If you’re looking for the ideal place to lay your head in Spain’s capital city, we have you covered with our complete guide to hostels in Madrid.

Hello again, Lizzy here! If you’re planning a trip to Madrid then I am jealous because I love visiting this city. I have come and gone several times over my travels and fallen in love with the architecture, the tapas, the art in Museo del Prado, the walks in Parque del Retiro and of course the nightlife! During my time here, I’ve stayed in many places, so I’ve compiled a guide to help you find the most ideal hostel in Madrid. Vamos!
Our top 10 hostels in Madrid
- Generator Madrid
- 2060 The Newton Hostel
- Central House Lavapies
- The Hat
- Living Cat’s Hostel
- Petit Hostel
- Mola
- OK Hostel
- Sungate One
- Arc House Madrid
The best Hostel in Madrid
Petit Hostel

Less is more, especially when it comes to Petit Hostel. Easily one of the best hostels, this place packs a lot of amenities and charm to make it one of the coziest cheap hostels in Madrid. Located on a scenic and serene tree-lined street in the Imperial neighbourhood, this hostel is still within walking distance from all the major sights.
Comfortable dorms sleep from four to 12, each with a private bathroom. Petit Hostel offers smart interior design; all bunks include individual reading lamps, USB connectors and plugs. Smart keycards make entry and locker access simple, and city guides you can download to your phone and get the best bits of the city at your fingertips.
Combining competitive prices with luxury rooms, this youth hostel is perfect for groups, families or lone travellers who want to visit the most popular tourist attractions and also some hidden gems. They also provide free wi fi access and a fun common room with some gorgeous interior design. So what are you waiting for? Read more..
- Great design
- Excellent Location
- 24-hour check-in
- Private Bathrooms
- Free wifi
- 20 minutes from the main tourist attractions
Best Hostel with a Rooftop Terrace
Generator

Generator Madrid is a brand known for great hostels that can be found all over Europe. Generator Madrid is easily one of the best hostels in Madrid for travelling with a family or a group. This 129-room hostel boasts a vibrant design and comprehensive facilities.
There’s a mixture of simple dorms with bunk beds (mixed and female-only) and nicer private rooms with a private bathroom. It also features an American-style diner, a spacious common area and many Instagrammable spots, most notably the rooftop terrace.
This terrace offers an amazing view over the capital city with a buzzing bar and a pair of jacuzzi tubs. However, with no social activities organized in-house, this isn’t the most social hostel; it’s more like a great hotel with dorm rooms.
Their diverse and friendly staff at the 24-hour reception will make you feel right at home and answer any questions you may have about exploring the city. Read more..
- Rooftop Terrace
- Good for Female solo travellers
- Private bathroom
- Jacuzzi
- Great design
- There are cheaper hostels
The Best Private Rooms with Charm
The Hat

This brand-new hostel offers spacious rooms with an emphasis on chic design. The Hat describes itself as the ‘first boutique hostel in town’. Their outdoor terrace, rooftop bar, and solarium make Hat Madrid one of the most highly-acclaimed hostels in Madrid . It is centrally located, so close to a lot of the main tourist attractions (only a 4-minute walk to the San Miguel market!).
The beds are comfortable and perfect to provide solo travelers with a decent night’s sleep. The staff is super helpful and clean rooms very frequently. They offer some of the best free wifi, providing both 2.5 GHz and 5 GHz. They’re great ambassadors for the city, ready to help you have the best time no matter what your budget is. There is also a storage center if you’re looking for luggage storage.
The atmosphere of this Madrid hostel is vibrant and hospitable, they offer a great pub crawl and the rooftop is a great spot to grab a cocktail and mingle while taking in the gorgeous view of the sunset. That being said, we wouldn’t define it as a party hostel per se. If you’re looking to party in the hostel, best go somewhere else. Still, we can’t recommend this place highly enough. Who needs to party in the hostel when you have so many great bars right at your doorstep? Fun fact: this hostel is also eco-friendly because it’s partly powered by biomass! Read more..
- Rooftop Terrace
- Close to Plaza Mayor
- Solarium
- Great for female solo travellers
- Storage
- Not a party hostel
- No shared kitchen
One of the Best Hostels in Puerta del Sol Square
Sungate One

