Posted: 11/30/2018 | November 30th, 2018
Stockholm is one of my favorite places in Europe. In my opinion, it’s one of the prettiest cities on the continent with historic well-preserved buildings dating back hundreds of years (that medieval center!), lots of parks and green space, and cobblestone streets all set on a beautiful archipelago.
However, it’s not a cheap place to visit. Even the hostels here ten to be expensive – and they are often small and cramped. I’ve been coming here a long, long time (I used to lead tours to Stockholm and lived here for a summer) and have stayed in every hostel in the city.
(For a small city, there are a surprisingly a lot of places to stay and, since I come here often, I wanted to try them all out?)
Most hostels in Stockholm here are OK. There are few ones that are terrible beyond measure.
But this city has a lot of incredible hostels in Stockholm!
So which are they?
Without further ado, here are the…..
11 Best Hostels in Stockholm
(In no particular order.)
1. Interhostel
Interhostel might not be the best hostel in town (in fact, it’s one of the worst) but it’s the cheapest in town. If money is your primary concern, you should stay here. Some of the dorm rooms (as well as the kitchen) are small and feel cramped (the larger dorms have up to 14 beds), but the staff is friendly and the hostel is centrally located. Plus, it’s always busy with people so it’s one of the best places to meet other travelers! For that reason, it makes the list!
Beds from 160 SEK/18 SEK, single rooms from 490 SEK/55 USD.
—-> Click here to book your stay at Interhostel!
2. Archipelago Hostel Old Town
Archipelago Hostel is one of the nicer hostels in the Old Town, conveniently located in a 17th-century building that’s right near the train line. It’s also near the Nobel Museum, the Royal Palace, and the Cathedral. This hostel is very small, with only a few rooms and a small common area, but I recommend staying here if you’re looking for some peace and quiet. The shower pressure here is super strong too (just be aware that the shower stalls, while private, are in a co-ed bathroom).
Beds from 160 SEK/18 USD, doubles from 495 SEK/55 USD.
—-> Click here to book your stay at Archipelago Hostel Old Town!
3. Generator Stockholm
Generator is one of the biggest European hostel chains, and this is one of its best properties. The furniture is modern, Nordic and very minimalist! There’s a huge common lounge on the ground floor with a restaurant and bar too. There’s a laundry facility onsite too. It’s location near the train station makes it an ideal spot to explore nearby attractions, museums, and nightlife. While it is the nicest hostel around (it was only recently built), it’s so big that it often feels impersonal and more like a backpacker hotel than anything else. If you want a more “luxury” hostel or something a “cheap” hotel, stay here. If you want a small, social, traditional backpacker place, stay elsewhere. Check their website for deals as they often have them!
Beds from 165 SEK/18 USD, doubles from 1,135 SEK/125 USD.
—-> Click here to book your stay at Generator Stockholm!
4. City Backpackers
This is my favorite place to stay and by far the best hostel in Stockholm. It has a lovely café that offers steep discounts to hostelers and an outdoor eating/sitting area. Its mattresses and pillows are super cozy, and there is a huge kitchen, many common rooms, a free sauna, free pasta, and laundry facilities. You can’t turn a corner without bumping into a public computer, either! It also hosts affordable events, including bike tours, meatball-making classes, pub crawls, and more. This is a very popular hostel, so book in advance!
Beds from 190 SEK/20 USD, double rooms from 650 SEK/72 USD.
—-> Click here to book your stay at City Backpackers!
5. Skanstull Stockholm
My second favorite hostel in Stockholm, this place was remodeled a few years back and has a brand-new, larger kitchen and common area, and the kitchen is one of the nicest I’ve seen in a hostel in a long, long time. The hostel is quite small but that provides a close-knit setting for getting to know other travelers. It’s located in the southern part of the city in Soddermalm (my favorite area of Stockholm).
Beds from 200 SEK/22 USD, double rooms from 775 SEK/85 USD.
—-> Click here to book your stay at Skanstull Stockholm!
