Best Hostels to Stay in Antwerp for Every Traveler Guide
Antwerp is one of those cities that just works for backpackers. It’s compact, it’s walkable, it’s packed with things to do, and the hostel scene — while not enormous — is genuinely good. Whether you’re a solo traveler who wants to meet people, a couple on a budget, a digital nomad who lives on Wi-Fi and free coffee, or just someone who’d rather spend their money on Belgian beer than a hotel minibar, there’s a hostel in Antwerp that’s right for you. Here’s the honest guide.
Why a Hostel in Antwerp Makes Total Sense
Hotels in Antwerp can easily cost €100–€150 a night. A hostel dorm bed? From as little as €10–€13. That’s not a small difference — that’s the difference between eating at a nice restaurant every night or surviving on sad vending machine sandwiches. Hostels here also tend to be centrally located, have great social vibes, and often come with perks like free Wi-Fi, shared kitchens, bike rentals, and staff who’ll actually tell you where the good stuff is. It’s a no-brainer.
Where Should You Stay in Antwerp?
Before you pick a hostel, figure out which part of the city suits you:
Historic City Center — Best for first-timers. Walk to the Grote Markt, Cathedral, and Het Steen in minutes. Touristy but very convenient
Near Central Station — Great if you’re hopping between cities. Brilliant transport links and loads of food options nearby
Zuid District — The cool, local option. Trendy cafés, art galleries, great nightlife. A bit further from the main sights, but totally worth it
The Best Hostels in Antwerp
Best Overall — Yust Antwerp
If you only read one part of this guide, read this bit. Yust is hands-down the best hostel in Antwerp — and it’s not even a close competition. It scores 9.3 on Hostelworld and guests consistently describe it as a “luxury hostel,” which sounds like a contradiction,n but somehow Yust makes it work. Every dorm bed has its own privacy curtain, USB charging, reading light, and a private bathroom. Then there’s the rooftop terrace with city views, a beautiful co-working space, a vertical garden, a library, bike rentals, and — best of all — free coffee all day in the lobby. One reviewer literally said,iThethe free coffee machine made me not want to leave,” which is extremely relatable. It’s in the Berchem neighborhood, a 15-minute tram to the center, and close to Antwerp-Berchem station for easy Brussels connections. Honestly, it’s the kind of place that makes you reconsider ever staying in a traditional hotel again.
Price: Dorms from ~€30/night, private rooms from ~€90
Best for: Everyone, really — but especially solo travelers, digital nomads, and design-obsessed travelers who don’t want to rough it
Best Budget — A&O Antwerp Central
Right, so if money is tight and location matters, A&O is your move. Dorm beds from around €10–€20 a night — genuinely the cheapest reliable option in Antwerp. It sits directly opposite Antwerp Central Station, which means you’re also staying next to one of the most beautiful train stations in the world (a completely free bonus). There’s a restaurant on site, free Wi-Fi, and it’s walkable to loads of the city’s highlights. Is it glamorous? No. Does it do exactly what you need at the lowest possible price? Yes. Sometimes that’s all you want.
Price: Dorms from ~€10–€20
Best for: Budget travelers, people in transit, anyone who just needs a clean, cheap base
Best for Solo Travelers — The Ash Antwerp
Solo travel in Antwerp is already great — it’s a friendly, safe, easy city to navigate — but The Ash makes it even better. It’s the social hostel of the group, with a communal kitchen, games area, common room, and a lovely garden that all but forces you to talk to people. Dorms are affordable (from around €15–€30), the vibe is young and relaxed without being rowdy, and it’s regularly recommended specifically for solo backpackers who want to actually meet other travelers rather than just exist near them. If you’ve ever arrived somewhere solo and wanted to meet your people on the first night, this is the one that makes that happen.
Price: Dorms from ~€15–€30
Best for: Solo travelers, students, backpackers, and anyone who hates eating alone
Best for Couples — Hostel Pulcinella (Jeugdherberg Pulcinella)
Pulcinella is the OG of Antwerp hostels — the oldest, most established, and consistently rated #1 in specialty lodging in Antwerp on TripAdvisor. For couples specifically, the private double rooms with en-suite bathrooms are the sweet spot: clean, spacious, and a fraction of what a hotel would charge. It’s right in the Fashion District, which puts you within walking distance of Nationalestraat shopping, the Cathedral, and dozens of restaurants and bars. Breakfast is included and solid — cereals, cheese, ham, eggs, a decent coffee machine — the kind of start to the day that actually sets you up well. One couple who stayed recently said: “The room was perfect, clean, spacious. We had our own shower and toilet, which was great… We recommend this place and the prices are worth it!. Light sleepers might want earplugs, though — hallway noise gets mentioned occasionally.