Sungate One is one of the cheapest hostels in the capital city, just a few footsteps from the Puerta del sol square and its central transport hub. Easily one of the best hostels; very compact and intimate yet has everything you might need for solo travellers – a shared kitchen, laundry facilities, free wifi and 24-hour reception.
Shared dorms sleep up to six (no bunk beds), while there are double rooms and twins if you want private rooms. They also provide free walking tours and pub crawls to facilitate meeting other solo travellers if that’s what you’re after.
The friendly and welcoming staff also organize special evening entertainment from cooking night to karaoke, so it’s super easy to make friends with your fellow backpackers. Ask them for their best recommendation to live like a local, they wont send you to the “guiri” spots (tourist traps)! Read more..
- Staff entertainment
- Luggage Storage
- Game Room
- No bunk beds
- Shared kitchen
- Can be noisy if you don’t want to be in a Party Hostel
- Design wise this hostel is more basic
A Cheap Hostel That Doesn’t Sacrifice Comfort
OK Hostel

OK Hostel is another award-winning hostel in Madrid that travellers love. Located in a historic building near the metro station in Mardid’s oldest barrio, the La Latina neighbourhood, this youth hostel is ideal for sightseeing. The staff is super accommodating and they do a good job keeping a clean hostel. The rooms are simple but nice and the beds offer a decent night’s sleep. Who said cheap hostels had to skimp on comfort?
The hostel has a very friendly and lively atmosphere. They organize an excellent €10 group dinner where you can meet loads of people — they also organize nightly pub crawls. There is a bar and plenty of common space so that helps add to the social atmosphere. They also have an open beer and sangria policy in the hostel which is great for those solo travelers on a budget. Read more..
- Great staff
- Great value for money
- Good location
- Pub crawls
- Free Wi fi
- No terrace
Stylish Hostel in a Great District
Central House Lavapies

This new eco-friendly hostel is in the heart of hip Lavapies, a multicultural neighbourhood filled with bright street art, trendy cafes, and €1 tapas bars. This centrally located accomodation is right next to Plaza Mayor so also great for seeing the sights. This Madrid hostel is a little more luxurious than most, offering cool amenities like a games playroom (with Nintendo, PlayStation, and even a VR headset), rooftop terrace and an outdoor patio. There’s also a bar and restaurant, as well as a great breakfast buffet (for €6.50), though there’s no kitchen for cooking your own food.
Central House Lavapies has a variety of rooms to choose from, including dorms (you have the option of premium dorms that have larger beds), private rooms, and even a penthouse apartment (with it’s own kitchen) for 6 people. All dorms have a private bathroom with rain showers, and bunks have individual reading lights, plugs, and lockers. Read more..
- Great breakfast
- Games playroom
- Rooftop terrace
- Penthouse apartment
- Rain showers
- There are cheaper hostels
Best Party Hostel in Madrid
Cat’s Hostel

If you’re looking for the best party hostels in Madrid, look no further than Living Cat’s Hostel. Centrally located, the main tourist attractions of Madrid are a stone’s throw away; La Latina, Puerto del Sol, Prado Museum.
The hostel is housed in what was once a 17th-century Spanish palace and still retains its Andalusian patio style. After a long day of seeing the sights, you can kick the night off with the other backpackers in the massive courtyard. Or if you want to chill, grab your laptop and unwind in the lounge inside (enjoy the air conditioning in the summer!).
If you’re lucky enough to stay over the weekend, you get to enjoy one of their many themed evenings, such as paella night. The centrepiece that makes Cats the best party hostel is really the bar. The staff are super friendly, there’s always something fun happening and you can enjoy a pint of their own delicious, homemade craft beer.
- Great bar
- Excellent Location
- 24-hour security
- Luggage storage
- Aesthetically pleasing building
- Can be noisy at night
Central Hostel with a Spa
2060 The Newton Hostel

