The 5 Best Hostels in Albania: 2025 Edition

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• Best Overall Hostel in Albania – Tirana Backpacker Hostel
• Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Albania – Berat Backpackers Hotel
• Best Cheap Hostel in Albania – The Golden Rooster
• Best Party Hostel in Albania – The Galley Party Hostel
• Best Hostel With Private Rooms in Albania – Vanilla Sky Boutique Hostel

Now if you’re wondering where to stay in Albania, fear not my friend. I’ve done you a solid and listed the best hostels in Albania below, thank me later.

1. Tirana Backpacker Hostel – Best Overall Hostel in Albania

• Dorm (mixed): From $24
• Private Room: From $38
• Address: Rruga Bogdaneve Nr.3, Tirana, Albania

It’s honestly been harder than I thought it would be to pick the best place to stay in Tirana. There are just so many options in Albania! However, the Tirana Backpacker Hostel slightly takes first place over others. This hostel has everything you need (and so much more). Firstly, this hostel is known to be the first of its kind in Albania so it’s loved by a lot of the locals.

Why you’ll love this hostel:

• Activities nearby 
• Day trips available
• Evening events

Firstly, the hostel has air-conditioning so if you’re visiting in the summer you’ll stay cool. They also have a barbecue outside which is always such a fun activity with other travellers and they offer easy airport transfers so you can travel to and from the airport seamlessly.

Your days spent here will look something like this. Lounge in the spacious rooms, cook up a storm in the fully equipped kitchen, check in with your family using the free Wi-Fi (just make sure to avoid your work emails) and book unforgettable tours at the reception.  Meals are also available at the hostel and don’t forget to stop by the bar to share a cocktail (or mocktail) with your new friends.

One of the best things about hostels in general is the people that you meet and this location is known for its “good vibes.” Although you don’t want to spend all your time in the hostel, it is a great way to meet other travellers.

This location is also one of the best in terms of nearby attractions. Albania truly has so much to offer in terms of natural landscapes and undisrupted beauty.  Activities include visits to the beautiful cave of Pellumbas, the cable car to visit the bunkers in Dajti Mountain and the town of Kruja.

Oh, and you, of course, have to try some authentic Albanian food whilst you’re here too! It’s no surprise that this is one of the best hostels in Tirana.

2. Berat Backpackers Hotel – Best Hostel in Albania for Solo Travellers

• Dorm (mixed): From $15
• Private Room: From $33
• Address: Gorica, 295, Berat, Albania

Located within a 300-year-old house, this UNESCO-protected building is the ideal spot if you’re backpacking the Balkans. A top tip, if you want to stay here, I recommend securing your dates now. Alongside having an endless stream of convenience inside the hostel (including daily Albanian pastries for breakfast), this hostel offers a bunch of arranged activities.

Why you’ll love this hostel:

• Nearby waterfalls
• Vibrant atmosphere
• Large, spacious rooms

The entire hostel is well-decorated and just has a fun atmosphere that makes everybody who visits feel at home. This hostel is probably the closest hostel you’ll get to a hotel. There are plenty of private rooms but even the group dorms are very spacious.  Breakfast is served in a buffet style, which I love. You can choose from fresh fruit, pastries and authentic Albanian cuisine, what’s not to love?!

When it comes to activities, there will never be a dull moment if you book a room here. This hostel is located in the stunning town of Berat. This is one of the most popular destinations amongst anyone who visits Albania, including myself.

Explore the stunning canyons and waterfalls of Berat and indulge in a glass of wine (or two or three or four…) at one of the famous vineyards.  You’ll quickly come to know that the wine in Albania is pretty top-tier and they pride themselves on its quality. It can be a great experience to see how passionate the locals are about it! 

There are some really popular locations nearby including the Old Town which is stunning and Berat Castle which has a huge significance in Albania’s history. If you want to embed yourself in the authentic experience of local culture, this is one of the best places to visit in Albania, you will love it here!

3. The Golden Rooster – Best Cheap Hostel in Albania

• Dorm (mixed): From $14
• Private Room: From $30
• Address: Rruga Barrikadave nr2, Tirana, Albania

If you’re looking for something a little more cosy then The Golden Rooster is the place to be.  This hostel has everything you need for a comfortable stay but this hostel thrives when it comes to the location. Inside the hostel, you’ll find both shared dormitories and private rooms. The rooms are well maintained with plenty of natural light.

