Best Youth Hostels in Amsterdam, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, & Ibiza?

Question

Hey, I'm currently in London and I'm traveling to Amsterdam, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, and then Ibiza in about 2 weeks. I need to know what is the best youth hostel to stay at in each city. Do I need to book in advance or will I be able to just go there and get a bed? What techno/rave type clubs are hot in those places right now? Also where can I get some green in London??

Answer 1

You always need to phone ahead, and often book, specially as we are getting near the busiest time of year.

For Amsterdam, both in the handbook are reputed to be good, but one is in the Red Light district, and both are likely to booked out.
Consider to go to one of the smaller towns near Amsterdam and use public transport, (each 30 minutes at least, often more trains than that,) if they are booked out, rather than one of the free hostels.

For Paris, I have used an independent hostel in the Marai (spelling?) district. Just north of the islands in the river Seine, with the Notre Dame.
There are three there, all good.
Use the Lonely Planet guidebooks, they have all the addresses, and give an honest recommendation.

For Rome, Barcelona and Ibiza I do not know.

If you can not book or even phone ahead, make sure you arrive in town before 10 in the morning, so you have a chance, arriving after noon is asking for having to travel to a small town rather far out.

Answer 2

be sure to get a youth hostel card.You get discounts (not much but it adds up) talk to others staying in your hostel as well as peple work there.they have the most up to date info where as travels books often dont. whhen i went to amsterdam i found a bunch of cheap hotels so dont limit your search to hostels only