If you knew nothing else about Spain, you would at least know about the world-famous running of the bulls. Once a year, all eyes are fixated on the small town of Pamplona. Thousands of people flood the historic narrow winding streets of the old city to witness the running of the bulls. Home to traditional music and elaborate parades, this is one party you will not want to miss!
No matter when you come to Pamplona, you can still marvel at the city’s undeniable beauty. The only difference is that the number of tourists is just a fraction of what you would see during the San Fermin Festival. That being said, you will find very few hostels found in the old city of Pamplona.
That’s exactly why I made this one-stop guide! I have brought together all the best hostels in Pamplona so you can book with confidence that you will be staying in only the best of what the city has to offer!
Be ready to dodge some bulls and grab a few bottles of wine. Your Pamplona adventure awaits!
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Pamplona
- Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Pamplona – Albergue Plaza Catedral
- Best Cheap Hostel in Pamplona – Aloha Hostel Pamplona
- Best Hostel for Couples in Pamplona – Alojamientos Olga
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The Best Hostels in Pamplona
All the pubs and festivals of Pamplona await! But before you can start exploring the old city you will need to find that perfect hostel. Keeps your eyes peeled, each of our stays is all a bit different from the last!
Albergue Plaza Catedral – Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Pamplona
You can’t get much closer to the action than this folks! Albergue Plaza Catedral will have you staying just opposite from the breathtaking Pamplona Catedral, with all the rest of the most amazing sights of the old town within a stone’s throw away. When you aren’t out sightseeing or hitting up one of the many local pubs, Albergue Plaza Catedral will give you that perfect refuge to recharge your batteries and just relax! With its very own lounge and balcony, you will find that there is tons of room to spread out in and just relax at this laid-back backpackers hostel!
Aloha Hostel Pamplona – Best Cheap Hostel in Pamplona
Looking to save a few extra bucks while you are out on the road? Say hello to Aloha Hostel, a backpacker’s hostel offering some of the cheapest dorm beds in Pamplona! Putting you just a few minutes away from the bus station in downtown Pamplona, you will be within just a few steps of your hostel and all the excitement of the downtown from the very second you hop off the bus! With its very own outdoor terrace and spacious lounge, you will find that there are so many ways to relax at this backpacker’s hostel! Top it off this a free breakfast served every morning, and Aloha Hostel secures its spot as one of the top hostels in Pamplona!
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Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on Osprey View on REIAlojamientos Olga – Best Hostel for Couples in Pamplona
Are you and your special someone looking to add a little extra romance to your holiday in Spain? While you are in Pamplona leave the hostels behind and check into this homey budget guesthouse! With rooms just a couple of Euros more than what you would pay for a dorm bed, Alojamientos Olga will have you staying in some of the coziest rooms in Pamplona! With its bright atmosphere and tasteful decor, you are getting a luxury stay on a backpacker’s budget. Top it off with a location right by some of the best sights and bars in Pamplona, you couldn’t ask for a better place to call home!
Xarma Hostel – Best Overall Hostel in Pamplona
Located just a few minutes away from all the historic wonder of the town hall and the bullfighting arena, you will not find a better place in Pamplona to kick off your adventure than Xarma Hostel. This backpackers hostel check all the boxes for the expectation a traveler would have from their youth hostel. With a shared kitchen, relaxing lounges, and a laid back vibe, Xarma Hostel is a place where travelers are meant to mix together and share stories. Top it off with a free delicious breakfast served every morning, you are getting a steal for the number of perks put into this great hostel!
Alojamientos Estela – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Pamplona
After you take some great videos and click some great shots of Pamplona, you will probably need a few days to edit and write about your adventure. One of the best places in Pamplona for your digital nomads is Alojamientos Estela! With its homey budget rooms, you can upgrade from that dorm bed and get all the peace and quiet of a hotel for just a few Euros more! When you finally close your laptop, you will find that all the best sights of Pamplona are waiting just a few steps outside your door! Complete with a tour desk to really help you get your adventure started, Alojamientos Estela is the complete package!
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It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)
Hide Yo’ Money!More of the Best Hostels in Pamplona
Mariluz’s BnB
No matter if you are looking to get in touch with a more local side of Pamplona or you are wanting to save a few Euros, Mariluz will have you staying in a spacious yet homey BnB just minutes away from all the fun downtown. With a shared kitchen, lounge, and private room, you will have your option of mixing with the family or relaxing on your own in your cozy room. With its warm and welcoming atmosphere, you will feel more like you are staying with friends than just another impersonal hotel.
Gestión de Alojamientos
At Gestion de Alojamientos you will be pampering yourself by staying in a spacious yet cozy room just minutes away from all the action in Pamplona’s old town! No need to be worried about the price! This budget guesthouse will have you enjoying all the peace and quiet of a private room without having to pay much more than what you would at a backpacker’s hostel! Complete with balconies overlooking the nearby garden, this is one stay that will check all your boxes. The icing on top is the staff who will make you feel right at home in Pamplona. No matter what way you look at it, Gestion de Alojamientos is one of the best stays to base yourself out of in Pamplona!
What to Pack for your Pamplona 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!
Why you should travel to Pamplona
Although you won’t exactly be swimming in backpackers hostels in Pamplona, the dorm rooms you will
find are sure to have you saving money and showing you the time of your life! If you are still torn between a great youth hostel and a budget hotel, let us help point you in the right direction. For that classic backpacker’s experience in Pamplona, you will want to be sure to stay in Xarma Hostel, my pick for the best hostel in Pamplona!
FAQ about Hostels in Pamplona
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Pamplona.
How much do hostels in Pamplona cost?
Depending on the type of room and location, the cost of hostel rooms in Pamplona starts at $21 for a dorm, and private rooms start at $60.
What are the best hostels in Pamplona for couples?
Alojamientos Olga is my best hostel for couples in Pamplona. It is comfy and superb location near the historic areas.
What are the best hostels in Pamplona near the airport?
Our best cheap hostel in Pamplona, Aloha Hostel Pamplona, is 12 minutes away from Pamplona Airport.
Travel Safety Tips for Pamplona
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
There are a million different reasons for you to fall in love with Pamplona. The rainbow pastel-colored historic streets, centuries-old forts, traditional music, animated parades, and the adrenaline-filled running of the bulls held every year. Even if bullfights are not your cup of tea, the sheer beauty and charm of the city are enough on its own to have you fantasizing about moving to the city.
Pamplona has more than enough to tickle to the fancy of any backpacker traveling through Spain, but unfortunately, there is not enough youth hostels to meet the demand. The hostels you will find, however, will be your oasis in the city. Providing you with that perfect base to recharge and throw yourself back into the thick of the action in Pamplona!
If you have ever traveled to Pamplona I would love to hear about your trip! Have you stayed in any great backpacker’s hostels in Pamplona I may have missed? Let us know in the comments below!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Spain for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in Spain covered.
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Spain if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Spain 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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