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 certainly 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 might 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 rather a lot of hostels that may assist hold your prices low, I’ve discovered the exhausting approach 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 listing of the very best hostels in Edinburgh!

In the event 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. Citadel Rock

Situated close to the citadel, this hostel is solely attractive. and my favourite hostel within the metropolis. It’s an previous, lovely 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 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 employees additionally manage occasions to maintain issues social. It’s in a fantastic 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 retailers to cost your units and bedside lockers too. It’s additionally one of many most cost-effective hostels on the town and ideal for finances vacationers. Simply notice that there’s a ten GBP money deposit (or ID) required in your room key.

Citadel Rock at a look:

• $
• Superb location
• Large kitchen
• A number of widespread areas make it straightforward to satisfy individuals

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

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 vigorous, making it straightforward to satisfy individuals. There’s a cool bar on-site with low cost blissful hour drinks (a giant plus in dear Edinburgh), and the employees additionally manage common pub crawls if you wish to benefit from the nightlife. In addition they manage free strolling excursions, that are an effective way to discover on a finances whereas assembly fellow vacationers.

The dorms are ethereal and shiny, and whereas the mattresses aren’t tremendous thick, the beds have curtains, USB retailers, and small lockers. (Simply notice 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 blissful hour drinks
• Vigorous, social environment makes it straightforward to satisfy individuals
• Free strolling excursions

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

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 plenty of 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 gentle. 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 alternative, 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. In order for you a quiet keep as a solo feminine traveler, keep right here.

Haystack Hostel at a look:

• $$
• Feminine-only dorms
• Quiet environment
• 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 for those who’re seeking to do some day journeys, and likewise a easy breakfast every morning for simply 3 GBP. One good perk I admire is that the place affords free journey adapters throughout your keep (as somebody who has forgotten theirs greater than as soon as, I believe this can be 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 loos are a bit cramped, however the showers have good water strain and every thing 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 buddy’s home.

Royal Mile Backpackers at a look:

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

Beds from 24 GBP.

5. Kick Ass Grassmarket

It is a cool, arty hostel within the coronary heart of the Previous City (it’s proper underneath 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 satisfy 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 personal meals.

The usual dorms listed here are all shiny and ethereal, with cozy 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 supply plenty of privateness, making it tremendous straightforward to get a great evening’s sleep. Simply notice that you must 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.

6. Edinburgh Backpackers

This centrally situated hostel is about in a collection of historic buildings proper close to each the Previous City and the prepare 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 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 isn’t any elevator.

The rooms listed here are a bit easy and small, however the beds are cozy and have first rate mattresses. There are not any curtains for the beds, however there are lockers in your stuff and the loos are all the time stored clear. There’s a giant kitchen and quite a lot of room sorts to select from, together with single non-public rooms, female-only dorms, and even a comfy penthouse suite. Total, it’s an affordable and quiet place to remain in a fantastic location.

Edinburgh Backpackers at a look:

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

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

7. Code Pod – The Court docket

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 every single place). Among the previous cells have been transformed into small non-public rooms, making for a really 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 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 effectively). 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 cozy pod beds
• Cool underground bar
• Feminine-only dorm

Beds from 43 GBP, non-public 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 phenomenal metropolis to get misplaced in, bouncing from pub to pub, from café to café. There’s a lot to see and do (together with plenty of spooky ghost excursions), and whereas the climate doesn’t all the time 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, reasonably priced, and good place to remain.
 

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