As I walked into the Generator Hostel in Copenhagen, I looked around at all the people in the common area. There I could see singles, friends, couples and families.
A thought ran instantly through my mind. How many families have never considered staying at a hostel because of pre-conceived notions that hostels are all about parties and singles?
How many families have travelled less because they have to pay more for hotels? How many opportunities to connect with other travellers have been lost? The chance to share experiences, chat about tips and meet others
In this article, you will find some great hostels for families in Europe. These family-friendly hostels have been tested and stayed at by the travellers below. You will find recommendations for family hostels in Germany, England, Poland, Spain, Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Orkney Islands and Portugal. These kid-friendly hostels will help put your mind at ease about this type of accommodation and save you some money on your holiday!
Via Amsterdam, Amsterdam Netherlands
Located in the suburbs of the city is the Via Amsterdam hostel. Via Amsterdam is an awesome spot for families to stay when visiting the Dutch capital. Via has large family rooms fitting 4 people with ensuite bathrooms. The facilities at the Amsterdam Hostel are fantastic. There is a large bar, restaurant common room, theatre room, kitchen and laundry.
You can get coffee and drinks from early morning to late in the evening, food is served along with cold beer. Some nights of the week they will have trivia contests and entertainment. The front desk sells tours and public transport tickets. The hostel is located a short 5-minute walk from the metro line that takes you into the city centre, We loved our stay at one of the best family hostels in Amsterdam
Meininger Berlin Central Station
The Meininger Berlin Central is ideally located to visit the central sights of Berlin. It is a short walk to the Reichstag and the Brandenburg Gate, and to venture further afield, bus tours start right outside the hotel. It is adjacent to the river, a lovely spot for evening walks or a beer at a riverside bar.
It is a perfect choice for train travellers as it is just metres away from Central Station (which is also a handy resource for bakeries, groceries and bars). The location is quiet, and there is little traffic or noise at night from outside.
This Berlin hotel has a friendly reception, a popular bar, and a small, well-stocked kitchen for self-catering. You can also choose to eat at their in-house restaurant. WiFi is strong and free throughout. The hotel is popular with youth groups but attracts all ages due to its fantastic location and low prices.
As a family of five, we had to have two rooms but the hotel was accommodating in placing us near to each other. The rooms at this hostel in Berlin were small but clean, and the private bathroom was a surprise for the budget we paid. Meininger has some of the best family hostels in Europe
Contributed by Sinead Camplin at Map Made Memories
Related post: We visited Berlin and used the Berlin Pass 3-day option to see the amazing Berlin attractions. Read our article and decided for yourself if the Berlin Pass is a good value for your family
Basecamp Hostel, Bonn, Germany
Basecamp Hostel is located inside a huge warehouse in Bonn and is the coolest place to stay with kids that we have ever found. So cool, we diverted a few hundred kilometres from our route to stay there, towing our own little caravan.
Inside and outside the building, there are thirteen vintage caravans, four Airstream Trailers, two sleeper carriages from old trains, and a number of other funky sleeping quarters. Each one is themed differently and a great laugh. Even the dining area and the facilities are themed. The whole building is heated, and when we stayed mid-winter, it was very
My first choice upon entering was ‘Drag Queen,’ but it was already booked (admittedly, it only slept two, but the three of us were more than happy to squeeze in if we could have). I sent the girls off to choose their favourite. They returned eventually to announce they wanted to stay in the gorgeous old flower power, Kombi Van. It sleeps three, so that’s where we slept for the night.
Find things to do in Bonn with Get Your Guide
Families can stay together in the Basecamp ‘Tour Bus’ which has eight beds, an Airstream Trailer that sleeps up to four or a variety of other options including a pop-up camper trailer, complete with toys for the little kids.
Contributed by Jane at Wicked Walkabouts
Related posts:
We know because we travel with teenagers. Use our epic guides from all over the world for inspiration
- Read our YHA London Central Review here
- Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit with a teenager, full of culture, history and fun. Read our comprehensive Amsterdam guide
- Read our 6 reasons for staying in hostels with kids is good for them
The Generator Copenhagen, Denmark
The Generator Copenhagen will forever change the way you look at a hostel. Yes, to be honest, our room was small with a private bathroom. We had 2 sets of bunks and 4 suitcases spread over
Once we were in the room, there was only just enough room to swing a cat. To be fair, though, the rooms were very clean, as clean as any hotel. The mattress was as good as any of the places we had stayed in.
