Art Hostel - Usually We Spend Our Time In The Garden

Oh! What a place!
I am a traveler from Malta! I travel frequently to several destinations, and I prefer to use cool Hostels instead of boring Hotels. I want to strongly recommend the Art Hostel. It's not just a Hostel. It's a cool place, for sure to remember. This is my fourth time in Sofia, and I always stay in that Hostel. It's a great place indeed! I really feel at home surrounded by that friendly atmosphere. And what about the staff! They are really friendly and helpful. Ask for Nicky or Francesca! They are really cool! And what about the activities! Wow! Last February I joined a professional drumming group in the Hostel's basement. We played together the whole night! Oh what a night! I dont want to forget a girl employed there! I was leaving the Hostel during the night, and I was afraid that the taxi is not coming for me! But why afraid? The girl woke up at the middle of the night, called the taxi for me and stayed with me at the Hostel's door, until the taxi arrived! I want to express my thanks to that girl. Unfortunately I forgot her name! To stay in Art Hostel, it's not just a stay, it's a wonderful experience!

very cool hostel. The staff was the most friendly in my journey. A lot of fun in the house. Helpful people everywhere. I recommend this hostel as a museum which you have to visit.

Clean and fun. There was a dj spinning good music in the basement bar. The beds aren't the most comfortable, but nothing out of the ordinary.

I was stuck on whether to stay here or at another hostel, but after reading the (probably fake!) reviews, and deciding that I could experience something different, I decided to give Art Hostel a try. But within ten minutes of arriving, I soon wished I'd chosen the other hostel. The beds were literally one-inch thick mattresses covering wooden boards -- my back was killing me after only one night's sleep. The showers were an absolute joke -- no curtain, no stall, doors held together with wire with huge windows so that people in the buildings opposite could see you! Besides the artwork, there didn't seem to be anything art-related activities going on (then again, I only stayed one night so maybe I missed out). Also, the flyer clearly says that they offer legitimate police registration. A blatant lie. When I asked the staff about this (showing said flyer), they said that I would have to go to the station myself (they also got arsy with me when I said that I would only be staying one night). Apparently the border guards rarely check this but this is the sort of thing that can get travelers into trouble. The only good thing about the place was the people staying there -- I met some amazing people and had a good time. But I also believe that it's the people who make the hostel, not the other way round, and how can you really enjoy it when the beds are so uninhabitable? Other travelers who are into the art-scene may love it. Sadly, I absolutely hated the place and certainly wouldn't recommend it to my friends. Oh, and there's no longer a bar -- they lost their license five months ago. If you absolutely have to stay here, pay five euros for floor space (about as comfy as the beds)

This hostel has a good and helpfull staff. Has a garden and it is well situated, close from the center. The only problem is that the matress in the common rooms are destroied (hard, so hard that you cannot sleep). Also, the rooms at the third floors are small and full of beds and are on the street and you cannot sleep. at the second floor they have double rooms also not impressive for the comforts but one has a piano. the toilets are small and not very confortable. It's a funny and a kind of hippy place, but i think not good if you want to have a normal rest.

