Zagreb Hostels: So Much More Than Just a Clean Bed

A lot of people are convinced that hostels are a locked deal: reserved only for young people craving for party. But, that is only partly true.

Even though I am not so keen on dualism or categorizing people into two polar groups, I must admit one thing. During my humble experience as a traveler and a vigorous advocate for hostel staying while traveling, I have met two kinds of people: the ones who love the idea of hostel and the ones who don't.

They always had some strong arguments in favor of their preferences, but I couldn't help notice that there is some prejudice amongst those who prefer a more luxurious accommodation while traveling. And those are:

Hostels are unsafe. Everybody can come in and take my valuable stuff.
Hostels are full of drunken mobs screaming through the hallways.
There is no way for me to be in a room full of complete strangers.
Hostels are dirty.
Hostels are reserved for poor people.
They don't have anything to offer except for a place to spend the night.

To be clear, I don't condemn those having a full pocket and willing to stay in a five-star hotel. Although I think there are much wiser causes to spend that money on, those assumptions about hostels are not true. Maybe somewhere in the world there is a hostel that covers all of those prejudices , but all I have to say is: it is a one in a million chance and, shame on those hostels for putting a bad reflection on others!

Image credit: Chillout Hostel

So, inspired by this belief, I decided to write this post. Let's break down those prejudices one by one! I will use my beloved Zagreb hostels because there surely is an impressive offer of pretty and cute hostels just waiting to be discovered by people all over the world. Let the Mythbusters mission begin!

1. Hostels are unsafe. Everyone can come in and take my valuable stuff.

A lot of people are afraid to stay in a hostel because they are afraid they will lose their possessions. As a person who visited the majority of Zagreb hostels, I can claim that your stuff will be extra safe in a hostel! Why? Because they are aware that there are a lot of different people in the room every day, so everyone gets its own safe to put their belongings in. Apart from that, there are security cameras everywhere, and someone is at the reception 24/7 so you can feel perfectly safe at any time.

2. Hostels are full of drunken mobs screaming through the hallways

OK, it's a fact that a lot of hostel guests are young people who don't want to stay or can't afford to stay in hotels. And sometimes those young people make new friends at a hostel, and they party together. But there is something called house rules and every hostel in Zagreb has one. Hostels in Zagreb organize some parties outside the rooms, but they are aware that there are people wanting to get some rest and people working there will make sure that you get your 8 hours of sleep.

Image credit: Swanky Mint Hostel Facebook page

3. There is no way for me to be in a room full of complete strangers

Privacy is a big thing for a lot of travelers, but who says that you need to be in a room with 5 or 9 other people? Almost every hostel in the capital, and in the world, offers a single room or a suite, and at a very affordable price. The rules of extravagant luxury don't apply here: privacy doesn't cost a fortune. And so what if you share a room with a couple of unfamiliar faces. They could be your new best friends, but you just don't know it yet! Besides, one of the main things about traveling is to become open to new experiences, so why not start with hostels?

4. Hostels are dirty

Hygiene is a crucial part of hostel policy, and they clean it every day, from top to bottom. If you are staying here just for two nights, you can be sure that the bedsheets on the bed were taken straight out of the laundry machine (seen it with my own two eyes), and that the room has been thoroughly cleaned prior to your arrival. Besides, does anything from the pictures look dirty to you? On the contrary, it looks very chic and nice, right?

Image credit: Chillout Hostel

5. Hostels are reserved for poor people

That is maybe the biggest nonsense. Just because they are cheaper than hotels, it doesn't mean that only people who can't afford them stay in hostels. Hostels are a great way to socialize with new people, overcome your fear of talking to strangers, and meet new friends. Besides, hostels are a great way to save money for some other experiences (like a few more tickets for that museum that you thought you would give up because of the prices of your fancy accomodation, or a concert that is in the city while you are there). All I'm saying is, hostels are worth the money.

6. They don't have anything to offer except for a place to spend the night

This is the argument in which Zagreb hostels will win by a million points! Not only that they have parties, bars, and restaurants, but they also have field trips, morning workout sessions even meditation and yoga! With a lot of 'extracurricular' activities, there is no way to be bored in a hostel or outside of it. Possibilities are numerous because, if you want to have a game night with your new buddies, all you need to do in most cases is just enter the lounge room. Pretty convenient.

Image credit: Swanky Mint Hostel Facebook page

Having all of the above in mind, I cannot believe why anyone would have a bad opinion about hostels? They are cheap, with very colorful interior, smiling staff always willing to help you, but won't get in your way unless you want them to, and are an excellent way to meet new and interesting people.

So that is why I came up with a list of my ten favorite hostels in Zagreb, even though there are more of them every day that are worth your attention:

If you decide to visit Zagreb, let me know, and we can meet up in one of them. Until then, keep calm, and give hostels a chance!

Header image credit: Chillout Hostel Facebook page

Author: Lana Suša