The blankets were warm enough to keep the Danish winter cold weather at bay. The shower had good heat and excellent water pressure, with room to change. Our towels were clean, big, and fluffy, which our girls were very impressed with.
We were impressed with the sign on the door stating that making noise in the hallways at The Generator Copenhagen would not be tolerated, so please use the communal area, which is staffed 24 hours a day.
Staying in hostels with kids could work and did work for us. The communal area was amazing with meals, drinks, games, big screen TVs and much more to keep you entertained and engaged with other guests.
For anything we did need, the guys behind the desk could not have been any better at helping us out. The Generator Hostel was amazing and one of the coolest hostels in Europe
Contributed By Rebecca Wyld at Wyld Family Travel
Camping 3 Estrellas – Barcelona, Spain
Camping3 Estrella is a campsite with dorm rooms near Barcelona airport. Though technically classed as part of Barcelona, it lies on a sleepy beach called Gava. It is a beautiful long beach with lovely sand and calm waves, making it perfect for family travellers in Barcelona.
Camping3 Estrellas has its own access to a private part of the beach, making it much safer than those open to everyone. The campsite and hostel have access to a private swimming pool and restaurant facilities. Our small dorm room had two bunk beds, so could sleep four people for around £5pp per night.
The dorms share a bathroom with other dorm rooms, but you usually book out a whole room when you pay so your family has a safe place to sleep at night. Each room can be locked, and they also have lockers for you to store your belongings safely. Outside of the dorm rooms, there are tables and a BBQ area you can use to cook for your family.
There is a children’s hospital nearby, which we had to find out when Travis got sick and was taken in an ambulance. It is easy to get a local bus from the city, and it is easy to get a taxi to the airport too.
Find things to do in Barcelona with Get Your Guide
Chalmersquoy Hostel – Orkney Islands
Westray is one of the Orkney Islands, and accommodation is expensive, especially when travelling with kids. We decided to stay at Chalmersquoy, an independent hostel on the island of Westray, as it gave us a bed and self-catering for just a few nights we needed.
Booking a family room, we had everything we needed: an ensuite shower room and a fully equipped kitchen for breakfast and evening meals without the fuss of a B&B.
It was exceptionally clean, and the owners welcomed you when you arrived. They had plenty of maps and ideas for adventures, and given the weather, there were inside options as well.
My boys were made to feel welcome, and given the small size of the hostel, there weren’t any big, noisy groups. This made it the perfect hostel to stay in, especially given the beachfront location with seals and sand on the doorstep.
Contributed by Suzanne Easton
Pinned to our family travel board on Pinterest: 11 great hostels for families in Europe by @wyldfamtravel https://t.co/mNMeSboypk
— Lonely Planet Kids (@lpkids) November 28, 2018
The 5 Reasons Hostel and Hostel in Nuremberg, Germany
The past August, my husband, my 16-year-old daughter plus her good friend (also 16) went on an epic family road trip that touched six countries. We stayed in an apartment, a pod hotel, several regular hotels, and a hostel.
The hostel may have been my favourite place to stay out of all of those.
The 5 Reasons Hotel and Hostel in Nuremberg, Germany, was perfect for us. We reserved a reasonably priced family room on Booking.com. It had a private bathroom, a small kitchen area, and four single beds arranged in a large open room. We had a great view over the ancient city walls, and with windows on either side, we could get a cross-breeze during the recent European heatwave.
The place was clean and tidy and the beds were comfy. There were cupboards between each pair of beds (there were two beds on each side of the room) and more than enough outlets. This is especially good when you are travelling with teens.
Out the back, there was a nice terrace, which we took advantage of to play cards. Of course, the smokers hang out here, but there was always a breeze. The bar served alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, so everyone was happy.
I would happily stay there again.
Contributed by Theresa Ladner from Adventures in middle aged travel
Find things to do in Nuremberg with Get Your Guide
The Dragon – Krakow, Poland
The Dragon was the first hostel we ever stayed in. Our friends booked the accommodation, so we were a little weary of staying in a hostel with kids. The Dragon is a little different from some setups you will find. The Dragon is located across multiple floors in an apartment building.
