The 7 Greatest Hostels in Edinburgh (Up to date 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 at all times 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 attractive, lodging may be pretty costly. Because the second-most visited metropolis within the UK, it may simply break the financial institution (these pints add up!). An,d whereas there are loads of hostels that may assist hold your prices low, I’ve realized the onerous means that not all of them are good.

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

Should you don’t wish to learn the longer checklist, 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:

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

1. Fortress Rock

Situated close to the citadel, this hostel is just attractive. and my favourite hostel within the metropolis. It’s an previous, lovely 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 set up occasions to maintain issues social. It’s in an awesome location too (proper close to the Royal Mile).

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

Fortress Rock at a look:

• $
• Superb location
• Enormous kitchen
• A lot of widespread areas make it simple to fulfill individuals

Beds from 18 GBP, non-public rooms from 60 GBP.

2. St Christopher’s Edinburgh Outdated City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 at all times vigorous, making it simple to fulfill individuals. There’s a cool bar on-site with low cost glad hour drinks (an enormous plus in expensive Edinburgh), and the employees additionally set up common pub crawls if you wish to benefit from the nightlife. In addition they set up 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 shops, and small lockers. (Simply be aware 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 typically you’ll have to attend), the situation actually can’t be beat.

St Christopher’s at a look:

• $$
• Cool bar with low cost glad hour drinks
• Full of life, social ambiance makes it simple to fulfill individuals
• Free strolling excursions

Beds from 25 GBP, non-public rooms from 299 GBP.

3. Haystack Hostel

This can be 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 a lot of handmade furnishings, vivid colours, and funky artwork. The bigger dorm has pod-style beds, whereas the smaller dorm has common bunk beds. There are not 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 out there every morning too.

What makes this place distinctive although is that each of its dorms are feminine solely (there are additionally non-public rooms, open to all genders). It’s a quiet, calm, and clear alternative, good for vacationers not trying to social gathering. The employees are additionally very welcoming and at all times 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, non-public rooms from 103 GBP.

4. Royal Mile Backpackers

This laid-back hostel is your basic 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 should you’re trying to do some day journeys, and in addition a easy breakfast every morning for simply 3 GBP. One good perk I respect is that the place provides free journey adapters throughout your keep (as somebody who has forgotten theirs greater than as soon as, I believe it is a nice concept!).

Whereas I don’t love that the beds are easy wood bunks, they do have particular person studying lights, shops, and lockers (however no curtains). The bogs are a bit cramped, however the showers have good water strain and every thing is stored clear (which is what’s most essential). General, 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
• A lot of enjoyable social occasions
• Low cost each day breakfast

Beds from 24 GBP.

5. Kick Ass Grassmarket

This can be a cool, arty hostel within the coronary heart of the Outdated 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 simple to fulfill individuals right here. There’s additionally a beer backyard for when the climate is good (and Netflix for when it’s not) and an enormous kitchen if you wish to prepare dinner your individual meals.

The usual dorms listed below are all vivid and ethereal, with comfortable mattresses and particular person lights, shops, 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 a lot of privateness, making it tremendous simple to get an excellent night time’s sleep. Simply be aware that you need to be no less than 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, non-public rooms from 179 GBP.

6. Edinburgh Backpackers

This centrally situated hostel is ready in a collection 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 wood flooring. It’s not a social place, however every thing is clear and comfy and feels very lived in (versus being overly sterile, like many hostels today). 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 are not any curtains for the beds, however there are lockers on your stuff and the bogs are at all times stored clear. There’s an enormous kitchen and a wide range of room sorts to select from, together with single non-public rooms, female-only dorms, and even a comfortable penthouse suite. General, it’s an affordable and quiet place to remain in an awesome location.

Edinburgh Backpackers at a look:

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

Beds from 26 GBP, non-public rooms from 65 GBP.

7. Code Pod – The Courtroom

This boutique hostel is situated in a former courthouse and jail (it’s within the Outdated City so you may stroll all over the place). Among the previous cells have been transformed into small non-public rooms, making for a very distinctive keep. There’s an underground bar too (with whisky tastings), which simply provides to the allure 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 shops so you may cost your gear (they’ve curtains and earplugs and eye masks are offered too, so you may sleep properly). The hostel additionally has female-only dorms.

In order for you a novel, extra upscale hostel, keep right here. It’s a very neat place!

Code Pod at a look:

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

Beds from 43 GBP, non-public rooms from 140 GBP.

With its beautiful structure and unimaginable historical past, I by no means get bored with exploring Edinburgh. It’s such a good looking metropolis to get misplaced in, bouncing from pub to pub, from café to café. There’s a lot to see and do (together with a lot of spooky ghost excursions), and whereas the climate doesn’t at all times cooperate, that’s simply a part of Edinburgh’s allure. 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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