I reached Pisa by about 5.30 PM. The drop of my bus at Pisa, was actually at the Pisa Airport (yes, it is actually an airport transfer bus from Florence as Pisa is considered the cheaper option when compared to Florence airport!). From here, it is a 20 mins walk to the hostel. Though its a 10 mins ride by bus, I chose to walk this distance, so I can feel the locale! The hostel is very close to the Pisa Centrale Railway station.
To begin with its the coolest place I've ever stayed in. I could spot it from a distance with its colorful orange exterior with multi color patterns and flags of various countries (too bad Indian flag was missing in this!). As soon as I entered there's a bistro cafe and common lounging area. There's free wifi. The color theme was solid white & green and beige with woodgrain pattern. It was really quirky, youthful & colorful.
I had booked the hostel via their own website and the moment I went in, I was given some forms to be filled which I had already taken printouts & filled. However there were 2 guests who had to checked in before me and I wanted to go & see the Leaning Tower of Pisa before nightfall. So I asked if I could leave the backpack and come back and check-in and I was more than welcomed to do it. There are 2 storage spaces - 1 section for backpacks and 1 rack for suitcases! Technically these aren't tagged, but this place being a backpackers paradise, where people don't travel with valuable/costly stuff, things getting lost isn't gonna happen! I had already enquired if vegetarian food would be available or not for dinner, coz if not, I had to finish my dinner too before heading back.
Later by night when I was back I finished the checking in process and went to my room. The room I was in a 4-bed women's dorm. There was a locker for each bed which needed a padlock which I didn't have! Padlocks are available here to buy. Surprise - The rooms have attached shower & toilet and it was clean too!!! The room again was in solid orange, white & green combo with beige woodgrain pattern! Its just pleasing on the eyes! The rooms was perfect with a ceiling fan & heater and dedicated plug points for each bed.
Back to the ground floor again, I checked out what's for dinner. Throughout my trip, my food was mostly biscuits, buns, breads, fruits etc and I wasn't really expecting too much here as well, but then......... At €8, the dinner buffet had 14 items of which 13 were vegetarian (incl 10 vegan)!!!!!!!!!! I hogged like I hadn't eaten for days together!!!! There was a backyard to the hostel as well. Its the outdoor seating / tv projector /cycle parking / clothes drying / smoking area all in one.
Behind the inner seating area, there's a guitar, drums and piano in case you wanna get musical. Behind this is a wall, filled with scribbles of guests!!! You could write your messages, doodles, or anything on this wall! That's what I wrote - the same words in my language Tamil & in English.
A similar buffet is available also for breakfast and lunch but since I started early I just opted for a toast and coffee and headed out. As previous evening, again my backpack went into the storage and I headed out. By noon I was back and I had to catch my train to Milan from Pisa Centrale which was 5 mins walk from the hostel. I was in such a hurry but I had to eat something. The lady at the counter was incredibly quick in packing me a chocolate croissant & berry croissant, piping hot, as lunch for a couple Euros!!
This time, one of my room mate was a waitress from Japan who was on a month long vacation with 2 weeks in Asia and 2 weeks in Europe and I got to a state of shock!!! I mean, the economy & currency conversion of Japan is so good that a waitress' pay & tips is enough to fund her a month long trip across Asia & Europe!!!!!!!!!! People with white collar jobs in many countries incl India, can barely manage a weeklong trip!!!
To Get There:
Nearest Bus stop: Corridoni 1
From Pisa Airport: 1.4km
From Pisa Centrale Railway Station: 600m
From Pisa Airport: 1.4km
From Pisa Centrale Railway Station: 600m
Ph no of the hostel: +39 050 520 18 41
Prices for single occupancy in dorm room with bathroom begins at £16
Hostel Pisa seems like a decent choice for exploring the city. The photos of the buffet look pretty good, and filling too! There seems to be so much charm in the hostel, with lots of personal touches too. One to remember for sure!
ReplyDeleteHotel Pisa looks really cool and I love the fun colours on the exterior. The rooms look reasonable and spacious. So nice you met some fun travellers along the way too!
