The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more.
Ahh Portugal.
These days, Portugal is a prime travel spot with hiking, beautiful beaches, a bursting party scene, and a wealth of awesome places to stay and meet backpackers.
So, what about all those awesome hostels in Portugal. Well, there are a lot to choose from… and a lot of epic ones! That’s exactly why I absolutely had to look into it and whip up this huge, handy guide to the best hostels in Portugal!
I’ve divided this roundup up by location, from the bustling coastal capital to more of Portugal’s best destinations. Expect a lot of beaches, parties, and good vibes. From Portugal’s budget hostels to their bouncing backpackers, this list will have you ready for a youth hostelling adventure in Portugal.
So, without further ado, let’s dive in and see what the best hostels in Portugal can offer you!
Photo: Ana Pereira
The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more.
Quick Answer: What are the Best Hostels in Portugal?
- The Best Hostels in Lisbon
- The Best Hostels in Porto
- The Best Hostels in Lagos
- The Best Hostels in Faro
- The Best Hostels in Coimbra
The 5 Best Hostels in Portugal
Wondering where to stay in Portugal and need some hostel picks?! Before I start this list properly, I’m going to talk about the top hostels in Portugal as a whole. These are the absolute best places to stay in Portugal for backpacker vibes. When in doubt, just go with the best!
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
1. Lisboa Central Hostel – Best Overall Hostel in Portugal
- Dorm (mixed): From $21
- Private Room: From $59
- Address: Rua Rodrigues Sampaio 160, Lisbon, Portugal
So, yeah, if you’re looking for not just the best hostel in Lisbon but the best overall hostel in Portugal… here it is! Seriously.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Fruit pancakes + more for breakfast
- Prime location
- Ran and owned by locals
Can I tempt you with homemade soup? Homemade milkshakes? This place is so damn homey that you won’t even feel like you’re checking into such a popular hostel.
The staff here will also sort you out with cheap beer, sangria at a steal, super fun bar crawls and movie nights for when you can’t do anything but veg out in front of a screen. But don’t worry: you won’t feel grimy staying here since it’s pretty dang clean. And the staff are super friendly too.
I rank this one number one because it checked all the boxes! literally… I couldn’t find anything wrong even if I wanted to. And if you aren’t vibing with the hostel, you can take the train leaving from Marques de Pombal close by for your convenience.
2. The House of Sandeman – Best Hostel in Portugal for Solo Travellers
- Dorm (mixed): From $23
- Private Room: From $145
- Address: Largo Miguel Bombarda Nº3, Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto, Portugal
This historic building isn’t just full of character—it’s absolutely dripping in it. The dorms are built inside old port wine barrels, so passing out after a big night feels oddly appropriate. Who needs a winery tour when your room is a piece of winery history?!
A loaded complimentary buffet breakfast, a cosy lounge with river views, and a crew that actually cares sets you up for an impressive stay in Porto. Expect hot showers, free towels, secure lockers, discounted tours, unlimited tea and coffee, daily cake, and dangerously good happy hour drinks.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Welcome drink included to get you excited!
- A mind-blowing brekky
- ON-SITE bar
Where is it? Downtown Porto, of course, so it’s a pretty sick locale I gotta say (history, river, all sortsa stuff on your doorstep here). It’s a memorable hostel, the kind of place you’ll use as a measure when you visit other hostels. Definitely the top dog for the best hostel in Porto.
3. Hostel Gaia Porto – Best Cheap Hostel in Portugal
- Dorm (mixed): From $21
- Private Room: From $54
- Address: Rua Cândido dos Reis nº 374-376, Porto, Portugal
On the other side of the river to the main hub of the city, this backpackers hostel in Porto is pretty much a calm place to stay because of that. Solo travellers, couples, groups of friends, whoever you are: this will be a good and cheap choice for you.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Many activities
- You will enjoy the cute garden
- Relaxed and cosy ambience
Imagine lounging in a chill, quiet garden that overlooks a river with a cold brewski in hand, the absolute dream. Need to make some cheap eats? They’ve got a kitchen that’s just begging for you to get your chef on if you’re trying to keep your cost of living in Portugal down.
