My Top 11 Hostels in Berlin

Last Updated: 03/03/20 | March 3rd, 2020

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.

I’ve been visiting Berlin for a decade and have stayed in dozens upon dozens of places. There are a lot of things to consider when selecting a hostel. The top four when picking the best hostel in Berlin are:

1. Location – Berlin is huge and it can take some time to get around. Pick a place that is central to the sites and nightlife you want to see. All the hostels listed here are in central locations.
2. Price – In Berlin, you really get what you pay for, so if you go with a really cheap one, you’re probably going to get a hostel that is small, cramped, and doesn’t offer great service.
3. Amenities – Every hostel in the city offers free Wi-Fi, and some have a free breakfast, but if you want more than that, be sure to do your research to find the hostel that best meets your needs!
4. Staff – All the hostels listed here have amazing staff! They are super friendly and knowledgeable. Even if you don’t end up staying at one of the places listed below, be sure to look up reviews to ensure you end up somewhere where the staff is helpful and friendly! They can make or break a hostel!

To help you plan your trip, here is my list of the hostels in Berlin that I like the most. If you don’t want to read the longer list below, the following hostels are the best in each category:

Best Hostel for Budget Travelers: Meininger Berlin Tiergarten and Plus Berlin
Best Hostel for Solo Female Travelers: The Cat’s Pajamas
Best Hostel for Digital Nomads: Pfefferbett Hostel
Best Hostel for Families: Meininger Berlin Tiergarten
Best Hostel for Partying: St. Christopher’s
Best Overall Hostel: EastSeven Berlin

Want the specifics of each hostel? Here’s my comprehensive list of the best hostels in Berlin:

Price Legend (per night)

• $ = Under 10 EUR
• $$ = 10-20 EUR
• $$$ = Over 20 EUR

 

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.

Meininger Berlin Tiergarten at a glance:

• $
• Huge common room makes it easy to meet people
• Most budget-friendly hostel in town
• Quiet and laid back atmosphere (great for families and groups)

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.

Plus Berlin at a glance:

• $
• Free shots so you can party on a budget
• Indoor pool and sauna
• Courtyard garden is great for meeting people

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.

Heart of Gold at a glance:

• $$
• Laid-back courtyard for relaxing and meeting people
• Convenient location in the heart of the city
• Social atmosphere makes it easy to meet other travelers

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!).

ONE80° at a glance:

• $$
• Organizes lots of activities (walking tours, pub crawls)
• Dorms have lots of outlets and spacious lockers
• Great place for meeting people

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.

Circus Hostel at a glance:

• $$
• Live music every Friday
• Cafe and brewery on-site make it super easy to meet people
• Organizes lots of activities (like free walking tours)

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.

Wombats at a glance:

• $$
• Rooftop bar offers amazing views of the city
• Awesome staff can help you make the most of your visit
• Super social atmosphere makes it easy to meet people

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.

EastSeven at a glance:

• $$
• Organizes lots of events (like daily walking tours and BBQs)
• Cheap breakfast and cheap beer
• Great place for meeting other travelers

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.

St. Christopher’s at a glance:

• $$
• Party atmosphere makes it easy to meet people
• Lively bar on-site with cheap drinks
• Convenient location near Alexanderplatz

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.

The Cat’s Pajamas at a glance:

• $$
• Laid-back and quiet atmosphere
• Female-only dorms for extra security and privacy
• Lots of extra perks (free towels, tons of outlets, hairdryers)

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!

Pfefferbett Hostel at a glance:

• $$
• Super social atmoshere with a 24-hour bar (with pool tables, table tennis, and foosball)
• Organzies lots of activities (like daily free walking tours)
• Has a cozy fireplace for relaxing and meeting people

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.

Minimal Hostel Berlin at a glance:

• $$
• Located in a trendy neighborhood with lots of bars nearby
• Bike rentals available so you can easily explore the city
• Small dorms (only 6-beds) so you can get a decent sleep

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!
 

Get Your In-Depth Budget Guide to Europe!

My detailed, 200+ page guidebook is made for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guidebooks and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel and save money while backpacking around Europe. You’ll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on and off the beaten path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, and bars, and much more! Click here to learn more and get started!
 

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