On a budget but still want to hit the beach this summer? Europe is packed with amazing city hostels but it can be harder to find budget options for a beach trip. So we’ve scoured Europe for the best beach hostels for backpackers friends and solo travellers.
Heading to the beach is one of those things that should be simple but if you’re travelling or backpacking then it can be annoying harder than it should be. Unless you’re with a partner or travel buddy then many resorts and hotels are out of budget. Swimming pools and location commands a premium. Plus if you’re solo then there’s that whole where-do-I-put-my-stuff-whilst-I-swim question (which we’ve answered here – ‘What to Do With Your Valuables At the Beach‘), and ideally you want somewhere to make new friends.
There aren’t as many beach hostels and budget options in Europe as there are in backpacking hotspots like SE Asia, however there’s a hostel to suit every time of traveller in this list, from party hostels to relaxing retreats.
FAR OUT BEACH CLUB, IOS
Summer parties have been raging on Mylopotas Beach on Ios for decades, and Far Out Beach Club is a legendary destination for backpackers. It’s located in a resort-style beach club with pool parties right by the beach. Accommodation has had a recent refresh and is white, clean and minimal.
Check prices and reviews on Hostelworld
TIMBUTKU HOSTEL, SICILY
In the seaside resort town of San Vito Lo Capo which has some of the best sands you’ll find anywhere in Europe. San Vito is a lively town in a beautiful setting, with incredible electric blue waters and equally incredible seafood couscous. The hostel is modern (with essential mod cons like USB plugs) and draws on its African connections in its design, eco-credentials, and a citrus garden.
Check prices and reviews on Hostelworld
AMISTAT BEACH HOSTEL, BARCELONA
Amistat Beach Hostel is a big, modern and clean hostel with an amazing location a short walk from the boardwalk of Barcelona’s buzzing Playa de la Mar Bella beach. It’s easy to get into the city too with a metro stop nearby.
It’s not a party hostel though some organised activities are on offer including pub crawls. Plus there’s free pasta, a terrace, and beach balls to borrow.
Check prices and reviews on Hostelworld
SALTY PELICAN, PORTUGAL
Located in the popular beach town of Cascais (which is a short train ride from Lisbon), Salty Pelican ticks all the best beach hostel boxes – sun, surf, sand, yoga, and BBQs. It’s consistently rated 10/10 on Hostelworld and is a sociable choice for solo travellers looking for a chilled out beach vibe.
The building is villa-style with a garden and the hostel organises surf lessons as well as communal meals, healthy breakfasts, and sunrise yoga. Downsides are that it’s a way out of town (with a 20-minute walk to the beach) and the activities do come at an extra costs – if you plan on doing lots then check out the inclusive retreat packages available.
Check prices and reviews on Hostelworld
PARAGA BEACH HOSTEL, MYKONOS
The Greek island of Mykonos is one of the most iconic destinations in Europe – as well as one of the best for partygoers. If nightlife is your jam then Mykonos will be high on your bucketlist.
Paraga Beach Hostel is essentially a mini resort for backpackers with accommodation in simple bungalows right near to the sea. There’s a pool too. It’s a short bus ride into town for the main parties.
Check prices and reviews on Hostelworld
AKTION PENICHE HOSTEL, PORTUGAL
Portugal is heaving with good quality beach hostels thanks to its surf scene, and Peniche is a particular hotspot with its access to world-famous Baleal and Supertubos beaches.
Peniche town itself occupies a peninsula and it’s here you’ll find Aktion Peniche Hostel with its impeccable converted warehouse design. It also has BBQ area, kitchen, and surf lockers, and is a 10-minute walk to the nearest beach at Gamboa beach, and 10 minutes in the car to Baleal Sul and Supertubos.
Check prices and reviews on Hostelworld
WAX HOSTEL, FARO
If you want to roll off your airplane and right on to the beach in record time then consider a trip to Faro. The airport is really close to the beach – and the delights of the Rio de Formosa natural park with its endless lagoons. Wax Hostel has a perfect location with views to both.
It’s spotless, decorated in cool whites and has a peaceful vibe, but is better for independent souls as there are no organised activities or communal dinners.
Check prices and reviews on Hostelworld
THE SHAKA, HVAR
The beautiful Croatian island of Hvar is an increasingly popular destination on the summer circuit. Hvar Town boasts some of the best-preserved medieval streets in Europe – plus numerous pretty pebble beaches.
Laid-back hostel The Shaka is located slightly half way between the main part of town and the nearest beach. You’ll find friendly staff, plenty of space, surfer vibes and amazing views.
Check prices and reviews on Hostelworld
STAY HOSTEL, RHODES
STAY Hostel on the Greek island of Rhodes has been winning awards and fans since it opened in 2015 (and is my own favourite hostel). Everything has been thought of here – comfortable beds, a cinema, a well-organised communal kitchen, yoga, pizza nights, and a bar. Rooms are spotless and comfortable, with standard single beds rather than bunks.
It’s located in the backstreets of the New Town and it’s a 10-minute walk to the turquoise waters of the town beach which is lined with beach bars (pictured above) and has an unusual dive platform. From Rhodes Town there are also frequent buses and boat trips to other beaches around the island.
Check prices and reviews on Hostelworld
PLAKIAS YOUTH HOSTEL, CRETE
If you’re looking for nature and simplicity, check out Europe’s most southerly youth hostel. Located on the south coast of the Greek island of Crete, Plakias is a charming traditional beach town with a long crescent of beach and is close to some of Greece’s best hikes and impressive gorges. Think chilled out nights with new friends and guitars under starry skies, and daytimes spent exploring waterfalls and empty beaches.
