THE 7 BEST HOSTELS IN MADRID

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The historic buildings of Madrid, Spain on a warm and sunny summer day

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 TravelersThe HatBest Hostel for Digital Nomads2060 The Newton Hostel or The HatBest Hostel for FamiliesGenerator HostelBest Hostel for Solo Female TravelersOk HostelBest Hostel for PartyingCats HostelBest Overall HostelThe 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

Rooftop terrace with covered and uncovered portions, with chairs and table for seating at The Hat Hostel in Madrid, Spain.

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

Two twin beds in a brightly painted room at Sungate One hostel in Madrid, Spain.

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

Dorm room with 2 wooden bunk beds with red storage drawers underneath at Ok Hostel in Madrid, Spain.

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

Games room with large flat-screen TVs and lots of bean bag chairs at The Central House Lavapies, a hostel in Madrid, Spain.

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

The rooftop terrace of Generator hostel with lots of round tables and chairs, overlooking the rooftops of Madrid, Spain.

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

Two pod-style bunk beds with quotes and images of Isaac Newton and rabbits at 2060 The Newton Hostel in Madrid, Spain.

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

Basic metal bunk beds at Cats Hostel in Madrid, Spain.

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!

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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:

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

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