3 Croatian Hostels among top 10 boutique hostels in eastern Europe

Eastern Europe is offering better value than ever, and these boutique hostels – from belle epoque townhouses to bohemian hideouts – can make a non-Euro zone trip even cheaper

Silver Central Hostel, Split Croatia

Silver Central Hostel Split Croatia

Despite being one of the most popular non-Euro zone locations, Croatia’s Adriatic coast is surprisingly bereft of good hostels. Split’s newest arrival is a shining exception, set in a townhouse within the walls of Diocletian’s Palace – the walled old town of central Split. Alas, this one does not offer doubles, but the dorm rooms are distinctly high end, with stripped wooden floorboards and sculpted straw furniture.

• silvercentralhostel.com, beds from £13pn

Buzz Backpacker Hostel, Zagreb Croatia

Buzz Backpacker Hostel Zagreb Croatia

Another of the misconceptions about hostels is that evenings are dominated by Bob Dylan sing-a-longs and drinking games. But like an ever-increasing band of family-aimed hostels, the Buzz Backpackers, set in a baroque building in the heart of the city, operates a no-noise policy after 11pm. It also conforms to another boutique hostel standard: private rooms that put budget hotels to shame – the well-designed top floor loft double sleeps two with space for a third.

• buzzbackpackers.com, dorms from 14pn, private rooms from £39pn

Green Lizard Hostel island Hvar Croatia

Green Lizard Hostel island Hvar Croatia

Long billed as Croatia’s answer to Ibiza, the jetties and ports of Hvar teem with yachts and perma-tanned Adriatic It-people throughout the summer. Most budget accommodation-seekers opt for the “soba” rooms – private beds offered by local families at the ferry port, but this entails the risks of having to be home by midnight, or up at the crack of dawn for prayers with granny. The Green Lizard is the best hostel on the islands off Split, and offers prime views of the bay from its balconies. In a country that is getting more and more expensive by the year, doubles from £31pn, with sea views thrown in, is a godsend.

• greenlizard.hr, doubles from £31pn, beds from £12pn

Source: Guardian.co.uk Read full article

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