Galway is a great spot on the west coast of Ireland. Not only is it a cool city to visit itself, thanks to the entertainment and lively pubs of the 18th-century Eyre Square, and the extra buzzy Latin Quarter, but it’s a gateway to stunning natural spots like the Cliffs of Moher and Connemara.
But with all this liveliness going on, where the hell do you stay if you just don’t feel like partying in Galway? Or (more likely) which one of the hostels in Galway offers the best atmosphere for a good party?
We’re here to help! With our trusty guide of the best hostels in Galway, you’re bound to find something to suit you – and your budget!
So don’t you worry. Sit back, scroll down, and get excited for the cool hostels Galway has to offer…
Quick answer: The best hostels in Galway
- Overall Best Hostel in Galway – Galway City Hostel & Bar
- Best Cheap Hostel in Galway – Sleepzone
- Best Hostel in Galway for Couples – The Nest Boutique Hostel
Best Hostels in Galway
Galway City Hostel & Bar – Overall Best Hostel in Galway
This top hostel in Galway may be a little pricey but it IS award winning. Why’s that then? Good vibes, free breakfast, decent location (near buzzy Eyre Square and a bus station), oh and yeah there’s a bar attached to it too. All this makes Galway City Hostel & Bar our numero uno for the best overall hostel in Galway. Yeah, the free breakfast might only be toast, but there’s also free tea and stuff all day. Plus its award-winning, did we mention?
Kinlay Eyre Square Hostel – Second Best Hostel in Galway
A place with over 7000 reviews and a solid 9.8/10 rating just can’t be missing on this list… It’s a big, lively party hostel in Galway, but that’s not the only reason we like this place – it’s cool, too! The lobby is pretty extensive, like a hotel basically, which is great if you like that sorta atmosphere. It’s been renovated recently and now offers pod beds for that extra bit of privacy. There are female-only dorms, as well as private rooms for those that want a bit more time to themselves. The staff is super nice. Oh – and there are free iMacs to use. Definitely one of the best hostels in Galway.
Sleepzone – Best Cheap Hostel in Galway
Sleepzone is nice and comfy. If somewhere’s called Sleepzone, you’d sorta expect it to be, right? But yeah: it is. It also happens to be the best cheap hostel in Galway since it’s damn affordable, yo. As a bonus to being budget-friendly, it’s also people friendly and is a decent shout if you’re travelling alone. The common zones are nice and the location of this budget hostel in Galway is good too – it’s just a few mins walk to the centre of town.
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View on Osprey View on REIThe Nest Boutique Hostel – Best Hostel in Galway for Couples
Sure this Galway backpackers hostel is a bit of a walk from town, but it’s worth it to stay in probably the nicest hostel in town – design-wise, anyway. It’s just the sort of fancy place that makes it the best hostel in Galway for couples. The private rooms are boutique standard, as you can tell by the name, decked out in that sorta minimalist decor that we love oh so much. But yeah, whilst it may be one of the coolest hostels in Galway some may dislike the walk into town; some might not care.
Snoozles Hostel Galway – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Galway
Aww, Snoozles, isn’t that cute? Sorta. But yes, this is the best hostel for solo travellers in Galway because it’s a super social place to spend your time in this town. It tends to attract friendly people, which is great, but the staff are amazing and it’s all about creating the atmosphere from the top down, innit? It’s probably also got something to do with the kitchen being tiny, so you literally HAVE to talk to people otherwise it’s just… weird.
Barnacles Quay Street Galway – Best Party Hostel in Galway
If you wanna stay in Galway for a chilled, quiet time then DON’T stay here. If you are here for the best party hostel in Galway, then please come in – here’s a beer for you. Um… but yes, this is it. Noisy, filled with drunk people after midnight, it’s literally the best place for fun times. This top hostel in Galway is set on Quay Street in Galway’s Latin Quarter, which is lively by day (street performers, tourists, etc.) and, well, lively by night too (a zillion pubs).
Barnacles Quay Street Galway is one of our favourites in Galway but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Savoy Hostel – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Galway
It may not be one of the coolest hostels in Galway, but it still is pretty cool. The common areas and lobby feel quite like a hotel, which is why we reckon this would be perf for digital nomads – there’s a nice lil’ area where you could get a bit of work done on your laptop here. It’s clean, calm, plus the dorms are nice and spacious with cool looking bunks in ’em. Location-wise it’s on Eglinton Street, where you could probably find a hipster cafe around here to sit in and work, too.
Savoy Hostel is one of our favourites in Galway but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Bunk Hostel Galway City – Best Hostel with a Private Room in Galway
Definitely one of the coolest hostels in Galway, this place not only looks the part, but it’s nice and central too, just 1 min to the buzz of Eyre Square. Inside it’s pretty much more like a cool apartment than a youth hostel in Galway – the furniture and general design of the hostel is all very on point. It does have dorms, but because of the QUALITY of its private rooms, we’re gonna have to say that it’s the best hostel with a private room in Galway.
Bunk Hostel Galway City is one of our favourites in Galway but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Best Hostels in Galway
Are you looking to stay in specific neighborhood? Check out our guide to Galway’s best areas to stay.
Woodquay Hostel Galway City
For when you don’t wanna be right in the middle of all the pubs this city has to offer, Woodquay is a recommended hostel in Galway. It’s a short stroll to more lively areas so you won’t be plagued by noise the whole time. Sure, it’s basic, but the price is pretty decent and the staff are super friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. They do pretty cheap tours here, too – usual spots, Cliffs of Moher, Connemara, Kylemore Abbey, etc – which is always a plus.
Salmon Weir Hostel
This budget hostel in Galway ain’t gonna win any awards for slick design or anything like that, but it does have a cosy, homely vibe that makes it a pretty friendly place. There’s a plush(ish) common room, complete with guitars (yes, if you like a sing-song… that’s fine) and next to that is a decent kitchen for keeping things even cheaper by cooking your own meals. The owner of this place definitely makes it though, he’s thoughtful, helpful and is constantly doing housekeeping which must mean it’s pretty clean here.
Salmon Weir Hostel is one of our favourites in Galway but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
What to Pack for your Galway Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
Why you should travel to Galway
There is so much to do in Galway.
Being such a lively city, of course there are going to be a few party hostels in the mix. And that’s great – especially if you feel like meeting people and letting off some steam.
And if you don’t? There are plenty of places that are homely and run by amazing staff who show off that famous Irish hospitality.
There’s a few to choose from, so don’t stress if you can’t decide. Just go for our pick for the best overall hostel in Galway, Galway City Hostel & Bar. Great craic there!
FAQ about Hostels in Galway
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Galway.
How much does a hostel cost in Galway?
On average, hostel prices are always changing ESPECIALLY in Europe, but you can generally expect to pay around $24 and $34+ per night.
What are the best hostels in Galway for couples?
With private rooms of boutique standard, The Nest Boutique Hostel is the nicest hostel in Galway for couples. It’s a bit of a walk from town but still, it’s one of the coolest hostels in Galway.
What are the best hostels in Galway near the airport?
The airport is quite far from Galway, so it is better to find the best place near the city centre. I highly recommend Snoozles Hostel Galway, the best hostel for solo travellers.
Travel Safety Tips for Galway
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SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
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More Epic Hostels in Ireland and Europe
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Galway.
Planning an epic trip all across Ireland or even Europe itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around Europe, check out:
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Galway has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Ireland for a wealth of info!
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Galway if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Galway before you arrive.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Europe backpacking guide.
And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!