2060 The Newton Hostel is one of the best hostels in Madrid if you’re looking for something a bit cushier. They boast a fantastic rooftop terrace, comfy bunk beds with individual reading lights and sockets, private rooms (including family rooms), and even a spa and sauna for guests to use!
While there’s no breakfast buffet or restaurant, there is free coffee and yummy churros every morning, and a fully equipped kitchen to make your food. The staff are super welcoming and organize numerous social activities, including walking tours, pub crawls, group dinners, sangria nights, and more. You can also rent bikes from the hostel to explore the city.
Fun Fact: This Madrid hostel takes its name from Newton’s prediction that the world would end in 2060. They created this space to inspire others to live each day to the fullest, as if the world were about to end. That’s why the walls are covered in beautiful artwork and quotes conveying this concept. Read more..
- Sauna
- Spa
- Air Conditioning in Rooms
- Evening Entertainment
- Luggage Storage
- A bit on the pricier side
Great for Solo Travelers and Large Groups
Mola Hostel

When it comes to the best youth hostels in Madrid, one of our all-time favourites is Mola in Plaza de Jacinto Benavente, between the central Puerta del Sol and Lavapiés. The decor is contemporary, with a simple but lovely blue and white colour scheme in dorms ranging from four- to 10-bed.
There is a nightly bar crawl and a large common area, located on the lower floors to make sure guests can sleep well. The staff are super hospitable and happy to organise group activities and trips if you get in touch before your arrival. There is no shared kitchen but all the tapas you can eat just outside the hostel. Guests can discover delicious food from all over the world, small art galleries and alluring nightlife right at your doorstep.
Fun Fact: Mola is Spanish for “cool”. Read more..
- Free Walking Tour
- Free Wifi
- Luggage Storage
- Great Common Area
- Great location
- Not super fancy if that’s what you’re looking for
- No shared kitchen
Double Rooms for Double-Oh-Seven
Room 007 Chueca

