7 Best Hostels In Croatia + Our Tips For Hostel Stays

Hostels in Croatia are a popular accommodation option, especially for young travelers, solo travelers, and those seeking a budget option for their stay in Croatia.

Hostels in Croatia offer various accommodation options, including dorm rooms with 4, 6, or 8 beds and private rooms for those willing to pay extra. They attract younger travelers and provide a friendly atmosphere, featuring clean and comfortable spaces, some with boutique-style designs. Standard amenities include WiFi, air conditioning, 24-hour reception, lockers, bars, and shared living areas.

Below is a detailed guide to hostels in Croatia, including information on the cost of staying in these budget-friendly accommodations.

What's Inside

7 Best Hostels In Croatia

The best hostels in Croatia not only provide budget-friendly accommodations but also serve as ideal bases for exploring the country’s popular cities and stunning coastlines.

In Zagreb, lively spaces offer a mix of culture and a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Split and Dubrovnik hostels provide easy access to beautiful beaches and historical sites. Hvar is known for its energetic nightlife, while Zadar and Sibenik offer scenic views and rich history. Istria presents a peaceful retreat with its picturesque landscapes. Here are the top hostels to consider for your stay in Croatia.

Swanky Mint Hostel, Zagreb
Hostel Dvor, Split
Angelina Hostel, Dubrovnik
White Rabbit Hostel, Hvar
Hostel Forum, Zadar
Globo Hostel, Sibenik
Hostel Riva, Pula, Istria

1. Stay Swanky Hostel, Zagreb

Stay Swanky Hostel is located in the center of Zagreb, a 10-minute walk from the main square. The hostel offers dormitory rooms with shared bathrooms and private rooms with en-suite bathrooms. All the rooms are air-conditioned. The Stay Swanky Hostel offers free WiFi, lockers, a cafe, and a shared kitchen.

The prices start at €30 ($33, £25) per person.

2. Hostel Dvor, Split

Located just 5 minutes from the old town, hostel Dvor is a lovely little place. It features 3-, 4-, and 6-bed dorm rooms, as well as double rooms with private or shared bathrooms.

Each bunk bed has an electric outlet, a reading light, a shelf, and a huge locker. WiFi, linen, towels, tea, coffee, fruit, and cookies are provided free of charge.

The prices start at €35 ($39, £30) per person in a dorm room.

3. Hostel Angelina, Dubrovnik

With a great location in the old town, the hostel Angelina is perfect for all who want to experience Dubrovnik’s vibe.

The Hostel Angelina offers 4-, 8-, and 12-bed dorm rooms and private twin, double, triple, and quadruple rooms in the main building and three annex buildings nearby. All guests are free to use a terrace, WiFi, a lounge area with TV, and a shared kitchen with fridge, oven, and toaster.

The price per night starts at €24 ($26, £21).

4. Dink’s Hostel, Hvar Town

Benefiting from a superb downtown location, Dink’s Hostel offers 6-, and 8-bed mixed dorms and private double rooms. All rooms have free WiFi, linen, towels, lockers, and air conditioning.

Other facilities include a 24-hour reception, a fully equipped shared kitchen, a lively bar, and BBQ facilities. The prices per bed per night start at €30 ($33, £25).

5. Hostel Forum, Zadar

Boutique Hostel Forum is located in Zadar’s old town. Hostel Forum offers dormitory rooms, private rooms, and one suite. All the rooms are air-conditioned. Shared rooms provide enough privacy as beds are separated one from the other with a curtain. Free WiFi is available. The price per bed per night is €32 ($35, £27), a twin room with a private bathroom costs €115 ($126, £98), and a superior double room with a private bedroom €123 ($135, £105) per night.

6. Hostel Globo, Sibenik

Hostel Globo is in Sibenik’s city center, close to all main attractions and central bus station. It has a common area and free WiFi. The hostel Globo offers twin and double rooms with shared bathrooms and 6-, 8- and 10-bed dorm rooms. Some rooms have a sea view. The price per night for a double or twin room is €72 ($79, £61), while the cost per bed per night in a dorm room is €28 ($31, £24). The breakfast is included in the price.

