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Edinburgh<\/a> is a historic city full of centuries-old architecture, cozy pubs, and world-class whisky. I\u2019ve been there a bunch and always have a blast. It\u2019s one of my favorite destinations in Europe<\/a>. I’ve been going since I turned 30 (which was a very, very long time ago).<\/p>\n While Edinburgh is gorgeous, accommodation can be fairly expensive. As the second-most visited city in the UK, it can easily break the bank (those pints add up!). An,d while there are a lot<\/em> of hostels that can help keep your costs low, I\u2019ve learned the hard way that not all of them are good.<\/p>\n To help you pick a hostel from among all the overwhelming options, here is my list of the best hostels in Edinburgh! <\/p>\n If you don\u2019t want to read the longer list, the following are the best in each category:<\/p>\n Want the specifics? Here\u2019s my breakdown of the best hostels in Edinburgh and why I love them:<\/p>\n While the mattresses aren\u2019t super thick and there are no curtains on the beds, there are plenty of outlets to charge your devices and bedside lockers too. It\u2019s also one of the cheapest hostels in town and perfect for budget travelers. Just note that there\u2019s a 10 GBP cash deposit (or ID) required for your room key.<\/p>\n Castle Rock at a glance:<\/strong><\/p>\n The dorms are airy and bright, and while the mattresses aren\u2019t super thick, the beds have curtains, USB outlets, and small lockers. (Just note that most dorms have three-tier bunk beds.) Although there\u2019s no guest kitchen, there\u2019s a filling breakfast each morning for just 5 GBP. While there aren\u2019t a ton of restrooms (so sometimes you\u2019ll have to wait), the location really can\u2019t be beat.<\/p>\n St Christopher\u2019s at a glance:<\/strong><\/p>\n What makes this place unique though is that both of its dorms are female only (there are also private rooms, open to all genders). It\u2019s a quiet, calm, and clean choice, perfect for travelers not looking to party. The staff are also very welcoming and always eager to help you find things to do in town and beyond. If you want a quiet stay as a solo female traveler, stay here.<\/p>\n Haystack Hostel at a glance:<\/strong><\/p>\n While I don\u2019t love that the beds are simple wooden bunks, they do have individual reading lights, outlets, and lockers (but no curtains). The bathrooms are a bit cramped, but the showers have good water pressure and everything is kept clean (which is what\u2019s most important). Overall, it\u2019s another comfortable and homey place that makes you feel like you\u2019re staying at a friend\u2019s house.<\/p>\n Royal Mile Backpackers at a glance:<\/strong><\/p>\n The standard dorms here are all bright and airy, with comfy mattresses and individual lights, outlets, and lockers. Some dorm rooms have en suite bathrooms, and there are female-only dorms too. But the highlight for me is the pod-style beds in the \u201csuperior\u201d dorms; they have thick curtains and offer lots of privacy, making it super easy to get a good night\u2019s sleep. Just note that you have to be at least 18 to stay here.<\/p>\n Kick Ass Grassmarket at a glance:<\/strong><\/p>\n The rooms here are a bit simple and small, but the beds are comfy and have decent mattresses. There are no curtains for the beds, but there are lockers for your stuff and the bathrooms are always kept clean. There\u2019s a big kitchen and a variety of room types to choose from, including single private rooms, female-only dorms, and even a cozy penthouse suite. Overall, it\u2019s a cheap and quiet place to stay in a great location.<\/p>\n Edinburgh Backpackers at a glance:<\/strong><\/p>\n As for the dorms, the pod beds have really nice mattresses, as well as individual lights, shelves, and outlets so you can charge your gear (they have curtains and earplugs and eye masks are provided too, so you can sleep well). The hostel also has female-only dorms. <\/p>\n Code Pod at a glance:<\/strong><\/p>\n With its stunning architecture and incredible history, I never get tired of exploring Edinburgh<\/a>. It\u2019s such a beautiful city to get lost in, bouncing from pub to pub, from caf\u00e9 to caf\u00e9. And, if you stay in one of the hostels above, you\u2019ll have a fun, affordable, and nice place to stay. My detailed 200+ page guidebook is made for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel while in Europe. It has suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on and off the beaten path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, safety tips, and much more! Click here to learn more and get your copy today.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n Get all my best Europe travel tips as well as free planning guides sent straight to you and see more of the country for less! <\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\n\n\nBest Hostel for Budget Travelers<\/strong>:\n<\/div>\n\nCastle Rock<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nBest Hostel for Solo Female Travelers<\/strong>:\n<\/div>\n\nHaystack Hostel<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nBest Hostel for Digital Nomads<\/strong>:\n<\/div>\n\nKick Ass Grassmarket<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nBest Hostel for Partying<\/strong>:\n<\/div>\n\nSt Christopher\u2019s Edinburgh Old Town<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nBest Overall Hostel<\/strong>:\n<\/div>\n\nCastle Rock<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n1. Castle Rock<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2024\/edinburghhostels1.jpeg\")
