The 7 Best Hostels in Edinburgh (Updated 2024)

Posted: 6/10/2024 | June tenth, 2024

Edinburgh is a historic metropolis stuffed with centuries-old structure, cozy pubs, and world-class whisky. I’ve been there a bunch and all the time have a blast. It’s one in every of my favourite locations in Europe. I’ve been going since I turned 30 (which was a really, very very long time in the past).

Whereas Edinburgh is beautiful, lodging will be pretty costly. Because the second-most visited metropolis within the UK, it could simply break the financial institution (these pints add up!). An,d whereas there are so much of hostels that may assist maintain your prices low, I’ve realized the laborious method that not all of them are good.

That can assist you decide a hostel from amongst all of the overwhelming choices, right here is my listing of the very best hostels in Edinburgh!

When you don’t need to learn the longer listing, the next are the very best in every class:

Need the specifics? Right here’s my breakdown of the very best hostels in Edinburgh and why I really like them:

Value legend:

• $ – Below 20 GBP per evening
• $$ – 20-30 GBP per evening
• $$$ – Over 30 GBP per evening

1. Castle Rock

Positioned close to the fortress, this hostel is solely beautiful. and my favourite hostel within the metropolis. It’s an previous, stunning home with beautiful wooden interiors, stone staircases, and a really historic, royal really feel, such as you’re staying in an ancestral household mansion. There’s an enormous kitchen, and the widespread areas characteristic pool tables, a TV, newspapers, and free Wi-Fi. There’s additionally a patio for when the climate is good in addition to a hearth and film room for when it’s chilly. The employees additionally arrange occasions to maintain issues social. It’s in an ideal location too (proper close to the Royal Mile).

Whereas the mattresses aren’t tremendous thick and there aren’t any curtains on the beds, there are many retailers to cost your gadgets and bedside lockers too. It’s additionally one of many least expensive hostels on the town and ideal for price range vacationers. Simply word that there’s a ten GBP money deposit (or ID) required on your room key.

Citadel Rock at a look:

• $
• Wonderful location
• Big kitchen
• A number of widespread areas make it simple to satisfy individuals

Beds from 18 GBP, personal rooms from 60 GBP.

2. St Christopher’s Edinburgh Old Town

St Christopher’s hostels are a staple round Europe, and this one doesn’t disappoint. The hostel is inside strolling distance of all the principle sights, and it’s all the time full of life, making it simple to satisfy individuals. There’s a cool bar on-site with low cost comfortable hour drinks (a giant plus in dear Edinburgh), and the employees additionally arrange common pub crawls if you wish to benefit from the nightlife. In addition they arrange free strolling excursions, that are a good way to discover on a price range whereas assembly fellow vacationers.

The dorms are ethereal and brilliant, and whereas the mattresses aren’t tremendous thick, the beds have curtains, USB retailers, and small lockers. (Simply word that almost all dorms have three-tier bunk beds.) Though there’s no visitor kitchen, there’s a filling breakfast every morning for simply 5 GBP. Whereas there aren’t a ton of restrooms (so generally you’ll have to attend), the placement actually can’t be beat.

St Christopher’s at a look:

• $$
• Cool bar with low cost comfortable hour drinks
• Energetic, social ambiance makes it simple to satisfy individuals
• Free strolling excursions

Beds from 25 GBP, personal rooms from 299 GBP.

3. Haystack Hostel

It is a small, cozy, and quiet hostel that feels such as you’re staying at a good friend’s home. The décor has a really DIY really feel, that includes plenty of handmade furnishings, brilliant colours, and funky artwork. The bigger dorm has pod-style beds, whereas the smaller dorm has common bunk beds. There aren’t any curtains on the beds, however there are lockers to safe your issues, and every mattress has its personal outlet and studying mild. There’s a small breakfast accessible every morning too.

What makes this place distinctive although is that each of its dorms are feminine solely (there are additionally personal rooms, open to all genders). It’s a quiet, calm, and clear selection, excellent for vacationers not seeking to celebration. The employees are additionally very welcoming and all the time keen that can assist you discover issues to do on the town and past. If you would like a quiet keep as a solo feminine traveler, keep right here.

Haystack Hostel at a look:

• $$
• Feminine-only dorms
• Quiet ambiance
• Cozy widespread rooms

Beds from 30 GBP, personal rooms from 103 GBP.