And don’t even get me started on the laundry facilities—no more rockin’ the three-day-old socks.
The best part about this hostel is the crew, such friendly vibes! Perfect start to a banging hostel experience.
We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.
Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on Osprey4. Rising Cock Party Hostel – Best Party Hostel in Portugal
- Dorm (mixed): From $26
- Address: Travessa do Forno 14, Lagos, Portugal
There are no words. Perhaps two words: Rising Cock. I can’t believe I get to write those words.
Look, based on the name, you already know what to expect. It’s a party hostel in Lagos that will send you nutty in the best way possible. Centrally located in Lagos’s old district, it’s a walking distance from a bunch of sweet restaurants, bars, and other goodies.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Free Breakfast
- Super Social
- FREE Pub Crawls
This place is as social as it gets, with nightly drinking games setting the tone before the pub crawl even kicks off. Mama and the crew pour their hearts into every stay, making sure everyone feels at home and the good times keep rolling. Crêpes and tika tika tea every morning add the perfect finishing touch.
As one of Portugal’s top party hostels, days here are for recovery and recharging, with Saturday BBQs hitting the spot. When night falls, it’s all about going full throttle. Free pub crawls is one thing and it helps that the staff just know how to get down.
Or up. 😉
5. Selina Peniche – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Portugal
- Dorm (mixed): From $25
- Address: Av. do Mar 100, Ferrel, Peniche, Portugal
This place has it all…Skate rentals, surf lessons, tattoos and good vibes.
During my stay at Selina Peniche, I got the full Silver Coast experience. Selina is really good at creating fun activities to bring people together… From movie nights to bar crawls, I had the best time and met such cool people!
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- The onsite restaurant is SO yummy.
- Located in a prime surf location
- Great daily activities to meet new people
As a digital nomad, this place is PARADISE. The top level of the hostel has a co-working space free for anyone staying at the hostel. The space includes a mini fridge and a coffee maker available 24/7. Something else I found super convenient was the booths they had available for work calls. It made my time working here such a breeze.
The dorm rooms and lounge areas are cosy too. It is super common for people to spend the evenings outside enjoying the cool breeze and watching the skaters hit the ramp. You can count on the friendly staff to make you feel right at home once you arrive- you’ll fit right in!
So, about Lisbon, it’s the best! Cascading hills of gorgeous architecture that flows down to meet the Atlantic Ocean. And the kickass party scene isn’t half bad either!
There are a lot of awesome hostels in Lisbon so why delay? Here are the best!
Yes! Lisbon Hostel
- Dorm (mixed): From $31
- Private Room: From $109
- Address: Rua de Sao Juliao 148, Lisbon, Portugal
This. Is. LISBON!!! … Wow, sorry. But it is…
This Hostel has been given the award of the “most popular hostel in Lisbon” many years in a row for a reason.
The staff are super friendly and helpful, creating an atmosphere that makes this one of the best hostels for solo travellers in Portugal. Free walking tours, beach trips, and tasty home-cooked Portuguese dinners, as well as lessons in the local lingo, make it pretty easy to get chatting and make some pals.
Oh and shout out to the family dinners at this Lisbon hostel. One word: immense.
Lost Inn Lisbon
- Dorm (mixed): From $26
- Private Room: From $96
- Address: Beco dos Apostolos 6, Lisbon, Portugal
Lost Inn Lisbon is one of the best hostels in Lisbon’s Chido neighbourhood and it’s pretty sick. The building is from the 18th century so you feel like you’ll be staying in a real piece of history.
The location is amazing—very close to the metro station and you can walk pretty much to all the best things to do in Lisbon. It’s part of what makes this one of the best cheap hostels in Portugal. Guests can also enjoy a free breakfast, and a common room complete with… musical instruments. Let the jams commence!
