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Madrid is a city to bask in. Like all of Spain, the capital city runs at an unhurried pace. Madrileños love to spend their time enjoying long lunches, leisurely afternoon coffees, and extended nights enjoying tapas and conversation. It’s a city that gets up late and stays out late.
There are plenty of great things to do and see in Madrid, but with so many interesting options, picking a great neighborhood to stay in can be tricky.
And, with a plethora of fun, energetic, and social hostels to choose from, it can be even more overwhelming to find a place that suits your budget and travel style.
In this post, I’ll share my list of the best hostels in Madrid to help make your trip easier. But before we dive in, there are a lot of things to consider when selecting a hostel.
After over a decade of backpacking around the world, I’ve learned what makes a good hostel great. The top four things to look for are these:
1. Location – While Madrid is fairly dense and compact, it can still take some time to get around. Pick a place that is near the sites you want to see and/or the nightlife you want to experience. All the hostels listed here are centrally located.
2. Price – In Madrid, you get what you pay for, so if you go with a really cheap hostel, you’re probably going to get one that is cramped and doesn’t offer great service.
3. Amenities – Most hostels offer free Wi-Fi, and some even include free breakfast, but if you want more than that, do your research to find one that best meets your needs!
4. Staff – All the hostels listed here have an amazing staff! They are super friendly and knowledgeable. Even if you don’t stay at one of the places listed below, look up reviews to ensure you end up somewhere where the staff are helpful and friendly! They can make or break a hostel!
To help you plan your trip, below is my list of the best hostels in Madrid. They all offer a welcome respite and a cozy and friendly place to lay your weary head and hang out with fellow travelers — all while keeping your budget intact.
If you don’t want to read the whole list, the following are the best in each category:
Best Hostel for Budget Travelers: The HatBest Hostel for Digital Nomads: 2060 The Newton Hostel or The HatBest Hostel for Families: Generator HostelBest Hostel for Solo Female Travelers: Ok HostelBest Hostel for Partying: Cats HostelBest Overall Hostel: The Hat
Want more specifics? Here’s my comprehensive list of the best hostels in Madrid:
Price (per night)
$ = Under 25 EUR
$$ = 25-30 EUR
$$$ = Over 30 EUR
1. The Hat
The rooms are modern as well, with custom-designed bunk beds that have individual reading lights, plugs, and luggage storage underneath. The hearty buffet breakfast is just 5 EUR and includes Spanish specialties like tortilla española.
The Hat at a glance:
$
Rooftop terrace
Many organized social activities (free walking tours, bar crawls, and more)
Tasty buffet breakfast
Beds from 21 EUR, private rooms from 65 EUR.
2. Sungate One
The dorms are otherwise fairly basic, but they are clean and good-sized. There’s also free tea, coffee, and yerba mate available 24/7, as well as a fully equipped kitchen for preparing your own food.
Sungate One at a glance:
$$
No bunk beds
Very social atmosphere with lots of organized activities
Fully equipped kitchen
Beds from 29 EUR, private rooms from 130 EUR.
3. Ok Hostel Madrid
The beds have all the amenities you need, including individual reading lights, sockets, storage, and privacy curtains (only on the bottom bunks though). There are also private double rooms, some of which even have their own outdoor terraces. If you want to save on food, there’s a fully equipped kitchen for cooking your own meals, as well as a daily breakfast buffet for 5 EUR.
Ok Hostel at a glance:
$
Nightly social events
Fully equipped kitchen
Breakfast buffet
Beds from 23 EUR, private rooms from 97 EUR.
4. The Central House Lavapies
Central House has a variety of rooms to choose from, including dorms (with an option for premium dorms that have larger beds), private rooms, and even a penthouse apartment (with a kitchen) for 6 people. All dorms have en-suite bathrooms with rain showers, and bunks have individual reading lights, plugs, lockers, and additional under-bed storage.
The Central House Lavapies at a glance:
$$
Premium amenities
Patio and rooftop terrace with plunge pool
Breakfast buffet (6.50 EUR)
Beds from 26 EUR, private rooms from 135 EUR.
5. Generator Madrid
With no organized social activities, this isn’t the most social hostel; it’s more like a hotel with dorm rooms. All bunks include a reading light, personal shelf, USB ports and sockets, and under-bed lockers. It’s a good place to stay if you want a nice place to sleep well or are traveling with family (there are family rooms available).
Generator Madrid at a glance:
$$
Rooftop bar and terrace with jacuzzis
Cheap bike rentals
Hotel atmosphere
Beds from 29 EUR, private rooms from 136 EUR.
6. 2060 The Newton Hostel
While there’s no breakfast buffet or hostel bar/restaurant, there’s free coffee and churros every morning, and a fully equipped kitchen to make your own meals. The staff are super welcoming and organize numerous social activities, including walking and bike tours, pub crawls, group dinners, sangria nights, and more. You can also rent bikes from the hostel to explore the city on two wheels.
2060 The Newton Hostel at a glance:
$
Spa and sauna
Rooftop bar and terrace
Fully equipped kitchen
Beds from 22 EUR, private rooms from 106 EUR.
7. Cats Hostel
The dorms here are pretty basic, but they’re clean and each bed has its own power socket, reading lamp, and locker. But, let’s be real, you’re not staying at Cats to get a decent night’s sleep.
Cats Hostel at a glance:
$
Many organized social activities
Hostel bar and club
Lots of common spaces (including a movie room and shared kitchen)
Beds from 22 EUR, private rooms from 85 EUR.
With its charming streets, historic sites, and long nights, the city is an easy place to enjoy on a budget. Regardless of your budget, interests, or travel style, Madrid will have a hostel for you.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO EUROPE LIKE A PRO
Get my free travel starter kit that includes a planning checklist, suggested packing list, and other tips so you can have the trip of a lifetime without breaking the bank!
Book Your Trip to Spain: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your FlightUse Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!
Book Your AccommodationYou can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel InsuranceTravel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
SafetyWing (best for everyone)
Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They save you money when you travel too.
Want a Guide?Madrid has some really interesting tours. My favorite company is Walks, which has expert guides and can get you behind the scenes of the city’s best attractions. It’s my go-to walking tour company!
Want More Information on Madrid?Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Madrid for even more planning tips!
The Hat MadridSungate OneOk Hostel Madrid5 – The Central House Lavapies, 6 – Generator Madrid7 – 2060 The Newton Hostel8 – Cats Hostel