Natural Hostel is the Himara hostel that backpackers send other backpackers to before they have even unpacked. It is owned and operated by Sergio, whose home-cooked communal dinners and organic-wine pours have crossed from "amenity" into "core reason to book." With a 9.8/10 Booking.com guest rating across nearly 100 reviews — the kind of number you almost never see on hostel platforms — Natural Hostel has effectively redefined what budget accommodation in Himara can be. It is not the cheapest hostel in town. But by every other metric, it is the best.
This is a review, not a placement on a list — what works, what does not, and the specific reasons why Sergio's hosting style has made this property the local default for solo travelers and shoestring couples on the Riviera.
Quick Take
| Info | |
|---|---|
| Type | Independent hostel with garden + terrace |
| Location | Near Potam Beach, 300 m from shore, Himara |
| Coordinates | 40.0959, 19.7574 |
| Distance to Himara town | ~3 km north (15-min walk to Spile) |
| Rooms | 2 dorms × 10 beds + private rooms |
| Price range | €22-40 per night |
| Includes | Breakfast + communal dinner |
| Wi-Fi | Free |
| Best for | Solo travelers, shoestring couples, slow-stay backpackers |
| Rating | 4.7 (98+ reviews; 9.8/10 on Booking.com) |
| Owner | Sergio |
What Natural Hostel Is Not
Two expectations to set.
It is not a party hostel. If you want karaoke nights, beer pong, and a 2 AM dance floor in the lobby, Oasis Hostel is the comparable option in Himara — the party-friendly hostel just outside the town center. Natural Hostel is the opposite: communal but calm, sociable but quiet, the kind of place where the highlight is a 3-hour communal dinner with Sergio's homemade wine, not the next morning's hangover.
It is not in town. Natural Hostel sits 300 m from Potam Beach, about 3 km south of the Himara town center. The walk into Spile takes 30-35 minutes; a taxi is 5-7 minutes (300-500 ALL). For walking-everywhere convenience, Himara Downtown Hostel is the central alternative.
What Works
Sergio's communal dinners
The single most-mentioned thing in 100+ reviews. Every evening (or most evenings, depending on guest count), Sergio cooks dinner — homemade pasta, grilled vegetables from the garden, sometimes fish, accompanied by his own organic wine. Guests sit around a long communal table. Strangers introduce themselves over the first glass and trade itineraries by the second. By dessert most groups have made plans for the next day.
This is not a marketed "social experience." It is genuinely how the hostel runs. Sergio absorbs the cooking himself and treats every dinner as if it is a small dinner party for friends he has not yet met.
The garden setting
Natural Hostel sits on a small property surrounded by olive trees and Mediterranean shrubs, with a terrace and barbecue area. After a beach day, sitting in the garden with a beer is a different rhythm than the in-town bustle. Mountain views to the back, Ionian Sea air through the trees.
Cleanliness and care
Reviews consistently mention the property is well-maintained and clean — uncommon in budget accommodation, where the price-quality drop is usually steep. Sergio takes the upkeep seriously, and the guest reviews reflect that.
Walking to Potam Beach
3-minute walk. Potam is one of the calmer beaches near Himara — see our Potam Beach guide. For a hostel-stay rhythm of "wake, swim, return for dinner," this is ideal.
What Does Not
Distance to town
3 km is a real friction. If you want to walk to the Spile waterfront restaurants every night, this is not the property. The hostel partially offsets this by being the dinner most evenings.
Limited room count
20 beds across two dorms means the hostel fills quickly, especially in July-August. Book 3-4 weeks ahead for peak summer.
Not for early sleepers vs late socializers
Communal dinners can run late, and the property does not have soundproof segregation between the social areas and the dorms. If you want to be in bed by 10 PM, communicate that early — Sergio will help — but the social rhythm of the place is genuinely the social rhythm.
What It Costs (May 2026)
- Dorm bed (May, June, September) — €22-28 per night.
