The 7 Finest Hostels in Edinburgh

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 at all times 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 beautiful, lodging might 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 loads of hostels that may assist hold your prices low, I’ve realized the laborious means that not all of them are good.

That can assist you decide a hostel from amongst all of the overwhelming choices, right here is my checklist of the most effective hostels in Edinburgh!

For those who don’t need to learn the longer checklist, 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:

Worth legend:

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

1. Citadel Rock

Positioned close to the citadel, this hostel is just beautiful. 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 It’s an outdated, stunning home with pretty wooden interiors, stone staircases, and a really historic, royal really feel, such as you’re staying in an ancestral household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 widespread areas characteristic 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 arrange occasions to maintain issues social. It’s in a terrific 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 retailers to cost your units and bedside lockers too. It’s additionally one of many least expensive hostels on the town and ideal for finances vacationers. Simply be aware that there’s a ten GBP money deposit (or ID) required on your room key.

Citadel Rock at a look:

• $
• Superb location
• Enormous kitchen
• Plenty of widespread 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 full of life, making it straightforward to fulfill individuals. There’s a cool bar on-site with low-cost comfortable hour drinks (an enormous 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 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 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 generally you’ll have to attend), the situation actually can’t be beat.

St Christopher’s at a look:

• $$
• Cool bar with low-cost comfortable 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

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 a lot of handmade furnishings, shiny 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 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 personal 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 at all times keen that can assist you discover issues to do on the town and past. If you would like 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, personal 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 seeking 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 affords 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, retailers, and lockers (however no curtains). The loos are a bit cramped, however the showers have good water strain and the whole lot is saved clear (which is what’s most necessary). General, it’s one other snug 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
• Plenty of enjoyable social occasions
• Low-cost day by 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 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 sweet (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 shiny and ethereal, with comfortable 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 a lot of privateness, making it tremendous straightforward to get a very good evening’s sleep. Simply be aware that you must 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
• Vigorous bar makes assembly individuals a breeze

Beds from 20 GBP, personal rooms from 179 GBP.

6. Edinburgh Backpackers

This centrally positioned hostel is about 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 outdated wood flooring. It’s not a social place, however the whole lot 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 first rate mattresses. There aren’t any curtains for the beds, however there are lockers on your stuff and the loos are at all times saved clear. There’s an enormous kitchen and a wide range 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 a terrific location.

Edinburgh Backpackers at a look:

• $$
• Feminine-only dorms
• Nice location
• Huge 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). A number 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 retailers 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.

If you would like a singular, 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, personal rooms from 140 GBP.

With its beautiful structure and unimaginable historical past, I by no means get bored with exploring Edinburgh. It’s such an exquisite 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 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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