\nLocated near the castle, this hostel is simply gorgeous. and my favorite hostel in the city. It\u2019s an old, beautiful house with lovely wood interiors, stone staircases, and a very historic, royal feel, like you\u2019re staying in an ancestral family mansion. There\u2019s a huge kitchen, and the common areas feature pool tables, a TV, newspapers, and free Wi-Fi. There\u2019s also a patio for when the weather is nice as well as a fireplace and movie room for when it\u2019s chilly. The staff also organize events to keep things social. It\u2019s in a great location too (right near the Royal Mile).<\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n2. St Christopher\u2019s Edinburgh Old Town<\/a><\/h3>\n
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\nSt Christopher\u2019s hostels are a staple around Europe, and this one does not disappoint. The hostel is within walking distance of all the main sights, and it\u2019s always lively, making it easy to meet people. There\u2019s a cool bar on-site with cheap happy hour drinks (a big plus in pricey Edinburgh), and the staff also organize regular pub crawls if you want to enjoy the nightlife. They also organize free walking tours, which are a great way to explore on a budget while meeting fellow travelers.<\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n3. Haystack Hostel<\/a><\/h3>\n
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\nThis is a small, cozy, and quiet hostel that feels like you\u2019re staying at a friend\u2019s house. The d\u00e9cor has a very DIY feel, featuring lots of handmade furniture, bright colors, and cool art. The larger dorm has pod-style beds, while the smaller dorm has regular bunk beds. There are no curtains on the beds, but there are lockers to secure your things, and each bed has its own outlet and reading light. There\u2019s a small breakfast available each morning too.<\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n4. Royal Mile Backpackers<\/a><\/h3>\n
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\nThis laid-back hostel is your classic backpacker joint, with chill common areas, a small library, regular social events (like pub crawls or Scottish dancing lessons), and free coffee and tea. There\u2019s a tour desk if you\u2019re looking to do some day trips, and also a simple breakfast each morning for just 3 GBP. One nice perk I appreciate is that the place offers free travel adapters during your stay (as someone who has forgotten theirs more than once, I think this is a great idea!).<\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n5. Kick Ass Grassmarket<\/a><\/h3>\n
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\nThis is a cool, arty hostel in the heart of the Old Town (it\u2019s right under the castle). It\u2019s brightly decorated and feels very welcoming. There are lots of common spaces to hang out in, though I especially love the bar area, as it\u2019s super social and easy to meet people here. There\u2019s also a beer garden for when the weather is nice (and Netflix for when it\u2019s not) and a big kitchen if you want to cook your own meals. <\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n6. Edinburgh Backpackers<\/a><\/h3>\n
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\nThis centrally located hostel is set in a series of historic buildings right near both the Old Town and the train station. It\u2019s homey and quiet and has a bit of a no-frills look, with dated d\u00e9cor and old wooden floors. It\u2019s not a social place, but everything is clean and comfortable and feels very lived in (as opposed to being overly sterile, like many hostels these days). The only downside is that, because the hostel is in a historic building, there is no elevator.<\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n7. Code Pod \u2013 The Court<\/a><\/h3>\n
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\nThis boutique hostel is located in a former courthouse and jail (it\u2019s in the Old Town so you can walk everywhere). Some of the old cells have been converted into small private rooms, making for a truly unique stay. There\u2019s an underground bar too (with whisky tastings), which just adds to the charm of the place. A delicious breakfast is offered in the mornings too, featuring waffles, pastries, and oatmeal. <\/p>\n\n
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