It is a well known fact that there are many extraordinary Roman Hostels. Many are award-winningly welcoming. Several have free breakfasts.
Some are buried so deep in the bosom of urban Italy that it is a miracle that anyone finds them at all.
But which will have you steaming for under a fiver? Why is there a bathtub in the laundry room? And will you get away with whipping up a plate of Gnocchi after lights out?
These excellent subjects and more shall be tackled in my EPIC guide to the best hostels in Rome. So no matter your hypercritical outlook, your off-putting habit or your love of ‘fragrant’ cheeses, there is a perfect hostel waiting just for you.
Let us investigate further…
Quick answer: Best Hostels in Rome
- Overall Best Hostel in Rome – The Bee Hive
- Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Rome – The RomeHello Hostel
- Best Cheap Hostel in Rome – Freedom Traveller
- Best Party Hostel in Rome – YellowSquare Hostel
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Rome – Ostello Bello Roma Colosseo
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
What to Expect from Hostels in Rome
So you’re finally backpacking Italy like you promised yourself years ago, and are looking for something of questionable quality in the way of shelter?
Excellent. You are in capable hands, and I’m going to deliver the highest quality Roman hostels (which aren’t too far from the top attractions) right into your soggy mouths, like a bird mama. There remains some overpriced trash which is worth avoiding.
For the planners out there, it’s worth knowing that Rome gets booked up every summer, very quickly. If you don’t want to pay an extremely high price, book 5 or 6 years in advance (haha, ok maybe it’s not that bad). But don’t wait around for those hostel prices to go down!
The top hostels are fun, efficient, and actually pretty organised. There are lots of chances to meet your fellow traveller, drink wine, and explore the experimental atmosphere of communal dinners…
The 5 Best Roman Hostels
There are some excellent hostels out there in the city of Rome! You will be moving on to your Itinerary planning in no time…
1. The Bee Hive – Overall Best Hostel in Rome
Since 1999, the Beehive has been welcoming travellers to the infallible streets of Rome. As a small, family-run hostel, this hostel has unbeatable character, and even comes with a Bagel store on-site!
Tea and coffee are complimentary, and there’s even free wine up for grabs, in true Italian style. Be sure to download their free app to get top tips and travel hacks to max out on your time in Rome. If you’re looking for the best things to do in Rome, don’t hesitate to ask your super-friendly hosts!
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Cooking classes and communal dinners
- Cute courtyard garden
- Chill and homely atmosphere
If you’re looking for a real home away from home, without compromising on sociability, The Bee Hive hostel is the ideal spot for you. Whether it’s chilling in the garden or sharing a comfy dorm with your fellow travellers, the social vibe is one of the best and friendliest in Rome. It’s a hostel that backpackers love!
Note that this is not a party hostel. While you’re close to all of the action, the hostel itself is pretty chill and calm. You’ll be guaranteed to have a peaceful night here, so if your main goal is to get hammered every night, you might want to choose a different place.
The Bee Hive offers different room types as well, from mixed and female-only dorms to private rooms with (or without) en-suite bathrooms. You’ll get a super comfy bed, no matter which room type you choose!
2. The RomeHello Hostel – Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Rome
The EPIC RomeHello Hostel has a world-class reception with a free drink on arrival. This hostel shines amongst its peers for its great location near the Termini train station and awesome atmosphere. If you fancy a day trip, it’s easy!
The decor is funky and modern, which lends the hostel an impeccable vibe. Live music, foosball and even a PlayStation make this a top place to hang out. Solo female travellers will love the cosy 3 person ladies-only dorms.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Sensational atmosphere
- Clean and Reliable
- Live Music and great entertainment
The location of this hostel is unbeatable, being super close to the metro at Rome Termini. Rome is great if you are a walker because every attraction is around 15 minutes away from each other. The Colosseum is around 15 minutes away.
For the digital nomads, there is a great working area and apparently ‘flawless wifi’. You shouldn’t have any issues cutting through a backlog if you fancy it! Breakfast is another 7 euros, but is all you can eat! You can definitely stock up and save yourself an expensive lunch if you want.
