The top 5 hostels in Germany

Thanks to its growing hostel scene, exploring Germany on a budget has never been easier. Expect city-centre locations, cutting-edge design and social spaces hosting karaoke nights or theatre seasons.

To give you a head start, here are five of Germany’s most highly rated hostels according to global travellers.*

The Circus Hostel, Berlin

The Circus Hostel’s terrace is a prime spot for people watching

A buzzing pavement terrace is the first indication you’ve arrived at this dynamic Berlin hostel, located right by Rosenthaler Platz U-Bahn station. Its clean-lined dorms and private rooms are painted in an apple green, raspberry or teal, with individual lights and lockers for each bed. There are plenty of spaces to relax or meet new people and there’s a 24-hour reception that can help with everything from hair dryers to city tours. In the basement, the Circus Hostel Microbrewery serves four different beers – the malty dark lager is a particular hit – alongside signature cocktails.

Superbude Hotel & Hostel St. Georg, Hamburg

Breakfast is served until noon in the Superbude’s Kitchen Club restaurant

Superbude St. Georg takes its cue from Hamburg’s industrial heritage, with steampunk lighting, scaffolding and furniture made from brightly painted oil drums and beer crates. It’s set in the boho St. Georg district, which is a leisurely stroll from Hamburg Central Station. This hotel-hostel hybrid offers a mix of private rooms and dorms, all with their own bathroom and TV. There’s always something going on here too, whether it’s Nintendo Wii battles in the games room or film screenings in the private cinema.

Hostel die Wohngemeinschaft, Cologne

A bed with rocket boosters is enough to bring out anyone’s inner child

Cologne’s artsy Belgian Quarter is the backdrop for Hostel die Wohngemeinschaft. Each room has a different creative design, from a ballroom-themed dorm complete with a chandelier, to a private spaceship double bed. The Bollywood-inspired quadruple is decked out in candy-pink and pistachio, with jewel-coloured scatter cushions and vintage movie posters. There’s substance behind the style, as the larger than average bunks all have privacy curtains and their own sockets, lamps and storage. Downstairs, guests mingle over complimentary coffee in the lounge, while the bar hosts live DJ sets.

Hostel Multitude, Leipzig

Plants add a homely touch to rooms at Hostel Multitude

Hostel Multitude blends urban and industrial with its exposed brick walls and warm wooden floors. For added privacy, the handcrafted bunks have blackout curtains and reading lamps, while sockets inside storage lockers and the bunks make it easy to charge devices. Bathrooms are fitted with glossy metro tiles and bowl-style sinks that wouldn’t be out of place in a spa. The hostel is in a restored building in the up-and-coming Lindenau neighbourhood, known for street art and second-hand shops. Grab a coffee in a cute café nearby or unwind in the hostel’s beer garden.

Five Reasons Hostel & Hotel, Nuremberg

There’s plenty of room to stretch out in the spacious Five Reasons dorms

Simplicity reigns at the Five Reasons Hostel & Hotel, situated just inside Nuremberg’s medieval walls. Its airy taupe-and-white dorms have high ceilings and hardwood floors, and many rooms look out over the historic city centre. Guests appreciate the soft mattresses, coin-operated lockers big enough to fit a carry-on case and the hairdryers provided in the shared bathrooms. The self-catering facilities also win rave reviews, whether you choose a private apartment with a microwave and toaster or cook alongside other travellers in the communal kitchen.