Why you’ll love this hostel:

• Popular attraction nearby 
• Convenient location
• Lively area

Is your social battery feeling burnt out? Pick a single-bed or double-bed private room over a group dorm.  You’ll also discover a variety of other lounge areas where you can chat and get to know other travellers if you’re feeling a bit more outgoing. There are also plenty of balconies where you can soak up the sun before you head out on your day. 

By staying here, you’ll be just a five-minute walk from the city centre, where you can find incredible tours and activities to fill your day with.

This hostel is located in the capital city of Albania, which is one of the most developed areas in the country. So not only are there many cultural attractions in this location but you’ll also have easy access to transport too. I highly recommend this as one of the best hostels in Europe and a great base to see more of what the country has to offer.

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4. The Galley Party Hostel – Best Party Hostel in Albania

• Dorm (mixed): From $12
• Private Room: From $36
• Address: Rruga Lek Dukagjin Nr. 72, Shkoder, Albania

Now if you’re solo travelling around Europe and looking for some good vibes, this is the place to be. This party hostel features everything you could want for a few nights you probably won’t remember. It has air conditioning so you can enjoy the summer months and friendly staff that are always on hand to help.

Why you’ll love this hostel:

• Fully stocked bar
• Evening entertainment
• A social vibe

In terms of the rooms in the hostel, you’ll find spacious dorms equipped with lockers, comfortable beds, and ensuite bathrooms.  There is an age limit to this hostel which means you can only be between the ages of 18 to 40 years old to enter. Which makes sense since it’s a party hostel. Sorry Granny!

However, they do note that if you’re over 40 and “super social” you can email them to ask if you can book a room. Which is cute and made me laugh. Even just by scrolling through the photos of this hostel, you can tell it has a vibrant fun atmosphere.

Inside they always keep their bar fully stocked (obviously). They have a large kitchen for midnight snacks, a beer pong table to make some decisions you might regret in the morning and a large courtyard to dance the night away in. 

You’ll also be located near some pretty cool restaurants and bars so they will be worth checking out too.  And if you’re somebody who can overcome a hangover the next day (lucky you), there are so many opportunities for hiking in the area.

This hostel is located in Shkodër which is known as one of the cheapest places to travel, a broke backpacker’s dream. Although there is slightly less to do in this area, it’s still quite charming. Shkodër is far more of a location to have somewhere quiet to stay while you take day trips to other locations.

5. Vanilla Sky Boutique Hostel – Best Hostel With Private Rooms in Albania

• Dorm (mixed): From $16
• Private Room: From $45
• Address: Rruga Pjetër Bogdani, Rruga, Tirana, Albania

Vanilla Sky Boutique Hostel is one of the best hostels in Albania for travellers who find ‘figuring out the directions to attractions’ one of the most exhausting parts of travelling. Did I add this hostel for myself? Potentially… Regardless, the staff here are extremely friendly. They simply want you to enjoy Albania as much as they do.

Why you’ll love this hostel:

• Breakfast available
• Nearby restaurants
• Accessible day trips

Most importantly, the hostel is praised for being clean and spacious. If you’ve ever had a not-so-good hostel experience before, you can always, always appreciate that. Also, it’s worth noting that this is one of the most stunningly decorated hostels I’ve seen in a while. It has a modern appeal and has far more of a hotel than hostel vibe. 

The rooms each feature bedside power sockets, individual lights and comfortable beds that you can actually have a decent night’s sleep in. The private rooms have their own en suite and some rooms even feature balconies.

One thing I can always appreciate when it comes to a good hostel is how food can be accessed. This hostel features a spacious shared kitchen where you can prepare snacks and meals. They also offer a free breakfast, just make sure to order the day before!

There are plenty of nearby attractions and fun restaurants to try but I highly recommend taking a day trip to Duress (or stay in one of the cool hostels overnight! This is such an underrated destination in Albania. Here, you’ll get to explore the gorgeous beaches that Albania has to offer, without many tourists.

It also goes without saying that there are popular attractions nearby that are within walking distance and plenty of areas to explore hidden gems. Overall, this hostel just has a peaceful atmosphere and is ideal if you’re backpacking Europe looking to avoid the chaos of busy cities.

