Holá, and welcome to Lisbon!
Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal, is a land of great weather, lovely pastel-coloured buildings, and a super-hip vibe. And it sits very highly as one of my favourite cities in the world.
Being a popular destination for backpackers, Lisbon offers of TON of great hostels. Some hostels throw hella pub crawls, some offer free breakfast, some have cosy games rooms, and plenty more! It can be hard to sort through them all and to find which one is best for you.
Luckily, I’ve stayed in my fair share of Lisbon hostels in my time. I’ve dipped my toes in the party sorts, the chill spots and the cheap as chips sorts. Whether you want to get pissed and party through Portugal or experience the authentic culture of this ancient city, I’ve got ya covered.
So get yourself a pastel de nata and let’s get right to it!
Photo: Nic Hilditch-Short
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In a hurry? Here are my top hostel picks in Lisbon
Let’s take a closer look at each hostel
Being one of the cheapest accommodation options pretty much everywhere in the world, hostels work out perfectly for those backpacking in Lisbon on a budget. Keep the money in your pockets while still being able to explore beautiful Lisbon. Whether you want the best place to meet solo travellers, somewhere for a romantic stay in Lisbon or the cheapest hostels… I’ll bet I have the right one for you!
1. Home Lisbon Hostel – Best Overall Hostel
Price: $$
Best for: Solo travellers, social backpackers.
Highlights: Sintra tours, pub crawls, and their famous “Mamma’s Dinner”.
Dorms from: $48
Private rooms from: $180
Location: Rua de Sao Nicolau, 13, 2E, Lisbon, Portugal
Home Lisbon Hostel is no doubt a backpacker’s favourite hostel in Portugal. “Mamma’s dinners”, the cheap communal dinners prepared by the owner’s mother, will be a highlight of your stay here, for sure! I love the warm and helpful staff who organise social events, pub crawls, and day trips, going above and beyond to make your stay phenomenal.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Social hostel vibes, without being a party hostel.
- Mamma’s dinners are the perfect way to connect with fellow travellers.
- Spacious common areas to chill out in
Set in a 200-year-old building, Home Lisbon is conveniently located in the city’s historic centre and is within walking distance of Lisbon’s tourist attractions. You’ll get a good night’s rest in the comfy beds in the spacious dorms (which include female-only dorms, shoutout to my female solo travelling sistas!).
2. Goodmorning Solo Traveller Hostel – Best for Solo Travellers
Price: $$$
Best for: Solo travellers, social backpackers.
Highlights: Social vibes, daily events, “Not-so-solo package” is worth it.
Dorms from: $63
Private rooms from: N/A
Location: Praca dos Restauradores, n. 65, 2º, Lisbon, Portugal
Goodmorning Solo Traveller Hostel is one of Lisbon’s most reliably social and welcoming hostels. It’s literally purpose-built for people travelling solo. The place is suuuper social without the added pressure of having to party.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- The pub crawl, the karaoke and the scavenger hunt are well-worth joining!
- Great location to explore Lisbon’s top things to do.
- Very community-focused and easy to meet people.
The hostel organises daily activities like walking tours, communal breakfast and evening drinks. They offer an all-inclusive “Not-so-solo package” that includes all the good stuff, and it’s deffo worth the small extra splurge. Lisboa Central Hostel is one of the best hostels for solo travellers in Portugal, and has a great central location too.
3. Sant Jordi Hostels Lisbon – Best Cheap Hostel
Price: $
Best for: Solo travellers, budget backpackers, digital nomads.
Highlights: Social but not party, garden, and a kitchen to whip up meals.
Dorms from: $20
Private rooms from: $100
Location: Rua do Forno do Tijolo 3, Lisbon, Portugal
Sant Jordi Hostels Lisbon is the best cheap hostel in Lisbon. The building itself is STUNNING and in an incredible location. You’ll be within walking distance of many attractions like the Monte Agudo viewpoint and São Jorge Castle. If you don’t feel like walking, you can also choose to ride Lisbon’s iconic trams – Tram 28 stops bang outside the hostel!
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Tram 28 is in front of the hostel, so it’s easy to get to the tourist centre.
- The gardens are beautiful, ideal for a wind-down and a beer.
- Spaces to work, if you need to get some shit done.
Enjoy an al fresco breakfast in the private Imperial Garden or have a cold brewski at the lovely on-site Imperial Bar. You’ll love how reasonably priced the drinks and grub are at Sant Jordi! All rooms have air conditioning, so you can take a breather from the hot sun. The 24-hour reception will happily store your luggage and help you organise any day trips in Lisbon that you want to take.
4. Yes! Lisbon Hostel – Best Party Hostel
Price: $$
Best for: Social travellers and party backpackers.
Highlights: Family-style dinners, great location, pub crawls and social events.
