One of Spain’s lesser known more beautiful cities, Malaga is a gem on the Alboran Coast.
Famous for its culinary scene, great beaches, and active nightlife, Malaga is an up and coming destination for backpackers around the world.
Which is exactly why we’ve made this list of the best hostels in Malaga, Spain!
Our epic guide to the best hostels in Malaga was designed for one purpose – to help you book a hostel in Malaga, and quickly.
Malaga has you on the fun, sights and food. We’ve got you on the hostels.
Let’s jump into the top hostels in Malaga, Spain.
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Malaga
- Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Malaga – Feel Hostel Soho
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Malaga – Chinitas Urban Hostel
The 15 Best Hostels in Malaga
Feel Hostel Soho – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Malaga
Feel Hostel Soho is the best hostel for solo travellers in Malaga for sure! This place has travellers queuing up at the door! Super popular and incredibly welcoming solo travellers will feel right at home at Feel Hostel Soho. As a top hostel in Malaga Feel Hostel Soho hosts regular free paella nights which is a great opportunity for the hostel-fam to come together and celebrate Spanish-style! Feel Hostel Soho is not to be confused with their sister hostel, Feel Hostel City Centre. Both are great but Soho has a particularly special vibe. Feel Hostel Soho is just a 5-minute walk from Parque de Malaga.
Chinitas Urban Hostel – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Malaga
Chinitias Urban Hostel is the best hostel for digital nomads in Malaga. This place offers the most incredible views of Malaga from the rooftop terrace, and yes, the WiFi stretches up there! You could not find a more inspiring place to work if you tried! Their coffee is damn good too! Chinitas Urban Hostel is slap bang in the middle of Malaga, it’s pretty perfect! Just a matter of steps away from Plaza de la Constitution, staying here means that when the working day is done you can get out and explore with complete ease.
Casa Babylon Backpackers – Overall Best Hostel in Malaga
The overall best hostel in Malaga in 2021 is Casa Babylon Backpackers. Loved by all who visit Casa Babylon Backpackers has an on-point hostel vibe, all the hammocks you could wish for and a great hostel bar too. As a highly recommended hostel in Malaga, Casa Babylon has no curfew and no lockout so you can party the night away in Malaga and not worry about doing a Cinderella! There is always something going on at Casa Babylon, from live concerts to juggling workshops to movie screenings. Hippy, happy and super affordable Casa Babylon is the best hostel in Malaga for sure.
The Lights Garden – Best Cheap Hostel in Malaga
The best cheap hostel in Malaga is The Lights Garden. Super cute, like really super cute The Lights Garden is lovingly designed and really affordable. As the best budget hostel in Malaga, The Lights Garden offers you free WiFi, a fully kitted out guest kitchen and cheap scooter rentals too. Set in a traditional Andalusian house The Light Garden really feels like a home from home. With quintessentially Spanish hospitality afforded to all who walk through the door chances are you’ll never want to leave The Lights behind!
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View on Osprey View on REIAlcazaba Premium Hostel – Best Hostel for Couples in Malaga
Alcazaba Premium Hostel is the best hostel for couples in Malaga for sure. Easily the coolest hostel in Malaga, Alcazaba Premium Hostel has an incredible rooftop terrace that overlooks the Alcazaba itself. The whole complex it lit up at night and is romantic AF! The private rooms at APH all have ensuite bathrooms, a flat-screen TV and plenty of space to unpack and spread out. The modern yet cosy lounge area at Alcazaba Premium Hostel is the great place for you and your lover to get meeting and mingling with others who are staying.
Oasis Backpackers Hostel – Best Party Hostel in Malaga
The best party hostel in Malaga is Oasis Backpackers Hostel. This place could not be more central if it tried! The hostel bar is the perfect place to get the pre-drinks in before you and the hostel-fam hit up the hottest bars and clubs in Malaga. Remember, the party only really gets going after midnight in Spain so be prepared to play the long game! Oasis Backpackers is a fantastic youth hostel in Malaga that even offers a free city tour! With so much history and heritage to explore in this wonderful city, Oasis Backpackers offers you the best of both worlds in Magala.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Best Hostels in Malaga
Are you looking to stay in a specific neighborhood? Check out our guide to Malaga’s best areas to stay.
Feel Hostel City Centre
Feel Hostel City Centre is a great Malaga backpackers hostel offering pretty good value for money. Set right in the heart of the city you need not fork out on public transport while staying here. FYI, the hostel offers an all you can eat breakfast buffet for just €2 which is totally worth it! There is a liveliness to Feel Hostel City Centre but it never gets rowdy or out of control. The dorms are a super cosy and the beds are oh so comfortable. The cocktail bar is a great place to hang out in the early evening, to find your party people before heading out into Malaga’s party district.
The Lights Hostel
The Lights Hostel is one of the most popular hostels in Malaga, so popular you might already be too late to secure your bed! They get booked up way in advance! The free city tour is a total treat and is a great introduction to Malaga. Super laid back and always up for a good time, The Lights Hostel is one of the friendliest youth hotels in Malaga. Breakfast may not be included in your room rate but for €1.50 you can feast on toast and cereal til your heart’s content! Ideal for solo travellers, groups of nomads and party animals, snap up your bed at The Lights ASAP!
