5 BEST Hostels in Madrid (2021 • Insider Guide!)

• Overall Best Hostel in Madrid – Way Hostel
• Best Party Hostel in Madrid – Living Cat’s Hostel
• Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Madrid – Sungate One
• Best Cheap Hostel in Madrid – Scout Madrid Hostel
• Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Madrid – Room007 Chueca Hostel

Before we have a look at your hostel options, let’s talk about why you should be staying at a hostel in the first place. Of course, money plays a big role. Hostels are especially popular amongst backpackers because they are the cheapest form of accommodation. Madrid’s hostels are very affordable and offer plenty of amazing amenities for just a little bit of money.

But that’s not all. The most important thing about hostels is the social vibe. A Madrid hostel is the best place to meet like-minded travellers, make new friends and share travel stories. This kind of community can’t be found in any other type of accommodation.

The hostels in Madrid are generally very well organized, modern and clean. Loads of them offer freebies, such as breakfast, Wifi and event nights. In fact, you can almost always find a sassy Flamenco lesson on offer during the weekends.

We’ve mentioned the price above, but let’s get more into detail on that topic. The general rule is: the bigger the dorm, the cheaper the nightly rate. To give you a rough overview of the room prices in Madrid’s hotels, we’ve listed the average numbers below:

• Dorm (mixed or female-only): $13-16 USD/night
• Private room: $38-47 USD/night

When looking for hostels, you’ll find the best options on HOSTELWORLD. This platform offers you a super safe and efficient booking process. All hostels are displayed with a rating and previous guest reviews. You can also filter your personal travel needs easily and find the perfect place for you.

When it comes to choosing where to stay in Madrid, you’ll have some pretty cool neighborhoods to choose from as well. These are our absolute favorites:

• Centro – the best area for first-time visitors and the most central base to explore the rest of the city
• Chueca – the best neighborhood for partying with epic nightlife venues
• Lavapiés – super creative and artsy area with amazing budget accommodations

Now that you know what to expect from Madrid’s hostels, let’s have a look at your options.

We’ve not only gathered a list of Madrid’s top places for backpackers to stay, but we’ve also split them into different types to make choosing a piece of cake.

Want the cheapest hostel in Madrid? A youth hostel in Madrid for couples? A Madrid hostel where Digital Nomads can get work done, just a cool spot to meet people at the best hostel for solo travelers in Madrid? This ultimate list of the best hostels in Madrid has got you covered.

1. Overall Best Hostel in Madrid – Way Hostel

Our overall best hostel in Madrid in 2021, Way Hostel is a cool pad in a peaceful area in Madrid, yet also really close to the pumping heart of the city. Free walking tours show you Madrid’s highlights and the friendly staff members arrange a variety of fun events to keep things fresh and lively. From cheap dinners and tapas tours to flamenco shows and pub crawls, there are heaps to keep you busy.

Plus, every Saturday night is tango time! When it comes to useful stuff, there’s luggage storage, free Wi-Fi, a book exchange, a tour desk, an onsite café, bike rentals, key cards for access, and airport transfers.

Why you’ll love this hostel:

• Plenty of entertainment nights
• Incredible location
• The best possible reviews

We’ve mentioned the cool events above, but there’s way more to this hostel than cool epic entertainment. Since HOSTELWORLD reviews and rates their hostels, you can always check whether a place lives up to its standards. And the Way Hostel definitely keeps its promises. With an incredible 9.6/10 rating and over 11.000 reviews you are guaranteed an epic stay!

Each room is equipped with a strong aircondition unit, so you can keep cool even during the hot summer months. For budget backpackers there are spacious dorms (mixed and female only), but the hostel also offers en-suite private rooms and even rooms for a large group of friends or family.

Since the location is pretty much perfect, you can spend the whole day exploring the city. If you don’t know where to start, head to the reception and pick up one of the free city maps. And while you’re there, ask the friendly staff for recommendations on what to see and do – locals knowledge is always the best!

2. Best Party Hostel in Madrid – Living Cat’s Hostel

Living Cat’s Hostel is a cheap and cheerful youth hostel in Madrid’s central core. A place that knows how to do social, it’s also the best party hostel in Madrid. Join pub crawls every night of the week, take part in diverse activities that let you live the Madrid life, like tapas tours, salsa lessons, and flamenco dancing.