Dorms from: $40
Private rooms from: $112
Location: Rua de Sao Juliao 148, Lisbon, Portugal
No need to worry about lugging your heavy backpacks up flights of stairs at the award-winning Yes! Lisbon Hostel – this cool Lisbon hostel has an elevator. Of course, it’s not only the elevator, though, but that also makes this hostel a great place to stay. This hostel is all about socialising and nightlife; it’s been one of my favourite party hostels in Europe.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- The nightly family-style dinners are a highlight for anyone wanting to meet new people
- Its location in Baixa puts you right in the heart of Lisbon.
- It is a social/party hostel, and they put on great bar crawls and games each night.
This Lisbon backpackers’ hostel has awesome staff, is clean, secure, well-equipped, and a lot of fun. You’ll also be able to save a few extra bucks on your Lisbon itinerary, as many of the main attractions are within walking distance. You’ll be located in Praca do Comercio, Rua Augusta and Baixa Pombalina, near the historical and commercial districts of Lisbon, and the design museum.
5. Living Lounge Hostel – Best For Digital Nomads
Price: $$
Best for: Digital nomads, chill backpackers.
Highlights: Free breakfast, great location, relaxed vibe.
Dorms from: $34
Private rooms from: $128
Location: Rua do Crucifixo 116 2nd floor, Lisbon, Portugal
As one of the top-rated Lisbon hostels, the award-winning boutique Living Lounge Hostel is a place for thinkers and creative travellers – hola digital nomads! The sociable lounge and tranquil garden cater to different moods, and there are self-catering facilities to cook up a storm. Breakfast is included, so sink your teeth into a great start to the day of enjoying Lisbon, one of the gems of Europe.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Quiet hostel. You can socialise if you want, but there is no pressure to if you want to relax.
- Solid free breakfast that is more than just a few manky cereals!
- The location is also super close to a metro station and within walking distance to tourist spots.
There are lots of little nooks and tables around the joint to set up your workday and tap into the free wifi. When you’re ready to log off, there are always people around in the Living Lounge hostel ready to have a good time. This hostel is in a fantastic location and owned and staffed by friendly locals who want you to experience the best of Lisbon.
6. Lisboa Central Hostel – Best for Groups
Price: $$
Best for: Social travellers, families, groups, couples.
Highlights: Free breakfast, great location, weekly activities.
Dorms from: $28
Private rooms from: $125
Location: Rua Rodrigues Sampaio 160, Lisbon, Portugal
Lisboa Central Hostel is conveniently located in Lisbon’s city centre, just a short walk from major attractions and the hottest nightspots. The outgoing and friendly members of staff arrange regular, varied events, including pub crawls, movie nights, and free milkshakes on Mondays.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Great common room full of games, a bar and a shared kitchen.
- Free milkshakes on Mondays (!!)
- Daily free coffee, breakfast and soup! Great for budget backpackers after free food.
Alternatively, cook up your own meals in the shared kitchen, and drinks are cheap in the sociable bar, and the lounge has a PlayStation and TV. Chill on the terrace and benefit from the free Wi-Fi, lockers, tour desk, book exchange, luggage storage, and laundry facilities.
7. We Love F. Tourists – Best for Socialising
Price: $$
Best for: Social travellers,
Highlights: Included breakfast, social but chill vibes, and luggage storage.
Dorms from: $39
Private rooms from: $80
Location: Rua dos Fanqueiros 267, Lisbon, Portugal
Situated in the centre of Lisbon, close to São Jorge Castle, We Love F. Tourists continues to be one of the best Lisbon hostels. The two separate common areas are perfect for chilling and mingling, and the lounge–bar is a hive of activity most of the time. You can grab a snack on-site if you don’t feel like going out, and breakfast is included every morning.
Why you’ll love it:
- Very relaxing lounge with good music, and a separate room that is more for mix and mingling!
- Delicious breakfast served each morning
- It’s a great place to meet people and be social, but also far from a “party hostel”
Challenge pals to board-game play-offs, record your memories on the iPad or pick up a great read from the book exchange. You will also have access to laundry facilities, free Wi-Fi, bike hire, lockers, and luggage storage.
Get Insured BEFORE Your Trip to Lisbon
Everyone needs good hostel travel insurance. Make sure you get yours so you can have all the bom dias on vacay!
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Doubt that Portugal is, in fact, one of the safest countries in the world? Read my insider’s safety guide for Portugal if you need any convincing.
So, which Lisbon hostel is right for you?
With many different hostel options, Lisbon is definitely suited for every kind of traveller, from flashpackers to broke backpackers. Whether you’re up for a party hostel or just a place to mix and mingle without being kept up all night, there is an option for you.
If you’re still in doubt, going with the best overall hostel is always a good idea. Home Lisbon Hostel offers you a great home away from home, at an affordable price, and you’re in one of the hottest areas in Lisbon. It’s also super easy to make friends here, if that’s what you’re after.
If your budgets a bit tighter than that, stay in Sant Jordi Hostels Lisbon, no shade, Sant Jordi hostels are fire. So much fun and an epic chain through Europe.
If you’ve got any other goodies up your sleeve, please do share in the comments 🙂
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Portugal for a wealth of info!
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Lisbon if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Lisbon before you arrive.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Azores backpacking guide.