Home Lisbon Hostel
- Dorm (mixed): From $39
- Private Room: From $157
- Address: Rua de Sao Nicolau, 13, 2E, Lisbon, Portugal
This is a great place smack-bang amazing location and is packed full of activities and nightly events and all that sort of caper that makes it one of the best hostels in Portugal. The staff make sure the vibe never dips and come up with fun stuff to do every night.
And if you have a literally terrible hangover the next day this Lisbon hostel serves up a big ol’ greasy dinner to chase your demons away and send you on a journey to take on the city. And it’s award-winning too…all the more reason to book in at Home Lisbon Hostel.
Goodmorning Solo Traveller Hostel
- Dorm (mixed): From $48
- Private Room: From $87
- Address: Praca dos Restauradores, n. 65, 2º, Lisbon, Portugal
Are you backpacking Portugal solo? This is a great place—the power hour they set up every night is a sure way to meet people. I mean, free-flowing drinks tend to do that to a group of backpackers. The staff are amazing and there’s a really social vibe to this place which makes it one of the best party hostels in Portugal.
It’s not, like, an absolutely mental party hostel – you can choose to stay in drinking or go out. You’ll get to have a rowdy night out with the people you meet here but it’s CIVILISED. They’ve got cooking classes and walking tours so you’ll always have something to do.
LX Hostel
- Dorm (mixed): From $27
- Private Room: From $84
- Address: R. Rodrigues de Faria 103, Edificio G, Piso 1, Lisbon, Portugal
During my time backpacking in Lisbon, I spent a few nights at this hostel and boy was I in for a treat! Upon arrival, I got a welcome shot and they had free sangria for sunset… It really doesn’t get better than this.
Not only does it fit the vibe check, but the location truly is prime… Located In the heart of the LX district, where good food and the best live fado performances are just a walk away. It’s safe, the atmosphere is friendly, and it’s close to nearby attractions that you might want to go snap some photos of. It’s one of the best hostels in Portugal for those backpacking alone. The balcony is good for a drink and catching the sunset. If you are easing into hostel life, you can even book a private room for your comfort.
With old-world flair and mixed contemporary highlights, Porto is another of Portugal’s best places to go. The kind of city that’s best explored just by wandering its woven streets, there is a lot to discover in Porto from its scrumptious food and wine scene to its delicious picturesque skyline.
Porto is another strong favourite for those backpacking in Portugal. With so many cool things to do and see, you can spend some days just enjoying the beautiful city. But first, you’ll need to pick a sweet hostel in Porto.
Onefam Ribeira
- Dorm (mixed): From $18
- Private Room: From $59
- Address: R. Chã 89, 4000-052 Porto, Porto, Portugal
“Onefam”? You may ask what that means, but better to find out yourself. The ambience this place has makes everyone feel right at home with family.
This super Porto backpackers hostel is equipped with a lounge where guests can chill, watch movies, play the guitar, drink, and chat. It’s all good!
This is a great place with some RAVING pub crawls, which helps add brownie points. The free daily events and the general social space make it one of the best hostels in Porto for backpackers.
Porto Wine Hostel
- Dorm (mixed): From $20
- Private Room: From $85
- Address: Campo dos Martires da Patria, 52, (in Cordoaria Garden, next to the University), Porto, Portugal
Here is another of the best hostels in Portugal and definitely the best budget hostel in Porto. I love that this place actually embodies one of the biggest reasons people travel to Porto… to taste the wine! A little something to help with the social butterflies.
But one of the BEST things about this place is that it’s cheap! These days, finding hostels under $50 in Portugal is rare, so this hostel is a big score!
Nice Way Porto
- Dorm (mixed): From $23
- Private Room: From $79
- Address: Rua Sampaio Bruno, n. 12 – 3rd Floor, Porto, Portugal
This is a place to bring people together in Porto. A charming common area with cosy couches just ripe for spooning in, it’ll be a romantic weekend in Porto together if you and your partner wanna stay in the hostel scene.
So if you’re looking for the best hostel for couples in Porto, well, here it is! There’s a calm pace of life here, plus the private rooms are perfect if you just don’t do dorms. The location is just 5 minutes from the metro station and booming nightclubs!