There are indoor and outdoor common rooms, A/C that works, and lockers if you need them. The RomeHello Hostel is definitely one of the best out there!
3. Freedom Traveller – Best Budget Hostel in Rome
Offering free coffee & breakfast every morning to kick start the day, Freedom Traveller is one of the cheapest hostels around. The guest kitchen is perfect if you ever get tired of pasta and pizza (or exploring other Italian cuisines) and fancy whipping up some home comforts.
Get in on the happy hour from 7 pm-9 pm, with free wine and snacks for all! They have free, unlimited WiFi too; it even stretches into the classic Italian garden! The freedom traveller hostel Rome is the perfect Roman base for budget travellers.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- CHEAP!
- Free walking tours and pub crawls
- Great Garden
It might not be the newest hostel, but what it lacks in pristine age it makes up for in experience (as always)! This hostel still has a great atmosphere, so if you’re looking to meet other travellers and make other friends, don’t worry about that.
Pick up one of their free city maps to get started if you’re new to Rome! The friendly, multilingual staff are on hand to help, whether you need directions to the local bars or want to borrow a hairdryer.
Rooms have lockers, and there are both female-only and private rooms available. Comfortable beds, friendly staff, and a great outdoor area make this a top-budget hostel!
4. YellowSquare Hostel – Best Party Hostel in Rome
If a hostel has a nine-hour long happy hour you know it’s gonna be the best party hostel in Rome. YellowSquare is known for its DJ nights, beer pong tournaments, and free iPad rental for getting the party started in your dorm.
It’s one of the cheapest hostels in Rome and easily the coolest in terms of vibe and party feels. On top of knowing how to throw the best parties, The YellowSquare staff are super clued up about Rome and are always on hand to recommend day trips and off-the-beaten-track hidden gems in the Italian capital.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- On-site nightclub with fat parties
- Rooftop Yoga Classes
- Walking tours, bike rental
While the main focus of this hostel is definitely having a great night out, it offers so much more than just partying. If your hangover allows it, head on up to the rooftop terrace in the morning to join one of the free yoga classes. There’s no better way to start the day than getting warm and flexy (ED: AEESH, what is this website coming to…).
Hang out in the welcoming common room or play a game of pool with some new pals! If you need to get some work done on your laptop, there’s also a separate area for Digital Nomads.
When it comes to location, this hostel shines as well. You’re within walking distance of Roma Termini and other public transport options. If you don’t want to walk around, simply rent a bike at the reception. And while you’re there, pick up one of the free city maps as well.
5. Ostello Bello Roma Colosseo – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Rome
So you’re a digital nomad looking for a place to knuckle down and tackle some new projects? Then the Ostello Bello is exactly what you want.
As part of a larger hostel chain, it might not be quite as ‘authentic’ as some of the other top hostels in Rome, but it makes up for this in reliability, cleanliness and having some amazing spaces. There’s even a rooftop terrace!
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Top-tier views over Rome
- Live Music and Karaoke
- Top Location
As a digital nomad, you tend to make up for the time you spend palming your keyboard in hardcore playtime, and the Ostello Bello Roma gives you access to a great range of activities to keep you entertained during your time off.
The location is amazing, only 5 minutes away from the Colosseum and 3 minutes from the Vittorio Emanuele red subway line. You’ll find there are some great local places to eat nearby!
Female-only dorms and private dorms are available upon request, and rooms are opened via an application on your phone. Lockers are provided. The WiFi is also free, fast, and reliable!
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 of the Top Hostels in Rome
We’re not done yet! Your weekend in Rome is about to get even better with a new wave of the best hostels in Rome. Although I am a little offended you didn’t rate my top 5.
Comics Guesthouse – More Cheap Hostels in Rome
This is the 2nd of our budget hostels Rome has. Comics Guesthouse is easily the coolest hostel in Rome for all the dorms are themed around, you’ve guessed it, comics! If you’re down for a lazy day in Rome you’ll feel right at home in Comic Guesthouse’s common room complete with sports channels and movies too. Free WiFi throughout the building means you can watch Netflix in bed if you’re over-exploring for a few hours.