The onsite bar is always buzzing. Breakfast is cheap if you just can’t face going out to find food, and the comfy dorms and private rooms let you catch up on your beauty sleep, ready to start afresh come evening time.

Why you’ll love this hostel:

• Only the best reviews
• Free entertainment nights
• Beautiful courtyard

Living Cat’s Hostel isn’t just an epic party hostel. Since it’s located so centrally, travellers who just want to explore the city will love this place as well. Most famous attractions are within 10min walking distance. If you’re not sure where to start, head to the reception and grab a free city map – that’ll help you navigate through the beautiful streets of Madrid.

After a long day of walking around, head back to the hotel and chill with the other backpackers in the massive courtyard. Or if you want to cool drown, grab a book from the exchange and chill in the airconditioned lounge inside.

If you’re lucky enough to stay over the weekend, you even get to enjoy the hostels famous Saturday Paella night! Get to know the taste of Spain with some delicious traditional food while sipping on freshly made Sangria.

3. Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Madrid – Sungate One

Situated in Centro, close to public transportation links, major sights, and nightlife, Sungate One is a comfortable Madrid backpackers hostel. The helpful staff members are always ready to offer tips and advice to help you make the most of your time in Madrid, and you can book a range of tours directly onsite.

There’s a full kitchen where you can cook meals to stretch your funds further and free tea and coffee is available at all times.

Why you’ll love this hostel:

• Very welcoming and homely vibe
• Very high cleanliness standards
• Incredible location

The hostel’s rooms are fully air conditioned, so you can stay nice and cool when the sun’s hot. There are mixed and female-only dorms to choose from, all with individual beds (not bunks). You’ll find private lockers where you can securely store your backpack. Linen is free, and if you need a towel just ask the friendly staff behind the reception.

For those that have been travelling a while and are in need of some fresh clothes, you can make use of the hostel’s laundry facilities and wash your stuff for a very small charge.

Of course, Wi-Fi is free too – and it’s fast, making it ideal for getting some work done on your laptop as well. The common room is great for socialising and chilling. You’ll be able to connect with other backpackers and find new friends in no time, which is why we chose Sungate One as one of the top hostels in Madrid for solo travelers.

4. Best Cheap Hostels in Madrid – Scout Madrid Hostel

A terrific base for budget backpackers, Scout Madrid Hostel is the best cheap hostel in Madrid. Breakfast is included in the price and there’s free Wi-Fi as well as free-to-use computers. There are indoor and outdoor common areas, so whether you want to soak up the sun or chill indoors there’s a space for you.

The hostel also has a well-equipped kitchen and a professional meeting room. Dorms are spacious and accessed by key card. All beds have a personal power outlet and light and lockers are available. Other convenient features at this top hostel in Madrid include a tour desk, luggage storage, and laundry facilities.

Why you’ll love this hostel:

• Airconditioned rooms
• Family rooms
• Free breakfast

We do have to mention the location of this hostel. Since most budget options are further out from the city centre, you won’t be able to access downtown on foot (unless you want to obviously). Same with Scout Madrid Hostel – you’ll be based in a charming and quiet neighbourhood, roughly 20min from the city centre by public transport. However, the next station is only 2min from your front door, so it’s really not a struggle to get around.

The hostel itself follows the Scout values: incorporating environmental, social and cultural criteria. Scouts Madrid Hostel has opted for the design of large and healthy spaces , seeking comfort and luminosity. It’s a very welcoming place, with a calm and more grown-up community.

You can start the day with some delicious free breakfast, which will give you enough energy to head out and explore Madrid. If you’re in need of advice on what to see and do in the city, the friendly staff will be happy to help you come up with a cool and unique itinerary.

Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Madrid – Room007 Chueca Hostel

Situated in downtown Madrid, Room007 Chueca Hostel is our pick for the best hostel for digital nomads in Madrid. It has free Wi-Fi and computers that you can use for free, plenty of space to sit and work in peace, and terrific facilities for when all your work is done.

