Welcome to the picturesque Slovakian capital, Bratislava.
This fine European city is surrounded by rolling vineyards, the Carpathian mountains and plenty of epic hiking and biking trails. Dang, Slovakia is gorgeous!
In Bratislava itself, backpackers are treated to stunning architecture, castles, a happening pub scene, beautiful parks, and green spaces. I personally really dig the red roofs.
Bratislava is not as expensive as other European capitals, but that said there are plenty of hostels out there that I feel are over-priced and unworthy of your hard-earned cash.
That is exactly why I wrote this guide to the best hostels in Bratislava for 2024!
The goal of this hostel guide is to show you the way to the best (and cheapest) hostels in Bratislava so you can backpack the epic Slovakian capital like a boss.
Whether you are looking for just a cheap sleep, a hostel room to share with your partner, or the best party hostel in town, I’ve got you covered.
I am certain that my list of the best hostels in Bratislava contains a place for every type of traveler, you included!
The keys to all of the awesome budget accommodation options are nearly in your hands…
Let’s dive right in…
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Bratislava
- Overall Best Hostel in Bratislava – Hostel Folks
- Best Cheap Hostel in Bratislava – Patio Hostel
- Best Hostel for Couples in Bratislava – Dream Hostel
- Best Party Hostel in Bratislava – Wild Elephants Hostel
The 10 Best Hostels in Bratislava
Need helping deciding where to stay in Bratislava? Then check out our top picks!
Hostel Folks – Overall Best Hostel in Bratislava
Folks? Folks? We don’t know. Well, it doesn’t overly matter since Hostel Folks is the overall best hostel in Bratislava even though it has an overall average name. It’s a relatively quiet hostel – no stags or hens – but if you’re not too fussed about meeting other people or whatever, then this is a great, great option. It’s cheap (one of the cheapest), it’s comfy, modern, clean, but what really makes it the best hostel in Bratislava 2024 is its location; being on the very edge of the downtown pedestrianised zone puts you in the prime position for sightseeing and exploration. That’s why you’re here, right?
Patio Hostel – Best Cheap Hostel in Bratislava #1
If basic is something you really don’t care about, especially if there’s a nice price involved, then you’d better keep reading cause this is our best cheap hostel in Bratislava. It’s called Patio Hostel – it has a patio, duh – and it isn’t famed for immaculate cleanliness, nor taste in design, but it is fairly well located, it does have a bar, and that oh-so-famous patio is a really chill place to hang out and chat to fellow travellers. For a budget hostel in Bratislava, this is excellent for a few days of sightseeing. And whilst it’s not luxurious, it IS generally a nice place to stay.
We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.
Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on Osprey View on REIDream Hostel – Best Hostel for Couples in Bratislava
Usually when a place is called Dream Hostel or something similar, what entails will usually not be a dream or dreamy situation. However, happily, Dream Hostel is actually really dreamy. It’s set in a 5-storey townhouse with a biiig common area, a looovely kitchen, a grrrreat location, and tasteful decor that possibly makes it the coolest hostel in Bratislava. For these reasons, we reckon it’s the best hostel for couples in Bratislava. What more do you want than exploring a historic city, sampling the cafes nearby, then coming back to a cool, stylish room? It’s a couple’s dream TBH.
Wild Elephants Hostel – Best Party Hostel in Bratislava
Relatively pricey, but sometimes you gotta pay to have fun, and that’s something you’ll deffo be having at Wild Elephants. It’s our pick for the best party hostel in Bratislava because of its propensity for beer pong (there’s a dedicated room for it), and for the onsite bar (complete with foosball table – and everyone’s a pro after a few drinks), and the tattoo parlour (?!), and also for the pub crawls which are fun. The place is pretty rowdy, but fun rowdy, so do be aware. I mean, you’re here to party, so, that’s probs fine with you. Other than all that it’s pretty comfy and it’s located literally on the main square.
Hostel Blues – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Bratislava
Despite the name, this is actually a pretty awesome hostel. Maybe they meant, like, if you’ve got hostel blues, come here? Maybe? Because it’s a fun place to be. They do pub crawls and nightly activities – which, before you start jumping to conclusions are NOT all drinking-based. The staff basically create a super atmosphere, perfect for meeting and making friends with other peeps staying here, so we’d say it’s the best hostel for solo travellers in Bratislava. It’s also basically in the city centre, too, which is a plus. Oh and Hostel Blues is also nicely decorated, sorta boutique-meets-basic, you’ll love it probably.
Hostel Blues is one of our favourites in Bratislava 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.
