Are you dying to go on a vacation but are currently struggling due to the pandemic?
Hopefully, this list can help motivate you to not only decide on a beautiful city to visit but motivate you to plan a trip once things open up!
Not every vacation has to be jammed packed with a tight itinerary. I believe the best vacations are the ones we take time to explore and venture out.
Also, planning a budget-friendly vacation is the way to go if you ask me.
I’ve created a list of the best affordable hostels near incredible galleries, museums, and stunning street art.
Let’s learn some culture and get our art fix with these 12 incredible hostels in some of the edgiest art capitals of the world.
Although I should mention some links are affiliate links, that means I’ll get a small commission if you decide to book a hostel from this list. But don’t worry. Prices will never go up due to affiliate links.
1. Bed&Drinks in Miami, FL, USA
Beds&Drinks is a hostel in South Beach Miami. It’s in the perfect location for tourists who want to stay by the beach, shop, and drink.
Besides having a great location for any vacation, it’s not too far from Miami’s art district.
The Wynwood Arts District is an outdoor museum that focuses on showcasing large-scale works by some of the world’s best-known street artists.
However, it’s essential to point out that there are two more neighboring galleries. These galleries are the Rubell Museum and The Robert Fontaine Gallery.
If the location alone won you over, wait until you hear about the amenities the hostel has to offer.
Beds&Drinks offer a ton of free services like complimentary breakfast, free wifi, and free towels. They even provide free housekeeping during your stay.
Besides, this hostel has a very high rating for its staff, cleanliness, and location. It’s also very affordable.
Although I have never stayed here personally, I would definitely recommend staying here for everything it has to offer!
Beds&Drinks has the atmosphere and location you want for your next budget-friendly vacation.
If you’re interested in more information head to Hostelworld.com.
2. Le Village Montmartre in Paris, France
Paris, who wouldn’t want to book a budget-friendly vacation here?
There is so much to do and so much to see. However, you shouldn’t limit yourself to only visiting the traditional museums.
Although the Louvre and the Musee d’Orsay are only three minutes away from each other, they’re both closer to Belleville than you think.
Belleville has an underground gallery scene filled with colorful street art. This neighborhood is becoming a hipster area.
After visiting a few local galleries and trying out amazing street food, the hostel, Le Village Montmartre, is only a 13-minute Uber ride away.
This hostel is very affordable, considering that the average price for a private double bedroom is $80.
Le Village Montmartre also has a 9.1 overall rating, based on their staff, affordability, and atmosphere.
Besides, this hostel is in the perfect location. The house rules are pretty basic. Nothing too extreme.
This hostel does not include free breakfast. It’s 6€. On the other hand, their kitchen is pretty well equipped and has nothing but positive reviews.
Also, Le Village Montmartre is centrally located. The Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe are minutes away. Not to mention Galeries Lafayette is nearby for all your high-fashion needs. If you prefer gorgeous free art, make sure to check out the local street art!
Of course, no one needs to persuade you to go to Paris, but I can try and convince you to book a few nights at Le Village Montmartre.
If you’re interested in this hostel click here.
3. MET A Space Pod Singapore
MET A Space Pod @ Boat Quay looks like the ultimate experience.
Located in the heart of Singapore, this hostel is facing the Singapore River.
The MET A Space Pod offers free breakfast and a 24-hour snack bar for all guests.
Although you do not have the option of selecting a private room, the rooms are so unique you wouldn’t even mind sharing the room.
The rooms are big enough to feel cozy. They even come with their own little televisions.
However, when thinking of Singapore, one doesn’t automatically assume it is an artistic city.
Singapore is filled with galleries and museums that focus on Asian and International work.
Luckily the Singapore Art Museum and the Asian Civilisations Museum are nearby.
January is the perfect time to visit Singapore if you are interested in art festivals.
Singapore hosts an art festival known as Singapore Art Week.
Although this hostel doesn’t offer a ton of cool amenities, it’s in a great location surrounded by great nightlife.
If you plan on booking a trip to Singapore, I highly recommend renting a pod at the MET A Space Pod @ Boat Quay. You’ll have an out-of-this-world experience.
