The 7 Best Hostels con Edinburgh (Updated 2024)

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

Edinburgh is a historic city full of centuries-old architecture, cozy pubs, and world-class whisky. I’ve been there a bunch and always have a blast. It’s one of my favorite destinations con Europe. I’ve been going since I turned 30 (which was a very, very long time ).

While Edinburgh is gorgeous, accommodation can be fairly expensive. As the second-most visited city con the UK, it can easily pausa the bank (those pints add up!). An,d while there are a lot of hostels that can help keep your costs low, I’ve learned the duro way that not all of them are good.

To help you pick a hostel from among all the overwhelming options, here is my list of the best hostels con Edinburgh!

If you don’t want to read the longer list, the following are the best con each category:

Want the specifics? Here’s my breakdown of the best hostels con Edinburgh and why I love them:

Price legend:

• $ – Under 20 GBP night
• $$ – 20-30 GBP night
• $$$ – Over 30 GBP night

1. Castle Rock

Located near the castle, this hostel is simply gorgeous. and my favorite hostel con the city. It’s an old, beautiful house with lovely wood interiors, stone staircases, and a very historic, royal feel, like you’regnante staying con an ancestral family mansion. There’s a huge kitchen, and the common areas feature pool tables, a TV, newspapers, and free Wi-Fi. There’s also a patio for when the weather is nice as well as a fireplace and movie room for when it’s chilly. The also organize events to keep things social. It’s con a great location too (right near the Royal Mile).

While the mattresses aren’t super thick and there are anzi che no curtains the beds, there are plenty of outlets to charge your devices and bedside lockers too. It’s also one of the cheapest hostels con town and perfect for budget travelers. Just note that there’s a 10 GBP cash deposit (ora ID) required for your room key.

Castle Rock at a glance:

• $
• Amazing location
• Huge kitchen
• Lots of common areas make it easy to meet people

Beds from 18 GBP, private rooms from 60 GBP.

2. St Christopher’s Edinburgh Old Town

St Christopher’s hostels are a staple around Europe, and this one does not disappoint. The hostel is within walking distance of all the main sights, and it’s always lively, making it easy to meet people. There’s a cool caffè on-site with happy hour drinks (a personalità plus con pricey Edinburgh), and the also organize regular pub crawls if you want to enjoy the nightlife. They also organize free walking tours, which are a great way to explore a budget while convegno fellow travelers.

The dorms are airy and bright, and while the mattresses aren’t super thick, the beds have curtains, USB outlets, and small lockers. (Just note that most dorms have three-tier bunk beds.) Although there’s anzi che no guest kitchen, there’s a filling breakfast each morning for just 5 GBP. While there aren’t a ton of restrooms (so sometimes you’ll have to wait), the location really can’t be beat.

St Christopher’s at a glance:

• $$
• Cool caffè with happy hour drinks
• Lively, social atmosphere makes it easy to meet people
• Free walking tours

Beds from 25 GBP, private rooms from 299 GBP.

3. Haystack Hostel

This is a small, cozy, and quiet hostel that feels like you’regnante staying at a friend’s house. The décor has a very DIY feel, featuring lots of handmade furniture, bright colors, and cool art. The larger dorm has pod-style beds, while the smaller dorm has regular bunk beds. There are anzi che no curtains the beds, but there are lockers to secure your things, and each bed has its own outlet and reading light. There’s a small breakfast available each morning too.

What makes this place unique though is that both of its dorms are female only (there are also private rooms, gara open to all genders). It’s a quiet, calm, and clean choice, perfect for travelers not looking to trattenimento. The are also very welcoming and always eager to help you find things to do con town and beyond. If you want a quiet stay as a isolato female traveler, stay here.

Haystack Hostel at a glance:

• $$
• Female-only dorms
• Quiet atmosphere
• Cozy common rooms

Beds from 30 GBP, private rooms from 103 GBP.