Hostel Brickyard – Best Cheap Hostel in Bratislava #2
We’re guessing this used to be some sort of, hmm, brickyard? Perhaps? But who cares – it’s a nice hostel in a fairly good location close-ish to the old town. Sounds good to us. Also nearby are a load of bars and cafes which make you feel like you should be eating and drinking your way through the city – fine by us! This recommended hostel in Bratislava is also quite cheap, among the cheapest definitely, which is nice if you’re on a budget. The dorms are really spacious, the bathrooms are clean… it’s a lil’ basic but when the price is right and the location is decent and the staff are ok, well, that’s fine.
Hostel Brickyard is one of our favourites in Bratislava 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.
Art Hostel Taurus – Best Cheap Hostel in Bratislava #3
We’re not sure if it’s ok to call your hostel an art hostel if all you’re gonna do is put a load of art on the walls. Is that really how tenuous these links are? However, we’re totally fine with it since they’re possibly the only youth hostel in Bratislava that offers a free breakfast and these things are important to us. As for entertainment *shudder* they’ve got a bass guitar, electronic drum kit, electric guitar, microphone – and headphones, mercifully. But still, wow, you could literally form a band here. Not the best hostel in Bratislava, but deffo decent, stylish-ish and with helpful staff.
Art Hostel Taurus is one of our favourites in Bratislava 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.
Freddie next to Mercury – Best Hostel with a Private Room in Bratislava
We literally have NO CLUE about the name or the link that this Bratislava backpackers hostel may or may not have to Freddie Mercury. So we’ll leave that for you to wonder about. We do know, however, that the private rooms here are awesome: they’re spacious, comfy, and come equipped with their own kitchenettes (stove, sink, fridge). So we’d say it’s the best hostel with a private room in Bratislava. Owing further to this title is their amazing summer garden – think drinking, music, grilled delights – and the location: 10 mins to the old town and V close to the main train station.
Freddie next to Mercury is one of our favourites in Bratislava 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.
Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.
It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)
Hide Yo’ Money!More Best Hostels in Bratislava.
Boutique Apartments Possonium
This is a boutique hostel, which is code for nothing matches – for example, one room has a wall of jägermeister bottles. But actually this top hostel in Bratislava is actually pretty cool at times, wooden bunks painted in a distressed way, there’s lots of wood and metal in a somewhat minimalist warehouse-meets-angsty-teen-bedroom-meets-hostel kinda way. Otherwise, there’s a lovely garden here, as well as an underground (literally not figuratively) bar. If you go out of season, you’ll find it a little quiet, but in summer you should expect it to be pretty poppin here.
Hostel One
Although Hostel One is sorta basic, it’s also modern and clean and super spacious, so no one’s gonna be getting up in anyone’s space – which can be both awkward and annoying. We like spacious. In fact, the dorms are so spacious that they’ve got tables, chairs and TVs. We also like good locations, and this recommended hostel in Bratislava definitely has one – it’s near the old town, and there are a load of cafes (and a mall if you’re interested) nearby. Overall it’s a pretty decent place to stay, especially since a load of Bratislava’s top sights and best bars are within easy walking distance.
Hostel One is one of our favourites in Bratislava 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.
What to Pack for your Bratislava 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 Bratislava
Cheers guys! You have made it to the end of the road for my best hostels in Bratislava 2024 list.
If you are familiar with European capitals, you know that it doesn’t take a copious amount of beer, tasty treats, or one too many expensive hostels to break your budget.
Hopefully with the help of this hostel guide you are able to steer clear of the expensive hostels in the city.
The goal in writing this guide was to put all of the best hostels in Bratislava before you so that you can book the right spot that fits into your budget.
Backpacking in Slovakia need not be overly expensive. With a little planning, you can really keep your costs down whilst having the backpacking journey of a lifetime.
Remember that the best hostels in Bratislava do book out fast, so don’t delay in booking if you know you are coming to town.
Still unsure of which hostel is right for you? Feeling conflicted? No worries…
In times of uncertainty, I recommend that you just book my top overall pick for the best hostel in Bratislava: – Hostel Folks. Happy Travels!
FAQ about Hostels in Bratislava
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Bratislava.
How much does a hostel cost in Bratislava?
The average price of hostels in Bratislava can range from $16 – $21+ 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 Bratislava for couples?
Check out these ideal hostels for couple in Bratislava:
2020 Best EU Art Boutique Capsule Hostel CHORS
Safestay Bratislava Presidential Palace
What are the best hostels in Bratislava near the airport?
Patio Hostel, the best cheap hostel in Bratislava, is a 13-minute drive by car from Bratislava Airport.
Travel Safety Tips for Bratislava
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
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!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Bratislava 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 the best places to stay in Bratislava before you arrive.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Slovakia 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!