6. Castanea Old Town Hostel
This amazingly central hostel is quiet and clean, and the staff is friendly. The rooms are bright and airy, with large windows and high ceilings. If you don’t want to make your own breakfast there’s a fantastic small bakery just around the corner. I love the narrow cobblestone street it’s located on! It’s cute, cozy, and relaxing.
Beds from 205 SEK/23 USD, double rooms from 690 SEK/76 USD.
—-> Click here to book your stay at Castanea Old Town Hostel!
7. City Hostel – Central Station
The hostel is a 20-minute walk to the Old Town, but it’s the closest to Central Station. The rooms are pretty basic and nothing to write home about. The common area and bathrooms are kept super clean. There’s a great kitchen here too. Overall, this is a pretty average hostel but if you’re looking for something inexpensive and near the train station, I would stay here!
Beds from 240 SEK/26 EUR, double rooms from 495 SEK/55 USD.
—-> Click here to book your stay at City Hostel – Central Station!
8. Langholmens Vandrarhem
This is the best family / group hostels in Stockholm. It’s set inside an old prison, and most rooms have their own shower and toilet. It has free Wi-Fi, a cafeteria, a pub, a restaurant, a laundry room, and bike rentals. Linens are NOT included in the price (nor is breakfast), but they are available for an additional cost. The hostel is located on Långholmen island, surrounded by nature. It opens right onto a beach where you can take a swim in Lake Mälaren during the summer months! HI hostel members receive a discount.
Beds from 250 SEK/28 USD.
—-> Click here to book your stay at Langholmens Vandrarhem!
9. 2Kronor Hostel Vasastan
This hostel is in charming house that was built in 1865. It’s quiet here as 2Kroner is located in the north of the city, in a nice neighborhood (Vasastan) full of shops, cafes, and restaurants. This place is really good if you want something more upscale, smaller, and a bit queiter than some of the more centrally located party hostels.
Beds from 280 SEK/31 USD, doubles from 745 SEK/82 USD.
—-> Click here to book your stay at 2Kronor Hostel Vasastan!
10. The Red Boat Mälaren
If you’re looking for a unique place to stay, this cozy hostel is actually on two boats on Lake Mälaren, and there’s a sea-themed bar in reception. There’s no kitchen here, but you’re just a five-minute walk to the Old Town. The rooms and bathrooms are small (it’s a boat!) but it’s one of the coolest places to stay, especially in the summer.
Beds from 310 SEK/34 USD, doubles from 520 SEK/57 USD.
—-> Click here to book your stay at The Red Boat Mälaren!
11. Jumbo Stay STF/IYHF
This hostel is actually an old converted 747 plane and the best place to stay if you have to be at the airport really early. There are singles, doubles, and 2–4-bed dorms. The best room is the cockpit suite with a private bathroom (starting at 1,850 SEK). It’s open 24 hours a day and has an onsite restaurant and bar. Towels and linens are included. If you’re staying at the airport, stay here. It’s super awesome.
Beds from 450 SEK/50 USD, double rooms from 1,200 SEK/132 USD.
—-> Click here to book your stay at Jumbo Stay STF/IYHF!
Stockholm is easily walkable and with a great metro so no matter where you are, it’s easy to get around to amazing green spaces, islands, nightlife, and historic areas. Every hostel in Stockholm has their own vibe but if you’re looking for the best hostels in Stockholm, these hostels are it (remember City Backpackers is the best). You’ll have a great stay, comfy bed, and social environment! What more do you really need?
Get the In-Depth Budget Guide to Stockholm!
For more in-depth coverage of Stockholm, my 80-page guidebook is perfect for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel and save money in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. You’ll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on- and off-the-beaten-path things to see and do, nontouristy restaurants, markets, and bars, and much more! Click here to learn more and get started.
Book Your Trip to Stockholm: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time. They’re my favorite website!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!
Looking for more information on visiting Stockholm?
Check out my in-depth destination guide to Stockholm with more tips on what to see, do, costs, ways to save, and much, much more!
Photo credits: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12
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