Hostels have always been a key part of our travel experiences. Whether traveling solo or with friends, they consistently offer one of the most affordable accommodation options. While we occasionally enjoy a more luxurious stay, I find that hostels offer a unique, social experience that’s worth trying at least once—especially for young travelers looking to connect with others.
In this post, we’ll be sharing our personal experiences at the hostels we’ve stayed at in Spain. While we can’t say they’re the best in the country, they each have their own charm, and we genuinely recommend them based on our time there. We’ve highlighted the pros and cons of each, so you can get a balanced view and decide which might be the right fit for your trip.
Note: All prices, pros, and cons mentioned in this article are based on our personal experiences during the specific time of our visit. Please keep in mind that factors such as prices, amenities, and overall atmosphere may have changed since our stay. We recommend checking the latest reviews and details before booking to ensure up-to-date information.
- Staying in a Hostel : Travel Guide
- Tips for Choosing the Perfect Hostel
- Seville – Black Swan Hostel Sevilla, Sweet Sevilla Hostel, JOY Hostel Plaza de Armas
- Malaga – The Lights Hostel
- Granada – Eco Hostel
- Madrid – Way Hostel Madrid, Petit Hostel La Latina
- Barcelona – Jacobs Inn Barcelona
1
Staying in a Hostel : Travel Guide
Staying in a hostel isn’t about luxury, but it offers a different kind of travel experience. Over the years and across different countries, we’ve learned how to enhance our hostel stays by being better prepared and more aware of how hostels operate. Since there’s so much to know about hostels, be sure to check out our detailed article Everything You Need to Know About Staying in Hostels: 15 Essential Questions Answered for more tips and insights.
2
Tips for Choosing the Perfect Hostel
Choosing the right hostel can make the difference between an awesome and a disappointing experience. Staying in a hostel doesn’t mean you have to give up your desire for comfort or amenities. Our article 10 Essential Tips for Choosing the Perfect Hostel offers guidance on how to select the best hostel based on your specific criteria, helping you find the perfect balance between affordability and comfort.
3
Seville
Black Swan Hostel Sevilla – 9.3★ on Hostelworld
- Time of stay: End of November 2022
- Price: €17.75 per night (26 CAD)
- Location: C. Bilbao, 10, Casco Antiguo, 41001 Sevilla
- Best for: Location and friendly atmosphere
Pros:
- Free dinners 4 times a week
- Laptops available in the common room
- Spacious kitchen if you want to cook
Cons:
- No towel rentals
- No bed curtains in the dorm rooms
My Experience: This was the first hostel I ever stayed at, and it gave me an excellent first impression of hostel life. It’s an ideal place for meeting new people, thanks to the free dinners, nice common room, and daily night activities. The “family dinners” were consistently delicious and created a welcoming atmosphere. I also appreciated the plentiful number of bathrooms and showers, as each level had its own shared facilities, making it convenient for guests. My only critique would be the lack of curtains in the dorm rooms, which meant limited privacy while sleeping.
Sweet Sevilla Hostel – 8.3★ on Booking
- Time of stay: End of August 2024
- Price: €12.80 per night (20 CAD)
- Location: Padre Marchena, 17, Casco Antiguo, 41001 Sevilla
- Best for: Location and kitchen
Pros:
- Beautiful, big and fully equipped kitchen
- Near many food stores
- Rooms are comfy with great intimity
Cons:
- Bathrooms are small and shared with too many people
- The common room is also the kitchen which offers less of a relaxing atmosphere
My Experience: This hostel had both aspects I loved and some that bothered me. On my previous trips to Europe, I’ve always appreciated saving money by cooking in hostel kitchens, and this one was by far the best I’ve seen, which was a huge plus. However, since the kitchen also doubled as the common room, it felt like there wasn’t a proper space to relax outside of your bed. The biggest downside, though, was the bathroom situation. I’m not sure if some rooms had private bathrooms, but in my 6-bed mixed dorm, the bathroom was located in the corridor, meaning it was accessible to everyone. It was often smelly, and there was only one shower. Every time I showered, someone was waiting outside, which made me feel a bit uncomfortable. Overall, this is a solid hostel, but it could definitely benefit from a few improvements.
JOY Hostel Plaza de Armas – 8.4★ on Booking
- Time of stay: End of August 2024
- Price: €16.90 per night (25 CAD)
- Location: C. Almte. Ulloa, Casco Antiguo, 41001 Sevilla
- Best for: Friendly atmosphere, party scene and pool
Pros:
- A lot of common spaces
- Work space
- Rooftop with bar, pool, restaurant and chilling spots
- Great location
- Amazing staff
Cons:
- Rooms could benefit from more privacies since there are no curtains
- Kitchen space is tight but dining room is very big
My Experience: This hostel is in my top 2 I’ve ever visited. The rooftop was the easiest place to make friends. Everyone would meet up there during the happy hour, playing cards or simply talking about life. There were a lot of spaces to work, relax, eat and even play ping pong. It’s big enough that you can find peace as well as action during the same evening. Only real downfall for me is the lack of bed curtains but there’s always a way to make your own with blankets or anything you can find.
