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The hostel movement started in Germany, and even though this Mediterranean country is generally cheaper, it’s still good to know there are plenty of hostels in Italy to make budget traveling more affordable. In case you are just starting your research, Italy tends to get more affordable and more strange the further south you go.

For some reason Rome is an exception though. Even though it’s a huge city with hotels all over the place, the high demand keeps prices high all year round. When you go further south you might be able to afford some 1-star hotels for the same price as a hostel in Rome, but there is no way you can visit Italy without spending at least a couple days in Rome so you’ve got to suck it up.

Venice has its own problems for the budget traveler. Being set on a famously small (and sinking) island in a lagoon, space is at a premium so hotel prices can be especially crazy. Fortunately there are quite a few hostels in Venice that bring expenses for the visitor to a reasonable level. Unfortunately, virtually all of them are on the mainland and not in the heart of St. Mark’s Square, but the city is small and the sacrifice is worthwhile unless this is your honeymoon or something.

Florence is definitely the next most popular destination and prices there tend to be more reasonable than Rome or Venice, but in general the quality of the hostels in Italy is high so they can be a safe way to save some money and make friends with some other travelers in the process.

Milan is famous for being Italy’s financial and fashion center, but not really for being a major tourist destination. It definitely has its charm and the cathedral in the main square is one of the most stunning in all of Europe, but don’t plan on staying in Milan just because it’s a large city. It’s the least Italian of all the Italian cities, partly because it was part of Austria only a century or so ago. Also, being a major business center, the demand for hotel rooms is extremely high and it’s one of the most expensive cities for lodging in the world. There are some low-price hotels, but you’ll be thankful they have quite a few hostels in Milan if you decide to stay there.

Genoa and Turin are both in the same general region as Milan, and both are probably better choices for first-time visitors to the region than Milan, since they tend to mix in more interesting Italian charm and there are great hostels in both cities.

The southern city of Naples is a bit of a mess, but the amazing sights there make it a worthwhile stop for most travelers. It’s big and crowded and polluted but unforgettable in good ways as well. Brace yourself for some madness before you arrive. Hotel prices are somewhat reasonable there, but the hostel prices are lower as well so this might be a place to splurge on a private room in one so you can still take advantage of the social benefits and still have a place to take refuge.