4. Royal Mile Backpackers

This laid-back hostel is your traditional backpacker joint, with chill widespread areas, a small library, common social occasions (like pub crawls or Scottish dancing classes), and free espresso and tea. There’s a tour desk if you happen to’re seeking to do some day journeys, and likewise a easy breakfast every morning for simply 3 GBP. One good perk I recognize is that the place presents free journey adapters throughout your keep (as somebody who has forgotten theirs greater than as soon as, I believe it is a nice thought!).

Whereas I don’t love that the beds are easy picket bunks, they do have particular person studying lights, retailers, and lockers (however no curtains). The bogs are a bit cramped, however the showers have good water strain and every little thing is stored clear (which is what’s most essential). Total, it’s one other snug and homey place that makes you’re feeling such as you’re staying at a good friend’s home.

Royal Mile Backpackers at a look:

• $$
• Free espresso/tea
• A number of enjoyable social occasions
• Low cost day by day breakfast

Beds from 24 GBP.

5. Kick Ass Grassmarket

It is a cool, arty hostel within the coronary heart of the Outdated City (it’s proper below the fortress). It’s brightly embellished and feels very welcoming. There are many widespread areas to hang around in, although I particularly love the bar space, because it’s tremendous social and simple to satisfy individuals right here. There’s additionally a beer backyard for when the climate is good (and Netflix for when it’s not) and a giant kitchen if you wish to prepare dinner your personal meals.

The usual dorms listed below are all brilliant and ethereal, with comfortable mattresses and particular person lights, retailers, and lockers. Some dorm rooms have en suite bogs, and there are female-only dorms too. However the spotlight for me is the pod-style beds within the “superior” dorms; they’ve thick curtains and provide plenty of privateness, making it tremendous simple to get a very good evening’s sleep. Simply word that it’s important to be a minimum of 18 to remain right here.

Kick Ass Grassmarket at a look:

• $
• Enjoyable occasions (pub crawls, quiz nights)
• Tremendous cozy pod beds
• Energetic bar makes assembly individuals a breeze

Beds from 20 GBP, personal rooms from 179 GBP.

6. Edinburgh Backpackers

This centrally positioned hostel is ready in a sequence of historic buildings proper close to each the Outdated City and the practice station. It’s homey and quiet and has a little bit of a no-frills look, with dated décor and previous picket flooring. It’s not a social place, however every little thing is clear and cozy and feels very lived in (versus being overly sterile, like many hostels lately). The one draw back is that, as a result of the hostel is in a historic constructing, there is no such thing as a elevator.

The rooms listed below are a bit easy and small, however the beds are comfortable and have respectable mattresses. There aren’t any curtains for the beds, however there are lockers on your stuff and the bogs are all the time stored clear. There’s a giant kitchen and quite a lot of room varieties to select from, together with single personal rooms, female-only dorms, and even a comfy penthouse suite. Total, it’s an inexpensive and quiet place to remain in an ideal location.

Edinburgh Backpackers at a look:

• $$
• Feminine-only dorms
• Nice location
• Huge kitchen

Beds from 26 GBP, personal rooms from 65 GBP.

7. Code Pod – The Court

This boutique hostel is positioned in a former courthouse and jail (it’s within the Outdated City so you’ll be able to stroll in all places). A few of the previous cells have been transformed into small personal rooms, making for a very distinctive keep. There’s an underground bar too (with whisky tastings), which simply provides to the appeal of the place. A scrumptious breakfast is obtainable within the mornings too, that includes waffles, pastries, and oatmeal.

As for the dorms, the pod beds have very nice mattresses, in addition to particular person lights, cabinets, and retailers so you’ll be able to cost your gear (they’ve curtains and earplugs and eye masks are supplied too, so you’ll be able to sleep nicely). The hostel additionally has female-only dorms.

If you would like a novel, extra upscale hostel, keep right here. It’s a extremely neat place!

Code Pod at a look:

• $$$
• Tremendous comfortable pod beds
• Cool underground bar
• Feminine-only dorm

Beds from 43 GBP, personal rooms from 140 GBP.

With its gorgeous structure and unimaginable historical past, I by no means get bored with exploring Edinburgh. It’s such a gorgeous metropolis to get misplaced in, bouncing from pub to pub, from café to café. There’s a lot to see and do (including lots of spooky ghost tours), and whereas the climate doesn’t all the time cooperate, that’s simply a part of Edinburgh’s appeal. So long as you keep in one of many hostels above, you’ll have a enjoyable, inexpensive, and good place to remain.
 

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