Bunks in the six-bed dorms of went for 8 euros (16 lev) per night in Nov. 05. They had futons (i.e. hard) in place of mattresses. The bunks have curtains on them, which is a nice touch. The place has sort of a "dive"-y feeling – some renovations would do wonders (and add a star). I'd like to see a decent table and chairs upstairs in the main room. Security from the outside is decent; there is none within the hostel. It's very smoky downstairs where the bar and Internet is. The free Internet is the slowest I have ever seen (minus one star), and it is not due solely to the connection speed. It's probably one of the oldest surviving computers on record with minimal RAM. Fortunately, across the street is a 24-hour fast Internet café with the best prices I've seen (1 Lev per hour). The hostel was really basic and also low-key, with a nice, albeit smoky, ambiance around the bar in the evening, and I liked the downstairs hanging table supports. There are at least three outstanding and inexpensive eating choices nearby within about 100 feet. The Honey Bee pastry shop (also serves sandwiches - ask for the English menu) and Jimmy's (both on the same road as the hostel, turn right exiting hostel) have excellent pastries. I especially like their ice cream crepes (palachinki) and the hot white chocolate! One neighbor of the hostel is Divaka (right out of the hostel, then first street right, first entry on your right) which has an excellent atmosphere despite the off-putting looking clientele I saw exiting. All of these places are inexpensive by Western standards, and the quality of the food is excellent. Really, it is quite the anomaly to have such a great selection and quality so inexpensively, and I think that this will shortly disappear with ascension to the EU, as it did with all the others. Get it while the getting is good. Sofia words of warning: The books and maps at the nearby outdoor book bazaar are pricey. Specifically, you can probably get the same item at a regular bookstore for a lesser price. If you're going to buy something there, do your research first and then haggle. You can get some really inexpensive ushankas (fur hats, Russian style) at the outdoor, antique market about 10 blocks away on Rakovski. Also, I encountered someone at a corner nearby there who approached me attempting to sell counterfeit bills. Warning signs: If a stranger approaches you and on the second question asks where you are from, it means he's trying to engage you with ulterior motive. Money changing kiosks are plentiful – if a stranger wants to change money, especially at grossly favorable rates, you should be asking yourself why he's not changing at a standard place. Regarding border crossings by car: BG (along with RO, SCG equals YU) charged me 2 euros to drive through a puddle (calling it a disinfecting fee), and they charged me for a vignette (5 euros/10 days) even though I didn't use the expressways. Finally, there are BG/RO Danube crossings at Vidin (ferry = 17 euros/car + 3/person), Oryakhovo (ferry = 20 euros/car plus 3 euros/person), and Ruse bridge. (Price unknown; one border guard said 25 euros). An alternate idea to get into SW Romania is to head from Vidin to Negotin (SCG=Serbia), and then cut up to Kladovo (SCG) where there is a free bridge (dam) into Romania.

I've stayed at the Art Hostel many times. Always friendly. Always entertaining. Even when I don't stay at the Art Hostel, I always visit the place. Now that I've returned to this part of the world (Turkey) I'll be visiting again.

I spent just one night at the Art Hostel, but it was enough for me to say that it was the best I have been to (and probably any other I will visit in the future). And I say this mostly because of the atmosphere, which is created by its people and the house itself, which has this fresh and new feeling to it. It all makes you feel at home immediately, so it is no wonder I miss it now, just like you miss home sometimes. Recommended!

This is the perfect atmosphere for your dreams come true. If you are looking for some magic moments, and to get to know special and warm people, you are in the right place. Don't hesitate to come here and spend some time with all these beautiful guys, who have such an amazing way to show you how a place can be so comfortable, friendly and cozy in such a poetic town as Sofia. I miss you guys, and I hope I will be there soon for some crazy parties in the Portuguese way, with our special "vinho tinto" (red wine). Aren't you sick of Raquia yet? Love, clouds and happy sunshine for Francesca, Tosho, Martina, Teo and all you crazy Bulgarian people. Sofia, the kitchen chef from Valada's Working Camp

This is not a hostel, but rather a fantastic family of bright, friendly, creative people who embrace and accept you for your stay. You don't hire a bed here as much as you become a full member of a club of young people who care about making a better world and can show you all the great spots in Sofia. I shall return!!!

This is one of the more unique hostels I've found. It's well located with a stylish yet inexpensive Internet cafe directly across the road, and a restaurant behind that offers top food and service at bargain prices. Come here and try a banitzer and coffee from the small bakery on the corner, too. As for the hostel itself, it's certainly a different experience in that you it's easy to meet creatively driven local people, which is an unusual opportunity. There's no need to be intimidated by this though, if you're not artistically inclined, as the staff are welcoming and will do their utmost to respond to your needs. The pace is sometimes chilled-out and sometimes party-central, so it can be interesting trying to anticipate what might happen from one day to the next. An unusual hostel in an unusual country, the Art Hostel reflects the enigma that is Bulgaria.

This place is pretty cool. It has bags of atmosphere, and a very friendly staff. It feels like a bit of a rabbit warren at times, but in a good way!!