The Best Backpacker Hostels to Book in Poland

The location of this small hostel in Gdansk couldn’t be better. It’s right by the Motława River, just a few minutes’ walk from the quaint Old Town, and less than 10 minutes from St Mary’s Church – said to be the largest brick church in the world. The hostel itself is clean and functional, with a pop of colour here and there to add some fun. There’s a mix of private doubles and twins, family rooms and dorms, with two sizable shared bathrooms. The common room and kitchen area – where guests can help themselves to breakfast – are great for those who want to make friends on their travels.

Whether you’re looking to make friends and party with fellow travellers or just want some relaxed time alone, this hostel in the heart of Krakow offers the best of both worlds. Its main common room is for mingling – the hostel staff run group activities such as flip pong and fun quizzes there every night from 9.15pm, before heading out to discover the local nightlife. The other one, called the Chillout Area, is for – of course – chilling out. Located in the Kleparz district five minutes’ walk away from the Main Square, the Mosquito Hostel is close to plenty of cafes, restaurants and tourist sights such as the Historical Museum of Krakow. For places a little further away, the hostel has bikes that guests can rent to help them get around the city.

A great choice for those visiting Łódź on a budget, this affordable hostel is right in the centre of everything. You’ll find it on Piotrkowska Street – which runs between Liberty Square and Independence Square – which is one of the longest pedestrian thoroughfares in Europe. It’s lined with restaurants, bars, impressive buildings in both neo-renaissance and art nouveau styles, and various monuments and statues. Inside the hostel, there are dorms with between two and six beds. Even if you’re sharing with a few people, the high ceilings and large windows in each room make them feel spacious.

You know a hostel’s going to be good when it’s owned and run by veteran backpackers. Having stayed in hundreds of hostels themselves, they know exactly what makes a great one. For Oki Doki’s owners, that means a handy location – Warsaw’s Old Town – inviting accommodation in a beautiful converted 18th-century building, and friendly, knowledgeable staff. And then, of course, a schedule full of fun social activities that allow guests to meet other travellers. Plus, it has a courtyard, kitchen and common room where you can hang out with your new friends – making it one of the top backpacker hostels in Poland.

You’re sure to leave this modern hostel in Warsaw’s Old Town with more friends than you came with. There’s always a gaggle of guests and team members hanging out at the on-site bar, drinking, eating and getting to know each other. If you’re feeling a bit too shy to break the ice yourself, fear not – Safestay Warsaw throws regular events such as pizza parties and game nights to help get the conversation flowing, just check the events board at the hostel for a timetable. They’ve also teamed up with various walking tour providers – some of which are free – to make discovering the Polish capital as simple as possible.

If the Polish port city of Świnoujście is on your backpacking agenda, then Stawa Hostel should be your first port of call. It’s great value for money considering its location right by the beautiful Zdrojowy Park, and the fact that it’s a hostel made up of apartments – so you really feel like you have your own space. Each has been decorated in a homely way, with extra touches such as throw pillows, house plants and fluffy rugs giving Stawa even more of a cosy vibe. There are plenty of options for food – there’s a shared kitchen, room service if you’re feeling lazy and a breakfast buffet available each morning. Plus, there are plenty of eateries close by, such as the casual Kurna Chata serving local Polish fare.

The moon may be white, but it seems as though that’s the only colour missing at this vibrantly decorated hostel in Krakow. All its bright green, orange, purple and blue walls will have you waking up feeling pretty positive, as will the fact that each room has its own ensuite bathroom. It’s well positioned for some urban exploration – the Moon is in the Kazimierz district, once the historic Jewish Quarter and now a neighbourhood that’s become haven for hipsters and creative types. It’s also close to the city centre, providing easy access to Krakow’s must-visit spots.