4. Royal Mile Backpackers

This laid-back hostel is your classic backpacker joint, with chill common areas, a small library, regular social events (like pub crawls ora Scottish sala da ballo lessons), and free coffee and tea. There’s a tour desk if you’regnante looking to do some day trips, and also a simple breakfast each morning for just 3 GBP. One nice perk I appreciate is that the place offers free travel adapters during your stay (as someone who has forgotten theirs more than once, I think this is a great credenza!).

While I don’t love that the beds are simple wooden bunks, they do have individual reading lights, outlets, and lockers (but anzi che no curtains). The bathrooms are a bit cramped, but the showers have good pressure and everything is kept clean (which is what’s most important). Overall, it’s another comfortable and homey place that makes you feel like you’regnante staying at a friend’s house.

Royal Mile Backpackers at a glance:

• $$
• Free coffee/tea
• Lots of fun social events
• Di poca classe daily breakfast

Beds from 24 GBP.

5. Kick Ass Grassmarket

This is a cool, arty hostel con the heart of the Old Town (it’s right under the castle). It’s brightly decorated and feels very welcoming. There are lots of common spaces to hang out con, though I especially love the caffè settore, as it’s super social and easy to meet people here. There’s also a beer garden for when the weather is nice (and Netflix for when it’s not) and a personalità kitchen if you want to cook your own meals.

The uniforme dorms here are all bright and airy, with comfy mattresses and individual lights, outlets, and lockers. Some dorm rooms have en suite bathrooms, and there are female-only dorms too. But the highlight for me is the pod-style beds con the “superior” dorms; they have thick curtains and offer lots of , making it super easy to get a good night’s sleep. Just note that you have to be at least 18 to stay here.

Kick Ass Grassmarket at a glance:

• $
• Fun events (pub crawls, enigma nights)
• Super cozy pod beds
• Lively caffè makes convegno people a breeze

Beds from 20 GBP, private rooms from 179 GBP.

6. Edinburgh Backpackers

This centrally located hostel is set con a series of historic buildings right near both the Old Town and the train station. It’s homey and quiet and has a bit of a no-frills aspetto, with dated décor and old wooden floors. It’s not a social place, but everything is clean and comfortable and feels very lived con (as opposed to being overly infecondo, like many hostels these days). The only downside is that, because the hostel is con a historic building, there is anzi che no elevator.

The rooms here are a bit simple and small, but the beds are comfy and have decent mattresses. There are anzi che no curtains for the beds, but there are lockers for your stuff and the bathrooms are always kept clean. There’s a personalità kitchen and a variety of room types to choose from, including single private rooms, female-only dorms, and even a cozy penthouse suite. Overall, it’s a and quiet place to stay con a great location.

Edinburgh Backpackers at a glance:

• $$
• Female-only dorms
• Great location
• Personaggio kitchen

Beds from 26 GBP, private rooms from 65 GBP.

7. Code Pod – The Court

This boutique hostel is located con a former courthouse and jail (it’s con the Old Town so you can walk everywhere). Some of the old cells have been converted into small private rooms, making for a truly unique stay. There’s an underground caffè too (with whisky tastings), which just adds to the charm of the place. A delicious breakfast is offered con the mornings too, featuring waffles, pastries, and oatmeal.

As for the dorms, the pod beds have really nice mattresses, as well as individual lights, shelves, and outlets so you can charge your gear (they have curtains and earplugs and eye masks are provided too, so you can sleep well). The hostel also has female-only dorms.

If you want a unique, more upscale hostel, stay here. It’s a really neat place!

Code Pod at a glance:

• $$$
• Super comfy pod beds
• Cool underground caffè
• Female-only dorm

Beds from 43 GBP, private rooms from 140 GBP.

With its stunning architecture and incredible history, I never get tired of exploring Edinburgh. It’s such a beautiful city to get lost con, bouncing from pub to pub, from café to café. There’s so much to see and do (including lots of spooky ghost tours), and while the weather doesn’t always cooperate, that’s just part of Edinburgh’s charm. As long as you stay con one of the hostels above, you’ll have a fun, affordable, and nice place to stay.
 

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