Interested in booking MET A Space Pod? Click here to book.
4. O de Casa Hostel Bar in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Sao Paulo is not only Brazil’s busiest city, but it’s also known for its art.
Not only does Sao Paulo have two annual art festivals, but it also has a handful of museums and galleries.
The two annual art festivals include the SP Arte and the Bienal Sao Paulo.
The SP Arte is an international art festival that occurs in April every year. On the other hand, the Bienal Sao Paulo is a bi-annual art festival that mainly focuses on promoting contemporary art in Sao Paulo.
Besides the art festivals, Sao Paulo has two big art galleries. The Sao Paulo Museum of Art and the Pinacoteca de Sao Paulo.
When checking out the art scene in Sao Paulo, the O de Casa Hostel Bar is the obvious choice.
This hostel is only a 10-minute Uber ride to the Sao Paulo Museum of Art and a 20-minute Uber ride to the Pinacoteca de Sao Paulo.
The O de Casa Hostel Bar has been in the top 10 for best hostel four times in the past three years.
This hostel is very affordable! The price for a private room for two people is an average cost of $38. It also rated a 9.8/10. However, it’s mostly rated high for its location, staff, and atmosphere.
If you are interested in checking out the artsy side of Sao Paulo, I suggest checking out O de Casa Hostel Bar. Trust me. You’ll love the great atmosphere.
Interested in booking O de Casa Hostel Bar? Head over to Hostelworld.com.
5. Basel Youth Hostel in Basel, Switzerland
The Art Basel exhibition is from Basel, Switzerland.
There are several famous museums in Basel. However, the most popular ones include the Fine Arts Museum Basel and the Museum Tinguely.
The Fine Arts Museum Basel focuses on artists from the 19th and 21st centuries. In contrast, the Museum Tinguely permanently focuses on work by Jean Tinguely and often has temporary work by other modern artists.
However, these two museums are not the only two buildings in Basel that celebrate traditional Switzerland.
The Basel Youth Hostel was designed with a contemporary charm that remains true to its traditional roots.
Not only is the Basel Youth Hostel affordable, it’s highly recommended and well known for its cleanliness, staff, and location.
There are very few house rules that are extremely easy to follow.
Another great characteristic of this hostel is the free wifi, free breakfast, and free airport transfer.
I also can’t forget to mention that both museums are super close to the hostel.
When planning a budget-friendly trip to Basel, Switzerland, I highly recommend staying at the Basel Youth Hostel.
It’s beautifully charming and in such a great neighborhood.
When heading towards the water, you can definitely stop by and check out the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Finally, the last museum to add to your list worthy of a visit is the Kunstmuseum.
Check them out on Hostelworld to book.
6. The Hop Inn in Hong Kong, China
The Hop Inn is a hostel right on the water. It’s in a prime location.
This hostel is in between 5-star hotels. However, that doesn’t take away its modern, comfy, clean, and affordable nature.
This hostel also has won 5 awards since 2010.
The average cost of a room for four people is less than $20.
I found it interesting that this hostel is the first hostel to mention the idea of children staying and rules regarding their stay. The idea of children being able to stay in a hostel helps me understand that the hostel is very safe and in a great neighborhood.
Amenities that stand out are the free wifi that one can access throughout the entire hostel and free luggage storage.
However, the best part is that it’s surrounded by fantastic art galleries that can fill up your entire trip.
A few worth exploring are the 10 Chancery Lane Gallery, Axel Vervoordt Gallery, and the M+ Museum of Visual Culture.
The 10 Chancery Lane Gallery is a few stops on the MTR. This gallery focuses on contemporary art.
The Axel Vervoordt Gallery, on the other hand, is a little further away. However, this gallery focuses on modern and contemporary international artists.
Although this gallery is a little out of the way, I highly recommend his work. Several celebrities have their homes designed by Axel Vervoordt.
Finally, the M+ Museum of Visual Culture mainly focuses on visual art, design, and architecture.
I definitely recommend staying at the Hop Inn and visiting all of these galleries to get an inside look at the artistic side of Hong Kong.
Interested in booking The Hop Inn? Check out Hostelworld.com.
