The Best Hostels in Bucharest

If you want to save some cash during your stay in Bucharest, Mil Pasos Penthouse Hostel is the ideal place to start. Located in the heart of the city, they offer a free map, a free portion of pasta, a free breakfast – and even free Netflix. The enormous communal living room serves up a unique panoramic view of the surrounding buildings. Along with the generous service, the location is a real winner here – there are dozens of bars, cafes, restaurants and stores right on the doorstep.

You won’t get bored here at the Little Bucharest Old Town Hostel. The popular themed nights are sociable – film nights, cooking evenings and storytelling events are all part of the vibe. Book into a dorm room, grab a cold beer and chill in the kitchen or common room. The whole place has a fresh feel, with a cheerful use of colour. If you fancy a change of scenery, some of the city’s best cafes, bars and sights are just outside your door, in the pumping heart of Old Town Bucharest.

The main quirk here at Taxi Hostel is that they’ll arrange to pick you up, by taxi of course. On arrival, you’ll also receive a personalised self-check-in service for your introduction. It’s a family-run hostel where strangers and roomies turn into your new-found family as you lounge on the terrace over a movie or while munching gogoși (doughnut-like pastries) There’s a fridge in every room so you can keep your supplies chilled.

There are definitely perks to spending a night or three at Friends Hostel. All hostel staff are fluent in Romanian and English, and their cheerful and chatty attitude will make you feel at home from the get-go. Room design is simple and consistent, with wooden bunks and different colour schemes for each room. The expansive common room is an ideal spot to lounge in, plan your tour of the city with a free map from reception or watch a film on the big screen.

Popcorn Hostel has hit a niche and is popular amongst long-term globetrotters – the owner is a keen backpacker and has many tales to tell. While chatting travel, take advantage of the hostel’s quirks, like free popcorn and coffee on the side. As a huge bonus, you’ll be kipping right next to Bucharest’s Gara du Nord train station – so connecting to Moldova, Bulgaria or Hungary is easy from here. You can have a game of table football while you sip a bere (beer) and admire the sublime views from the balcony.

A colourful hostel bang in the middle of the city, located just 500 metres (1640ft) from Unirii Square, Podstel is run by three friends who visited more than 400 hostels in over 50 countries. Once they settled on a concept, they opened their first hostel in Bucharest – which comes with a spacious garden, a summer bar and a huge round tent to wind down in. The weekly activities include an open mic evening and workshops.

Located on Dacia Boulevard, one of the main arteries of Bucharest and lined with imposing villas dating from the turn of the century, Globe Hostel offers dorms decorated with style and attention to detail. Perks include a women-only room and free bed linen, plus towels are provided if you stay for more than four days. This quiet hostel is located close to memorial houses and numerous museums.

In the unofficial competition for the cosiest hostel, this one is miles ahead of everyone else. Located near Tineretului Park, the city’s largest green space, the hostel features a large garden. It also comes with two four-legged permanent guests – a golden labrador called Tera and a white cat have made the hostel their home.