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 in all 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 could be pretty costly. Because the second-most visited metropolis within the UK, it might simply break the financial institution (these pints add up!). An,d whereas there are lots of hostels that may assist hold your prices low, I’ve realized the arduous manner 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 the most effective hostels in Edinburgh!

For those who don’t need to learn the longer listing, the next are the most effective in every class:

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

Value legend:

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

1. Fortress Rock

Positioned close to the citadel, this hostel is just attractive. and my favourite hostel within the metropolis. It’s an outdated, lovely home with pretty wooden interiors, stone staircases, and a really historic, royal really feel, such as you’re staying in an ancestral household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 hearth and film room for when it’s chilly. The workers 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 units and bedside lockers too. It’s additionally one of many most cost-effective hostels on the town and excellent for price range vacationers. Simply word that there’s a ten GBP money deposit (or ID) required in your room key.

Fortress Rock at a look:

• $
• Superb location
• Large kitchen
• A lot of widespread areas make it straightforward to fulfill folks

Beds from 18 GBP, personal 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 St Christopher’s Edinburgh Outdated City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 all the time energetic, making it straightforward to fulfill folks. There’s a cool bar on-site with low-cost comfortable hour drinks (an enormous plus in dear Edinburgh), and the workers additionally arrange common pub crawls if you wish to benefit from the nightlife. Additionally they arrange free strolling excursions, that are an effective way to discover on a price range 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 word 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 comfortable hour drinks
• Energetic, social ambiance makes it straightforward to fulfill folks
• Free strolling excursions

Beds from 25 GBP, personal 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 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 gentle. 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 personal rooms, open to all genders). It’s a quiet, calm, and clear selection, good for vacationers not trying to celebration. 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.

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 in case 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 the whole lot 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 good friend’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.

5. Kick Ass Grassmarket

This can be a cool, arty hostel within the coronary heart of the Outdated City (it’s proper beneath the citadel). It’s brightly embellished 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 folks 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 personal meals.

The usual dorms listed here are all shiny and ethereal, with cozy 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 numerous privateness, making it tremendous straightforward to get a great evening’s sleep. Simply word 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
• Energetic bar makes assembly folks a breeze

Beds from 20 GBP, personal rooms from 179 GBP.

6. Edinburgh Backpackers

This centrally positioned hostel is ready in a collection 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 the whole lot is clear and cozy and feels very lived in (versus being overly sterile, like many hostels nowadays). 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 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 bogs are all the time stored clear. There’s an enormous kitchen and quite a lot of room sorts to select from, together with single personal rooms, female-only dorms, and even a comfy 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
• Massive kitchen

Beds from 26 GBP, personal rooms from 65 GBP.

7. Code Pod – The Courtroom

This boutique hostel is positioned in a former courthouse and jail (it’s within the Outdated City so you possibly can stroll in every single place). A few of the outdated cells have been transformed into small personal rooms, making for a really 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 shops so you possibly can cost your gear (they’ve curtains and earplugs and eye masks are offered too, so you possibly can sleep nicely). The hostel additionally has female-only dorms.

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

Code Pod at a look:

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

Beds from 43 GBP, personal 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 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 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.
 

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