7. HI NYC Hostel in New York, NY
New York has so much to offer! Whether it’s sightseeing, eating, and even shopping.
When planning your trip to New York, you definitely need to make time to see the city’s artistic side.
Of course, there are obvious choices when it comes to galleries and museums.
The top three choices are the Guggenheim, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Museum of Modern Art.
However, if you wanted to venture out and explore more than just New York City, I recommend visiting Brooklyn.
Bushwick has several alternative art galleries surrounded by street art.
Check out the Microscope Gallery.
A convenient hostel for exploring the art scene is the Hosteling International NYC Hostel.
This hostel is more on the pricier side, averaging around $60 for a four-person mixed room.
However, there is free wifi, free towels, and they have a huge kitchen that is free to use for all guests.
One thing that stands out about this hostel is that they do not allow any NYC residents to be an overnight guest. This definitely makes the hostel more diverse for the guests traveling from all over the world.
HI NYC Hostel is just a short walk to Central Park but a few stops to the MET on the MTA.
You can enjoy a nice walk to Central Park and end your outing at the MET.
The Guggenheim is less than a 10-taxi ride. But, the MOMA is about 15 minutes via taxi (if you choose that option.)
On the other hand, if you plan on staying at HI NYC Hostel and are persuaded to check out the scene in Bushwick, the trip is going to take you about 45 minutes.
Although it is a little further, there are several stops you can make along the way to make it worth your while.
Want to stay at this hostel? Click here to book.
8. Singer109 in Berlin, Germany
It’s no secret that Berlin is a major art city, but did you know they also have a big underground art scene that’s thriving?
Museum Island is a neighborhood in Berlin that is surrounded by galleries and museums.
The East Side Gallery is a must-see. The East Side Gallery is a part of the open-air gallery on a Berlin Wall section covering more than a mile. This then makes it the largest open-air art exhibition in the world.
Turn this unforgettable moment in history into a memorable life memory.
On the other hand, the Sammlung Boros is a contemporary art collection located inside a former bunker.
If you want to stay near the artsy part of Berlin, look into staying at the Singer109.
This hostel is less than a 12-minute metro ride to both the Berlin Wall and the Sammlung Boros. Yet very close to Museum Island.
Although this hostel is a little more on the pricier side, it is more private and leans towards more of a hotel.
Singer109 also offers a convenient temporary living option.
For your future Berlin trip, I recommend checking out the Singer109 hostel and really explore the true artistic side of Berlin.
9. Melbourne Metro YHA in Melbourne, Australia
The Melbourne Metro YHA is an awesome hostel in the heart of Melbourne.
This BYOB hostel has the perfect rooftop to enjoy beautiful views of the city any time of day.
With free wifi and a free tram ride towards the nightlife, you’re in for a treat.
This hostel also has pretty competitive pricing for the average cost of $30 for a four-person room and a private family room for four at about $108.
This charming yet modern hostel is the perfect place to book a stay, especially if you are interested in exploring Melbourne’s biggest gallery.
The National Gallery of Victoria displays a large permanent collection of work featuring mainly Australian, Asian, and indigenous art.
This gallery has a few pieces from artists like Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, and even some Australian artists like Tom Roberts and Frederick McCubbin.
On the other hand, the Ian Potter Centre focuses exclusively on Australian art.
Also, the Bendigo Art Gallery is worth mentioning, but it’s about a two-hour drive from Melbourne.
However, this gallery is one of the oldest and largest galleries in Australia.
But if you want to stick strictly to Melbourne, the Ian Potter Centre is only a 7-minute drive from the hostel, while the National Gallery of Victoria is about a 12-minute drive.
Overall, there is plenty to see in Melbourne without going out of your way for a good time.
Think this hostel is right for you? Click here to book with Hostelworld.com.
10. SoHostel in London, UK
If you plan on visiting London and experiencing a complete creative vacation, I suggest booking your vacation for more than a couple of days.
There are so many galleries and museums in London.
Whether it’s the most famous galleries to see that everyone suggests or even more traditional museums, they are all worth the hype.
Even the smaller neighborhoods in London are filled with murals and street art worth making a pit stop for.
