April 18, 2018 When you crave adventure and are traveling on a tight budget, staying in youth hostels is the smartest way to explore a country without breaking the bank! Your hostel becomes your playground and the people sharing your dorm room become your teammates—all driven by the same passion: discovering the world. If you're passing through Mongolia, the capital Ulaanbaatar is an essential stop on your journey. Our editorial team has selected the finest youth hostels in this city, which attracts an ever-growing community of nomads from the steppes.

ULAANBAATAR: MONGOLIA'S CAPITAL

A modern city that seamlessly blends Soviet architecture with contemporary construction, Ulaanbaatar stands as the economic, scientific, political, and cultural heart of the country. You'll discover cultural attractions such as the National Circus, the Drama Theatre, and the Academy of Opera and Ballet. To delve into Mongolian history, traditions, and customs, rare and precious artifacts are showcased in several museums, including the National Museum of History and the Dinosaur Museum. The city center is easily explored on foot. The city revolves around Genghis Khan Square (formerly Sukhbaatar Square), which features a statue of the revolutionary hero Sukhbaatar and, since 2006, a colossal statue of Genghis Khan. The city is divided into nine districts, each containing numerous sub-districts. Despite being affected by pollution peaks, Ulaanbaatar remains an essential milestone for seasoned backpackers.

TOP 5 YOUTH HOSTELS

THE GARAGE Shared dorm bed from €7.28 Private room from €12.94 Breakfast included Townhouse Number 2, Khoroo 9, Bayangol District, Ulaanbaatar

TOWN YARD HOSTEL Shared dorm bed from €5.66 Private room from €19.41 Breakfast included Nearby Gandan Monastery, Door 4, Orkhon 5, Bayangol District, Ulaanbaatar

KHUSVSGUL LAKE HOSTEL Shared dorm bed from €7.28 Breakfast included 1 Baga Toiruu, Chinggis Khan Square 5, Sukhbaatar, Ulaanbaatar

TRAVEL MONGOLIA GUEST HOUSE Shared dorm bed from €4.85 Breakfast included Seoul Street 7/1, 5th khoroolol, 2nd Khoroo, Sukhbaatar, Ulaanbaatar

WOODPECKERS' INN Shared dorm bed from €4.85 Breakfast included Bayanzurkh Duureg, 3. Khoroo, House 4A, Door 3, Ulaanbaatar

ULAANBAATAR: YOUR TO-DO LIST!

• Experience the serenity of Choijin Lama Monastery
• Climb the steps of Zaisan Memorial
• Marvel at the gates of the Bogd Khan Winter Palace
• Meet a monk at Gandan Khiid
• Dine at BD's Mongolian Barbeque

Tourism Tips & Tricks Charlène Nomadays SEO writer since Nomadays' earliest days, now content manager and head of the communications team, Charlène has accompanied the adventure with passion and dedication from the very beginning. After living seven years across Asia—from China to Thailand, passing through Mongolia and South Korea—she has made travel a way of experiencing the world. A lover of words, nature, and human connection, she strives to convey through her writing a thoughtful, committed, and responsible vision of tourism. For her, each article is a bridge between curiosity, respect, and wonder.