Malaga is a gem on the Alboran Coast Famous for its culinary scene, great beaches, and active nightlife, Malaga should be firmly on your travel list and with good reason.
Knowing where to perch up is no easy task. Hostels come in all shapes and sizes and knowing which to pick can be a daunting task.
Fear not fellow globetrotter. That is where I come in, I’ve had the tough job of exploring this wonderful land to bring you a list of the best hostels in Malaga, Spain!
Let’s jump into the top hostels in Malaga, Spain.
Photo: @willhatton__
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Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Malaga
- Best Overall Hostel in Malaga – The Urban Jungle Rooftop Hostel
- Best Hostel in Malaga for Solo Travelers – TOC Hostel Málaga
- Best Cheap Hostel in Malaga – Feel Hostel City Centre
- Best Party Hostel in Malaga – The Lights Hostel
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Malaga – Chinitas Urban Hostel
The 5 Best Hostels in Malaga
1. The Urban Jungle Rooftop Hostel – Best Overall Hostel in Malaga
- Dorm (mixed): From $50
- Private Room: From $390
- Address: Calle Niño de Guevara 8, Malaga, Malaga, Spain
Looking for a boutique hostel in the heart of Malaga? Well, my friend you’re in for a treat. The Urban Jungle is crowned the one of the best hostels in Spain for good reason. Firstly, the location is top tier, a 2-minute walk from the major tourist attractions in the city and only 15 minutes from the beach, got those Birkenstocks on and get exploring.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Heaps of social events.
- Boutique style comfort without the price tag.
- Top-Tier location.
Secondly, the vibe of this hostel is welcoming, friendly and social with plenty of common spaces to meet other travellers. Thirdly, they have HEAPS of events, from FREE walking tours, pub crawls, beach clean-ups, volleyball, Delicious dinners and themed events each week, you won’t be short of things to do in Malaga to keep you entertained that’s for sure.
Now, if all of that wasn’t enough reason to book, then you might be convinced by the spacious and bright shared rooms with centralised air conditioning and uniquely designed beds with comfy mattresses.
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. This hostel gets booked out FAST, if you don’t want to miss out check your dates and get yourself booked in.
2. TOC Hostel Málaga – Best Hostel in Malaga for Solo Travelers
- Dorm (mixed): From $80
- Private Room: From $199
- Address: Calle Comedias 18-20, Malaga, Spain
Alright if you’re backpacking Spain and searching for a clean place to rest your Birkenstocks, TOC Hostel is ideal for solo travellers in Malaga. Located in the heart of the historic centre you have everything a traveller could need on your doorstep, tourist attractions, cafes and bars.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Helpful & Friendly staff
- Pool Table
- Shared Kitchen.
If you’re looking to meet other globetrotters this hostel has some cool chill-out spaces and a pool table but no pressure to party until 5 am. They have a shared kitchen which is good news if you’re travelling on a budget and want to save some money.
You can choose from mixed or female-only dorms with surprisingly comfy beds however I’m knocking off a few points as they don’t have privacy curtains but make up for it with a banging breakfast. Overall this hostel is ideal for solo travellers in Malaga.
3. Feel Hostel City Centre – Best Cheap Hostel in Malaga
- Dorm (mixed): From $31
- Private Room: From $80
- Address: Calle Concejal Agustin Moreno 1, Malaga, Spain
Travelling on a budget? Welcome to the club! Feel Hostel city centre has budget backpackers drooling with their low prices and is the cheapest Hostel in Malaga. The rooms are simple and the hostel is a little old but for the price, what more do you want? As the name suggests, you’re smack bang in the city centre with everything you need within walking distance, saving you some dolla on public transport while staying here.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Budget-friendly prices.
- City Centre location.
- Fun and Friendly atmosphere.
As a top hostel in Malaga, Feel Hostel City Centre is a great opportunity to meet and connect with other travellers and celebrate Spanish style, grab a cold one at a nearby bar or head into town for a wild night. Feel Hostel City Centre is not to be confused with their sister hostel, Feel Hostel Soho. Both are great but City Centre has a particularly special vibe and is in a great location. Feel Hostel City Centre is just a 5-minute walk from Parque de Malaga.
The hostel offers an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet for just €2 which every broke backpackers dream. There is a liveliness to Feel Hostel City Centre but it never gets rowdy or out of control. The dorms are super cosy and the beds are 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.
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View on Osprey View on REI4. The Lights Hostel – Best Party Hostel in Malaga
- Dorm (mixed): From $61
- Address: calle torregorda 3, Malaga, España, Malaga, Spain
FREE Sangria every night. Good, now that I’ve got your attention let me introduce you to the best party hostel in Malaga, The Lights Hostel. The Lights Hostel is one of the friendliest youth hotels in Malaga with a fun, welcoming vibe where strangers become friends and make memories that you may or may not remember.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- FREE Sangria every night.
