If you’re heading to Berlin and want a spot that feels like the city’s creative soul, The Circus Hostel in Mitte is legendary. It started back in 1997 when a group of friends decided to create a social hub for backpackers. They actually built much of the original furniture themselves out of recycled materials, kicking off a long-standing commitment to sustainability long before it was trendy.
The design is brilliantly quirky, featuring bright colors and curated flea-market finds that mirror Berlin’s eclectic street style. One of its most famous quirks is tucked away in the basement: a microbrewery called Circus Lemke, which was one of the very first craft breweries to pop up in Berlin after the fall of the Wall.
History buffs will love the location, too. The hostel sits right on Rosenthaler Platz, a historic crossroads that once divided East and West Berlin. Today, it hosts a bizarre but beloved shrine to David Hasselhoff in the basement bar, celebrating his iconic role in Berlin’s 1989 pop culture history. It’s the perfect mix of local history, great beer, and authentic Berlin character.
Expert reviews
“This excellent budget hostel, located right on Mitte’s buzzing Rosenthaler Platz, offers a mix of dorms and private rooms, available with or without private bathrooms. In addition, there’s a cute café, a basement bar with its own brewery, plus the world’s only Hoff museum.”
What guests liked
- Friendly staff
- Great location
- Free Wifi
- Boutique style
- Breakfast buffet
Location
Recent guest reviews
5 May 2026
Best budget friendly hotel
Location, Friendly and Helpful staff
Nothing to be disliked
28 April 2026
Thank you for my stay, I was impressed. Will definitely return!
Amazing location, great and polite people in the hostel, friendly staff, clean rooms and bathrooms
For some people who are noise sensitive, there are trams on the main street that make a bit of noise and vibrations during the day. Bring earplugs or headphones if this is an issue, otherwise it compensates as the location is very central in a trendy area.
9 April 2026
The location makes it easy and safe to travel alone, but everything is actually perfect!
Everything
6 April 2026
Quick stop in Berlin
The location is amazing, perfect for great bars and food in the area. The staff very nice and the bar and lobby area all great. The room is ok and plenty of space.
The bed does not have a plug socket accessibe inside it. The room I was in would shake when a train or something when past. I found the bed slightly uncomfortable but not too bad. Only 1 night stay but overall was all ok.
4 April 2026
The best hostel in Berlin for a short stay
The location is simply unbeatable, the rooms are beautiful and immaculately clean, and the staff is genuinely exceptional. A few honest notes: breakfast is decent but a bit pricey for what's on offer, there's no kitchen for self-catering, and street-facing rooms do get some noise - though I'm sure the team would have moved me if I'd asked. The bar is a real highlight, and a special thanks to Roei the bartender who made a great stay even better. For a short stay, this is the best place in Berlin - especially if you're here to go out and celebrate. Highly recommended - just ask for a quiet room if that matters to you!
The only two things worth mentioning: there's no kitchen, which can be limiting for longer stays. Our room faced the street and some outside noise came through - though in hindsight, the team was so attentive that I'm confident they would have offered a quieter room had I simply asked.
3 April 2026
Great place to stay in Berlin
The location, the staff were very helpful the room and
bathroom was and clean the place was wonderful
Just had a microwave, a tea kettle and a refrigerator paper plates cups was nice but No real kitchen
27 March 2026
For a hostel, it’s excellent!
Clean, friendly staff, excellent location
25 March 2026
I like it, but there were small inconveniences
Location and over setup
Toilet were not clean most of the times, I blame people with poor civic sense but hostel can also push for cleanliness
23 March 2026
Brilliant start to finish.
It was amazing start to finish. The staff were extremely accommodating and friendly. I appreciate who you stay with is luck of the draw but everyone in my room was friendly and respectful. There were enough facilities, I never had to wait to use the bathroom or shower. This was my first experience of staying in a hostel and it was incredibly comfortable. Lockers are generous in size and lockable. The bolt securing the lock was loose and made my locker openable if you gave it a tug, I went to the reception and they were very helpful. I ended up leaving it as I trusted the people in my room but they were more than happy to fix it otherwise. The location was good, lots of places to eat and drink within a short walking distance. Little bit further for the sights but still not too far, I walked and managed to tick off almost everything in good time. Great holiday.
Nothing.
21 March 2026
First timer in Circus Hostel for one 30+er
Cool people, very social folks. Really nice rooms, clean. It's good enough unisex showers you can lock.
They do not provide a towel, you have to bring your own. But it's ok, I'm always bringing my own on my trips.
