The Emerald Isle is one of the most vibrant and beautiful countries in Europe, and what better place to set a home base in Ireland than Dublin? Often ranked as one of the friendliest cities in the world to visit, it’s no wonder why this bustling metropolis sees over eight million tourists every year. We here at Road Affair understand that holidays, ironically, can be quite stressful to plan. That’s why we have carefully curated a list of the best hostels in Dublin so that you and your crew can pick an accommodation that fits your needs without wasting hours researching. From party hostels to laid-back family-friendly hostels, you’ll find it all here.
5 Best Hostels in Dublin
- Best Overall Hostel: Abbey Court Hostel
- Best Party Hostel: Generator Dublin
- Best Hostel for Couples/Families: Jacobs Inn
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads: Abigails Hostel
- Best Budget Hostel: Ashfield Hostel
Abbey Court Hostel
This funky and cute youth hostel in Dublin is perfect for those looking to explore the city on foot and return to a fun social atmosphere. Guests will find plenty of colorfully decorated common rooms where they can play billiards, ping pong, foosball, or get comfy with a book. They even have hammocks in the lounge, an outdoor patio, and a cinema room decked out with bean bags and couches! The on-site bar serves up refreshing pints of the black stuff and meals or guests can whip up their own meals in the communal kitchen. There are even desktop computers available for use and plenty of spaces to set up to work on a laptop. Other outstanding amenities include on-site washers and dryers, luggage storage, 24-hour receptions and security, and free breakfast.
Dormitory rooms are available with configurations of four to 24 beds in a mixed or female-only setting. Each bunk bed is equipped with lockable drawers and hooks to hang jackets. Private rooms with a standard double bed for two people. Abbey Court Hostel is located right on the Liffey, a few steps from O’Connell Monument, O’Connell Street, and the National Wax Museum.
Generator Dublin
Generator Dublin is a deluxe hotel-hostel with top-quality amenities and an awesome location, making it one of the coolest hostels in Dublin. From the moment guests step in the door they’ll find a friendly, social setting with a rustic-modern motif. Events are held nightly at the on-site bar and lounge, including karaoke nights, drinking games, trivia, and parties, so there are plenty of opportunities to meet other travelers. Generator also has fantastic common areas where backpackers can play billiards with new friends, set up shop for a day of work, or read a book. Plus, there’s a cinema room for movie nights! Tourists can choose to rent a dog-friendly private room, which can sleep anywhere from one to 10 people, or book a bed in a mixed or female-only room. Dorm rooms are offered in configurations of four, six, eight, or 10 beds, and each bed is equipped with a reading light, shelf, and lockable drawer.
The Jameson Distillery is right around the corner from the hostel, while attractions like the National Museum of Ireland-Decorative Arts & History and the National Leprechaun Museum of Ireland are just a 10-minute walk away.
Jacobs Inn
On the hunt for a centrally located hostel with great amenities? Then this Dublin hostel just might be for you. Located less than a 10-minute walk from attractions like the Jeanie Johnston: An Irish Famine Story, EPIC Irish Emigration Museum, and the shops of O’Connell Street, tourists couldn’t ask for a better location. However, location is not all that’s offered at Jacob’s Inn. The hostel also offers a fantastic on-site bar and restaurant which serves up a free all-you-can-eat porridge breakfast with all the fixings, including juice and coffee. Perhaps the best part of this hostel is the rooftop terrace. Here, visitors can relax with new friends in the open air while overlooking the bustling city.
Tourists can opt to stay in one of the hostel’s private rooms, which come with private en suites, or in one of the mixed or female-only dorms, which are offered in configurations of 12, 10, eight, or six beds. All of the dorm rooms are fitted with the hostel’s signature pod-style beds, meaning guests will have curtains for privacy, and their own shelf, electrical plug, reading light, and hanging hooks. Other noteworthy amenities include a luggage room with lockers, laundry facilities, and a 24-hour front desk.
Abigails Hostel
First up on our list of the best Dublin hostels is Abigails Hostel, located right in the happening area of Temple Bar. This is a great laid-back hostel for travelers of all ages, including families and larger groups, as the accommodation offers several private rooms that can sleep anywhere from one to six people. Tourists can also opt for a classic hostel dorm, which is offered in a mixed or female-only setting with either 12, 10, eight, six, or three beds in a room. Each bed comes with a lockable drawer underneath.
Downstairs, Abigails has plenty of common spaces in a bright modern style. Guests can use the lockers to lock up their valuables, play a round of foosball with new friends, grab a board game, or set up for a day of work at one of the many tables and couches. There is also a spacious communal kitchen where guests can whip up a quick meal. The hostel hosts a daily free walking tour of the city or visitors can venture out on their own as they will be in the heart of the city just a few short steps from Temple Bar, Trinity College, and the shops of O’Connell Street.
