mates were for naught. My accommodations were always clean, bug-free, and fairly quiet.

In the beginning, I also worried about being accepted. I envisioned a bunch of twenty- and thirty-year-olds thinking, “What’s this old broad doing in our dorm room?”

I soon discovered that this fear was only in my mind.

I’ve developed wonderful friendships with people of all ages by staying in dorms.

In Ecuador, I met a 30-something teacher who subsequently invited me to visit her in Lima, Peru. She and her mother spent an entire day showing me around Lima, including treating me to lunch at their oceanfront Country Club.

In Nepal, I met a 50-something woman from England who became such a dear friend that we later spent a month traveling together around Ireland and Northern Ireland. I even shared a bunk with an 80-something woman in Mexico – and she took the upper bunk!

One of the biggest hostel secrets I’ve discovered is that you can book a two-bed dorm room, and unless it’s a holiday or other high-traffic time, you’ll almost always have the room to yourself. For some reason, hostels hesitate to book a second person into a two-bedroom if they have alternate beds available.

What to Expect in a Hostel

Hostels are safe, well staffed, usually well located, and generally offer a free breakfast. Most offer metal lockers to secure your possessions while you’re away for the day, but be sure to bring along your own padlock.

While more and more are providing bath towels, many still charge extra or don’t have towels available, so it’s a good idea to carry a camp towel with you. Some have laundry facilities and travel libraries where travelers can swap books. A few I’ve stayed in even had hot tubs, barbecues, and beaches at their front doors.

Despite the persistent stereotype, I’ve never been kept up by drunken partygoers. For the most part, my dormmates have been delightful and considerate. As for creepy-crawlies, I’ve never even seen a bedbug. Hostels, in general, are clean, but be sure to read customer reviews and the hostel’s conditions before booking.

I have run across a few hostels that won’t accept guests over 40, and the reviews will clearly indicate whether a property is a “party hostel” – I stay far away from those.

For solo travelers, couples, families, and friends traveling together, hostels offer a marvelous, eclectic experience, but the biggest benefit is the people you will meet. During my many years of travel, I can honestly say I’ve never met anyone interesting at a hotel.

But I can’t even count the number of friends I have all over the world as a result of staying in hostels.

After years of working at jobs that paid the bills but brought no joy, baby boomer Barbara Weibel walked away from corporate life in 2007 to pursue the only things she’d ever wanted to do: writing, photography, and travel. Since then she has traveled solo to 98 countries on six continents, including every country in Europe. Learn how much it costs her to travel around the world full time and read her fascinating stories about immersing with cultures around the world on her popular travel blog, Hole in the Donut Cultural Travel.

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and that will save you time and money too!

10 Secret Rooms Inside Famous Landmarks

There's something inherently fascinating about hidden rooms—doubly so when they're hidden inside landmarks visited by thousands of people every day. Take Mount Rushmore, for example. The attraction, visited by more than three million people every year, boasts a secret room behind Abraham Lincoln's head. Gustave Eiffel, the designer of Paris's famous tower, created an apartment at the very top of the landmark.

And that's just the beginning. Read on for the coolest secret spaces within monuments.

Here's How to Book The Safest Room in a Hotel (Video)

Originally published March 29, 2016.

Safety is at the forefront of most travelers’ minds, not matter how short or rote the trip. How well can you protect yourself? What steps should you take to better ensure your safety? Travel + Leisure first tackled this topic with a post on the safest seat on the airplane—and now we've got intel on the safest room in a hotel.

Rob Walker, head of information and analysis for travel security at London-based International SOS, told the MailOnline Travel which rooms are the best to book for a better chance of survival in the event of a fire, attack, or disaster. If traveling in the United States, his suggestions include choosing a room above the first or second floors yet lower than the sixth or seventh floors. The reason? Those rooms are out of harm's way in terms of burglars, but low enough that you could survive a fall if you needed to jump. It’s also within reach of most fire department ladders.

“We also recommend travelers request rooms on the side of the building further away from the lobby, which is likely to be the main entry point for any attacker,” Walker said. “It is preferable to also choose the side away from other public areas, such as hotel restaurants, as those areas can be a target area, and rooms that are not easily accessed from the street, so as not to be an easy target for criminals. Yet, ideally it is good to be near the emergency exit stairs.”

Along with having things like an emergency evacuation plan ready to go, Walker recommends keeping a few other things in mind:

• Avoid rooms with interlocking doors if possible.
• Choose hotels that are not in high crime neighborhoods.
• Make sure your room has the following: deadbolts, an eyehole, and evacuation procedures.
• Pack a doorstop.
• When you enter, prop your hotel room door open with your luggage and do a quick sweep to make sure there are no intruders.
• Have a grab bag of essentials including your passport, water, and phone charger prepared in advance.