The Comic’s team regularly hosts parties and theme nights, and the guys and girls in reception will give you the full rundown of what’s on when you arrive.
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 REIAlessandro Palace Hostel & Bar
Choosing to stay at Alessandro Palace Hostel is a surefire way to make new friends, head up to the cosy rooftop terrace and bar or take a pew at the downstairs restaurant and bar and get to know your fellow nomads. As a top hostel in Rome, Alessandro Palace Hostel offers guests access to their fitness centre, a real treat for a hostel! Even one of Rome’s Airbnbs would be hard-pressed to keep up…
Although there is no fully equipped kitchen guests have access to a communal fridge and microwave to make simple meals. The Alessandro Hostel Rome offers the chance to stay fit, and make friends all whilst taking in this amazing city.
Hostel Trastevere
One of the top hostels in Rome, with enough beds to host 110 people a night, the top hostel for solo travellers in Rome has to be Hostel Trastevere. Housing over 100 people per night means solo travellers in Italy have it easy when it comes to meeting fellow travellers and making new friends in Rome.
Spacious and well-lit, Hostel Trastevere has its own onsite bar, cafe, and restaurant, meaning solo travellers need not scour the streets to find their fellow backpackers.
Blue Hostel – Best Hostel for Couples in Rome
Easily the number one hostel for couples in Rome is Blue Hostel. Many would argue that Blue Hostel is more of a boutique hotel than a hostel, but its spacious private rooms are ideal for couples visiting Rome. Every room has its own lavish en-suite with steaming hot showers. The rooms are stylish, even romantic…when in Rome! The Blue Hostel is within easy walking distance of the Colosseum and other must-visit tourist hotspots.
Youth Station Hostel
The Youth Station Hostel is a great budget hostel in Rome, designed with the modern backpacker in mind. The dorms are bright and spacious and the staff is always around to offer travel tips, tricks, and hacks to get the most out of your trip to Rome. This is a great place to come if you want to meet and mingle with fellow backpackers. As a highly recommended hostel, Youth Station books up quickly, especially in high season and during festivals so be sure to book in advance.
Funny Palace Hostel
What makes Funny Palace Hostel a great youth hostel in Rome is the fact they have both private and open dorms. This means that if you’re travelling to Rome with your crew or accumulating friends on the road you can have a whole dorm room to yourselves; hello private party! Funny Palace Hostel is within easy walking distance of Termini station making it a great stop-off for interrailing explorers.
Legends
On top of offering backpackers some of the cheapest dorm rates in Rome, Legends also chuck in a free breakfast, free WiFi and a guest kitchen too! It’s almost like staying in a bed and breakfast in Rome!
Legends is totally one of the best budget hostels in the Eternal City. Simple, spacious and super friendly, this hostel is legendary by name and by nature. They also have no curfew and no lockout as an added backpacker’s bonus!
Palladini Hostel
If you’re looking for a high-end hostel, then Palladini Hostel Rome (with mixed dorms, female-only dorms, and some chic private en-suites too) is for you! Arrivals and departures at Termini station can’t possibly get any closer than at Palladini Hostel, just 300m away from the station entrance. No excuses for missing your train from here! To add a further touch of class, guests at Palladini Hostel are awarded complimentary wine and Champagne! It doesn’t get much better than that!
Legend R.G
Backpackers come away with nothing but smiles from Legend R.G, some even naming it the best budget hostel in Rome. With a free breakfast included in your room rate, you’ll be perfectly fuelled up and ready for a full day exploring Rome. You don’t even have to stray too far from Legends R.G before you start hitting Rome’s touristic highlights, it’s also super close to Termini station too. The staff are super friendly and always happy to help a backpacker get the most from their adventures in Rome.