Ashfield Hostel
Those on the lookout for a cheap hostel in Dublin with loads of free activities should check out Ashfield Hostel. The centrally located hostel is just a few steps away from the National Wax Museum, Temple Bar, and Trinity College. There are also plenty of tram and bus stops just a few seconds away, so there’s fantastic access to the rest of the city.
Ashfield Hostel offers a social setting with free daily walking tours for guests, free maps, free breakfast, and free luggage storage. Savvy hostel stayers can also make use of the communal kitchen to whip up a meal or head to the common area to work on their laptops. Visitors who don’t feel like cooking will find a variety of restaurants and bars just minutes from the hostel.
Private rooms are available with en suites and can sleep one to six people, and the dorm rooms are offered with four, six, eight, or 18 beds in a mixed or female-only setting. All of the dorm rooms come with an en suite bathroom and lockers are also available in the lounge.
More Great Hostels in Dublin
Gardiner House
Gardiner House, located a few blocks south of Croke Park and the GAA Museum, is a great choice for those who want a chill hostel. Inside, Gardiner House boasts a funky colorful motif with modern amenities like a jacuzzi and a decked-out common room with a large flatscreen TV, guitars, movies, books, and computers. A complimentary breakfast is offered every morning, along with complimentary tea, coffee, and hot chocolate at all hours, or guests can whip up their own meals in the communal kitchen. There is also a games area where guests can play foosball, billiards, or a board game, and an outdoor terrace with faux grass and picnic tables. What’s even cooler about this hostel is that it’s set in an old chapel but with modern renovations, so guests will be able to appreciate the stained glass windows and small touches of history throughout. Other outstanding amenities include on-site paid parking, free luggage storage, laundry facilities, and vending machines. Backpackers can book a private room, either with or without a private bathroom, or choose the classic dorm-style bed in either a four-, six-, eight-, 12-, 16-, or 18-bed mixed room.
Clink i Lár
This hostel in Dublin with private rooms is ideally located right on Abbey Street in the heart of the shopping area of central Dublin. Clink i Lár is a great social hostel and offers an on-site bar, WunderBAR, where guests can enjoy a pint after a day of touring the city. Plus, it’s stocked with plenty of local craft beers and has a great food menu! In the lounge, guests will find plenty of board games to play, along with a guitar, books, and plenty of spaces to plop down with a book. All of the dorm rooms come with pod-style bunk beds with curtains, a reading light, an electrical outlet, and hooks. There are also large lockers for travelers to lock their backpacks in. Clink i Lár also offers a wide range of private rooms, from a standard double bedroom to a four-person family suite or a private dorm room with six beds. The hostel also offers laundry facilities, bike rentals, air conditioning, and it’s wheelchair friendly.
Guests of the hostel will be less than a five-minute walk from attractions like the National Leprechaun Museum, Ha’penny Bridge, Temple Bar Pub, and O’Connell Street, and roughly a 10-minute walk from Dublin Castle and the Molly Malone Statue.
Garden Lane Backpackers
If you are looking for a good hostel in Dublin that’s away from the chaos of the central area, then Garden Lane Backpackers might be for you. This classic backpacker hostel offers a laid-back atmosphere with a contemporary homey feel. It’s located in a less crowded area of town with Vicar Street pubs right around the corner and the Guinness Warehouse, Dublin Castle, and the Teeling Whisky Distillery less than a 15-minute walk away.
The Garden Lane Backpackers Hostel boasts smaller dorm rooms with four, six, or eight beds in a female-only or mixed setting. Each bed comes with a curtain for privacy, a reading light, outlets, and a lockable drawer under the bunk bed. Private rooms are also available to book and come with a bunk bed, kettle, and a shared bathroom. Downstairs, guests will find a spacious, modern communal kitchen and can enjoy their meals on the rooftop terrace with new hostel friends. In the lounge, there are plenty of couches, along with a flatscreen TV, a selection of DVD movies, board games, and more! Other noteworthy on-site amenities include luggage storage, laundry facilities, and free coffee.
There you have it – the best hostels in Dublin! Whether you’re seeking a party hostel or a laid-back atmosphere, Dublin has something for every traveler. But before you embark on your Dublin adventure, make sure to check out our comprehensive guides on things to do in Dublin and our Dublin itinerary articles. They’re packed with insider tips and local insights to ensure you make the most of your time in the Irish capital.
Julie Cao
I stayed in Abigail’s Hostel for a week when I was in Dublin, and I love everything about this hostel, especially the convenient access to temple bar and the river is just out front. I stayed at the dorm room, and I have no idea private room is so cheap.
Jazzy
Yeah Abigail’s is a pretty sweet hostel. Glad you enjoyed your stay there :)!