Price: Private double rooms from ~€66+
Best for: Couples, small groups, anyone wanting a private room without hotel prices
Best for Nightlife — Pulcinella + the Antwerp City Hostel
Antwerp’s nightlife doesn’t need a dedicated party hostel to be fun — the city itself does the work. But if you want to be close to the action, Pulcinella puts you right in the Fashion District with bars, clubs, and restaurants all within stumbling distance, plus a bar on site with Belgian beers. The Antwerp City Hostel is another option that gets recommended for its central location near the Grand Place area with plenty of late-night energy nearby. Neither of these is a “shots included, foam party every Tuesday” type of place — and honestly, Antwerp’s bar scene is good enough that you don’t need that.
Best for: Night owls, social travelers, people who want to be near everything
Best for Design Lovers — Yust Antwerp (Yes, Again)
Look, I’m not trying to make this a Yust advertisement — it just genuinely wins multiple categories. When it comes to aesthetics, nothing else comes close. Unique room decor, beautiful communal spaces, a rooftop terrace, a lobby that looks like an upscale café, and the kind of Instagram-worthy vibe that most hostels couldn’t pull off if they tried. If you care about how a place looks and feels, Yust is the one.
Best for: Design lovers, aesthetic travelers, people who want to take nice photos of their accommodation
What Will It Actually Cost You?
Quick and honest price guide:
| What You’re Booking | Rough Price Per Night |
|---|---|
| Cheapest dorm bed | From €10–€13 |
| Mid-range dorm | €25–€35 |
| Private hostel room | €65–€90 |
| Peak summer prices | Add roughly 20–40% in June–August |
Hostels in Antwerp run about 35–48% cheaper than budget hotels, so the savings are real and significant. Book directly through the hostel or compare on Hostelworld and Booking.com for the best deals.
Things Worth Checking Before You Book
Not all hostels are equal. A few things worth looking for:
Free Wi-Fi that actually reaches the dorm — some hostels are sketchy on this
Free breakfast — Pulcinella includes it; Yust charges extra
Lockers — Yust provides free ones; always worth checking
Shared kitchen — The Ash has a good one; useful for keeping food costs down
Bike rental — Yust offers it, and Antwerp is genuinely great by bike
Co-working space — Yust has the best setup for remote workers
Booking Tips
Book 2–4 weeks ahead in summer — Antwerp fills up fast in July and August
Look for recent reviews — a hostel can change a lot, so focus on reviews from the last 6 months
Don’t just pick the cheapest — a dorm that’s noisy, far from everything, and has dodgy Wi-Fi will ruin your trip faster than you’d think
Check cancellation policies — most decent hostels offer free cancellation up to 24–48 hours out
What’s Near the Hostels?
Most of these hostels put you close to:
Grote Markt — The main square, brilliant for an evening wander and a café stop
Cathedral of Our Lady — Four original Rubens paintings inside. Go in, it’s worth it
Antwerp Central Station — Stunning 1905 building that people visit just to look at. Not a joke
MAS Museum rooftop — Always free, always worth it for the views
Nationalestraat — Antwerp’s fashion street. Even window shopping is enjoyable.e
Food — Try Flemish beef stew (stoofvlees), a proper Belgian waffle from a street stall, and at least one glass of local beer before you leave
FAQs
Are hostels in Antwerp safe?
Yes, completely. Antwerp is a safe ci, ty and all the hostels here have lockers, key card entry, and good security. Normal travel sense applies, nothing more.
Is Antwerp good for solo travelers?
Really good. It’s walkable, friendly, easy to figure out, and hostels like Yust and The Ash make it easy to meet people. You’ll be fine — more than fine, actually.
What’s the best area to stay in?
First visit: City Center or Central Station area. Wanting more local vibes: Zuid. Best overall hostel experience: Berchem (Yust), just a tram ride from everything.
How many days do you need?
Two full days cover the highlights. Three days lets you properly relax and explore. Four days if you’re a shopper, foodie, or want day trips to Ghent or Bruges.
Antwerp’s hostel scene is compact but genuinely good. Yust wins for overall quality, Pulcinella is the most consistent for central location and value, The Ash is the best for meeting people, and A&O is the cheapest if your main goal is keeping costs low. There’s an option for every budget and every travel style — you just need to pick the one that fits yours and book it before someone else does.