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Here are other hostels in Albania, guaranteed to enhance your time exploring this amazing country.

6. The Wanderers Hostel

• Dorm (mixed): From $22
• Private Room: From $95
• Address: Gjuhadol, Shkoder, Albania

Another one of the best hostels in Albania is The Wanderer’s Hostel. Firstly, this hostel is so pretty. It has a gorgeous garden area and a bar outside that just gives off all of the charming Albanian vibes.

This hostel has been owned by an adorable family for generations and was recently renovated to make it even better. The best part about this hostel is that it’s so convenient in terms of location. You’ll be just five minutes from the historic city centre and the bus station is nearby to take you anywhere you would like to go in Albania. 

7. Milingona City Centre

• Dorm (mixed): From $9
• Private Room: From $45
• Address: Rruga Vehbi Agolli, Just off Beqir Luga Street, Tirana, Albania

Located slap bang in the centre of Tirana, this hostel is the perfect home base to begin your Albanian adventure. Whilst this isn’t particularly a party hostel, it still definitely tends to attract a younger crowd so keep that in mind.

Not only does the hostel itself have a big garden where they serve organic crafted beer every single night but the nearby attractions largely consist of funky cafés, live music and rumbling clubs.  This location is known to be a place where artists like to come together and the hostel itself has even hosted multiple poets, musicians and artists. Make sure to check out Tutor 59 Live Music whilst you stay here, it is highly recommended! They also have a shuttle service to Tirana International Airport.

8. Sun Bakers Hostel

• Dorm (mixed): From $23
• Address: Lagjja Potam, Banesa nr. 39, Himare, Albania

I seriously can’t get enough of beach hostels and if I have the opportunity to stay in one, I’ll take it. They are just so convenient and this one in Himara is no different. Himara is located in southern Albania and has some of the most beautiful views of the Ionian Sea. 

The great thing about this hostel is that it has rooms that feature ensuite and private balconies. It’s honestly the little things that make a hostel experience even better. Inside the hostel, you’ll also discover a garden filled with olive trees and amazing views. The host is incredibly kind and is always happy to guide you in the direction of the best attractions or just teach you more about this wonderful country.

9. Wallay Hostel

• Dorm (mixed): From $15
• Address: Rruga Pandeli Bocari, district 1 of Saranda, Saranda, Albania

Wallaby Hostel is an Aussie hostel in Saranda, of course! I can’t really explain it other than this hostel just has an Australian feel to it. If you’ve never been to Australia before, you’ll know what I mean.

Inside the hostel, you’ll find an amazing terrace with fantastic views and even better margaritas. As well as a beer pong table and lounge areas to connect with other travellers. If you’re visiting during the summer months, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to radiant beach bars and authentic Albanian cafés. You can also take an easy day trip to the beach town of Ksamil, which I highly recommend doing!

10. Hamara Downtown Hostel

• Dorm (mixed): From $22
• Address: Spile, Himare, Albania

Himara Downtown Hostel is one of the best hostels in Albania for travellers who like to really embed themselves into the culture of the locations that they visit. Himara is a beautiful coastal town that offers blue waters, authentic markets, enticing restaurants and a selection of bars and cafes. 

By staying here, you will really get to live like a local. Inside the hostel, you’ll find four and six-bed dormitories each featuring security lockers and clean shared bathrooms. The staff are extremely kind and just want you to have a great time so honestly, what more could you ask for?

Alright, let’s have a look and see if I can answer any further burning questions you might have!

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.

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Check out my definitive Hostel Packing list for even more top hostel packing tips!

Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting Albania

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The thing I will say about Albania is that you should book your trip to Albania right now and not wait.

People are quickly discovering the beauty of Albania and the more that the country itself develops, the more it’s going to become a big tourist destination.

If you book a trip to Albania now you’re still getting to experience it authentically which you may not get to experience in the next couple of years.

There are so many hostels in Albania to choose from which all offer a unique experience, however, I highly recommend Tirana Backpacker Hostel. The staff are very welcoming and there are plenty of opportunities for activities to experience the best of Albania.

A couple of you lovely readers suggested we set up a tip jar for direct support as an alternative to booking through our links. So we created one!

You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee. If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