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Hostels in Europe have a bad rap.

They bring back college day hallucinations of bunk beds, polyester sheets and cheap beer.

But like you, hostels have grown up; they’ve bought a suit and got a job.

Hostels today don’t just cater to broke ass students and vagabonds: they are an awesome alternative to expensive European hotels.

If Europe is on your radar in the next few years then pocket these Italian addresses. Cause I want you to save money for more important things…like prosecco.

Luxury hostels: 5 beds under 100 bucks.

1) Venice: Generator Hostel

A brand new hostel is born in Venice. She’s part of the ultra-groovy Generator Hostel family (with digs in London, Barcelona, Berlin, Copenhagen, Dublin, Hamburg). A gorgeous room, lounge and a bar await you. And you can have a piece of this pie for around 20 euros a night. P.S. See my Venice kayak post here.

best_hostels_generator-venice

2) Sorrento: Seven Hostel

This hostel is located just outside of Sorrento on the Amalfi Coast and has an amazing rooftop terrace and bar with a view of the Gulf of Naples and the Sorrento Peninsula. Here’s another Amalfi coast accommodation idea.

best_hostel_sorrento

3) Milan: Ostello Bello

OMG people love to hate Milan, but I love to love Milan. I go for the amazing vintage clothing stores, the ridiculously cool design stores and the awesome vibe of a working Italian city not dripping with “tourist menu” signs. Milan might be the most underrated place to fly into, so don’t miss Ostello Bello if you need a cheap and cheerful Milanese friend.

best_hostels_italy_ostello_bello_milan

4) Florence: Plus Hostel

So — this hostel has two pools, Turkish bath, steam room and a sauna. In a town like Florence, you could spend 500 euros a night and not see a single one of those things in your fancy hotel. See my post about what to do in Florence here.

best_hostels_florence_italy

5) Sicily: Lol Hostel

You can score a beautiful private room in the heart of Syracuse, Sicily for 25 euro. Within minutes of dropping your bags, you could be checking out the ancient Greek temple or tucking into a delicious hot slice at the local pizzeria.

best_hostels_italy_sicily

 

I love you and comments too! Can you add to this list of awesome hostels? Which one would YOU stay at in a heartbeat?

With love + clean sheets,

Bianca

top image: Leela Cyd

21 Responses

  1. Bianca, what a fantastic list! I’m actually floored (I love staying in luxurious places when I travel, always looking for something that won’t make our budget implode)

    How did you find these places? I often travel in eastern Europe, what I’d give to find gems like these! Thank you for sharing with us.

    Oh, and Merry Christmas!

    1. Thanks, Lina! We love staying in luxurious places and not breaking the bank too 🙂
      If you want to find something similar in Eastern Europe, then just google the city you’re travelling to along with “boutique hostels” or “luxury hostels.” These gems are popping up all over the place these days, and in fact one of the original boutique hostels – Miss Sophie’s – is still up and running in Prague.
      Kiiri @ Italian Fix

  2. Hi Bianca,

    Thank you for this list!

    I stayed at Ostello Bello in Milan when I was there last October. Awesome place to stay and it is just a walking distance to the Duomo.

    Definitely will use this hostels in my next trip to Italy next year.

    Hugs,
    Monina

  3. Paradise Beach Backpackers Hostel on Ischia in the Gulf if Naples, near Capri, Amalfi, and Sorrento, is a highly-rated Mediterranean hostel too. It sits on a volcanic island with hot springs and steam vents and gorgeous beaches.

      1. That’s bs, excuse the language, but they trick you into thinking it’s a great hostel, then you arrive there and no hostel actually exists.. spent 3 hours waiting for him to sort a room somewhere, along with 8 other “guests”, in the end I just found another place.. Oh, and shaun’s the “manager”…

  4. Hi Bianca, Nice site & good work.
    Any good hostel recommendations in Rome (besides ostello bello)

    Thanks
    Maya

  5. Sorry, just meant to ask for some nice recommendations in Rome as I to visit Milan (ostello bello) another time.
    Looking forward to your suggestions (i took the plus hostel in Florence )

    1. Hi Maya,
      Try The Beehive – it’s super stylish, and eco-friendly too! Run by an American couple who packed up their lives and moved to Rome to start an upscale hostel. Pretty cool, right?
      Kiiri @ Italian Fix

  6. Hi Bianca,
    so glad I stumbled on this site. I am planning a trip in july with my family. With 3 teenage girls, finding cheap but nice accommodation is tough. Any tips for Cinque Terre that could accommodate the 5 of us?

    thanks

  7. Cohen Hostel in Taormina Sicily is the most beautiful and great hostel during our trip in Italy. I’ve visited more 100+ hostels around the world and this was really awesome!

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