Archipelago Hostel Old Town

The Archipelago Hostel is a budget-friendly pick in Gamla Stan, Stockholm's Old Town. When we stopped by the hostel (in late 2009), the place was filled with backpackers from around the globe. Helena, one of the owners, was at the front desk helping guests in Swedish, Italian, and English—all while cracking jokes with us.

The Archipelago has undergone a bit of a revival over the past few years. The most impressive renovation is the shared showers and bathrooms, now with heated floors (which make a world of difference during the cold Swedish winter).

The simple bedrooms have a small closet and bedside table with lamp, while dorms accommodate four to six guests. Notably, every room has large windows looking out onto Gamla Stan. Free Wi-Fi is available in all rooms.

A guest kitchen and large refrigerator are available. Breakfast isn’t offered, but the hostel does have a deal with a nearby café offering a discount to anyone staying at Archipelago.

Archipelago, while a favorite for many backpackers, is not a party hostel. Helena runs a tight ship and makes sure that everyone feels comfortable by holding guests strictly to the no-party rule. In fact, she explained with a smile on her face, the only time you'll get a wake-up call is if you're found to have been partying in the hostel the night before. You've been warned.