This may be hard to believe, but choosing the best hostels in Tirana is no easy feat. Despite Albania not being the most popular destination in Europe, there are plenty of hostels in the capital.
With lots of places to stay, it can be hard to decide where to stay, which leads to decision fatigue and the inability to make your mind up.
This guide will let you know about the top hostels in Tirana and which ones will suit different types of travellers.
With so many things to do in Tirana, a visit to the city is a must if you’re in the Balkans. It’s a fascinating city and one you’ll have a great time in.
If you’re wondering where to stay in Tirana, this is the guide for you!
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Table of Contents
Best Hostels in Tirana
What To Consider When Booking a Hostel in Tirana
Before you book any hostel, no matter where it is, there are several things you should consider.
Tirana isn’t the biggest city, but it’s not a small one either. Where you stay in the city will have a bearing on how easy it is to get around.
Most of the hostels in Tirana are located close to the centre, but there are a few which are a bit outside of the city centre. It makes sense to be closer to the action, but if you want to stay in a quieter part of the city, you can.
You also want to factor in the time of year you’re visiting. The best time to visit Albania is from April to October, which can mean more tourists and higher prices. It may be worth looking outside those months if you want a cheaper trip with fewer tourists.
As well as this, there are several other factors, listed below, which you should take into consideration before you make a decision.
- Check out time – 10:00 am is the standard check-out time for hostels, but this can vary. It’s best to check before you book, so you know what it is. 10:00 am is a reasonable time to check out, but if you’re out partying the night before it can be torturous to get up. Check if your hostel lets you check out later. Some may charge a fee, but if you need an extra hour or two in bed, it may be worth the price.
- Free breakfast – A lot of hostels offer a free breakfast nowadays, but there are still many that don’t. You may not get much more than cereal, fruit and toast, but it’s better than nothing and saves you money and the hassle of getting your own breakfast!
- Free wifi – This is virtually commonplace in most hostels now, but there are still some places that charge you to use the internet. Check whether there is free wifi before you book. If you’re a digital nomad and need to do work, you’ll want to stay somewhere that has free wifi!
- Laundry services – If you’re only staying in Tirana for a few days, this won’t be an issue. However, if you’ve been travelling for a while, or you’re in the city for a long time, you’ll want to wash your clothes. Most hostels offer laundry services but check beforehand. There’s nothing worse than booking a hostel with a bag full of dirty clothes only to find out they don’t have laundry services.
- Kitchen – I think this is the number one thing you should consider before you book any hostel. If there is no kitchen, you should stay somewhere else. Most hostels have kitchens, but there are still some that don’t. As cooking food is the best way to keep costs down, being able to use a kitchen is essential.
Tirana Backpacker Hostel
There is no doubt that Tirana Backpacker Hostel is one of the best hostels in Tirana. Located in the centre of the city close to Skanderbeg Square, it’s a fun place to stay.
The hostel is located in a 100-year-old Italian villa, which has a huge backyard and excellent facilities. You have spacious rooms, a great area for socialising in the backyard and a well-equipped kitchen.
The hosts have a lot of intimate knowledge about the city and speak a variety of languages, which is always a plus.
They also offer free breakfasts, dinners and organise brilliant day tours so you can explore Tirana and the surrounding area!
Art Hostel Tirana
Art Hostel Tirana is one of the best hostels for solo travellers in Tirana. This modern hostel is the ideal place to meet new people if you’re travelling by yourself.
There are a variety of places to socialise, including two terraces. You can cook up a storm in the kitchen and relax in front of the TV too.
The hostel is located a kilometre from the city centre, which you can easily walk to in a matter of minutes. If you want to stay in a quieter part of the city, this is the place to stay!
With great facilities, brilliant hosts and cheap prices, Art Hostel is somewhere you should consider staying during your trip to Tirana!
The English Hostel
If you’re looking for a cheap hostel in Tirana, The English Hostel is the place for you. The prices are cheaper than most other hostels in the city, but the quality is more or less the same.
You have a range of dorms and private rooms to change, which come equipped with private lockers to keep your travelling backpacks safe!
You have a large courtyard to relax in and make new friends, while there is a fully stocked kitchen for you to use too. One great selling point is that the English Hostel has a washing machine you can use free of charge!
The hostel is just outside the city centre but it’s in a nice area and it’s only a short walk to all the hotspots!
Mosaic Home
Mosaic Home is one of the best hostels in Tirana for digital nomads. As the name suggests, this place is more like a home than a hostel.
It’s also a fantastic place to stay if you want a private room. They are very reasonably priced and cost almost the same amount as what you would pay for a dorm in some places in Spain!
The facilities in the hostel are excellent. There is a very modern feel to the hostel and each room comes with air conditioning and spacious lockers.
You also have a big kitchen and comfortable areas for you to relax and socialise in!
Alegoria HUB & Artist Atelier
As the name suggests, Alegoria HUB & Artist Atelier has an artsy feel to it. If you stay at this hostel you will not be staying in a bland place. A variety of paintings and sculptures will accompany you!
A major selling point of Alegoria is its proximity to the centre of Tirana. You are right in the middle of the city with the hostel only 600 metres from Skanderbeg Square.
Interestingly, during the communist rule in Albania, the building was used as a military space. Now it has been converted into a great hostel with all the facilities you would expect.
The hostel has a big terrace, balcony and garden for you to relax in. Plus, there is free wifi throughout the property and a liberal check-out time of 11:00!
Milingona City Centre
Milingona City Centre is one of the top hostels in Tirana for a variety of reasons. One of the main ones is that it’s close to the Blloku district which is renowned for its live music, great cafes and vibrant nightclubs.