There’s an onsite restaurant-turned-bar where you can benefit from guest discounts, a kitchen, a cosy attic lounge with a foosball table, and a cool roof terrace. Free walking tours help you see the headline sights and you can join in with a bunch of other activities too.

Why you’ll love this hostel:

• Amazing and modern room options
• Highspeed Wifi
• Outside terrace

When it comes to rooms, Room007 Chueca Hostel doesn’t cut short either. They have doubles and dorms to choose from, with shared rooms featuring bunk beds with linen, towels and secure lockers. A reading light lets you stay up late without keeping your bunkmate awake. You’ll have shower gel and shampoo too, so no need to worry about fitting all your liquids into a airline plastic bag!

You can start the day with some delicious breakfast and then head out to explore the epic neighbourhood. The bars in Chueca stay open till the early hours, and you can walk to iconic sights like the Royal Palace in about 20 minutes, so there’s plenty to do once you’re done with work.

It’s also one of the safest hostels in Madrid according to previous guests. The round-the-clock security helps to keep you safe, and baggage storage means there’s no need to lug your stuff around with you if you’re checking out in the morning but you’re not leaving till later.

The BEST Travel Backpack?!

Pssssst! Not picked the perfect travel backpack yet? The Broke Backpacker team has tried out over thirty backpacks this year! Our favourite travel backpack is the Aer Travel Pack 2.

View on AER

There’s no need to choose just yet – we’ve got plenty of awesome hostels coming your way. Keep scrolling down to find the perfect hostel for you!

Another Hostel for Solo Travelers in Madrid – OK Hostel Madrid

Located in the historical part of Madrid, in Barrio La Latina with its boho vibes, OK Hostel Madrid is far from being simply okay … it’s awesome! The best hostel for solo travellers in Madrid, the varied daily activities are heaps of fun and also give you plenty of opportunities to meet other travellers. Join in with bar crawls, communal dinners, and more. The lounge has comfy sofas and beanbags, as well as a TV and PlayStation, musical instruments, and a book exchange. The hostel has free-to-use computers in addition to free Wi-Fi. There are mixed and female-only dorms and access is by key card.

More Cheap Hostels in Madrid – Mola Hostel

More introverted than many other places, Mola Hostel is a recommended hostel in Madrid for people who want the affordability of a hostel while still having quiet time to themselves. That’s not to say that you won’t meet others; the large café and lounge area is good for grabbing a bite to eat, chatting, and chillaxing, The dorms are spacious and well designed, giving guests plenty of privacy. Each dorm has its own showers and toilets, and all guests have a big locker.

MuchoMadrid

Sitting right on Gran Via in the heart of Madrid, MuchoMadrid couldn’t be much more central if it tried. Safe and secure with round-the-clock security, lockers, and female-only dorms in addition to mixed dorms and private rooms, airport transfers mean that you can easily travel right to the door when you land, should you so wish. The friendly staff members love helping travellers to explore Madrid, and the hostel is a comfy home from home to return to at the end of each packed day. The housekeeping team keeps everywhere gleamingly clean and there’s a lounge where you can meet other travellers, a kitchen where you can whip up a feast, and, not to forget the essentials, laundry facilities.

Best Hostel for Couples in Madrid – Hostal Arriaza

Hostal Arriaza is our winner when it comes to the best hostel for couples in Madrid. The double rooms are spacious, comfy, attractive, and filled with light, and each room is en-suite. Sitting close to the Royal Palace, it’s in a great spot for exploring Madrid. There’s a shared kitchen with all the essentials to prepare a hearty feed, as well as a common space to chill and meet other travellers. Daily cleaning is provided and there’s a tour desk and free Wi-Fi too.

Best Hostel with a Private Room in Madrid – The Hat Madrid

The Hat Madrid is an award-winning youth hostel in Madrid, loved for its awesome facilities, friendly vibe, clean rooms, and funky designs. The boutique hostel has mixed and female-only dorms for between four and ten, and there are also private en-suite rooms for two and four. The onsite bar is a great place to socialise and have a couple of pre-game drinks before heading for a night out on the tiles. You can also relax in the sunshine on the outdoor terrace. Housekeeping services help the hostel to maintain its sparkle, and there’s a tour desk, laundry facilities, free Wi-Fi, luggage storage, and a steam room.