- Dorm bed (July, August peak) — €30-40 per night.
- Private room (when available) — €50-80 per night.
- Includes: breakfast + communal dinner.
That puts Natural Hostel at the upper end of Himara hostel pricing, but the bundled dinners change the math: if you would otherwise spend €15-25 on dinner out, the all-in cost is comparable to or below a cheaper hostel + restaurant dinners. See Himara hostels guide for the wider hostel pricing landscape.
When to Book Natural Hostel
- For solo travelers wanting community — the communal dinners turn the hostel into a network of fast friends within a single night.
- For couples on a slow Riviera trip — the garden + dinner setup supports a stay-put rhythm.
- For shoulder-season visits — May, June, late September are the calmest, with the most engaged Sergio energy and the smallest crowds.
- For Potam Beach access — 3-minute walk is hard to beat at this price level.
When to Book Elsewhere
- For party-night travelers — book Oasis Hostel or one of the in-town spots. See Himara hostels guide.
- For walking-everywhere stays — book a town-center hostel like Himara Downtown Hostel.
- For the cheapest possible bed — at €22+ per night, Natural Hostel is mid-range hostel pricing. Cheaper exists in town.
- For peak July-August without booking ahead — the property fills.
Getting There
From Himara town center: 3 km south, 300 m from Potam Beach.
- Taxi — 300-500 ALL, 5-7 minutes from Spile.
- Walk — 30-35 minutes from Spile via the SH8 coastal road.
- From the bus station — taxi is recommended (20-30 min walk with luggage is unpleasant).
If you are coming from outside Himara, see our drive times matrix for transit times. For full Himara hostel context, see the Himara hostels guide.
Verdict
9.2 / 10. Natural Hostel earns its 9.8/10 Booking.com rating because the host genuinely transforms the property. Sergio's communal dinners are not a marketed amenity — they are how this place runs, and they create the kind of nightly social texture that you cannot find at a chain hostel or a generic Riviera guesthouse. The trade-off is real: 3 km from town, fills fast, not for late-sleepers. But for the right traveler, this is one of the best 5-night hostel experiences in southern Europe.
Who it's for: solo travelers on a slow trip, couples on a budget who want community without party-hostel chaos, anyone who has been at a hostel where the host really hosts and wants that experience again.
Who it's not for: walk-everywhere town travelers, party-night seekers, anyone needing private-room luxury or 24/7 reception desk.
FAQ
Where is Natural Hostel in Himara?
Natural Hostel is 300 m from Potam Beach, about 3 km south of Himara town center. Coordinates: 40.0959, 19.7574. The property is in a quiet residential area surrounded by olive groves.
Who is Sergio?
Sergio is the owner and host of Natural Hostel. He runs the property himself, cooks the communal dinners every evening, and is the main reason the hostel has earned its 9.8/10 Booking.com rating. Reviews universally praise his hosting style as the property's defining feature.
What's included in the price?
Both breakfast and a communal dinner are included in the nightly rate. This is unusual at hostel pricing and changes the all-in cost math significantly — you are essentially getting half-board.
How much does Natural Hostel cost per night?
€22-28 per dorm bed in shoulder months (May, June, September), €30-40 per dorm bed in July-August peak. Private rooms (when available) run €50-80. With breakfast and dinner included, this is a strong value despite being upper-mid for Himara hostel pricing.
Is Natural Hostel a party hostel?
No. Natural Hostel is communal and social but not high-energy / party-focused. Communal dinners run long but the rhythm is dinner-table social, not dance-floor social. For party hostels in Himara, see Oasis Hostel or in-town options.
Is Natural Hostel open year-round?
Mostly seasonal — typically open from late April through October, sometimes into November depending on demand. Confirm via Booking.com or contact Sergio directly before booking shoulder months.
For the full hostel landscape, see Himara hostels guide and Himara on a budget. For nearby beach context, see our Potam Beach guide and where locals eat in Himara.