ReplyDeleteLove the colorful building, it puts me in good mood. Also the courtyard to have dinner and relax is not bad! ;) and the graffiti wall is a good idea so that every traveler can leave his mark :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun place to hang out and get to know other travelers. I love it when hostels create those kinds of environments. I love the graffiti wall! It would be really interesting to see how many people have actually signed it and what their messages say!
ReplyDeleteHostel Pisa looks fun and charming. We love the bright colors and style. The food sounds great too.
ReplyDeleteItaly has been on my bucket list for sooooo long - it is a running joke with my husband now! but when I do eventually get to travel Italy, Hostel Pisa is top of my list to check out! I love a comfortable, fun and good value place like this!
ReplyDeleteHostel Pisa looks great option. The best part of staying at a hostel is the opportunity to meet different travelers and exchange ideas. I like the room and the ambiance as well.
ReplyDeleteBuffet in a hostel, that's a plus for me already. I agree the hostel exteriors are just so beautiful, and sadly without the Indian flag. I'm not really a hostel person, but if I travel there alone & on a budget I might try this one. Wonderful pictures!!
ReplyDeleteI stayed here!!! Back when I was living just outside of Bologna and was forever doing day trips here and there. My name is scrawled somewhere on that's all too :) They didn't have the buffet dinner option when I stayed, instead having an opt in "family dinner" for a few euros, I didn't end up going for this but remember thinking it's such a good deal!
ReplyDeleteThis seems like a decent choice for a hostel! Great review!
ReplyDeleteWow that hotel is a total steal for Europe! Italy is a great place to travel. When I lived near Naples I got to travel all the time and totally miss it haha
ReplyDeleteThe currency is amazing for Japan, wowzers...can't believe the gal could fund a month long trip! We were supposed to go to Italy for our 15th anniversary, but life happened, and now we're hoping it will be a future anniversary. It's for sure high on my bucket list of places to go!
ReplyDeleteI like the simple setup of the hostel. It's also nice to know that the waitress from Japan was able to finance her trip despite having a blue collar job and it's even for a month. I wouldn't afford that even on a white collar job here.
ReplyDeletethe rates aren't bad since you get a clean room with decent space. Was there also free wi-fi? The buffet also looks yum!
ReplyDeleteBhushavali, I am so happy that you found a nice, safe and cozy hostel in Florence.
ReplyDeleteI stayed in a hostel only once and the experience was a nightmare, unlike yours.
The entrance was hidden, not even a sign! I also booked a female dorm and guys were sleeping there, which was very uncomfortable.
Looking forward to reading more about your trip to Florence.
This looks like a nice place to visit. Hostel Pisa seems like a decent choice for exploring the city. and the buffet look so tempting.
ReplyDeleteSo colorful! It's both pretty and useful for those who come there for the first time, because it's easy to spot. I can't tell you how many times I failed to find a certain hostel, even though I walked past it so many times. I'll keep this one in mind for when I go to Florence!
ReplyDeleteI love how they let you write on their wall! Such a fun way to see what other people before you were up to!
ReplyDeleteI am also surprised that a waitress from Japan can afford to spend that much time abroad in Europe. I wish my wife and I can have that luxury to stay that long in the future. Great to hear about the honesty in that hostel. Even if there are no expensive stuff, it is quite a hassle to lose things when traveling.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your hostel experience. Honestly, i never tried staying in a hostel (i have that personal space issue) however the Hostel pisa looks cool!
ReplyDeleteRegarding your roommate, yeah you can save a lot even in Japan especially if you mastered the art of saving (not only money wise) and living a simple life.
I love how convenient this place is. Did it feel safe to walk? I enjoy walking too to experience the local vibe. Haven't stayed in a hostel for a while but I'm looking forward to it in Bruges, our first stop on a 3 week long interrail journey!
ReplyDeleteIt looks so cool - I love this kind of places, full of normal, friendly people without stuck up atmosphere and pretentiousness. I'd love to stay there! Definitely my type of a place :)
ReplyDeleteNice, I did a drive by through Pisa once and the torrential rain killed it for me. Would definitely love to visit when it is more sunny and I love the hostel vibe. Checking in and meeting folks to explore with right off the bat. Awesome!
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