14 March 2026
Definatrly will stay there again and again
Cleanless, location and locker room
Nothing
11 March 2026
Made some new friends here,the board game is awesome
The reception
The noise
2 March 2026
Loved this hostel & would definitely book again!
I loved this hostel. The staff were all so friendly and welcoming. I loved that they organised activities for you to do. Some of the activities I did was dinner at a German pub and a Berlin food tour- they were both amazing and I would 100% recommend doing them! The facilities were all super clean and the location of this hostel is great! Also the bar downstairs is cool! Had a great time down there and the beer delicious.
The only thing missing is curtains on the beds if you are wanting a bit more privacy. It wasn’t the worst thing though because each bed has a sort of timber covering over your head when you sleep. It was also a good way to be more social in your room because you were forced to see everyone and say hello (if that’s your vibe).
24 February 2026
Very comfortable and perfect location
Everything
A bit more expensive comparing to other hostels also I found the prices for activities a bit high too
16 February 2026
Good place but no kitchen
As a solo traveller it was really good. Spacious rooms with good privacy on beds and big mirrors. Pillows are amazing. It was clean on the rooms, big Windows with a view and that we can fully open, which is rare. Place is cozy and staff really friendly and helpful.
Great location, close to the center and everything.
There is definitly something wrong with the toilets : never really clean (all of them).
I would be so much better with a kitchen and a laundry.
To take the stairs you have to go trough the elevator so it’s sometimes really long to wait for it.
13 February 2026
This is a brilliant hostel if you need to stay in Berlin.
It’s very clean, beds are comfortable,great staff.
12 February 2026
Social basic hostel in great location
Great location, fun vibes, great bar and activities offered. Very social, great for young people!
Very smelly and facilities were not great compared to other hostels
1 February 2026
sets the bar for hostels
Clean, spacious and comfortable. Staff were friendly and helpful. The common space downstairs was great too, and there seemed lots of events for people who want them. The location was very accessible, a tram stop right outside and only 10 mins to a train station so perfect for going to the rest of the city though the neighbourhood itself is lovely. Also, I was able to switch rooms really easily when I injured my arm and needed a lower bunk, so that was a plus, they are very accommodating. Bathrooms are cleaned pretty regularly, and the shower rooms have spacious cubicles for all your things. And just the general vibe is relaxing, this was my first of many hostels on a long trip and they’ve really set the bar.
When I arrived I was going to put my bags in the storage room until check in, but the guy at the desk said they had a room available right then for me to use however he didn’t mention anything about it being extra payment and I was charged 14€ at check out. I was perfectly happy to have just stored my bags, so I was a bit put out by that, maybe I should have known but it would be good if staff could mention that before they book you in instead of dong it automatically. That was the only issue I had with the whole stay though, the rest was great :)
14 January 2026
It was wonderful
Property is central and very clean
The showers are not the best
Hotel facilities
Food & Drink
- - Bar
- - Special diet menus (on request)
- - Kid-friendly buffet
- - Wine/champagne
- - Fruits
- - Coffee house on site
Services
- - 24-hour front desk
- - Tour desk
- - Luggage storage
- - Private check-in/check-out
- - Lockers
- - Shared lounge/TV area
- - Daily housekeeping
Activities
- - Fitness centre (additional charge)
- - Karaoke
- - Cycling
- - Nightclub/DJ
- - Evening entertainment
- - Fitness
- - Yoga classes
- - Fitness classes
- - Pub crawls (additional charge)
- - Walking tours
- - Happy hour
- - Tour or class about local culture
- - Live sport events (broadcast)
- - Bicycle rental (additional charge)
Outdoors
- - Terrace
- - Outdoor furniture
General
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Facilities for disabled guests
- - Lift
- - Safety deposit box
- - Soundproof rooms
- - Chapel/shrine
- - Heating
- - Allergy-free room
- - Non-smoking throughout
- - Designated smoking area
- - Minimarket on site
Entertainment & family services
- - Board games/puzzles
Parking
- - Parking garage
- - Accessible parking
Accessibility
- - Wheelchair accessible
- - Toilet with grab rails
- - Raised toilet
- - Lower bathroom sink
- - Emergency cord in bathroom
Miscellaneous
- - Key card access
- - Smoke alarms
- - CCTV in common areas
- - Fire extinguishers
Reception services
- - Invoice provided

More photos

5 May 2026
Best place to live here and very affordable.
I did not like my roommate, though, not a very hygienic person, and I had to clean my bathroom almost every time.