If you want to stay in a lively part of the city, this is the place to stay!
One of the best parts of staying at Milingona is that you get a free breakfast that is cooked fresh every morning. There aren’t many hostels that can say the same!
The facilities in the hostel are what you would expect from a top hostel. There is a big garden to relax in, spacious rooms and a roomy kitchen for you to cook delicacies in!
If you’re wondering where to stay in Tirana, You can’t go wrong staying at Milingona City Centre!
Homestel Albania
Homestel Albania is a great place to stay in Tirana if you’re looking to meet other travellers. The hostel is very social and an ideal place to stay if you’re a solo traveller.
The hostel has a giant roof terrace which has fantastic views of Tirana. You have a big kitchen with everything you need in it and there is a TV room for you to relax in too!
One downside to the hostel is that you will have to go up a lot of stairs to get to the hostel which is on the 4th floor. This is exacerbated by the fact there is no lift either.
Apart from this, the hostel is a comfortable, fun and safe place to stay in Tirana and ideal if you want to make new friends!
Vertigo Hostel
Vertigo Hostel is a good place to stay if you’re looking for a centrally located in Tirana and one that won’t break the bank.
The hostel is set in a beautiful location in a 3-floor villa with a friendly atmosphere. You have a big garden where you can relax and socialise, as well as a fully-equipped kitchen for you to use.
One of the best things about Vertigo Hostel is that they offer a free breakfast as well as free wifi throughout the hostel.
You have spacious and comfortable rooms to stay in that range from private rooms to 6 to 8-bed dorms. Vertigo Hostel will also be able to help you to get the most out of your trip in Triana and travels in Albania!
BUFF Hostel Tirana
Buff Hostel is located close to many of the main attractions in Tirana such as Skanderbeg Square and the National Gallery of Arts.
The hostel is minimalistic and spread over three floors in a beautiful building. You can stay in a private room with a double bed or a cheaper 6-bed dorm.
A generous check-out time of noon is one of the benefits of staying at Buff Hostel. As is the ability to use the excellent kitchen to cook all your favourite meals.
Buff Hostel is one of the best hostels in Tirana and somewhere you should consider staying your time in the city.
All Stars Hostel
All Stars Hostel is a lovely hostel that is located in a residential neighbourhood. This means it’s in a quieter setting than other hostels and is an ideal place to stay if you don’t want to be in the hustle and bustle.
The hostel has some fantastic facilities. Not only does it have a fully stocked kitchen, but it also has two of them! You can also get a free breakfast every morning too!
The hostel is located close to two main streets in Tirana, Kavaja and Myslym Shyri. You can be in the centre in no time, which is super useful!
The rooms are spacious and comfortable and come complete with big lockers for you to store your travel gear. Although Albania is a safe place to travel, it always pays to take care of your belongings!
All Stars Hostel is a modern and cosy place to stay in Tirana that is ideal for all types of travellers.
D1 Hostel
D1 Hostel is a fantastic place to stay in Tirana if you want to be close to the action. The hostel is 400 metres away from Skanderbeg Square and near the Sky Tower.
It’s a relatively new hostel and has comfortable rooms and top facilities. There is a shared kitchen, bathrooms in every room and even a hairdresser, which is a novelty for a hostel!
The hostel has a sun terrace for you to relax on and offers free breakfast in the morning as well as free wifi throughout the building. This is ideal if you’re a digital nomad and need to get some work done!
Reception is open 24/7 with friendly and helpful staff who will be able to recommend all the best sights in Tirana to you!
Trip’n’ Hostel
Trip ‘n’ Hostel is a lovely place to stay. The hostel is set in an old Italian villa which dates back to 1910 and has three floors.
On the top floor, you will find a terrace, the kitchen is on the underground floor, there are gardens on the ground floor and the rooms are located on the second.
The rooms have everything you would expect from comfortable beds to bathrooms and free wifi throughout the building.
The hostel has a BBQ that can be used during the summer months and offers free breakfast in the morning for guests too!
Vanilla Sky Boutique Hostel
Vanilla Sky Boutique Hostel is without a doubt one of the best hostels in Tirana, but it is also one of the more expensive. Prices are higher than other hostels in the city, but you get what you pay for!
The rooms are spacious and come with a locker to store your belongings and a socket next to your bed to charge all your gadgets!
You have a big kitchen where you can cook all of your favourite meals and continental breakfast is served every morning, so you can wake up and have a feast first thing!
There is a common area for you to relax and socialise, plus some great travel games that will help you break the ice with your fellow travellers!
Zig Zag Hostel
Last but not least, Zig Zag Hostel is one of the quieter hostels in Tirana and an ideal place to stay if you want a more tranquil setting during your stay.
The hostel has three rooms with twenty beds, which means it’s no party hostel, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a sociable hostel!
The common area outside is a great place to chat and meet fellow travellers and the staff are very friendly and helpful. They are also extremely knowledgeable about Tirana and point you in the right direction in regard to the best spots in the city.
A free breakfast is offered every morning and the hostel can arrange tours for you if you’re looking to explore Tirana and its surrounding area.
Concluding Thoughts
There is a lot of budget accommodation in Tirana and it can be hard to know where to stay at times. Hopefully, my list has eased your worries and given you some pointers on booking a hostel in Tirana.
Have you been to Tirana? Did you stay in any of the above hostels? Did you stay in any that I’ve not listed? Leave me a comment below, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
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Tom is a travel addict who first left England to spend a year Down Under. Not satisfied with this, he then went to New Zealand, about as far away from home as he could get. He is now planning his next adventures in Europe and Canada while maintaining this blog. Check out the about me page to learn more!