The Best Hostels To Book Across Romania

The former communist nation of Romania is now one of Eastern Europe’s coolest holiday destinations – book an affordable bed via Culture Trip.

Hostel culture in Romania has really developed since the 1989 Revolution that ousted the communist regime – young entrepreneurs, “borrowing” the international hostel concept, have been busy ever since, opening small businesses in the tourist cities of Brașov, Sibiu, Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca (or simply Cluj) and Timișoara. All have preserved historic quarters, some even a whole medieval Old Town. Others enjoy natural settings and proximity to the mountains, making for unforgettable holidays. Here are the best hotels to book across Romania – easily fixed with Culture Trip.

1. Podstel Umbrella, Bucharest

Hostel, Villa, Hotel

Impressive boulevards, classic-style buildings and atmospheric public gardens are some of the reasons travellers love Bucharest. Podstel is a hostel-cafe combo, providing accommodation and weekly events, workshops and performances. Staying at Podstel Umbrella, you’re in the heart of the city, a few minutes from the vibrant nightlife of the metropolis. The hostel has mixed dorms with handmade and painted wooden bunk beds, but if you prefer en-suite facilities, upgrade to a private room. In the evenings, engage in a chess or darts game on the cobblestone terrace or meet other travellers in the cosy lounge with plush sofas.

2. Book-A-Rest Hostel, Bucharest

Hostel, Villa

Aside from the atmospheric Old Town with its quaint, Medieval architecture, Bucharest has many quiet neighbourhoods well worth exploring. Book-A-Rest Hostel stands in the Armenian quarter, within walking distance of the central University Square. Rooms are furnished with hardwood floors and smart metal furnishings while the shaded terrace in the garden is a great area for socialising with fellow travellers. Breakfast is served each morning, while you also have a shared kitchen for self-catering purposes – tea and coffee included for free.

4. The Spot Cosy Hostel, Cluj-Napoca

Hostel

The second university centre in the country, Cluj has a young vibe and hosts the famous UNTOLD music festival every summer. Spot Cosy Hostel stands in the leafy Gruia residential neighbourhood along the Someș River, at the foot of Cluj’s hilltop fortress and about 15 minutes walk to the city centre. The boutique-style hostel has a large backyard with plenty of slouching options, a bar and hammocks. Dorms and private rooms are upbeat, multicoloured affairs, while the big kitchen and the lounge are perfect for socialising and generally slobbing in.

5. Zen Hostel, Cluj-Napoca

Hostel, Hotel

Cluj is one of Transylvania’s most bustling cities – not to mention the most revered student hub in the region, with an impressive botanical garden and an Old Town with atmospheric squares. Zen Hostel puts you right in the centre of things, close to the dining scene and most cultural landmarks, including Gothic-style Roman Catholic Saint Michael’s Church. The hostel has mixed-gender dorms and private rooms warmly decorated with traditional Romanian rugs. There are also female-only dorms and en-suite private rooms. Unwind in the backyard with its bar and a terrace – or make yourself dinner in the communal kitchen, before reclining in a hammock.

6. B13 Hostel, Sibiu

Hostel

With 800 years of history, Sibiu is a beauty – all wonderfully preserved Saxon buildings, winding passages and Baroque churches. On pedestrian street Bălcescu is B13 Hostel: an active youth hub with a burger bar as well as ribs&beer, a restaurant with a pavement terrace. Mixed and female-only dorms roll out jazzily bright decor, and there’s a communal space filled with big comfy red sofas. Here in the Old Town you have pubs, restaurants and historic attractions practically on your doorstep, including the Piata Mare (Large Square). For an excellent view of the city, book into the 20-bed dorm.

7. PanGeea Hostel, Sibiu

Hostel

In the shadow of mountains, Sibiu attracts passionate hikers as much as it does history aficionados. With double rooms and six-to-eight-bed spaces, PanGeea stands at the entrance to the Piata Mare, a short walk from major cultural landmarks such as the Brukenthal National Museum, containing works by Van Eyck, Memling and Titian – or the Bridge of Lies, which can apparently tell if the person crossing it is a liar. Each room has a kitchen and a dining area as well as a bathroom and plenty of lockers. Sip your coffee in the baroquely furnished on-site cafe. If you feel like cooking, there’s a supermarket just opposite.

8. Freeborn Hostel, Timișoara

Hostel, Hotel

Enjoy strolling beautiful parks, admiring Habsburg architecture, and savouring drinks on the banks of the river? Add Timișoara to your list and check in at this laid-back central hostel. Dormitories range in size from six to 10 bunks with bright linens and curtains. All rooms boast vibrant hand-painted murals. The double rooms are in high demand, especially the one called the Dream, which has a double bed and a whirlpool tub. After a busy day of sightseeing, unwind in the back garden – lounging in one of the hammocks or playing table tennis.

9. Jugend Stube Hostel, Brașov

Hostel, Hotel

Surrounded by magnificent mountains (which harbour the Dracula Castle), Brașov was made for hikes during the day – after dark, Old Town comes buzzily to life. Jugend Stube Hostel is smack bang in the historic centre, a three-minute walk from Council Square – the starting point for all shopping and dining escapades. It’s a colourful base, with simply decorated dorms sleeping up to six guests, as well as en-suite doubles and triples for more privacy. There’s a fully equipped kitchen at your disposal, with tea and coffee included throughout your stay.

10. SECRET Boutique Hostel, Brașov

Boutique Hotel, Hostel

Looking for a “secret” place to stay in one of Romania’s best-preserved Saxon towns? Try this hostel on a medieval street in the heart of historic Brașov. You’ll be within walking distance of the main sights – say, the Black Church and Council Square. Dormitories have massive timber bunk beds with curtains for privacy, double mattresses and lockers with safety code. You’ll find separate showers in the shared bathrooms while kitchen amenities include a fridge, a microwave, a coffee-maker and a sandwich maker. Whatever you do, make the short trip to the celebrated Dracula Castle – Castelul Bran – in the heart of Transylvania, just 30km (19mi) from Brașov.

This is an updated version of an article originally by Roxana Coman.

Looking for more inspiration? Discover the most beautiful towns in Romania. We’ve also narrowed down the best hotels in the country so whether you are looking for the best hotels in Sibiu or the best hotels in Brasov, you can confidently book your next stay with Culture Trip.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.