Finding Home Across Europe: My Top 4 Study Abroad Stays

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Here I am in the Albanian countryside!

Studying abroad in Madrid this spring gave me the chance to explore Europe. One of the best parts was how easy it was to take a train or short flight to countries like Italy, Portugal, and Austria with new friends. While these trips were exciting, finding places to stay was often stressful, especially when booking last-minute. My friends and I always looked for safe, affordable, clean, and well-located options. After months of travel, a few of these accommodations stood out. 

Here are my top four stays from my time abroad:

1. Aja Hotel - Werfenweng, Austria

The Aja Hotel and surrounding area in Austria.

In first place is Aja Hotel. Staying here felt like being inside a postcard, with mountains and greenery in every direction. Prices can be high during peak season, so we visited in early May and booked an apartment-style room. For our group of eight, it came out to about $35 per person per night, with the off-season discount. This hotel is a chain and has a lot of deals, so make sure to check their website before booking. It's located right next to various hiking trails, including the route to Söldenhütte lookout, which has stunning Alpine views. A highlight was the panoramic spa with saunas, heated pools, and a jacuzzi overlooking the mountains. Guests also receive a free W3 transportation card and complimentary train rides from Werfen to Salzburg, making it easy to explore nearby towns. Between the scenery, hiking, and spa, this was my favorite stay of the semester.

2. Shkodra Hostel and Day Tours - Shkodër, Albania

Photos of the Shkroda Hostel and locations I visited in the Albanian Alps

Coming in second place is Shkodra Hostel and Day Tours. Albania ended up being my favorite country from my study abroad experience, and this hostel was a big reason why. It was one of the most social hostels I stayed in, with daily events and group excursions that made it easy to meet other travelers. The hostel offers activities like hikes through the Albanian Alps and trips to the Shala River, as well as discounts on local experiences. One of my favorite trips was a visit to Taste of Home Shkodër, where guests enjoy a traditional home-cooked meal featuring dishes such as byrek, tavë kosi, fërgesë, and much more. Visitors enjoy a delicious meal while learning about Albanian culture and family traditions from the host herself. To top it off, Albania was one of the most affordable countries I visited, and the hostel typically cost just $18–22 per night.

3. Next House - Copenhagen, Denmark 

Photos of the Next House and Copenhagen!

In third place is Next House in Copenhagen, Denmark. It’s a pod-style hostel, so each guest has their own private sleeping nook, which adds a lot of privacy and makes the rooms feel less like a traditional hostel. While the facility maintains that privacy, they also foster an incredibly social atmosphere. There are movie rooms, a soccer room, a gym, a bar, a pool, and a café. There are also daily activities that make it easy to meet other travelers. The pod-style setup gives you more privacy than a typical hostel, but you can simply head downstairs to enjoy the scene and meet travelers from around the world. The rooms are clean and well organized, with bathrooms in each room. I stayed in an all-female dorm and felt very safe and comfortable. On top of that, the location is extremely convenient–only about five minutes from the train station and within walking distance of major sights.

4. We Hate F****** Tourists - Lisbon, Portugal

Photos of Lisbon and the We Hate F****** Tourists Hostel

Last but not least is We Hate F****** Tourists, one of my favorite hostels in Europe. I’ve stayed here twice. Despite the name, it simply reflects their focus on helping guests experience Lisbon like a local. From check-in, you get a welcome drink, a city map, recommendations for things to do around the city, and information about activities they offer, such as bar crawls and group dinners. The hostel has an incredible social scene and one of the best rooftop bars in the city with views over Lisbon. The location is central and walkable, though the hills are steep. If the hills become challenging, Uber is often cheap and convenient. There’s also a second location called We Love F****** Tourists in Baixa. The main difference is that We Hate F****** Tourists in Intendente has a more social atmosphere.

Looking back on my semester abroad, these are the places that I still think about long after the trips ended. Each one helped turn a weekend getaway into a memorable experience, whether through incredible views, new friendships, or unique local experiences. While there are countless great places to stay across Europe, these four stood out the most to me, and I would happily return to any of them.