Hostel Review: Cabbage Hostel

The Cabbage Hostel opened its doors in the spring of 2023 to welcome travellers seeking budget-friendly accommodation and a sociable atmosphere. Its vision focuses on affordability and authenticity, offering beds in a communal setting where budget-conscious travellers can meet, connect, and share experiences.

Location & Accessibility

The hostel is located a little off the main tourist areas, typically requiring a 2–3 km walk to many city-centre attractions. For arrivals, I recommend booking a pickup service if available — I arrived from Romania with a drop-off straight to the door, which made things much easier. As with many cities, Belgrade can experience traffic congestion, so it’s good to plan for your arrival.

On a previous trip to Belgrade, I walked 3.6 km from the train station due to some challenges with the bus system. However, Bus 36, located just across the street from the train terminal, offers a convenient (and currently free) ride into the city centre — from there, it’s about a 1.6–1.9 km walk to the hostel. While accessibility is straightforward during the day (the gate is often open), after hours, you may need to ring the bell or use an access code. There is a park next to the hostel that attracts a lot of young people at night, and it can be very noisy late and at weekends.  

First Impressions & Atmosphere

First impressions were excellent. I was warmly greeted by Vlada, whose welcoming manner immediately set a positive tone. City tax in Belgrade (€4) is payable at check-in, a standard procedure that hopefully supports local tourism initiatives. A minor mix-up at reception was quickly and professionally resolved by Ilana, and I opted to upgrade to a 6-bed mixed dorm.

The atmosphere overall was lively and friendly, though one small point to note: background music in the common areas was still playing at 11 p.m., which made it a little difficult to rest after a long trip. Although the hostel enforces quiet hours (11 p.m. to 9 a.m.), travellers arriving from long journeys or early morning flights might appreciate a quieter nighttime environment, especially in dorm rooms near the common areas.

Personally, I would like to see this change to cater for travellers’ needs from 7 pm to 9 am. If restful sleep is a priority, consider requesting a room on the second floor; anything close to the reception can get noisy.

Rooms

Cabbage Hostel offers a range of room options, including private rooms and 4-,6-,8- and 12-bed dormitories (mixed, male, and female). The rooms are notably spacious and thoughtfully equipped with fresh linen, lockers, shelving, mirrors, personal lights, and well-placed power outlets. The bunk beds are sturdy and designed with comfort in mind, though upgrading to higher-quality mattresses in the future could elevate the sleeping experience even further.

Common Areas & Amenities

The hostel features a well-equipped kitchen with complimentary tea and coffee available throughout the day, though during peak season, expect a bit more competition for space. The reception area is open and inviting, with plenty of tables for meals or casual conversations.

Additional communal spaces include a large rooftop seating area (perfect for working travellers) and an outdoor patio. There are showers and toilets on each floor, which generally meet demand but could become busier during peak occupancy.

Instead of a traditional bar, there’s a mini-bar at reception offering drinks for purchase. Parking is limited, and if needed, the terrace garden can accommodate a few vehicles by rearranging tables and chairs. Bicycle rental is available at €10 per day, which felt a bit high compared to regional standards.

The Wi-Fi connection was consistently strong throughout the hostel.

Value for Money

With rates between €30 € 40 for a three-night stay (depending on room type), Cabbage Hostel offers excellent value, especially for solo travellers or small groups. A pre-order breakfast option is also available for €6.and I recommend it (delicious

Overall, the hostel feels thoughtfully designed for backpackers and budget-minded travellers. With just a few minor tweaks, such as addressing music cut-off times and volume during the evening and perhaps upgrading mattresses, the hostel could easily elevate its already strong reputation even further.

Accessibility Considerations

Cabbage Hostel is generally accessible for travellers with limited mobility, although those with specific needs are encouraged to contact the hostel directly to confirm details.

Final Thoughts

This review reflects my personal experience at Cabbage Hostel; naturally, each traveller’s stay will be unique. Overall, I found it to be a welcoming and comfortable place with a lot of heart — and the potential to become one of Belgrade’s standout budget accommodations.

Footwear Policy

The practice of removing shoes and wearing shared slippers may benefit from reconsideration. Sharing footwear between guests has the potential to increase the risk of transmitting pathogens such as fungal infections (e.g., athlete’s foot), warts (verrucae), and certain bacteria. Fortunately, I had my slippers with me, but not all guests may be similarly prepared.

Additionally, from a spiritual perspective, footwear is believed in some traditions to carry the energetic imprint of an individual’s experiences. Wearing another person's shoes could symbolically transfer karmic burdens, potentially disrupting one’s sense of spiritual balance.

Given these considerations, providing disposable slippers or encouraging guests to bring their own could be a thoughtful alternative.

Dormitory Chores Timing

It may also be helpful to revisit the timing of dormitory maintenance tasks. Having staff enter dorm rooms late in the evening (for instance, at 9:15 p.m.) to change sheets, make beds, or vacuum can be disruptive to guests who are already resting.

It might be more comfortable for all if these tasks were completed during the day, ideally within the window between check-out and check-in, minimising disturbance and maintaining a restful environment for guests.

I encourage hostel owners to contact me let me know their thoughts on my blog. I am not trying to be critcal I'm here to let you know how I felt whilst I was staying at your hostel and my reviews are honest.

Ratings

·       Staff: ★★★★☆ (9/10) 

·       Room: ★★★★☆ (9/10)

·       Location: ★★★★☆ (8.5/10)

·       Common Areas & Amenities: ★★★★☆ (9/10)

·       Facilities: ★★★★☆ (9/10)

·       Overall Experience: ★★★★☆ (9/10)

·       Final Rating: ★★★★☆ (8.9/10) `