Check prices and reviews on Hostelworld
HOSTEL OMIS, CROATIA
The coastal town of Omiš still flies under the tourism radar, which is surprising given its stunning karst landscape, red-tiled roofts, and pirate history. And that landscape makes it a top spot for adventure junkies – you can partake in rock climbing, rafting, canyoning, paragliding, as well as the obligatory sunbathing on its sandy beach.
Stay at Hostel Omis, a simple and friendly hostel which has a rooftop terrace to take advantage of those incredible views. The staff can help you organise activities in the area.
Check the prices and reviews on Hostelworld
SELINA ERICEIRA, PORTUGAL
The Selina chain is primarily aimed at digital nomads – but you don’t have to be one to use it. Expect stellar design, a great location, and communal activities. The Ericeira outpost has a pool, surf club, and yoga sessions as well as a bright kitchen and workspaces. Dorms and privates available.
Check the prices and reviews on Hostelworld
KORCULA HOSTEL, CROATIA
The Croatian island of Korcula is famous for its beautiful walled old town, vineyards, traditional dance, and pebble beaches. You can lay your head at Hostel Korcula which is run by the same folks as Hostel Omis and is a stone’s throw from the harbour and bus station. There’s no communal area but rooms are clean and comfortable, with a hint of surf vibe. Walk for 2 minutes in the other direction and you’ll find a small pebble beach used by locals. But Korcula is also perfect for exploring by bicycle and there are plenty of rental agencies nearby.
Check prices and reviews on Hostelworld
JOE&JOE HOSTEL, FRANCE
Joe&Joe is a funky-yet-comfortable hostel in the surfing mecca of Hossegor on the west coast of France, featuring large communal areas and a hammock-strewn garden. It’s an ideal location for soaking up those Atlantic surf vibes and enjoying the vast sandy beaches of this part of France (they go on forever!). Hossegor is a quieter spot than nearby Biarritz, life here is low-key and in tune with nature.
Check the prices and reviews on Hostelworld
HIMARE HOSTEL, ALBANIA
Looking to get off the beaten track and explore some incredible beaches? Head to the Albanian Riviera, which sports a stunning coastline which is still somehow under the radar. Himare is one of the most charming of Albania’s beach resort towns, and its is in a peaceful stone house with local breakfasts, hammocks, and a garden of citrus trees. It’s a friendly hangout in a beautiful (and cheap) area.
Check the prices and reviews on Hostelworld
TOP CITY HOSTEL, LAGOS
If you’re in the mood for a lively summer trip then Lagos ticks all the boxes – a historic old town with a buzzing nightlife scene, proximity to some of the best beaches in Portugal, and plenty of amazing budget hostels with pools, and social activities.
The Top City Hostel lives up to its name with a rooftop pool that looks out over the city and beach. Interiors are modern, spacious, and comfortable.
Check prices and reviews on Hostelworld
URBAN JUNGLE HOSTEL, MALAGA
The Spanish coastal city of Malaga is a destination on the up thanks to the new Picasso museum which has attracted a lot of investment to the area. It’s the gateway to the famous Costa Del Sol, but it has plenty of beach of its own. It has a thriving tapas and arts scene, Roman and Moorish history, and an international airport – so a great place for a city break.
There are a few hostels directly on the beach but they’re looking a bit dated now – better to stay in the centre and take the 20-minute walk to the beach. The Urban Jungle Rooftop Hostel has plenty of social activities as well as memorable design and a good location.
Check prices and reviews on Hostelworld
PINK PALACE, CORFU
Legendary Pink Palace is one of Greece’s original party hostels. It’s located in the beautiful west-facing beach resort of Agios Gordios (expect incredible sunsets).
Some of the buildings and amenities are a bit dated compared to the flashpacker hostels on this list, but the Pink Palace is cheap and sociable with plenty of organised activities such as quad safaris, beer pong, toga parties, and boat trips.
Check prices and reviews on Hostelworld
(For a less party alternative in the same great location check out Corfu Backpackers)
OHANA HOSTEL, TARIFA
Ohana is a lovely modern hostel in the underrated beach town of Tarifa, not far from the southernmost point of Spain. Tarifa is a cracking little town with a historic centre, boho vibe, lively evenings and long sandy beach.
It’s windy though, so a better choice for active travellers than sunbathers – it’s mainly known as a top kitesurfing destination but the hostel can organise plenty of other activities too.
Check prices and reviews on Hostelworld
Read more:
10 Best Places for Solo Travel in Croatia
10 Best Places for Solo Travel in Portugal
10 Best Places for Solo Travel in the Greek Islands
10 Best Places for Solo Travel in France
10 Best Places for Solo Travel in Spain
10 Best Places for Solo Travel in Italy
10 Best Places for Solo Travel in Turkey
10 Best Places for Solo Travel in Morocco
Found this post useful? Click to save to Pinterest:
Image credits:
Tarifa: © Andrea De la Parra / Shutterstock
Ios: © jsk12 / Adobe Stock
Sicily: © nadisja / Adobe Stock
Barcelona: © Mapics / Shutterstock
Cascais: © Jose Ignacio Soto / Adobe Stock
Mykonos: © aetherial / Adobe Stock
Peniche: © Vitaly Fedotov / Shutterstock
Faro: © Carlos Neto / Shutterstock
Hvar: © Rostislav Sedlacek / Adobe Stock
Rhodes: © The Mediterranean Traveller
Crete: © aleks-p / Adobe Stock
Omis: © timltv / Adobe Stock
Ericeira: © Daniel Lange / Shutterstock
Korcula: © The Mediterranean Traveller
Hossegor: © peapop / Adobe Stock
Himare: © ollirg / Adobe Stock
Lagos: © Steve Photography / Shutterstock
Malaga: © KikoStock / Shutterstock