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4
Malaga
The Lights Hostel – 8.6★ on Hostelworld
- Time of stay: End of November 2022
- Price: €24.50 per night (36 CAD)
- Location: C. Torregorda, 3, Distrito Centro, 29005 Málaga
- Best for: Quiet time and relaxation
Pros:
- Free sangria every night
- Rooftop terrace and balconies with views over Semana Santa
- Free towel (with a safety deposit)
- Bed curtains for privacy
Cons:
- Being in the city center, it can be noisy due to street action
- Beds are unstable and make noise when you move up or down the bunk
My Experience: This hostel had many great features, but there were a few aspects that bothered me. The kitchen was spacious and clean, making it easy to prepare meals. The rooftop was definitely the best spot for socializing, offering a €3 dinner and free sangria every night, which created a welcoming atmosphere. However, while the hostel had a cozy and relaxed vibe, it wasn’t as lively as a typical party hostel (which is completely fine, but not what I was looking for on this trip). The beds were comfortable, but they creaked loudly whenever someone got up or down from a bunk bed, which was a problem at night.
5
Granada
Eco Hostel – 9.5★ on Hostelworld
- Time of stay: Early December 2022
- Price: €22 per night (33 CAD)
- Location: C. Gran Vía de Colón, 53, Centro, 18001 Granada
- Best for: Social atmosphere with many activities
Pros:
- Excellent location in the heart of Granada
- Cinema room
- Free sangria
Cons:
- No bed curtains in the dorm rooms (no privacy while sleeping)
- Small lockers for your belongings
- Kitchen only opens at 8 a.m.
My Experience: This hostel came highly recommended by many people, and I can see why. I appreciated the variety of activities organized by the hostel, such as pub crawls and walking tours. The spacious coworking area and cinema room were definite highlights. The atmosphere had the perfect balance: lively and social during the day but quiet and restful at night. However, there were a few aspects that could be improved. The showers were not always clean, and the limited number of them often led to waits. Additionally, my dorm room door was always unlocked, which was a security concern as it allowed anyone to enter at any time. The kitchen only opened at 8 AM, which was inconvenient for backpackers waking up early to catch buses or trains.
6
Madrid
Way Hostel Madrid – 9.5★ on Hostelworld
- Time of stay: Early December 2022
- Price: €19.50 per night (29 CAD)
- Location: C. de los Relatores, 17, Centro, 28012 Madrid
- Best for: Location and cleanliness
Pros:
- Free coffee and churros in the morning
- Easy access to the metro at Tirso de Molina
- Bed curtains for privacy
- Free luggage storage
Cons:
- Common areas close at 11 p.m.
- The kitchen is small, so it can get crowded in the evening
My Experience: This is one of the cleanest hostels I have stayed in. The location is excellent, within walking distance of major attractions in Madrid. The hostel also organizes plenty of daily activities, such as pub crawls and beer pong, which are perfect for meeting new people.
The only two downsides are the very small kitchen, which closes at 11 PM each night, and the lack of toilets and showers in the rooms. Despite these minor drawbacks, I thoroughly enjoyed my stay and highly recommend this hostel to any backpacker visiting Madrid.
Petit Hostel La Latina – 8★ on Booking
- Time of stay: Mid August 2024
- Price: €11.44 per night (17 CAD)
- Location: Ronda de Segovia, 14, Arganzuela, 28005 Madrid
- Best for: Cleanliness and fast arrival
Pros:
- Very clean and modern
- Beds have curtains and are comfortable
- Quick self check-in
Cons:
- No kitchen – Inconvenient for travelers saving money by cooking
- Very small common area – Not conductive to many exchanges with fellow travelers
My Experience: This hostel was great for what it offered but didn’t stand out in any memorable way. The price was incredibly affordable, especially considering how modern and comfortable the accommodations were for sleeping. However, it’s not the kind of place where you’d want to hang out and relax. If you’re the type of traveler who spends most of the day out exploring and only returns to the hostel to sleep, this would be a fantastic option.
On the other hand, if you’re on a longer trip and prefer having a space to unwind during the day or cook your own meals to save money, this might not be the best fit for you. The hostel lacks the cozy, communal atmosphere you might want for a more relaxed stay.
7
Barcelona
Jacobs Inn Barcelona – 8.9★ on Hostelworld
- Time of stay: Early January 2023
- Price: €16 per night (24 CAD)
- Location: Carrer de l’Amistat 21, Barcelona, Spain
- Best for: Quiet time and laundry
Pros:
- 500 meters from the beach
- A 5-minute walk from the Poblenou metro station
- Spacious and fully equipped kitchen
- Laundry facilities available at a reasonable price
Cons:
- Alcohol is not allowed in the hostel
- Showers could be cleaned more often
My Experience: Unfortunately, this hostel doesn’t make it into my top recommendations. Despite its nearly 9-star rating on Hostelworld, I found it lacking in several areas. The limited number of showers affected overall cleanliness, and both my friend and I felt that the hostel lacked a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. It seemed more suited to remote workers and older travelers rather than those looking for a social, backpacker vibe. While the location is close to the beach, it’s somewhat far from the city center, requiring a 45-minute walk. Overall, my stay was decent, but it didn’t stand out as exceptional.
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