Moving away from the pretty city life now to the pretty town life! It is a tourist town for sure, but that just means there are heaps more things to do in Lagos. From the surrounding awe-invoking nature and cliffs to the fabulous beaches, Lagos is a dope place to visit in Portugal.
Plus, all those tourists just mean an awesome selection of hostels in Lagos.
Banana Beach House Lagos
- Dorm (mixed): From $31
- Private Room: From $71
- Address: Estrada da Ponta da Piedade, R. da Costa D’Oiro lt 23, Lagos, Portugal
If you’re a surfing person you’ll love this place. It’s basically all about surfing. If you’re not into that you can just live your best beach bum life too or chill around the pool. Days here consist of surfing and BBQs, followed by drinks in the evening and…you guessed it…more surf in the morning.
It’s actually one of the cheapest surf hostels in Portugal. That’s right: in the whole damn country. Get involved.
Sol A Sol Hostel
- Dorm (mixed): From $27
- Private Room: From $65
- Address: RuaLancarote de Freitas, n22, Lagos, Portugal
Sol A Sol has that perfect balance between the fun stuff and chilling that’s pretty hard to attain. In fact, this place literally claims that it provides “the ultimate Lagos hostel experience.” It is a bold claim indeed, but not far from the truth.
They do trips to caves, daily tours, rooftop BBQs, yummy family dinners, and bar crawls, and the staff are helpful, which easily gives it creds enough to be one of the best hostels in Portugal for the lonely wanderers. This budget hostel is also very close to the beach which, let’s be real, is all you need in Lagos anyway. To be close to some of the most beautiful spots in Portugal, this hostel ticks all the boxes.
Cloud 9 Hostel
- Dorm (mixed): From $22
- Private Room: From $52
- Address: Rua Soeiro da Costa nº 9, Lagos, Portugal
For another one of the best hostels in Portugal, get yourself to Lagos for a majorly chilled beach hangout. It’s a family vibe hostel which always, always makes a difference – good times all around here. They’ll also take you out for fun stuff like surfing and all that outdoor beach business.
This is one for the refined backpacker, surfers, and people who just wanna hit a few sangrias in the evening and wake up for a stroll on the beach. Calm by name, calm by nature.
Faro is sometimes overlooked by travellers in Portugal which is a damn shame. Though not as vibrant as Lisbon or as picturesque as Lagos, some truly awesome nature surrounds Faro and the hodge-podge mix of architectural styles makes it one of the more unique places to visit on Portugal’s south coast.
Let’s check out my favourite hostels in Faro…
Casa d Alagoa
- Dorm (mixed): From $23
- Private Room: From $57
- Address: Praca Alexandre Herculano 27, Faro, Portugal
This cool backpackers hostel in Faro is inside a super stunning villa which is the ultimate Portugal dream when you picture a getaway here. But you won’t be coming to this place to stare at the walls—it’s ALL about the atmosphere here.
Guests can eat their fill and get silly at their sangria and BBQ nights. It’s also easy to get chatting with fellow travellers. Make the most of your days here by heading out on a bike tour, spotting some wild flamingos, or exploring other unique things to do in Faro. This is the kind of place you end up extending your stay.
Tilia Hostel
- Dorm (mixed): From $21
- Private Room: From $64
- Address: R. Serpa Pinto 29, Faro, Portugal
This Faro backpacker hostel also happens to be one of the top hostels in Portugal for solo travellers. Not going to lie, it’s probably because it’s so compact; guests have no other choice but to get chatting and make dorm mates.
But seriously: mix comfy beds, quiz nights, a platter of social opportunities and you have a great combo for solo travellers coming to Faro. They have a huge outdoor terrace and host big family dinners which is a lovely evening activity. It’s also perfect for city exploring as it’s in a super safe area.
Casa de Madalena
- Address: Travessa da Madalena N°10, Faro, Portugal
Housed in a big ‘ol Mediterranean house, Casa de Madalena is a chill AF place to stay. It’s got modern amenities meeting traditional stylings and is all-round just a really cool hostel in Faro.