7. Hostel Antique, Pula

Located in the heart of Pula, Hostel Antique features 8-bed dorm rooms, as well as double and family rooms with shared bathrooms. All rooms are air-conditioned and come with free WiFi. Facilities include spacious, well-furnished kitchen, lockers, and separate bathrooms for men and women.

The price per room per night starts at €28 ($31, £24).

Cost of staying in hostels in Croatia

Prices in hostels are calculated per bed. Depending on the season and the type of room you choose, you can expect to pay anywhere from €30 to €70 ($33-$77, £26-£60) per bed per night. Some hostels also offer double or triple rooms with private or shared bathrooms, which are more expensive than dorm rooms.

All hostels in Croatia provide linen and fresh towels free of charge. Breakfast is usually not included in the room price. Check at the time of booking.

When you should consider staying in hostels in Croatia

Hostels in Croatia are excellent accommodation options for certain types of travelers and in certain situations, as listed below.

Solo travelers who like to meet fellow travelers.
Travelers who like to add a social component to their trip and meet and party with other guests.
Visitors seeking cheap and clean, no-frills accommodation.
Visitors who don’t mind sharing a room with strangers.
Those who enjoy preparing their meals or saving on eating out. Most hostels offer a small kitchen where you can prepare yourself a meal.

Tips for staying in hostels in Croatia

Book ahead! Booking.com and HostelWorld are the two most popular websites for booking hostels in Croatia.
Check your options! Many hostels offer private rooms and bathrooms. If you don’t like sharing a room with strangers, explore these options.
Hostels aren’t always the cheapest accommodation option in Croatia! If you are a larger party, consider renting an apartment. Vacation rentals are a more economical option for larger groups.
Read reviews! Reviews are the best way to check the pros and cons of a particular hostel.
Double-check the location!
Make sure to choose the right room type! Some hostels offer mixed rooms. Choose the hostel with the right room for you to feel comfortable.
Protect your valuables! It should go without saying.

What to pack for a hostel in Croatia

Toiletry kit – You’ll need to carry your own toiletries, as none of the hostels in Croatia provide them. You’ll need a toiletry bag, where you can store all your toiletries and make-up. Look for ones that enable you to hang them on the wall, above your bed, and in a toilet. We recommend Amazon Basics Toiletry Bag. If you fancy something above basic, and you’re ready to pay a little bit more, then we absolutely love Lavievert toiletry bag.

Flip flops – Flip-flops are essential when staying in a hostel. You’ll find them handy to use in the shower, and just about anywhere around the common areas.

Earplugs and a sleep mask – Some people staying in hostels like to stay out late, party, or simply read in a bed for a long time. If you are a light sleeper, for your peace of mind, bring a sleep mask and earplugs. Check here for more info and the latest prices.

Reading light – When a dorm room goes dark, but you still don’t feel like sleeping, a reading light can come in handy. They are small and light to carry, have a clip for attaching it to the book and are battery-operated. Click here for additional info and prices.

The pack or packing cubes – I like my backpack organized. Nothing puts me more off than when I need to dig through my entire backpack when in need of something. Packing cubes help you better organize your backpack. For the ultimate convenience, check The Pack, attached set of packing cubes that can serve you as a provisional closet everywhere you stay.

Day pack – day pack is super-handy to have when traveling, and staying in hostels in Croatia. You can leave your big bag in a room, and only carry around a few things you’ll need for a day, like your documents, wallet, camera, and a bottle of water. We absolutely love Outlander compact day pack.

Cable lock – Well, while the majority of people staying in hostels in Croatia are honest, you can always have somebody sneaking in with other thoughts on their mind. You simply need to take care of and protect your belongings. Pacsafe has a great range of padlocks, cable locks, and bag protectors.

Have you stayed in hostels in Croatia? Do you have anything to recommend to fellow backpackers? Let us know in the comments below.

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