I love Copenhagen. I’ve been to the city dozens of times and never tire of it. From the stunning, colorful waterfront houses of Nyhavn to ultra-hip Nørrebro to the counterculture of Christiania, the lively Danish capital wins me over every time.
It’s modern and sophisticated yet charming, boasting a vibrant nightlife and plenty of activities to keep you entertained (be sure to explore the canals and spend some time having fun at Tivoli Gardens, the local amusement park).
But the city is also pricey, ranking in the top ten most expensive cities on the continent. That’s why many travelers skip visiting entirely (or limit their stay to just a couple of days).
Fortunately, Copenhagen is home to a range of affordable hostels to help you keep your budget intact as you explore. I’ve been visiting Copenhagen for a decade and have stayed in dozens of places. There are a lot of things to consider when selecting a hostel. The top four when picking the best hostel in Copenhagen are:
Location – By capital-city standards, Copenhagen isn’t very big — just 600,000 people call it home. That said, it’s important to book a hostel that’s either centrally located or in a neighborhood that you like.
Price – As in any city, you get what you pay for. If you pick a really cheap hostel, you’re probably going to get one that is small and cramped and doesn’t offer great service.
Amenities – Every hostel in town offers free Wi-Fi, and most have self-catering facilities so you can cook your own meals. Many — but not all — include free breakfast, so be sure to do your research to find the one that best meets your needs.
Staff – All the hostels listed below have an incredible staff who also happen to be friendly and knowledgeable. Be sure to do your research and read reviews of any hostel you’re eyeing to make sure the staff is professional and personable. They can make or break a hostel!
To help you plan your trip, here is my list of the hostels in Copenhagen that I like the most. If you don’t want to read the longer list below, the following hostels are the best in each category:
Best Hostel for Budget Travelers: Generator
Best Hostel for Partying: Copenhagen Downtown Hostel
Best Hostel for Solo Female Travelers: Steel House and Next House
Best Hostel for Privacy: Woodah Boutique Hostel
Best Hostel to Help the World: Globalhagen
Best Hostel Overall: Steel House
Want the specifics of each hostel? Here’s my breakdown of the best hostels in Copenhagen and why I love them:
Price legend (per night)
$ = Under 199 DKK
$$ = 200 – 325 DKK
$$$ = Over 326 DKK
1. Generator
Part of a chain of hip hostels all over Europe, North America, and beyond, Generator locations are consistently solid. The outlet in Copenhagen happens to be especially fantastic — and it’s affordable too. Smack in the center of the city, it has a large common room, known as the “chill-out area,” as well as a pétanque (bocce) court, a shuffleboard center, a huge outdoor terrace, and an in-house bar and café. In short, there is lots to do here, though it does have a bit more of a “hotel” feel than other hostels.
The dorms are clean and the beds are comfy and have their own plugs and lights (though no privacy curtain). One thing to be mindful of is that Copenhagen gets a lot of sunlight in the summer and the rooms don’t have blackout curtains. Bring a sleeping mask if that’s an issue for you.
Book a place to stay with Plumguide.
Book a tour today with Freetour.
Additionally, there are small lockers under each bed as well so you can keep your valuables safe and secure as well (they only fit smaller bags though). There’s no kitchen here, however, so be prepared to eat out during your stay. The hostel has family rooms and female-only dorms too.
Generator at a glance:
$
Fantastic central location
Tons of common room space makes it easy to relax and hang out
In-house bar and café
Beds from 154 DKK per night, private rooms from 523 DKK.
2. Copenhagen Downtown Hostel
This hostel is a non-stop party. It has an always-busting in-house bar, and it also doubles as a music venue. In fact, it’s so lively that people who are not even staying at the hostel come here to hang out! The hostel is large — 88 rooms and 365 beds in all — so it’s easy to meet people here (but that means it’s also never quiet here).
The rooms are bedecked to evoke a chic, retro Scandi vibe. While the dorm beds aren’t super comfy (the mattresses aren’t thick and there are no privacy curtains), there are lockers available to ensure that your stuff is safe and secure during your stay.
Book a place to stay with Plumguide.
Book a tour today with Freetour.
The drinks and food at the bar at cheap (they have one of the cheapest happy hours in the city every night) but the party goes late here — expect noise and music until sunrise. There’s no kitchen (just a microwave) but there is a chill cinema lounge area if you want to hang out and watch movies.