Offering free Wi-Fi and plenty of space to sit and work in peace, Room007 Chueca Hostel is the best hostel for digital nomads in Madrid and for secret agents in Mi6. This is not a hostel that hosts huge parties but they do organize pub crawls with their sister hostel and it’s located right in downtown Madrid, a hip neighbourhood full of bars and restaurants.
There’s an in-house restaurant/bar, a kitchen, a cosy attic lounge (with a foosball table!), and a cool rooftop terrace. Free walking tours help you see the main tourist sights and there are loads of other activities organized throughout the week.
They have doubles and dorms, with shared rooms featuring bunk beds with fresh linen, free towels and secure lockers. They also supply you with shower gel and shampoo too to help everyone stay so fresh and so clean.
You can start the day with some delicious breakfast and then head out to explore the epic neighbourhood. The bars in Chueca stay open till the early hours, and you can walk to iconic sights like the Royal Palace in about 20 minutes, so there’s plenty to do once you’re done with work.
According to previous guests, it’s also one of the best hotels for keeping your valuables and you safe. They offer round-the-clock security and baggage storage so if you’re checking out but your flight is not till later, you can lock it up at the hostel. Their emphasis on safety also makes it a great hostel for female solo travellers.
- Complimentary toiletries
- Good for women travelling alone
- Roof terrace
- Luggage storage
- Free wifi
- No disadvantage
How to choose the right hostel in Madrid?
I love visiting Madrid so much that I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been! Needless to say, I know what to look for when it comes to hostel hunting. Here is my handy guide for things to keep in mind.
1. Weekend Pricing:
Madrid is a big nightlife destination so people come to party — which means the peak for visitors is the weekend. Hostels are aware of this and raise the prices to meet demand. So a hostel that’s €15/night on Thursday might be €28/night on the weekend.
2. Cheap Beds & Good Hostels Go Early:
The price of Madrid hostels are pretty regular but the quality can vary drastically. The best hostels get booked up quickly especially in high season (summer) so book early.
3. Location Matters:
Most hostels in Madrid are located in the centre of town. Some are located on the outskirts but Madrid has a great public transport system to help you get around. We’d recommend staying in the centre to enjoy walking tours to the fullest.
4. Hostel Atmosphere:
Every hostel has its own speciality. Some are party hostels, some are family-oriented, and others are more for seeing the city and offer city tours. I recommend finding a hostel that matches the vibe of your holiday.
5. Checking in and Checking Out:
Most hostels in Madrid allow you to check in late in the afternoon (around 2 pm-4 pm) but a lotof them will let you store your bags if you arrive before check-in.
What is the average cost of a hostel in Madrid?
If you’re looking for a place to stay as a solo traveler, a night in a hostel in Madrid will cost you around €23 a night.
What is Madrid famous for?
Madrid has many landmarks and claims to fame, here are three things you should not miss out on!
What is Madrid famous for?
- Puerta del Sol
Madrid’s Puerta del Sol is best known for being the place where people gather to ring in the New Year. However, most tourists don’t know that the square is also the point where all of Spain’s six major roads start. This is Spain’s symbolic “Kilometer 0.” You’ll find a cute plaque in the middle of the square that designates the spot where all the major roads started – pretty epic! - Calamari Sandwiches
Now, I could have put down Madrid’s nightlight as something that makes it famous, and it is great. You will have so much fun in the bustling bars and dance the night away in pumping clubs but what happens when you’re on your way home, your feet hurt and your belly is empty? That’s where one of Madrid’s most famous sights comes in. Whether it’s in the middle of the day or the middle of the night, the fried Calamari sandwich is to die for. Try it with the traditional sauce, mayonnaise! - Retiro Park
When the sun hits, Madrid is beautiful. The regal architecture is stunning but the place to be on a sunny Sunday is definitely Retiro Park. One of the park’s most popular attractions is the statue walk, lined with 18th-century statues of Spanish kings. Next to a monument of Alfonso XII, there’s an artificial lake where you can take a pedal boat ride for a couple of euros. Another attraction in Retiro Park is the Crystal Palace, a pavilion built in 1887 that looks like an epic greenhouse.

Lizzy
Traveler & Blogger
Hi, I’m Lizzy! In the past 10 years I’ve travelled 60 countries and I’m still counting. While I was backpacking I could not find a website that provides valuable information about hostels. After months of thinking, doubting and brainstorming, hostelstobook.com was born.
I hope to make your trip easier, so you’d only stay in the best hostels around the globe. Do you have any questions? Don’t hesitate to send me a message.
FAQ:
Finding the perfect Madrid hostel is a matter of comfort but also location. We recommend staying somewhere central to take advantage of the nightlife and the sights like Puerta del Sol. If you want to live like a local the La Latina neighbourhood might be more for you. Wherever you stay, we recommend getting a place next to a metro station so you can avail of Madrid’s great public transport if you have to.
If you plan on flying into Madrid via the Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport then you’re in luck because it is very well connected to the city. You can either get public transport to the centre of town using the C3 or the C4a bus which will take you 3o minutes roughly. If you’re renting a car and driving into town it should take you also approximately 30 minutes if you take the M-40 southbound.
The main train station in Madrid is called Atocha and it’s quite quick and easy to get to the center of town from there. You can either get on at the metro station and take the line 1 to Sol, that takes 11 minutes approximately. You could also walk if you’ve packed light, that takes 23 minutes and is a good introduction to the city. Driving from Atocha to Sol should take around 9 minutes, depending on the traffic.
There are roughly 3.3 million people living in Spain’s capital city so some areas are truly bustling and others are quieter but there are plenty of friendly locals to meet.
Madrid is roughly 504 kilometres (313 miles) from Barcelona. You can get a train which will take you around 2.5 hours or you can drive which will take you around 6 hours depending on construction and traffic. For the more adventurous travellers, you can cycle east to Valencia and then north up the coast to Barcelona. That will take you roughly 36 hours in total.