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 all the time have a blast. It’s considered one 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 could actually simply break the financial institution (these pints add up!). An,d whereas there are quite a bit of hostels that may assist preserve your prices low, I’ve discovered the laborious manner that not all of them are good.

That will help you decide a hostel from amongst all of the overwhelming choices, right here is my checklist of the perfect hostels in Edinburgh!

When you don’t need to learn the longer checklist, the next are the perfect in every class:

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

Worth legend:

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

1. Fortress Rock

Situated close to the fort, this hostel is just attractive. and my favourite hostel within the metropolis. It’s an outdated, stunning home with pretty wooden interiors, stone staircases, and a really historic, royal really feel, such as you’re staying in an ancestral household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 frequent 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 hearth and film room for when it’s chilly. The employees additionally arrange occasions to maintain issues social. It’s in an incredible 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 gadgets and bedside lockers too. It’s additionally one of many least expensive hostels on the town and ideal for funds vacationers. Simply observe 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 frequent areas make it simple to fulfill individuals

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

E-book right here!
 

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 St Christopher’s Edinburgh Outdated City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 principle sights, and it’s all the time vigorous, making it simple to fulfill individuals. There’s a cool bar on-site with low cost completely happy 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 funds whereas assembly fellow vacationers.

The dorms are ethereal and shiny, and whereas the mattresses aren’t tremendous thick, the beds have curtains, USB shops, and small lockers. (Simply observe 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 typically you’ll have to attend), the placement actually can’t be beat.

St Christopher’s at a look:

• $$
• Cool bar with low cost completely happy hour drinks
• Vigorous, social environment makes it simple to fulfill individuals
• Free strolling excursions

Beds from 25 GBP, non-public 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 buddy’s home. The décor has a really DIY really feel, that includes numerous handmade furnishings, shiny 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 obtainable 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 selection, excellent for vacationers not trying 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’d like a quiet keep as a solo feminine traveler, keep right here.

Haystack Hostel at a look:

• $$
• Feminine-only dorms
• Quiet environment
• Cozy frequent rooms

Beds from 30 GBP, non-public rooms from 103 GBP.

E-book right here!
 

4. Royal Mile Backpackers

This laid-back hostel is your basic backpacker joint, with chill frequent 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 trying 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 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 stress and all the things is stored clear (which is what’s most vital). Total, it’s one other snug and homey place that makes you’re feeling such as you’re staying at a buddy’s home.

Royal Mile Backpackers at a look:

• $$
• Free espresso/tea
• A lot of enjoyable social occasions
• Low cost day by 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 Outdated City (it’s proper beneath the fort). It’s brightly embellished and feels very welcoming. There are many frequent areas to hang around in, although I particularly love the bar space, because it’s tremendous social and straightforward to fulfill individuals right here. There’s additionally a beer backyard for when the climate is sweet (and Netflix for when it’s not) and a giant kitchen if you wish to prepare dinner your individual meals.

The usual dorms listed here are all shiny 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 supply numerous privateness, making it tremendous simple to get evening’s sleep. Simply observe 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
• Vigorous bar makes assembly individuals a breeze

Beds from 20 GBP, non-public rooms from 179 GBP.

E-book right here!
 

6. Edinburgh Backpackers

This centrally positioned hostel is about in a sequence of historic buildings proper close to each the Outdated City and the prepare station. It’s homey and quiet and has a little bit of a no-frills look, with dated décor and outdated wood flooring. It’s not a social place, however all the things 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 isn’t a elevator.

The rooms listed here 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 all the time stored clear. There’s a giant kitchen and quite a lot of room varieties to select from, together with single non-public rooms, female-only dorms, and even a comfortable penthouse suite. Total, it’s an affordable and quiet place to remain in an incredible location.

Edinburgh Backpackers at a look:

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

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

E-book right here!
 

7. Code Pod – The Court docket

This boutique hostel is positioned in a former courthouse and jail (it’s within the Outdated City so you possibly can stroll in all places). A number of the outdated 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 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 shops so you possibly can cost your gear (they’ve curtains and earplugs and eye masks are supplied too, so you possibly can sleep effectively). The hostel additionally has female-only dorms.

If you’d like 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.

E-book right here!
***

With its gorgeous 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 appeal. So long as you keep in one of many hostels above, you’ll have a enjoyable, reasonably priced, and good place to remain.