Skanstulls Hostel, Stockholm

From the outside it doesn’t look that special but Skanstulls Hostel is undoubtedly one of the best cheap places to stay in Stockholm.

It’s down at the southern end of Södermalm, a few minutes’ walk from the nearest T-bana station and around a ten-minute stroll from SoFo’s best bars and restaurants.

The hostel is located just below street level and has loads of different room types, from 12-bed dorms (the cheapest option) all the way up to doubles with their own private bathrooms.

Bunks are comfy, with squeak-free wooden frames, individual reading lamps and lockers that you could easily squeeze a small backpack into. Private rooms are more like the kind of thing you’d find at a mid-priced design hotel: wallpaper, framed pictures, scatter cushions, that kind of thing.

Because everything at Skanstulls is below ground there isn’t a lot of daylight, but the hostel still feels clean, bright and fresh. Only the gents’ shower area looked as if it could do with a bit of an update.

Free pasta is available in the clean kitchen-diner, which has cool vintage furniture and modern facilities. There’s also free coffee (it doesn’t taste very good, but hey – free is free).

If you come back late from the nearby bars, there’s a separate night entrance that you can open with your key tag. Having a quiet night in? There’s reliable wifi and a small library of books.

Note that to get to the hostel from the Central Station with heavy bags, you will almost certainly need to use the T-bana – it’s way too far to walk.