Belgium’s second city of Antwerp is a big ol’ port and an enclave of cool. Brimming with historic townhouses, quirky cafes and a medieval centre – complete with cobbled lanes, of course – this is a great place to wander about and discover on your own two feet.
But with all that history is there anywhere left for a humble hostel? Being a big city, there might only be hotels here, right? And they must be out of a backpackers budget…?
Nope! Thankfully there are a lot of hostels here! And we’ve sifted through the best hostels in Antwerp so you can easily find the hostel that’s right for you.
We’ve done the hard work for you!
All you have to do now is peep our handy list below.
Quick answer: The Best Hostels in Antwerp
- Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Antwerp – Boomerang Hostel
- Best Cheap Hostel in Antwerp – Antwerp City Hostel
- Best Hostel for Couples in Antwerp – Antwerp Central Youth Hostel
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Antwerp – The Ash
Best Hostels in Antwerp
Boomerang Hostel – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Antwerp
The best hostel for solo travellers is oozing with a fun atmosphere and comes complete with friendly, welcoming staff, this place serves up the ideal mix of calm atmosphere in the day – then fun events when the evening arrives.
It’s easy to get chatting to other guests over a Belgian beer (or two) in the living room and then you can head out to the city together; the centre’s just 10 mins away. This top hostel in Antwerp is also located in a grand old building with high ceilings, which we think is always pretty cool.
Antwerp City Hostel – Best Cheap Hostel in Antwerp
Inside a new building on the main square in Antwerp, the location of this place easily makes it the best cheap hostel in Antwerp. It really is a killer location: you won’t find somewhere better than this for getting to all the good stuff Antwerp has to offer. No sirree.
There’s different types of rooms to suit your budget at this recommended hostel in Antwerp, plus there’s a kitchen where you can cook your own meals, there’s an affordable restaurant downstairs, and breakfast is even included in the cheap room rates. We think this one’s a winner!
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View on Osprey View on REIAntwerp Central Youth Hostel – Best Hostel for Couples in Antwerp
This youth hostel in Antwerp is actually part of the Flemish branch of the YHA, which means you’re gonna get a level of high standard here. And yep, in this purpose built hostel, you’ll get modern rooms, large windows, plenty of spaces to hang out together and top-notch facilities.
There’s also a cafe here, which is always handy, and the location is pretty central too. This is the best hostel for couples in Antwerp because of its clean, professionally run and well maintained, so you don’t have to worry about all the typical hostel stuff. Almost like a budget hotel, you can enjoy your stay here while keeping costs low.
The Ash – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Antwerp
The Ash calls itself a ‘concept hostel’ and its set in the middle of the city. They’ve got en-suite bathrooms, high-speed internet throughout the building, plus a shiny new kitchen. This backpacker’s hostel is a great place to stay in Antwerp.
Thanks to the desks in the private rooms, the communal area with lots of table space and big windows that look out onto the city – as well as its location close to the train station – we think it’s the best hostel for digital nomads in Antwerp. Bit pricey though.
Kabas Hostel – Best Overall Hostel in Antwerp
If you’re looking for the best overall hostel in Antwerp, well, here it is. It’s homely, it’s got a bunch of helpful staff working there (who also keep it super clean btw), and they’ve got a huge kitchen – no queues when everyone’s hungry for dinner.
There’s also a garden at this Antwerp backpackers hostel, where you can kick back with a book from the book exchange or just chill the F out. Free breakfast comes courtesy of the eggs that the hostel keeps running around the garden. How cute is that? It’s in a quiet neighbourhood (close to nice parks and stuff) but still in walking distance to the city centre.
Kabas Hostel is one of our favourites in Antwerp but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Antwerp Backpackers Hostel – Best Party Hostel in Antwerp
This social comes packed with things to do and we reckon it’s the best party hostel in Antwerp. Here you can meet with other travellers with a few beers around the bonfire – or the BBQ in summer.
They definitely like to have fun here. Think happy hours, craft beer and being smack bang in the middle of a party neighbourhood. It definitely helps this youth hostel in Antwerp earn its credentials for good times. Then cure that hangover with a hearty free breakfast.
