You may have heard of Madeira as the “Hawaii of Europe” – or that it’s a hidden gem that’s quickly becoming the next European hot spot. Either way, this little Portuguese island is a destination you must check off your travel bucket list.
The larger towns and capital city of Funchal have a rich, historical past that make for some pretty cool sightseeing. Visitors have a lot to explore with Funchal’s Mercado dos Lavradores, cable cars, and the promenade. Outside of the city, the island offers amazing adventures for nature-lovers, like catching some waves or hitting up some of its famed hiking trails.
Most hostels in Madeira are in the capital of Funchal, which provides easy access on foot to the marina and historic old-town city center. Some hostels and low-cost hotels are located in coastal towns around the island. These are closer to the natural attractions in Madeira, like surfing and hiking. Apartments offer a more private stay to travelers, at prices that won’t break the bank.
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Madeira
- Overall Best Hostel in Madeira – Santa Maria Hostel
- Best Cheap Hostel in Madeira – 109 Funchal Hostel
- Best Hostel with a Private Room in Madeira – Residencial Funchal
The Best Hostels in Madeira
Santa Maria Hostel – Overall Best Hostel in Madeira
It’s pretty easy to see why Santa Maria Hostel is our pick for the Best Hostel in Madeira. It has it all – good prices, a central location, various room options, and awesome common areas to relax and meet other travelers.
This hostel is a renovated school building in the historic town center of Funchal, and sits right in the middle of the tiny, energetic streets. It’s also super close to the beach and all the city sights, including the popular cable car.
109 Funchal Hostel – Best Cheap Hostel in Madeira
This traditional hostel will set you up for a great stay at a low cost in Madeira. 109 Funchal Hostel conveniently offers both affordable dorm and private rooms, so you won’t have to worry when traveling on a budget.
The hostel is in the center of Funchal and just steps away from the beach, so you’ll be close to everything the area has to offer.
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View on Osprey View on REIResidencial Funchal – Best Hostel with a Private Room in Madeira
Residencial Funchal is the best place if you’re looking for more private accommodation. It’s in a central area of Madeira, right in the middle of everything you want to do in Funchal.
Immediately outside you’ll find the Zona Velha with its beautifully painted doors, and the Mercado do Lavradores, the market of fruit, veggies, fish, and flowers.
Madeira Native Motion – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Madeira
Madeira Native Motion is an oasis for the solo traveler keen to dive into that hostel life. Located in Lombada do Marinheiros-Fajã da Ovelha, this hostel is a 50 minute drive from the city, making it the perfect place to get away.
Madeira Native Motion can help arrange outdoor activities like surfing, boating, hiking/biking, and paragliding at discounted prices. It’s a bit of a drive to get here, so remember to stock up on groceries for the communal kitchen or BBQ.
Stay Inn Funchal – Best Party Hostel in Madeira
Ironically named, the Stay Inn Funchal is in a central location and an easy walk to restaurants and clubs. The hostel also features its own bar, which is ideal if you’re after a warm-up drink before hitting the town.
In true party-hostel style, late check-out is permitted. It comes in pretty handy when you’ve stayed out a bit late and don’t feel like rising and shining the next morning.
Quinta Splendida Wellness & Botanical Garden – Best Hostel for Couples in Madeira
Quinta Splendida Wellness & Botanical Garden is the getaway you and your partner are dreaming about. This restored 19th century Manor House is set in a 30,000 square meter garden (with over 1,000 different types of plants), overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
You can relax by the heated outdoor pool or book spa treatments together. Some rooms have kitchens so you can make your own meal, unless you’d prefer to have a romantic dinner at the restaurant.
Reed’s View – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Madeira
The most important needs of the digital nomad are usually internet speed and signal. Most places on the islane provide free WiFi but don’t host communal computers, which makes this hostel our top pick for digital nomads.
As we live in the digital age, the tech-savvy of us usually bring our devices with us. In your own private apartment, you can hook up to the free WiFi without someone else slowing it down – a luxury.
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Hide Yo’ Money!What to Pack for your Madeira 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
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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 my definitive Hostel Packing list for even more top hostel packing tips!
Madeira Hostels FAQs
How much do hostels in Madeira cost?
The average price of a dorm in Madeira starts at $41 and the private rooms can go from $65 to $100 per night.
What are the best hostels in Madeira for couples?
The best hostel for couples is Quinta Splendida Wellness & Botanical Garden. It’s a restored 19th-century manor house with botanical gardens that features a panoramic Atlantic Ocean views. It’s the perfect romantic getaway!
What is the best hostel in Madeira near the airport?
The closest hostel around Madeira airport is Jaca Hostel Porto da Cruz which is just a 17min ride. It’s a great hostel with an amazing garden and large lounge.
Travel Safety Tips for Madeira
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.
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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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Final Thoughts on the Best Hostels in Madeira
You can’t go wrong with a stay on Madeira if you’re traveling around Portugal. You definitely won’t run out of things to do, whether you’re into history, nature or just enjoy chilling on the beaches.
Whether you stay at Santa Maria Hostel or any of the others on our list, you’ll be sure to totally enjoy yourself without compromising your trip or your wallet. Plus, you’ll never be far from some of Madeira’s best trails, ideal for adventure lovers.
- Use our Where to Stay in Madeira guide to plan your adventure.
- Sort your international sim card for Portugal out to avoid unnecessary hassle.
- Plan your road trip around the most beautiful places in Portugal to visit.
- Check out our ultimate guide to backpacking in Portugal.
- Don’t forget the essentials with our in-depth backpacking packing list.
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!