You will find 2 rooms on every floor with a shared kitchen and bathroom. You enter through a locked door into the kitchen area, and then your bedroom is accessed off this area. Your room is also lockable.
The office and breakfast area are located on the ground floor. The office has tourist information and can organise all types of activities for you. We stayed in a decent-sized room with a queen-size bed and comfortable bunks. The hotel is located close to the middle of the city and all transport options.
For the latest prices and booking information at The Dragon Aprthostel in Krakow Poland.
Find things to do in Krakow with Get Your Guide
Contributed by Mark Wyld from Dad Life Travel
Loulé Coreto Hostel – The Algrave Portugal
If you are looking for somewhere to stay and enjoy the many attractions of the Algarve without resort prices, the Loulé Coreto Hostel is a great choice. Just 30 minutes’ drive from Albufeira and Faro, this hostel is well-located for popular resorts and beaches in the Algarve.
There are a variety of private rooms and dorms. We stayed in the quadruple room, which is perfect for a family of four. It has twin beds and a bunk bed. The rooms are light and brightly coloured, with lots of opening windows, wooden floors, and high ceilings.
Shared bathrooms have a shower, toilet and sink in one room. There were three, one each for male and female and one shared with a bath, which was handy for smaller children. Everything was spotlessly clean during our stay. The hostel feels very secure and was quite peaceful when we stayed.
The communal areas included a small reading room, well-equipped kitchen, lots of dining space, and a larger living area with a TV. There is also a roof terrace. Free Wi-Fi was included and worked well. Parking is on the street but not difficult to find.
Within a block of the hostel, we found a delightful patisserie for breakfast. Supermarkets, restaurants, and bars are nearby.
Looking for family activities in the Algarve? Check to Get Your Guide
Contributed by Kim Black from Backpacks and Sun Hats
The Barn Hostel – Vik, Iceland
Last winter, we spent two months exploring Iceland with the kids. We tried different accommodations, starting with renting a house and ending in hotels and hostels.
One of our favourite places was the Vik Hostel, The Barn. The Barn is located in the south of Iceland, just off the ring road, 4 km from the famous Reynisfjara black beach.
It’s a perfect place to plan a stop during a road trip around Iceland. Our four stayed in a family room, which was comprised of four double bunk beds.
The beds were so big that an easily eight-person family could stay in such a place. Our girls loved the beds; they had plenty of space to play.
I did as well. They were very comfy, and we had a good rest after the long hike to Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck. The entire Vik hostel looks very simple from the outside, but inside, it is designed in a modern way. It has a great fully equipped kitchen (the supermarket is 7 km away in Vik) and a dining area.
Downstairs, there was a cool bar and a comfy lobby area.
Ania from The Travelling Twins
The Y in Basel, Switzerland
We’re new to hostelling with kids, but it turned out to be a great way to save money during our family gap year. We had an
We were only staying in town for one night, so we just needed a simple, affordable place to stay, which can be tough to find in pricey Switzerland!
We loved everything about our stay at the Y Basel Hostel. While the main building has traditional dorm-style rooms, the adjacent building (listed as STAY@) offers suites that are perfect for travelling families.
Ours had two bedrooms (the parent room with a big bed and the kid’s room with two twin beds), a private bathroom and a spacious sitting room with a table perfect for keeping up with the kids’ schoolwork while we were travelling full-time. We even had free parking right in front!
When school was done, we had full access to the Y’s spacious and lively common area – and we took full advantage! The kids played pool while we grown-ups enjoyed a beer and watched World Cup soccer – it doesn’t get more European than that. There’s even a fantastic playground just one block away.
The common area was transformed in the morning with an extensive cold breakfast that included fruit, grains, meats and cheeses. We didn’t use it, but there’s a large commercial kitchen with plenty of space for everyone to prepare meals. We only had a brief stay in Basel, but we would return to the YMCA hostel in Basel
If you are looking for things to do in Basel, check out Get Your Guide
Contributed by The Family Voyage
Brighton YHA England
Brighton YHA could not be in a better location. Situated a stone’s throw from the seafront and a short walk from Brighton’s shops, bars and restaurants, Brighton YHA is the perfect base for families to explore the city without little legs having to walk too far!