The Urban Jungle Boutique Hostel
The Urban Jungle Boutique Hostel is perfect for all you flashpackers out there! With a charming boutique hotel feel but with the vibe (and price tag) of a luxury hostel Urban Jungle is a great Malaga backpackers hostel. The dorms are some of the best you will find in all of Malaga, many of the bunks come with a massive storage drawer beneath to keep your stuff tucked away. Lovers of interior design will fall head over heels in love with The Urban Jungle. Legit everywhere you look is another perfectly Instagrammable feature wall or ornament. There is always something happening at Urban Jungle, from flamenco nights to city tours.
La Moraga de Poniente
La Moraga de Poniente is a youth hostel in Malaga that is gaining momentum! This is one to watch in 2024! Set a little out from the city centre but not quite on the beachfront, La Moraga de Poniente is perfect for travellers who want the city experience and the beach experience without swapping accommodation. The rooftop terrace at La Moraga de Poniente is the best place to catch a tan but there are plenty of umbrellas dotted around to offer some shade, should you get all hot an bothered in the sweltering Spanish sun!
Republica
A close contender for the best hostel in Malaga in 2024 is Republica. This cosy, homely hostel ticks all the boxes and is reaping in the rave reviews. The free breakfast offered by Replublica goes a long way in making it one of the best hostels in Magala; that and the wonderful staff. The hostel cafe-come-common room is a great place to hang out and get chatting with your hostel buddies. The dorms are bright and spacious. Always super clean and the beds are super comfy. Republica is in a great location in Magala, just a 10-minute walk from Malagueta Beach and only 2-minutes from the Cathedral!
Casa Al Sur
Just a 15-minute walk from Malaga’s main bus and train station is the quaint and charming Casa Al Sur. This is a highly recommended hostel in Malaga that has one of the cutest rooftop terraces around. It’s the perfect place for a BBQ. Will you unite the hostel crew for a roof party? You’re more than welcome to! Casa Al Sur is so relaxed and welcoming, you will never want to leave. Casa Al Sur is the kind of place that outdoes itself time after time. Really clean and tidy, the staff are awesome and the location is ideal. It gets a thumbs up all round!
Bellavista Playa Malaga
Fancy staying right on the beach in Malaga? Like, right on the beach?! Boom! Bellavista Playa Malaga is the place for you! Definitely, the coolest hostel in Malaga in terms of location Bellavista Playa is situated right on the beach front. By no means the flashiest of Malaga backpackers hostels Bellavista Playa has all the basics covered. Why would you be spending time inside when the beach sits before you?! The staff are all total sweethearts and will go out of their way to make sure you have a great stay.
Patio 19
Patio 19 is a bit of an under the radar youth hostel in Malaga as it brands itself as a B&B. Regardless, Patio 19 is a top hostel in Malaga offering insane value for money! The free breakfast is damn good and sets you up for a long day exploring Malaga. Ever so homely, comfortable and super clean Patio 19 is just a matter of seconds from the centre of Malaga which is perfect! No need to fork out on taxis while staying here. If you are looking for an undiscovered, quiet and cosy hostel in Malaga, Patio 19 is for you.
Larios Cool Hostel
NKOTB Larios Cool Hostel is a great budget hostel in Malaga for travellers keeping a close eye on their euros. Super cheap and offering everything you could really ask for Larios Cool Hostel definitely worth considering. They are making a real effort to please their guests and are smashing it! Daily events, free walking tours, WiFi that reaches the dorms and late check FOC too! If you are looking for a cheap and cheerful place to stay in Malaga in 2024, give Larios Cool Hostel a go! Your wallet will thank you!
What to Pack for your Malaga 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 my definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
Why you should travel to Malaga
If you are headed to Malaga, we know this list of the best hostels in Malaga will certainly help you save some time and money!
Which hostel or budget hotel are you going to book? If you still can’t choose, then we highly recommend booking at Casa Babylon Backpackers.
FAQ about Hostels in Malaga
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Malaga.
How much does a hostel cost in Malaga?
The average price of hostels in Malaga can range from $27 – $29+ per night. Of course, the private rooms are on the higher end of the scale than the dorm beds.
What are the best hostels in Malaga for couples?
Alcazaba Premium Hostel is the best hostel for couples in Malaga. It’s private rooms have ensuite bathrooms, a flat-screen TV and plenty of space to unpack and spread out.
What is the best hostel in Malaga near the airport?
Welcome Hostel is a highly-rated hostel near the Malaga Airport.
Travel Safety Tips for Malaga
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.
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Malaga has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
Still not 100% sure you want to stay at a hostel? Why not check out the top Airbnbs in Malaga? They’re just as affordable but offer a bit more privacy!
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 Spain for a wealth of info!
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Malaga if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Malaga before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for Spain to avoid any issues.
- 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!
