The 7 Finest 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 beautiful, lodging will be pretty costly. Because the second-most visited metropolis within the UK, it may possibly simply break the financial institution (these pints add up!). An,d whereas there are lots of hostels that may assist preserve your prices low, I’ve discovered the laborious 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 perfect hostels in Edinburgh!

When you don’t wish 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:

• $ – Below 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 solely beautiful. 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 frequent 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 arrange occasions to maintain issues social. It’s in an amazing location too (proper close to the Royal Mile).

Whereas the mattresses aren’t tremendous thick and there aren’t 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 excellent for funds vacationers. Simply be aware 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 frequent areas make it straightforward to fulfill individuals

Beds from 18 GBP, personal 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 principle sights, and it’s at all times energetic, making it straightforward to fulfill individuals. There’s a cool bar on-site with low cost joyful hour drinks (an enormous plus in expensive Edinburgh), and the employees additionally arrange common pub crawls if you wish to benefit from the nightlife. Additionally they arrange free strolling excursions, that are a good way to discover on a funds whereas assembly fellow vacationers.

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

St Christopher’s at a look:

• $$
• Cool bar with low cost joyful hour drinks
• Vigorous, social environment makes it straightforward to fulfill individuals
• 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, vibrant colours, and funky artwork. The bigger dorm has pod-style beds, whereas the smaller dorm has common bunk beds. There aren’t 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 accessible 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 occasion. The employees are additionally very welcoming and at all times keen that will help 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, personal rooms from 103 GBP.

4. Royal Mile Backpackers

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

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 pieces is stored clear (which is what’s most essential). General, it’s one other snug 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 Previous City (it’s proper beneath the citadel). It’s brightly adorned 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 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 personal meals.

The usual dorms listed here are all vibrant 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 supply numerous privateness, making it tremendous straightforward to get a very good evening’s sleep. Simply be aware that it’s important to be at the least 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, personal rooms from 179 GBP.

6. Edinburgh Backpackers

This centrally positioned hostel is ready in a sequence 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 wood flooring. It’s not a social place, however all the pieces 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 cozy and have first rate mattresses. There aren’t any curtains for the beds, however there are lockers in your stuff and the bogs are at all times stored clear. There’s an enormous kitchen and quite a lot of room varieties to select from, together with single personal rooms, female-only dorms, and even a comfy penthouse suite. General, it’s an inexpensive and quiet place to remain in an amazing 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 Court docket

This boutique hostel is positioned in a former courthouse and jail (it’s within the Previous City so you possibly can stroll in all places). Among the previous cells have been transformed into small personal 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 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 singular, 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, personal rooms from 140 GBP.

With its beautiful structure and unbelievable historical past, I by no means get bored with exploring Edinburgh. It’s such a gorgeous 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 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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