10 Quirky Edinburgh Hostels You’ll LOVE Staying In

The particular charm of this place comes from the artistic party vibe and its art-filled interior. There is a music room where you can play records or use one of the many instruments. The hostel also offers a movie room, a beautiful terrace, and a cozy fireplace.

Castle Rock Hostel is in one of the best locations in the city, at just a minute walk from Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and the Grassmarket. Bus and trams are also minutes away, including the airport shuttle.

Their green initiative is another reason to choose this hotel. They own a 75+ hectare woodland that absorbs more CO2 than a hostel and other property in a chain together. They also recycle whatever is possible and use green energy as much as possible.

• Price: ££ – £££
• Location: 1A Parliament Square, Edinburgh, Scotland
• Free baggage storage
• Free City Tour
• Free WiFi

A unique experience in the center of Edinburgh is sleeping CoDe's Asian-style pods that offer you more privacy and quiet time than regular dormitory rooms. If you always wanted to try sleeping in pods but you're not traveling to Japan any time soon, this is the hostel to try it out.

Each pod is designed like a small room, with shelves, USB sockets, hooks, etc. One of the newest features is LED mood lights that changes colors. They also have panic buttons in mixed dorms that alert the staff to any issues.

This hostel has long-term stay offered as well, and also private rooms, including the penthouse on the top floor that has its own kitchen. 

• Price: £ – ££
• Location: Above Belushi’s Bar, 9-13 Market Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
• Free city maps
• Free walking tours
• Free WiFi

St Christopher's Edinburgh is not far from the Royal Mile and conveniently located near Waverly Rail Station. If you are arriving by train this is an ideal location. Aside from pleasant staff and bright, clean rooms with under-bed lockers, there's also a popular pub beneath the hostel offering food and drink discounts for hostels residents.

St. Christopher's Hostel often organizes pub crawls, free walking tours, trivia nights and similar activities where you can have fun and meet great people. To explore local pubs and nightlife you have to walk for only a few minutes from the hostel, and safely come back afterward for a good night's sleep.

• Price: £ – ££
• Location: 5/3 West Register Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
• Free city maps
• Free walking tours
• Free WiFi

Haystack Hostel has an excellent location in the heart of Edinburgh, between the Old and New Towns. It takes just a few minutes to get to a bus stop which will take you anywhere in the city. Local clubs, pubs, and restaurants are easily reachable, and exploring the city from here is a breeze.

The hostel has a fully equipped self-catering kitchen as well as a common lounge with board games, music, books, and a laid-back vibe. 

Each of the clean and comfy beds has its own light and charging port for both USB and standard 240V plugs (your typical laptop charger), as well as a personal locker to store your things. 

• Price: ££ – £££
• Location: 9 Haddington Place, Edinburgh, Scotland
• The Green Tourism Business Scheme – Gold Medal
• Wheelchair Friendly
• Free WiFi

Edinburgh Central is a VisitScotland-accredited 5 star hostel located in the center of the city, near to main transportation links and perfectly situated for visiting Scotland's capital.

There are a variety of accommodation options available, including singles, family rooms, and dormitories with private lockers. All rooms are en-suite, and premium rooms have a TV, USB ports, and coffee makers.

The restaurant and cafe bar offers food and beverages for purchase, or you can prepare meals by yourself in a small but well-equipped guest kitchen. Rooms for gatherings, meetings, and special events are also available to rent if you need a bit more solitude.

• Price: £ – ££
• Location: 8 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
• Breakfast for only £2
• Free city maps
• Free WiFi

This hostel is located just off the city's famed Royal Mile in the Old Town, and it provides a laid-back, entertaining atmosphere for visitors of all ages and backgrounds. 

Personal charging points with USB ports and bed lights are next to every bed. Hot showers 24 hours a day, free tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and unparalleled ambiance are just a few of the aspects that combine to make your stay at High Street Hostel a memorable one.

High Street Hostel is housed in a historic 470-year-old structure known as Morton House. The local Earl of Morton was executed in 1581 as a result of his role in the assassination of Mary Queen of Scots' husband.

• Price: ££ – £££
• Location: 2 West Port, Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland
• Free city tour
• Free city maps
• Free WiFi

At the corner of the Grassmarket Square in Edinburgh's Old Town, you'll find this lovely ancient building. All attractions are within walking distance, and the exciting Edinburgh nightlife is right outside your door.

Reception is available 24 hours a day and no curfew means that you can come and go as you please. All rooms have secure electronic swipe cards. All of the guests are given security passes and are monitored by CCTV. Every bed comes with a secure locker.

Wi-Fi is available in all rooms, as well as USB charging ports at each bed and private bed lighting. The bunks have been built to provide maximum headroom, and the mattresses are of hotel quality. Bed linen is also free of charge (not a given in all hostels!).

• Price: £ – £££
• Location: 37-39 Cowgate, Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland
• Free city tour
• Free city maps
• Free WiFi

This is another Kick Ass Hostel in Edinburgh, well-rated and popular, the same as Kick Ass Grassmarket which is nearby. The hostel is located in the vibrant Grassmarket district of Edinburgh, surrounded by pubs and cafes and within walking distance of many of the city's attractions. 

The hostel offers peaceful, clean, and comfortable rooms, as well as pub crawls and walking excursions that are well-received. There is also a beer garden with a view of the castle nearby. Plus, it has a pretty photogenic lounge to spice up your Edinburgh Instagram photos.

Read More: 12 EPIC Edinburgh Photography Spots You Need to See

• Price: £ – ££
• Location: 65 Cockburn St, EH1 1BU, Edinburgh, Scotland
• Free city tour
• Free city maps
• Free WiFi

Located in the heart of Edinburgh's city center on the city's funkiest-named street, the hostel is within walking distance from Waverley Rail Station and the Airlink Bus Stop.

On the doorstep are a plethora of shops, restaurants, record stores, cafes, taverns, and clubs. The hostel is located only 50 meters from the Royal Mile, the ancient street and major pulse of this city, in a 19th-century building in the center of the World Heritage Listed Old Town. 

The Edinburgh Travelers Hostel is a lively hostel for young travelers and backpackers who want to have a good time in Edinburgh. They have great amenities, including free luggage storage, TVs in private rooms, cheap breakfast and so much more.

• Price: £
• Location: 105 High Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
• Security lockers
• Free city maps
• Free WiFi

Royal Mile Backpackers is nestled on the pedestrian stretch of the Royal Mile, near to the Castle and Waverly Train Station. The laid-back and friendly atmosphere in this cozy hostel will make you feel like you are at home.

Guests have access to a self-catering kitchen and there is free tea, coffee, and hot chocolate available, as well as common areas where you can relax and chat with other travelers. Some of the amenities included are local food and drinks discount, free hairdryer and electronics use, secure lockers in rooms, and more.