Antwerp Backpackers Hostel is one of our favourites in Antwerp but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Alias Youth Hostel – Best Hostel with a Private Room in Antwerp
The en-suite bedrooms here let loads of light in and have balconies that look onto the historic buildings of the city – yep, this is one of the coolest hostels in Antwerp. Oh, and it’s also set inside a heritage building, too.
Crisp white linen and simple decor really make this the best hostel with a private room in Antwerp. Downstairs there’s a big common room space that’s ace for watching a film or just hanging out, y’know, whatever takes your fancy. Free breakfast is always, always a bonus.
Mendoza is one of our favourites in Antwerp but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Best Budget Hotels in Antwerp
But maybe you don’t wanna stay in a dorm. Maybe you’re travelling as a couple and you want some privacy. Or maybe you should don’t like the whole, y’know, hostel thing… which is fine. So we’ve also found a few of the best budget hotels in Antwerp too, so you can find a place just for you.
Century Hotel Antwerp
This budget hotel in Antwerp has a pretty sick location if you need to catch a train: it’s right opposite Antwerp Central Railway Station. And, well, do you like shopping? Good, ’cause this place is right near some great shopping plus plenty of restaurants and bars.
But this hotel also has its own restaurant and bar, if you feel too wrecked to head outside after a long journey. The rooms themselves at Century Hotel Antwerp are simple but modern and come with en-suite bathrooms.
Leonardo Hotel Antwerpen
This fun and brightly coloured slightly boutique hotel is housed inside a historic building and offers GREAT value for money, which is something backpackers can totally get behind, right?
It’s everything you’d expect from a budget hotel in Antwerp tbh – from the minibar and daily maid service to the 24-hour front desk and (not free) buffet breakfast, it’s pretty standard but it’s nice, clean and modern, too. A functional/functioning hotel.
Treehouse
You might think that this place is called Treehouse because it’s a treehouse… and really, we wish it was one. But it isn’t. This confusingly named budget hotel in Antwerp is located inside a classically Antwerp townhouse… with a tree (more like a shrub) growing on the outside.
The rooms themselves look a lot like student accommodation, which is fine if you’re unfussy, but they’re secure, quiet and the hotel itself is pretty close to the city centre. The owner is helpful and makes sure you know everything there is to know about the location, then they leave you to your own devices. Good if you’re an independent sorta person.
Treehouse is one of our favourites in Antwerp but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
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Hide Yo’ Money!What to Pack for your Antwerp Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
Why you should travel to Antwerp
So there you have it, the best hostels in Antwerp.
Some of these places are actually set inside historic, heritage buildings, which we think is pretty dang cool.
Imagine rocking up and your Antwerp backpackers hostel… to find a stunning old building in front of you. You’ll definitely feel like you’re travelling in style, and not on a budget!
Plus, we’ve also included a few of the best budget hotels in Antwerp, too. So there really is something for everyone!
But if you can’t decide on a hostel, don’t worry. We feel ya. And we’d say just go for Kabas Hostel – our pick for the best overall hostel in Antwerp.
So book away and get ready to fill up on a boatload of Belgian beer and chocolate!
FAQ about Hostels in Antwerp
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Antwerp.
How much does a hostel cost in Antwerp?
The average price of hostels in Antwerp starts from $28 – $37+ per night. Of course, the private rooms are on the higher end of the scale than the dorm beds.
What are the best hostels in Antwerp for couples?
Antwerp Central Youth Hostel is the best hostel for couples in Antwerp. It’s clean, professionally run, and well-maintained.
What are the best hostels in Antwerp near the airport?
Yust Antwerp is an 11-minute drive from Antwerp International Airport. It’s top-rated and is close to public transportation.
Travel Safety Tips for Antwerp
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They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
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More Epic Hostels in Belgium and Europe
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Antwerp.
Planning an epic trip all across Belgium or even Europe itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around Europe, check out:
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Antwerp has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Belgium for a wealth of info!
- Check out the best places to stay in Antwerp before you arrive.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Europe backpacking guide.
And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!