Roma Scout Center
The staff at Roma Scout Center are second to none, friendly, helpful, and super clued up about what backpackers are looking to get out of their time in Rome. Roma Scout Center is perfectly kept, really clean, and the dorm rooms offer you plenty of space to spread out in. Be sure to pop by their restaurant and try their Cacio e Pepe, it really is as good as they claim it to be! Rome Scout is a great youth hostel in Rome if you’re keener on culture and an early night than a wild night partying.
Mosaic Hostel
This hostel’s convenient location means that it comes highly recommended. On the same street as Mosaic Hostel, you’ll find classic Italian restaurants serving authentic food, supermarkets to stock up on snacks, and a couple of Laundromats too. If you’ve come to Rome in search of fine wines you’ll be chuffed to hear that Mosaic Hostel is right next door to the city’s oldest and most famous wine bar (named Trimani).
Român Holidays Hostel
Roman Holidays Hostel is just a 15-minute walk from the Colosseum and the impressive Trevi Fountain, ideally placed in the heart of Rome’s touristic hotspots. Just a heads up, you have to pay for your stay on arrival in cash. If you forget, no worries, the team will point you in the direction of the nearest ATM just around the corner.
The common room is a great place to hang out if you don’t fancy venturing far, the Wii and PlayStation will keep you occupied for hours if you find yourself having a touch of cultural overload in Rome! Român’s Holidays Hostel is one of the top hostels. Rome for travellers of all kinds.
Hostel Des Artistes
The Hostel Des Artistes is a hostel-come hotel offering guests the choice of budget dorm rooms or reasonably priced private rooms. They have a bar, and it is a classy little hideaway open ’til late. They are ideally placed within easy reach of both the Vatican and Rome’s biggest draws like the Colosseum. FYI, they only accept guests aged 18-30 in dorm rooms; over 30s must fork out for a private room. As a Rome backpackers hostel, Des Artistes offers everything an easy-going traveller could need.
Rome City Hostel
Although a little way out from the heart of the action, Rome City Hostel offers guests the chance to stay in an authentic Italian neighbourhood away from the hectic tourist centre. You can get to all the main sights and landmarks very easily from Rome City Hostel and the team at reception is on-call 24-hours a day to help backpackers with everything from arranging airport transfers, tickets to the opera, or a bust lightbulb.
The free breakfast is simple but helps save guests a little extra money, making Rome City Hostel a brilliant youth hostel in Rome.
Generator Rome
As one of the leading hostel chains in Europe, it didn’t seem right to miss Generator off the shortlist; they certainly deserve a mention. Super modern and getting the social hostel vibe on point, Generator is a favourite hangout for those travelling to Rome on a weekend. The generator has been designed with the modern backpacker in mind, they adopt the laid-back Italian way of life while keeping everyone well informed about what’s going on in and around Rome.
Travel Safety Tips for Rome
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.
FAQ on Rome’s Hostels
Here’s what I’m usually asked about the best budget beds in Rome…
What to Pack for your Rome 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 my definitive Hostel Packing list for even more top hostel packing tips!
How much does a hostel cost in Rome??
The cost of a hostel stay in Rome depends on the room type and the location. The average price is around $24 for dorm rooms, while for private rooms is $31.
What are the best hostels in Rome for couples?
Blue Hostel is the ideal hostel for couples in Rome. It is clean, has a superb location near must-visit tourist hotspots, and is close to the Termini station.
What are the best hostels in Rome near the airport?
Generator Rome, one of the best social hostels in Rome, is 14.1 km from Ciampino Airport. It has an airport shuttle service for an additional fee.
Final Thoughts on the Best Hostels in Rome
High price tag aside – Rome is a backpacker’s paradise and one of the world’s premier travel destinations.
Hopefully, with the help of this guide, you’ll have a better understanding of which of the best hostels in Rome are best suited to your needs and budgets.
If you can’t decide, my highest recommendation is The Bee Hive. It’s centrally located, has a buzzing atmosphere, comfy beds and you’re sure to make some new friends here. Those for me are the best features of any hostel.
If you think I’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit me up in the comments!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Italy for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in Rome covered.
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Rome if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Rome before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for Italy to avoid any issues.
- 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!