A few of the most famous galleries I suggest are the Tate Modern, the British Museum, the V&A, and the National Gallery.
Luckily, the hostel I recommend staying at, the SoHostel, is no more than a few stops on the Tube to either gallery.
On the other hand, if you wanted to stick to visiting more traditional galleries, I recommend paying a visit to either the Kensington Palace or the Wallace Collection.
Or check out the murals of Shoreditch. It has plenty of street art to gawk at.
With all the exciting exhibits to see and make time for, it’s important to stay in a location that is convenient for traveling.
SoHostel is not only near all of these great galleries but also near Big Ben and Buckingham Palace.
This hostel also offers free breakfast and free wifi.
Another important issue to point out is that it’s very affordable, especially considering its location.
The average price for a four-person room is $36.
This hostel has so many great characteristics. It’s the perfect spot to book in order to have a fun, budget-friendly vacation.
Want to book SoHostel? Head over to Hostelworld.com.
11. Durban Backpackers in Durban, South Africa
Durban Backpackers is a cute little hostel in South Africa facing the Indian Ocean. The thing you should know about Durban Backpackers upfront is that it looks very basic, but it is in a great area.
This hostel is literally on the beach but close enough to everything you could possibly need.
Durban Backpackers offers free breakfast, free wifi, free parking, and even includes towels.
I also can’t forget to mention the prices.
The average cost for a private room for two is $67. Talk about affordability.
However, besides enjoying the beach and the surrounding restaurants and bars, Durban has a few galleries worth visiting.
The Durban Art Gallery, which is only 12 minutes away from the hostel, is a must.
This gallery’s main focus is traditional ceramics and sculptures, and they also display tribal artifacts.
On the other hand, the KZNSA is about a 15-minute drive from the hostel.
However, the KZNSA is a contemporary gallery that exhibits art from local and international artists.
One more stop I suggest is the African Art Centre.
Although it’s not necessarily a museum, the African Art Centre sells locally and ethically produced pieces like jewelry, crafts, and pottery.
You do not have to purchase anything, but taking the time to appreciate and learn about certain items can help you appreciate the culture more.
Don’t forget when planning a trip to Durban, an affordable room by the beach is never the wrong answer.
Want to go to Durban? Head over to Hostelworld.com to book this hostel.
12. Casa Volante Hostal in Valparaiso, Chile
Finding the right place to stay can be tricky when booking a vacation.
Yet, when you book the right one, it helps everything else fall into place.
If you plan on booking a trip to Valparaiso on a friendly budget, I recommend staying at the Casa Volante Hostel.
Of course, the place I recommend is close to the beach and very affordable.
The price for a bedroom with a private bathroom is $22 without breakfast, but if you want breakfast included, it’s $28.
Not only is this place affordable and in a great location surrounded by street art, restaurants, bars, and of course art galleries, but it looks so cozy and cute.
Casa Volante is located in a neighborhood called Cerro Concepcion. This neighborhood is best known for its history and its street art.
There is also a gallery called the Sala de Arte Wenteche, only a four-minute walk from the hostel. This gallery mainly exhibits Chilean and Latin American art.
However, if contemporary art is more your style, the Galeria Bahia Utopia is a gallery that exhibits contemporary art along with a few foreign pieces.
This gallery is also only a 4-minute walk from the hostel.
After enjoying the impressive pieces of art at any of these two museums, enjoying a drink alongside the beach is the perfect way to end the day.
Exploring this gorgeous beach town and its art on a budget sounds like the perfect vacation. Don’t you agree?
For more info click here.
Let me break it down for you:
Planning a vacation can be stressful and may often take a lot of time.
But a way to make it easier on yourself is knowing where you want to go and how to save money.
These hostels are a great way to save money and time.
They are convenient in many ways!
Although they aren’t hotels, many of these hostels are in the best locations within walking distance to many great attractions.
Another great benefit of saving money on hostels is using that extra money on entrances to museums or even drinks!
So cheers on your next trip. I hope you create great memories that won’t easily affect your wallet. So, let’s start planning. The world will open up soon!
For more information about any of these hostels or if you want to book any head over to Hostelworld.Com.