Best Hostels in Rome

Rome is one of the most beautiful—and simultaneously most expensive—cities in the world. Rates for reasonably decent hotels start at €100–120 per night for a double room, and lodging in the city center is even pricier.

But what if your budget is tight and you long to immerse yourself in humanity’s cultural heritage?

A heads-up: this overview is primarily geared toward students and young travelers under 30. If you’ve passed that age bracket or you’re traveling with a family, staying in a hostel should be your last resort.

Staying in a hostel entails certain compromises that we grow less willing to make as we mature. To reach the cheapest options, you’ll spend about 1 to 1½ hours on public transportation, paying around €20–40 per night for a bed in a 10-person dorm. Yes—other travelers will be sharing the room and dreaming Roman dreams alongside you. A hostel in central Rome will set you back about €50–60 per person per night, which remains relatively budget-friendly.
That said, hostels offer benefits, which I’ll outline below.

Here is my selection of what I consider the best hostels in Rome. We’ll explore accommodation options using our friends at booking.com—the world’s largest hostel aggregator. Unlike other booking platforms, it lets you reserve an entire room, not just a bed in a dorm.

I recommend reading:

• Overview of the Cheapest Hotels in Rome
• Rome Hotel Guide: 3- and 4-Star Properties for €80–100
• Where Is the Center of Rome
• Best Hostels in Florence

If your preferred hostel has no availability, I suggest checking other platforms too; few travelers realize that on Booking.com there’s also a special section dedicated to hostels.

hu Roma Camping In Town – for party enthusiasts

hu Roma Camping In Town – Highly recommend this spot to party enthusiasts. I actually hosted a bachelor party there myself, and I’ve been recommending it to everyone ever since. Breakfast isn’t included but costs only about €10, and the site features a swimming pool, billiards table, and nightclub. Even locals often stay a couple of nights here to socialize and unwind—and they know exactly how to have a good time!

Accommodation options include twin deluxe rooms comfortably sleeping two, 4- and 6-bed mobile homes with a bathroom and kitchenette, as well as tents. You can even bring your own camper and park it on the campsite-hostel grounds. It’s the perfect spot for a large, lively group. A supermarket nearby makes stocking up on essentials easy.

Address: Via Aurelia Km. 8, rates from €10.

YellowSquare – for guests under 40

YellowSquare – has been recognized as Rome’s best hostel for many years.

This hostel caters to guests under 40 (if you’re older, look elsewhere). Brightly decorated in vivid hues, rooms come with air conditioning, and private rooms offer en-suite bathrooms. Termini train and metro station are a 5-minute walk away, and it’s just two stops to the Colosseum.

Address: Via Palestro 49, rates from €60.

Fabulous village – for families and large groups

Fabulous village – a budget-friendly option for a delightful getaway in nature.

The hostel is located on the Roman coast near Ostia, surrounded by 30 hectares of pine forest. Facilities include a large swimming pool, a tennis court, and a children’s play area, with themed parties organized regularly. Accommodation options include mobile homes and tents.

Transfers are organized for tours of Rome, Tivoli, Pompeii, and Naples (€30 per person, or €150 for a small group of 3–4).

Comics Guesthouse

Comics Guesthouse – ideal for fun-loving young travelers and kids, who will hardly want to leave the hostel’s confines.

The interior is completely decorated with comic artwork—Homer Simpson, Iron Man, and other childhood heroes greet guests from every corner. Rooms include private bathrooms and air conditioning; bed linens and towels are provided, though breakfast is not included. The hostel is 1.6 miles (2.5 km) from the historic center of Rome. Nearby, you’ll find the Lepanto metro station.

Address: Viale G. Cesare 38; rates from €50 for a single bed in a mixed dorm room.

Free Hostels

Free Hostels – stands out for including a continental breakfast, and on Fridays and Saturdays guests enjoy complimentary pasta or pizza for dinner.

Rooms are comfortable, with air conditioning and private bathrooms, and there are also female-only dorms. The hostel’s location suits countryside excursion enthusiasts, thanks to its proximity to Termini Station. For example, you can take a day trip to Tivoli.

Address: Via Luigi Luzzatti 3.

Mosaic Hostel – convenient location

Mosaic Hostel – recognized as the most conveniently located hostel in Rome for proximity to major sights.

The Piazza della Repubblica and Villa Borghese are just a few minutes’ walk away. But that’s not its only perk. The hostel’s interior is spotless, adorned with mosaics—as its name suggests. Rooms come with air conditioning and baths (some shared rooms have corridor bathrooms), and free Wi-Fi is available. A continental breakfast is included in the rate. The hostel is equipped with CCTV, providing a good level of security.

Address: Via Cernaia 39, rates from €80 for a prime location and service comparable to budget hotels.