The 7 Greatest Hostels in Edinburgh (Up to date 2024)

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

Edinburgh is a historic metropolis filled 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 among 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 may well simply break the financial institution (these pints add up!). An,d whereas there are rather a lot of hostels that may assist maintain your prices low, I’ve realized the onerous method that not all of them are good.

That will help you choose a hostel from amongst all of the overwhelming choices, right here is my listing of one of the best hostels in Edinburgh!

For those who don’t wish to learn the longer listing, the next are one of the best in every class:

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

Value legend:

• $ – Underneath 20 GBP per night time
• $$ – 20-30 GBP per night time
• $$$ – Over 30 GBP per night time

1. Citadel Rock

Positioned close to the citadel, this hostel is just beautiful. and my favourite hostel within the metropolis. It’s an outdated, stunning home with beautiful wooden interiors, stone staircases, and a really historic, royal really feel, such as you’re staying in an ancestral household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 function pool tables, a TV, newspapers, and free Wi-Fi. There’s additionally a patio for when the climate is sweet in addition to a fire and film room for when it’s chilly. The workers additionally manage occasions to maintain issues social. It’s in an excellent 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 funds vacationers. Simply notice that there’s a ten GBP money deposit (or ID) required on your room key.

Citadel Rock at a look:

• $
• Wonderful location
• Large kitchen
• Plenty of widespread areas make it straightforward to satisfy individuals

Beds from 18 GBP, personal rooms from 60 GBP.

E book right here!
 

2. St Christopher’s Edinburgh Previous City

St Christopher’s hostels are a staple round Europe, and this one doesn’t disappoint. The hostel is inside strolling distance of all the primary sights, and it’s all the time full of life, making it straightforward to satisfy individuals. There’s a cool bar on-site with low cost joyful hour drinks (an enormous plus in dear Edinburgh), and the workers additionally manage common pub crawls if you wish to benefit from the nightlife. Additionally they manage free strolling excursions, that are a good way to discover on a funds whereas assembly fellow vacationers.

The dorms are ethereal and vivid, and whereas the mattresses aren’t tremendous thick, the beds have curtains, USB retailers, and small lockers. (Simply notice that the majority 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 situation actually can’t be beat.

St Christopher’s at a look:

• $$
• Cool bar with low cost joyful hour drinks
• Full of life, social ambiance makes it straightforward to satisfy individuals
• Free strolling excursions

Beds from 25 GBP, personal rooms from 299 GBP.

E book right here!
 

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 numerous handmade furnishings, vivid 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 gentle. 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, good for vacationers not seeking to get together. The workers are additionally very welcoming and all the time keen that can assist you discover issues to do on the town and past. In order for you 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.

E book right here!
 

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 when you’re seeking to do some day journeys, and likewise a easy breakfast every morning for simply 3 GBP. One good perk I respect is that the place presents free journey adapters throughout your keep (as somebody who has forgotten theirs greater than as soon as, I feel this can be a nice concept!).

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 loos are a bit cramped, however the showers have good water stress and all the things is stored clear (which is what’s most vital). Total, it’s one other comfy and homey place that makes you are feeling such as you’re staying at a good friend’s home.

Royal Mile Backpackers at a look:

• $$
• Free espresso/tea
• Plenty of enjoyable social occasions
• Low-cost every day breakfast

Beds from 24 GBP.

E book right here!
 

5. Kick Ass Grassmarket

It is a cool, arty hostel within the coronary heart of the Previous City (it’s proper below the citadel). It’s brightly adorned 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 straightforward to satisfy individuals right here. There’s additionally a beer backyard for when the climate is sweet (and Netflix for when it’s not) and an enormous kitchen if you wish to cook dinner your individual meals.

The usual dorms listed below are all vivid and ethereal, with comfortable mattresses and particular person lights, retailers, and lockers. Some dorm rooms have en suite loos, 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 numerous privateness, making it tremendous straightforward to get a superb night time’s sleep. Simply notice that you need 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
• Full of life bar makes assembly individuals a breeze

Beds from 20 GBP, personal rooms from 179 GBP.

E book right here!
 

6. Edinburgh Backpackers

This centrally situated hostel is ready in a collection of historic buildings proper close to each the Previous City and the practice station. It’s homey and quiet and has a little bit of a no-frills look, with dated décor and outdated picket flooring. It’s not a social place, however all the things is clear and cozy and feels very lived in (versus being overly sterile, like many hostels as of late). The one draw back is that, as a result of the hostel is in a historic constructing, there isn’t a elevator.

The rooms listed below are a bit easy and small, however the beds are comfortable and have first rate mattresses. There aren’t any curtains for the beds, however there are lockers on your stuff and the loos are all the time stored clear. There’s an enormous kitchen and a wide range of room sorts to select from, together with single personal rooms, female-only dorms, and even a comfortable penthouse suite. Total, it’s an inexpensive and quiet place to remain in an excellent location.

Edinburgh Backpackers at a look:

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

Beds from 26 GBP, personal rooms from 65 GBP.

E book right here!
 

7. Code Pod – The Courtroom

This boutique hostel is situated in a former courthouse and jail (it’s within the Previous City so you’ll be able to stroll in all places). Among the outdated 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 attraction 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 offered too, so you’ll be able to sleep properly). The hostel additionally has female-only dorms.

In order for you 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.

E book right here!
***

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