- EPIC Pub Crawls.
- Buffer Breakfast for €1.50
Meeting new travel buddies has never been so easy with heaps of social events from nightly pub crawls, FREE sangria every night and walking tours if you’re not too hungover.
When it comes down to the rooms you’ve got the choice of mixed or female dorms, plus private rooms if your feeling a little fancy. Each dorm bed has a bed light, privacy curtain and a power supply, also personal lockable storage (you need your own lock).
With The Lights Hostel being one of the most popular hostels in Malaga, they get booked up way in advance so check your dates if you don’t want to miss out!. 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!
5. Chinitas Urban Hostel – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Malaga
- Dorm (mixed): From $50
- Private Room: From $150
- Address: Pasaje de Chinitas, 3, Malaga, Spain
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!
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Fast, reliable WIFI
- Rooftop Terrace
- Great location.
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.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Epic Malaga Hostels
Are you looking to stay in a specific neighbourhood? Check out our guide to Malaga’s best areas to stay.
6. Alcazaba Premium Hostel – Best Hostel for Couples in Malaga
- Private Room: From $203
- Address: Alcazabilla, 12, Malaga Centro, 29015 Málaga, Spain
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.
7. La Moraga de Poniente
- Dorm (mixed): From $45
- Private Room: From $53
- Address: C/ Conde de las Navas n 1, Malaga, Spain
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!
8. Malaga Stop Hostel
- Dorm (mixed): From $36
- Private Room: From $107
- Address: C/ Don Juan de Austria nº2 29009, Málaga, Malaga, Spain
This cosy, homely hostel ticks all the boxes and is located in the heart of Malaga with Malagueta Beach, Calle Larios, the Cervantes Theatre and heaps of delicious restaurants on your doorstep. The friendly and lively atmosphere goes a long way in making it one of the best hostels in Malaga.
You can hang out in the downstairs common room or shared kitchen and meet some new travel buddies or cook a family dinner. The dorms are bright and spacious. Always super clean and the beds are super comfy. Ideal for backpackers looking for a cheap place to stay in Malaga.
9. COEO Pod Hostel
- Private Room: From $79
- Address: Calle Beatas ,20, Malaga, Spain
If you’re looking for a hostel with a great vibe and incredibly artistic then buckle up. Located in the heart of Malaga’s historical centre and a short walk from the city’s top attractions you couldn’t be in a better location to explore.
COEO Pod Hostel hasn’t skipped any luxuries, offering luxury Pod-style beds for a bargain price, with your own USB port, privacy curtain and reading light. The private rooms aren’t the biggest but if you’re after some pricavy, go for it.
This isn’t just a place to crash, COEO Pod Hostel has an awesome social atmosphere and heaps of daily activities creating opportunities to meet other travellers. Join in on the FREE walking tour, take a yoga class or enjoy a couple of beers at happy hour, there is always something going on. Overall this is a pretty snazzy hostel and ideal for solo travellers or digital nomads.
10. Terraza Del Limonar Hostel
- Dorm (mixed): From $37
- Address: Paseo de Salvador Rueda 9, Malaga, Spain
Fancy staying close to the beach and relaxing on a terrace with sea views? Well, Terraza Del Limonar Hostel is the place for you! The coolest hostel in Malaga in terms of location situated a stone’s throw from the beachfront. By no means the flashiest of Malaga backpackers hostels Terraza Del Limonar Hostel 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.
11. Feel Hostels Soho Malaga
- Dorm (mixed): From $31
- Private Room: From $84
- Address: Calle Vendeja, n 25., Malaga, Spain
Feel Hostels Soho Malaga is a great budget hostel in Malaga for travellers keeping a close eye on their euros. Whilst it might not be the most luxurious hostel it is super cheap and offers everything you could ask. Located in the historic centre why not head for a trip to Malaga Museum and soak up some history or you’ve got public transport close by making it easy to head out for adventures.
There’s a fun and friendly atmosphere with a common room downstairs ideal for meeting some new travel buddies and a shared kitchen if you want to whip up some home-cooked meals. If you are looking for a cheap and cheerful place to stay in Malaga in 2024, give Feel Hostels Soho Malaga a go! Your wallet will thank you!
Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting Malaga
Unfortunately, things can go wrong when you least expect it. This is why good travel insurance is essential before you head on your trip to 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.
FAQ about Hostels in Malaga
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Malaga.
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 even more top hostel packing tips!
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?
The Urban Jungle Rooftop Hostel is the best hostel for couples in Malaga. They have some swanky private rooms available and heaps going on.
What is the best hostel in Malaga for singles?
if you’re single and ready to mingle, head to The Lights Hostel. There is always something going on and you won’t struggle to meet new people.
Final Thoughts on Malaga’s Hostels
And that’s a wrap! By now I hope my 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!
I wish you well Amigo, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do and have a fucking blast. Adios.
- 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.
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