The youth hostels family rooms are bright, light and spacious with bunk beds each made up of the YHA bright green linen. Family rooms in the Brighton Youth Hostel come with en-suite bathrooms, which feel more like hotel suites than a hostel.
Communal facilities include a cafe area and bright, airy lounge space…the kids loved the table football and were welcomed by other guests. The facilities and rooms exceeded our expectations and the location could not have been more central. I
I would highly recommend using Brighton YHA as a family base for exploring the city… if you book out of season you can find a family room for 4 for as little as £45 / night! Brighton makes a great getaway from London with kids.
Looking for fun in Brighton, see what Get Your Guide has to offer
Contributed by Zoe Holland from Juggling on Roller skates
Stayokay Family Hostel – Dordrecht Netherlands
On our recent family visit to The Netherlands, we planned a great family weekend in de Biesbosch, an inland delta and nature reserve near the city of Dordrecht. We were 5 adults and 3 children aged between 6 and 17 years.
We stayed in a Stayokay Family Hostel and were very pleasantly surprised by the rooms, and the service level. The location was absolutely fantastic because it was inside the National Park.
The rooms all had 1 double bed and a bunk bed so each room could sleep 4 people. Our rooms had private bathrooms, and a toilet and we choose to have all linen provided. We just brought our own towels.
Wifi is available throughout the premises on a complimentary basis. Breakfast and dinner are served buffet style but there’s also a small A la Carte Menu which we preferred.
We enjoyed the spacious terrace from where we looked at the water. The hostel has bicycles for rent including small bikes for kids which was great The National Park’s activity centre is within walking distance. We booked a canoe trip and a ‘fluisterboot’ trip to enjoy this great Dutch National Park. Stayokay is a chain of great hostels all around The Netherlands
You can find them in very special and iconic buildings like the Cube Homes in Rotterdam. In Amsterdam, there are 3 Stayokay Hostels that are all beautifully located, one even near the Vondelpark which is the most famous park in The Netherlands.
Contributed by Jessy Lipperts from Planet Pilgrims
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Bath YHA
Another great YHA England and Wales location. Bath is in a great location for exploring the city, particularly when you are using public transport. It brings you within a mile of the major attractions, like the Roman Baths, Royal Crescent and the famous Sally Lunns bakery.
A short bus ride in the other direction, and right next door to the University of Bath where some of the UK’s Olympians train, there’s the American Museum, which is another fascinating place to visit.
The hostel itself is Bath through and through. It’s a former mansion made in Bath stone with original mouldings depicting Roman characters inside.
YHA Bath was refurbished in 2018 and the communal spaces feel modern and light with wall art inspired by the cityscape. This Bath Hostel was full of old-world charm
Even before we set foot through the door, it had a family feel. Throughout our stay, we saw other families in the dining room and bar, and the only noise from the hall and other rooms was of kids chattering. Great family accommodation in Bath
Contributed by Claire at Tin Box Traveller
Family hostels are becoming better and better all the time. Family Hostels Europe is well worth staying on your trip. As we discussed above family-friendly hostels are just a click away. A good hostel room will have an ensuite more like a hotel than a budget hostel. Don’t hesitate to take the plunge today and book youth hostels in Europe for families
Rebecca Wyld
bec.wyld@wyldfamilytravel.com
Content Creator/SEO Editor
Co-founder and SEO editor here at Wyld Family Travel. Bec has travelled to over 45 countries across 3 continents and is a journey with kids advocate. When Bec is not planning travel, she creates content for our family travel blog or does local community service work. You can find all of Bec’s detailed travel guides here on Wyld Family Travel and on other popular websites such as Lonely Planet.
In Sweden most hostels are run by a semi-governmental organization that was set up partlynto provide unique accommodations at family-friendly prices. Check out stf.se
A hostel for a family? Wow. I thought hostels are for single (and ready to mingle) travelers only.
Among the ones you recommended, I love Brighton YHA. I like cheap accommodations that are spacious and bright. It’s just like staying in a typical hostel but for sure the price is less.