Most people are elsewhere when it comes to Poland, but the old city of Gdansk has a lot going for it too. Complete with incredible old architecture, poppin’ nightlife, great food, and great shopping, this port city on the Baltic Coast has been reconstructed after being bombed out in WWII.
You can wander around admiring all the stunning buildings (reconstructed or not), snapping pics of all the colourful house fronts, and generally soaking up the atmosphere of a lesser touristed Polish city.
But, if it doesn’t get as many visitors as more famous places in Poland, does it even expect backpackers are gonna be making their way there? Are there places to stay here that aren’t hotels or guesthouses? Do hostels exist?
Yes. Hostels exist in Gdansk. And we’ve done the hard work and sorted through the best hostels in Gdansk to make it easy for you to find the hostel that suits you most.
So hold tight, here we go with Gdansk’s top hostels!
Quick answer: The Best Hostels in Gdansk
- Best Overall Hostel in Gdansk – Grand Hostel
- Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Gdansk – Mama’s and Papa’s
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The Best Hostels in Gdansk
Know where to stay in Gdansk already? If the answer is no, this will be the first thing you need to figure out before booking a hostel. Choose your location according to the hotspots you want to explore. No need to end up miles away, just because you didn’t do your research!
Grand Hostel – Best Overall Hostel in Gdansk
This top hostel in Gdansk has a GREAT central location – being set inside a 15th-century building in Brama Swietojansky, close to the main sights of the city. Its rooms overlook the river and it’s close to a load of pubs and stuff. Suits us.
The cool modern design of this place features big windows, parquet floors, crisp white sheets, all that sorta stuff, plus there’s plenty of space to meet other peeps staying here – like in the communal kitchen. Definitely the best overall hostel in Gdansk.
Mama’s and Papa’s – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Gdansk
As you might be able to tell from the name, this Gdansk backpackers hostel is a super warm and welcoming place to stay. The staff here will really treat you like family with some proper good Polish hospitality.
The kinda hostel where the owners will greet you by name and dish up a big ol’ free breakfast whilst chatting to you about travel advice, we’d say that it’s definitely the best hostel for solo travellers in Gdansk. Naturally, it attracts a friendly crowd of travellers, making it easy to meet ‘n’ mingle.
High 5 Hostel – Best Party Hostel in Gdansk
The completely popping atmosphere here makes this Gdansk backpackers hostel a literally perfect place to meet new people and hang out with ’em once you’ve met ’em. The best party hostel in Gdansk also features a busy bar next door, complete with courtyard and drinking that goes on till the early hours.
Staff are polite here and speak really good English (always helpful). It’s also a quick walk into the city’s old town, meaning not only museums and galleries but also loads of bars and restaurants.
World Hostel – Best Cheap Hostel in Gdansk
If you’re looking to save money whilst you’re in Gdansk, then don’t you worry: just have a look at World Hostel. Right in the city centre, this budget hostel in Gdansk may be simple but the rooms are clean and offer good value for money.
First off at this best cheap hostel in Gdansk there’s a free breakfast (also featuring good free coffee) and it’s super close to the train station, meaning getting in and out of town is pretty easy too.
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View on Osprey View on REIMidtown Hostel – Best Hostel for Couples in Gdansk
Clean and quiet, this is a nice lil’ place for you and your partner to hang out whilst you’re visiting the city. And what’s more, it’s pretty cute and stylish when it comes to design too – we reckon it’s one of the coolest hostels in Gdansk.
But it’s also the best hostel for couples in Gdansk because of its beautiful dorms (if you fancy staying in a dorm that is) and its big private rooms, which would definitely suit a backpacking couple looking for a lil’ more luxury than usual. Great location, too.
Slowgate Hostel – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Gdansk
This Gdansk backpackers hostel is a modern and simply stylish place. They also advertise themselves as 100% vegan, if that’s your thing. And as you might have guessed already, it ain’t a place for partying…
But that does help make it the best hostel for digital nomads in Gdansk. The quiet atmosphere really helps when it comes to getting some work done on your lil’ laptop. Plus the dorm beds are spacious and private here, always a plus for someone backpacking long term. Bit pricey though.
4-friend’s Hostel – Best Hostel with a Private Room in Gdansk
Nestled literally in the heart of the old town, this is the best hostel with a private room in Gdansk. Why? The rooms are BIG, the beds are LARGE, they’ve got nice lil’ seating areas and big windows that overlook the city.
And what’s more, this recommended hostel in Gdansk is set in a beautiful heritage building and the interiors reflect that – with a few modern twists, which make it possibly one of the coolest hostels in Gdansk too. And if you wanna take private to the next level, there’s an apartment you can hire here, too.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Best Hostels In Gdansk
Haven’t found the right hostel for you yet? Don’t worry, we’ve got more coming your way!
La Guitarra
With views of the old harbour and boasting a mean central location, La Guitarra is in an old building with period features and all that sorta stuff. High ceilings, big windows, you know the drill.
The interiors are… pretty funky. And they’re themed around… can you guess? That’s right, famous guitarists! Jimi Hendrix et al adorn the walls of this top hostel in Gdansk, which is fun (ish). Plus there are musical instruments for people to play – if you like that sorta thing. But best of all the staff are super nice and help create a nice vibe.
Moon Hostel
Moon Hostel is a pretty simple place to stay. There are fun colour pops all over the place though, and an easy-going atmosphere that makes it a chilled Gdansk backpackers hostel. AND it’s only a mere 1 min walk to the old town.
This recommended hostel in Gdansk has a really good kitchen to use, plus a lounge complete with a PlayStation and other time-consuming fun stuff like that. It’s set in a charming townhouse, too, which is especially great if you like charming townhouses.
Old Town Hostel Gdansk
Can you guess where this hostel is located? Yep, right in the old town – close to cafes, bars, clubs, and all the other nightlife things that you can expect in the centre of a city. Fun.
It’s a pretty basic offering if you want somewhere to sleep that’s literally in the middle of the city. It’s low budget, so that’s great for anybody who really is on a super shoe-string budget.
What to Pack for your Gdansk Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
Why you should travel to Gdansk
So now you know all about the best hostels in Gdansk.
There are actually a lot of places to stay in this cool Polish city, so we reckon you’ll easily be able to find something to suit you.
And the range of Gdansk backpacker hostels on offer is pretty good too – from simple and homely, to pretty dang cool, there’s a lot of budget – and a lot of style – going on in this city. A lot of the hostels are even set in beautiful heritage buildings, too.
But if you can’t choose somewhere? Don’t worry!
We get ya. So for an easy option, we’d suggest booking a bed at Grand Hostel: the best overall hostel in Gdansk.
All that’s left to do is get packing for an amazing time in this cool city!
FAQ about Hostels in Gdansk
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Gdansk.
How much does a hostel cost in Gdansk?
The average price of hostels in Gdansk starts from $15 – $16+ per night. Of course, the private rooms are on the higher end of the scale than the dorm beds.
What are the best hostels in Gdansk for couples?
Check out these ideal hostels for couples in Gdansk:
WaterLane Island Hostel
Moon Hostel
What is the best hostel in Gdansk near the airport?
The airport is far from the city center, so it is better to find the best place in a great location. I recommend La Guitarra, with views of the old harbour and boasting a mean central location.
Travel Safety Tips for Gdansk
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
More Epic Hostels in Poland and Europe
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Gdansk.
Planning an epic trip all across Poland or even Europe itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around Europe, check out:
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Gdansk has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!
- Check out the best places to stay in Gdansk before you arrive.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Eastern Europe backpacking guide.
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