Copenhagen Downtown Hostel at a glance:
$$
Lively party atmosphere
Board games, foosball, pool table, books, and swings
Retro design
Beds from 200 DKK per night, private rooms from 960 DKK.
Book Copenhagen Downtown Hostel here!
3. Next House
Located next to the main railway station, this hostel has a lot going for it: it’s super social; there’s a lounge with live music, a rooftop garden with killer views, a gym, a cinema, and an awesome self-service kitchen. There is also an attached “arena,” where you can play dodgeball and other sports (20 DKK fee to use the facilities) as well as a restaurant on-site that offers all-you-can-eat pizza for 99 DKK. The breakfast is cheap and filling too.
Book a place to stay with Plumguide.
Book a tour today with Freetour.
The dorm beds are pod-style so you have plenty of privacy to help you get a decent sleep. The beds are comfy too though you may find yourself fighting for bathroom access in some of the dorms. They offer self-check-in too.
Next House at a glance:
$
Fun, bustling in-house pub
Gym and area for games/sports
Very central location
Beds from 125 DKK per night, private rooms from 680 DKK.
4. Steel House
Once the HQ for the metalworkers union — hence the name — in hip Vesterbro, Steel House offers a myriad of fun perks that make it easy to socialize: a free daily walking tour, morning yoga, and an early-morning guided run through town. Located just a 5-minute walk to Tivoli Gardens, the hostel also has a fun in-house lounge and pub with local craft beers. If you want to stay active during your stay, there’s a gym and a swimming pool, but guests must pay extra to use them. Bike rentals are also available for 125 DKK per day.
There’s a fully-equipped kitchen on-site (20 DKK to use for the duration of your stay) or you can pay 49 DKK for a filling breakfast. The dorm rooms are on the smaller size but have cozy pod-style beds with thick mattresses as well as en-suite bathrooms and lockers so you can safety store your gear.
Steel House at a glance:
$
Swimming pool, gym, and movie theater on site
Fully-equipped kitchen
Free guided tours, guided morning runs, and morning yoga classes
Beds from 125 DKK per night, private rooms from 680 DKK.
5. Woodah Boutique Hostel
With 30 Japanese-inspired, custom-built bunks for both single and doubles, Woodah is one of the premier boutique hostels in the city. There are no private rooms here, just sleeping pods, which are cozy, comfortable, and private. Breakfast is delicious and always included, and the in-house restaurant, Nakka, serves up Danish delights with a hint of Japan (travelers get 10% off drinks at Nakka as well). It’s maximum hygge here all the time. And it’s just an eight-minute walk to Tivoli Gardens.
Book a place to stay with Plumguide.
Book a tour today with Freetour.
The rooms are spacious with plenty of light and the pod beds offer decent privacy (they are cozy and have comfortable mattresses too). The bathrooms here are cleaned 5 times a day (something I wish more hostels did) and they have bike rentals and airport transfers available if you need them. The common room is on the smaller size, but that just makes it easier to chat and meet people if you’re hanging out.
Woodah Boutique Hostel at a glance:
$$$
Complimentary organic breakfast
Unique semi-private sleeping pods
Nicely located in hip Vesterbro
Beds from 335 DKK per night, private rooms from 745 DKK.
Book Woodah Boutique Hostel here!
6. Globalhagen Hostel
Globalhagen is an inclusive nonprofit organization run by volunteers. Its mission is to generate money (from the travelers who stay here) to support projects around the world that help the victims of human rights violations. It’s also a pretty nice place to stay in Copenhagen. Each room has its own unique design, with various shades and hues splashed throughout the entire hostel.
There are two kitchens that guests are free to use. The in-house café offers fair-trade and organic snacks, coffee, cocktails, and locally made beer (the café is run by volunteers as well).
The beds aren’t super comfy and they don’t have curtains or lockers but you’ll meet all kinds of cool travelers and backpackers here. A healthy breakfast is also available for 65 DKK. There’s lots of art and maps around the hostel too (including in the dorms).
Globalhagen at a glance:
$$
Money supports a good cause
Located in hip Nørrebro
Cozy café with fair-trade food and drinks
Beds from 225 DKK per night, private rooms from 630 DKK.
***
The hostels in Copenhagen have really upped their game in recent years. There are a handful of ultra-chic, uber-cool, very comfortable places to stay here — and you won’t go broke paying for them.
Book a place to stay with Plumguide.
Book a tour today with Freetour.
Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
SafetyWing (best for everyone)
Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
Ready to Book Your Trip?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.
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