The staff here are amazing and are definitely the reason for the good vibes here. There’s a rooftop terrace where you can get some nice views. There’s a free breakfast (feat. fresh coffee and homemade pancakes). They also respect a solid quiet siesta time, which I also respect very strongly.
Pirate backpackers Faro
Pirate backpackers Faro is decorated with the intention and charm of pirates. If you like the sound of that, then you’ll probably love staying here.
It’s also one of the best budget hostels in Faro. It’s literally in the centre of Faro and has a great vibe for travellers looking for a homey hostel. They only host 10 travellers at a time, so it’s the perfect chance to take a break from the constant movement of backpacking Europe and revel in the quiet for a while in this family-style hostel.
Holy crap, there are no beaches. We’re in Central Portugal now! There’s still a river though.
With old architecture, an ongoing university life, and a lot of history in this city’s walls: it used to be Portugal’s capital city for over a century. So while yes, there may be no beaches, there are still a lot of things to see in Portugal’s old capital, Coimbra. There are good places to stay too.
Penedo da Saudade – Suites & Hostel
- Private Room: From $88
- Address: Av Dr Marnoco e Sousa, 18 B, Coimbra, Portugal
This place is full of next-level murals and a grand staircase, making it perfect for those who want a classy vacation stay.
But on top of how sick this place looks inside – and out – is the location. This is easily one of the best hostels in Coimbra, close to some pretty stunning historical sites. So why not stay in an actual slice of its history at this mad palatial hostel?
Castel – Creative Living
This hostel goes above and beyond to make you feel like you are experiencing a “deluxe hostel”. I mean most people who come say it feels like a hotel with how amazing all the facilities are. The breakfast here is literally amazing too.
It’s probably one of the best places to stay in Coimbra for a solo traveller. The atmosphere and location make you excited to explore. Oh, did I mention the location is within walking distance of the castle? What a dream!
Castel-Creative Living is a nice choice for anyone looking for a swankier stay.
Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.
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!Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting Portugal
If you’re staying at hostels like The Rising Cock Party Hostel, chances are you’ll want to be extra safe for those drunken nights. Travel insurance has your back.
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.
FAQs About Hostels in Portugal
Here is what people usually ask me about where to stay in Lisbon:
What to Pack for your Portugal 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 our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
What is the best hostel in Porto for solo travellers?
The House of Sandeman is the perfect spot in Port if you’re flying solo. It’s a big backpacker hub so you’re always sure to bump into other travellers. Also a big fan of the wine theme.
What are the best places to stay in Lisbon on a budget?
Lost Inn Lisbon is a great budget spot in the city. They offer free breakfast and the central location means you won’t have to fork out that much on public transport either.
Even in summer and other busy times to visit Portugal, their rates don’t seem to be too inflated so I’d book well in advance to secure your spot!
How much does a hostel cost in Portugal?
On average, hostel prices are always changing ESPECIALLY in Europe, but you can generally expect to pay around $25 and $50 per night.
Final Thoughts on Portugal’s Hostels
Backpacking through Europe is always a blast, but who knew Portugal would serve up such an epic lineup of hostels?
This list is stacked (22 hostels—yeah, it’s a lot), so if picking one feels overwhelming, don’t stress. If you want the easy answer, Lisboa Central Hostel is the best of the bunch. Book a bed there and thank me later.
If you’ve already backpacked through Portugal, drop your hot takes—best spots, overrated ones, absolute gems. Always keen to hear what’s worth it and what’s not in this ridiculously beautiful Mediterranean country.
Now, go have a time. But maybe not too much of a time. Or just enough to justify staying somewhere called Rising Cock…
Photo: @Amandaadraper
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Portugal for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the beautiful places to visit in Portugal covered.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Azores backpacking guide.
Buy Us a Coffee!
A couple of you lovely readers suggested we set up a tip jar for direct support as an alternative to booking through our links. So we created one!
You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee. If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂
