Are you tired of paying a fortune for a few nights sleep on your holiday, but still don't fancy couchsurfing? Do you like rooftops terraces and swimming pools, but you're also the traveler who like keep his/her budget tight? If you're looking for some cheap, yet amazing destinations with lots of hours of sunshine, check this list out. From dreamy little towns in Tuscany to the Castle of Lisbon, I'll tell you where to go - and where to sleep. All between 19-21 EUR/night.
1. Siena - Siena Hostel Guidoriccio
Siena is a smaller city in Tuscany, mostly famous for its weird-shaped main square. Being 1 hour away from Florence, most tourists came here for a day trip, and go back to Florence on the evening of the same day. And that is really when the magic happens. Just before sunset, when the tourist buses leave the station, this small city comes to life. That is when you can stroll around the cobble-stone streets with a gelato in your hand, watching locals closing their shops, doing their groceries or having their aperitivos.
So what about Siena Hostel Guidoriccio? Don’t expect anything fancy. It is a basic dormitory at the edge of the city. But. Just imagine a day, when you go down to the hostel reception asking for a toothpaste, but instead of a toothpaste, you get invited to a random wine tasting. And a few hours later, you found yourself in a centuries-old winery, sipping divine Tuscan wines, spending the night in a medieval castle, having dinner with an Italian sommelier and his friends. This is at least what happened to me there, and I am dreaming about it ever since.
Price per night: from 21 EUR
2. Lisbon – This Is Lisbon Hostel
Portugal is getting more and more popular recently, but it’s still much less crowded than Spain or Italy. Usually, I try to avoid tourist traps and over-hyped places. So I did not take a "mandatory" selfie with the Tram 28 in Lisbon like a million people before me. But I swam into the Benagil Sea Cave at sunset. I did not stand in the 200-meter queue with Asian tourists so that I can buy a nata at the famous Pastéis de Belém. But I had a great 4-euro dinner in the suburbs, where the waiter only spoke Portuguese. And I seriously fell in love with Portugal.
When in Lisbon, try to book your stay in This is Lisbon Hostel! Two tips: book well in advance, because they only have a few rooms, and be prepared to climb some stairs. Like 150 or so. The property is located on a steep hill just below the Castle of Lisbon, meaning that you should be smart (I wasn’t), and find the elevator in the nearby supermarket, which can help you skip two-thirds of the hill. Once you make it to the hostel, you can enjoy one of the finest panoramas of Lisbon, having your breakfast or yoga class (!) on a magical balcony above the city.
Price per night: from 19 EUR
3. Sevilla – Oasis Backpacker’s Palace
OK, this is the odd one out from this list. Unlike Siena, Sevilla is a popular tourist destination that is present on millions of traveler’s bucket list. But it is popular for a reason. The colors of the Jewish Quarter, the taste of local tapas plates and the view of the Cathedral are hard to beat. This massive tourist attention resulted in hundreds of hotels and guest houses to choose from, making it a tough pick on booking.com or any other accommodation booking website.
Last year, I put my trust into Oasis Backpacker’s Palace, and believe me, I made an excellent choice. This Hostel is literally an oasis in the heart of the Spanish region of Andalucia. The facilities are modern, the staff is helpful, the atmosphere is laid-back. Talking about laid-back, did I already mention the rooftop swimming pool area? For just per night, this is the place to be in Sevilla. Andalucian summers can be unbearably hot though, so my advise is to book a stay during spring/early autumn months. I was there in May, and could totally sunbath and enjoy the bikini weather by the rooftop pool.
Price per night: from 19 EUR