During the last decade or so, Berlin has started to become known as a party city, an artist’s city, a great place to live (with an ever growing number of expats). These new accolades sit alongside the more established sights that are popular with visitors such as surviving sections of the Berlin Wall, or the Brandenburg Gate.
Travelling to Berlin on a budget is therefore as easily done as said. There are actually loads of great hostels in the German capital and what’s a little harder to do is actually whittle down the list of options. We have done that bit for you. Here are our favourite seven hostels in Berlin based on factors including price, amenities, ambiance and location.
EastSeven Berlin
Dorms from €25/ night. Privates from €46/ night
EastSeven is a good-sized hostel catering to a large number of guests. There are plenty of common rooms and facilities where you can meet other travellers. The shared kitchen is a good size, and has an oven and plenty of utensils. There is also a garden and terrace with barbeque facilities. Inside is also a bar a lounge area. Dorm rooms are limited to four occupants, keeping the chances for night noises down somewhat and the bathrooms are shared by no more than seven people and cleaned regularly.
The Circus Hostel
Dorms from €28/ night. Privates from €57/ night
Located a minute from Rosenthaler Platz station, Circus Hostel is well connected to the rest of Berlin and in an area that has plenty of interesting bars and restaurants nearby. There are some cool facilities available to rent, including laptops, iPads and bicycles. Free wifi is available throughout the hostel and there is a nightclub and bar on-site. The reception is open 24 hours a day. Breakfast is not included in the price here but is available in the mornings for a small additional fee.
The Cat’s Pajamas
Dorms from €19/ night. Privates from €60/ night
With a fun name and a very snug feel, The Cat’s Pajamas is clean and modern, which are not always common features in many hostels. The Kreuzkölln location and on-site games room and library give this hostel an intellectual-hip vibe. Besides luggage storage and a 24 hour desk, the hostel also offers great facilities for disabled guests such as wheelchair accessibility. For an additional charge there are laundry and ironing facilities, which make this a great spot to get in some crucial life admin.
Kiez Hostel
Dorms from €21/ night. Privates from €39/ night
Kiez Hostel is a simple and economical hostel that caters particularly towards solo travellers who want to party. Two of the most popular nightclubs in Berlin, Watergate and Berghain, are accessible on foot within minutes, which is probably more important for the walk home than anything else. Rooms have individual decoration with global culture-inspired motifs. There is a variety of dorm sizes and a few private room options here as well. Free wifi is available throughout.
Grand Hostel Berlin
Dorms from €19/ night. Privates from €49/ night
Located in the bohemian and ever popular Kreuzberg district, Grand Hostel Berlin is housed in a lovely old building, inside of which an upbeat, party vibe reigns. The classical and the modern merge, with wooden furnishings and a delightful library, sitting area and café bar all merged into one. There is occasional evening entertainment here as well as karaoke nights for those who like to showcase their talents. Dorms of between four and eight beds are available, all of which are mixed gender rooms.
Pfefferbett Hostel
Dorms from €19/ night. Privates from €53/ night
With table tennis, billiards and a bar Pfefferbett has planty of spaces for meeting other travellers. There is also plenty of outdoor space, including a garden, terrace and barbeque facilities. Free wifi is provided in the public areas of the hostel. One big bonus of this place is that pets are allowed here on request. The breakfast here is well reviewed although does not factor into the price of the room and has to be purchased separately on the day.
Wombat’s City Hostel
Dorms from €16/ night. Privates from €64/ night
The rooftop terrace is a popular feature with guests at Wombat’s City Hostel. Rooms are decent and have lockers assigned to each bunk. Sockets can be found near each bed. Free wifi is available in all areas, including in the hostel’s very own coffee house. For anybody who prefers to cook their own meals, there is a shared kitchen at this hostel. For an additional fee it is possible to rent a bicycle, which is a great choice given Wombat’s central location and good proximity to many of the city’s main sights.