Mad4You Hostel

A recommended hostel in Madrid within easy reach of Noviciado Metro Station, Mad4You Hostel is a great place to socialise, relax, and meet other cool travellers from all over the world. Breakfast is free and you can practice your culinary skills in the kitchen. There are mixed and female-only dorms or, if you love the social aspect of a hostel but prefer a private space to sleep, there are also rooms for one. Large lockers are available and all beds have a power outlet and a light. The traditional-style house is arranged around an inner courtyard, giving you the choice of relaxing inside or outdoors in the sunshine. The bar is the perfect place to mingle.

Los Amigos Hostel

Hola, amigos! Los Amigos Hostel is one of the best hostels in Madrid for 2021. Located in the city centre, it’s easy to walk to many of Madrid’s major attractions without breaking a sweat. Get your bearings on a free walking tour and rent a bike to explore Madrid under peddle power. If you’re planning to linger for longer in Madrid the jobs board may come in handy. Free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, a book exchange, and a comfy lounge are other bonuses, and you don’t even need to lug your bags up stairs—there’s an elevator!

Want to save the world?

Single-use plastic bottles are a huge threat to Marine Life – Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle.

The GRAYL GEOPRESS water bottle is the ONLY all-in-one filter water bottle setup you’ll need. Whether you need to purify the water from a hostel sink in Kathmandu or a stream trickle in the Andes, the Geopress has got you covered.

Read our full review of the GRAYL GEOPRESS!

Choosing a hostel is never an easy decision. Especially when there are that many great options in Madrid. To help you out a bit, we’ve listed and answered the most frequently asked questions on hostels in Madrid.

What are the best hostels in Madrid near the city centre?

These are the best hostels in the heart of Madrid:

• Way Hostel
• Living Cat’s Hostel
• Los Amigos Hostel

What are the cheapest hostels in Madrid?

To get the most bang out of your buck, check out these amazing Madrid hostels:

• Mola Hostel
• Scout Madrid Hostel
• MuchoMadrid

What are the best hostels in Madrid for solo travellers?

These hostels are great for socializing and meeting new people – perfect for solo travellers:

• Way Hostel
• Sungate One
• Room007 Chueca Hostel

What are the best youth hostels in Madrid?

For young travellers in Madrid, these hostels are ideal:

• Living Cat’s Hostel
• The Hat Madrid

Travel Safety Tips for Madrid

And don’t forget Travel Insurance! We’ve put together a roundup of Travel Insurance for backpackers – check it out here, or if you’re low on time, get a quote from World Nomads, our favorite travel insurance provider.

Getting an estimate from World Nomads is simple – just click the button or image below, fill out the necessary info, and you’re on your way!

Madrid is nothing short of majestic lith loads of things to do. and compared to other major European cities, it can totally be done on a budget.

There is so much in Madrid to keep you busy, the last thing you want to do is waste your precious time by staying in a bad hostel. On any backpacking adventure, finding the best hostel is crucial to the overall expereince.

We have all had one bad hostel expereince or another. So, in writing this hostel guide the goal was to offer up ALL of the best options so that bad hostel expereinces can be kept deep down in the depths of memory never to emerge again.

Rest is important. Making friends with fellow travlers is high on the list. Location matters.

All of these things are food for thought when one is making the choice to book the best hostel in Madrid.

With the help of this ultimate list, you’ll be able to sort through the very best hostels in Madrid, and quickly book the one that best suits your travel-needs.

Which hostel are you going to book? Tell us below!

And remember, if you can’t choose, just go with Way Hostel. You won’t regret it  🙂

“Find out how YOU can support the site. We work hard to put out the best backpacker resources on the web, for free! It’s all about helping out our tribe of awesome backpacker readers [that’s you!]. Please visit the link to find out how you can help keep the site going 🙂

For the sake of transparency, some of the links in our content are affiliate links. This means that if you book your accommodation, buy a book or sort your insurance, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only link to stuff I’ve actually used and never endorse products or services that are not up to scratch. Thanks for your support.