The 8 Best Hostels in Stockholm

Stockholm is one of my favorite places in Europe. In my opinion, it’s one of the prettiest cities on the continent, with well-preserved historic buildings dating back hundreds of years, lots of parks and green space, and cobblestone streets, all set on a beautiful archipelago.

I’ve been going to Stockholm for a long, long time (I used to lead tours there, and lived there for a summer) and have stayed in every hostel in town. For a small city, there are a surprising number of places to stay, and since I come here often, I wanted to try them all out!

However, it’s not a cheap place to visit (though there still are many ways to save). Even the hostels tend to be expensive, and they are often small and cramped. There are few that are terrible beyond measure.

But Stockholm also has a lot of incredible hostels too.

To help you plan your trip, here is my list of the hostels in Stockholm that I like the most. If you don’t want to read the longer list below, the following hostels are the best in each category:

Want the specifics of each hostel? Here’s my comprehensive list of the best hostels in Stockholm:

Price Legend (per night)

• $ = Under 200 SEK
• $$ = 200-300 SEK
• $$$ = Over 300 SEK

 

1. 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 too, with a restaurant and bar. There’s a laundry facility on-site as well. The beds are comfortable and each bed has an electric socket and light. Its location near the train station makes it an ideal spot to explore nearby attractions, museums, and nightlife.

Generator Stockholm at a glance:

• $$
• Female-only dorms for added privacy and security
• Social restaurant/lounge for hanging out and meeting people
• Convenient location near the central station

Beds from 277 SEK, private rooms from 1,189 SEK. HostelPass members get 10% off

Book here!
 

2. 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. 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!

City Backpackers at a glance:

• $$
• Organizes tons of events
• Lots of free perks (free coffee/tea, free pasta, free sauna)
• Social outdoor patio for relaxing and meeting people

Beds from 268 SEK, private rooms from 788 SEK.

Book here!
 

3. Skanstull Stockholm

My second-favorite hostel in Stockholm, it 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. The dorm beds are in a nice wooden frame, clean, and comfy with their own lights. It’s located in the southern part of town, in Södermalm (my favorite area of Stockholm).

Skanstull Stockholm at a glance:

• $$$
• Huge kitchen for cooking your own meals
• Cozy atmosphere (it’s a smaller hostel so it’s easy to meet people)
• Great location in Södermalm

Beds from 425 SEK, private rooms from 750 SEK.

Book here!
 

4. 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. The beds are comfy with shelves and storage space. If you don’t want to make your own breakfast in the shared kitchen, there’s a fantastic small bakery just around the corner. I love the narrow cobblestone street on which it’s located! This place is cute, cozy, and relaxing.

Castanea Old Town Hostel at a glance:

• $$$
• Central location close to all the main sights
• Quiet and laid back atmosphere
• Close to an amazing bakery

Beds from 355 SEK, private rooms from 750 SEK.

Book here!
 

5. 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. However, the common area and bathrooms are kept super clean, and there’s a great kitchen here too. There’s free coffee and tea available all day, and all of the beds include linens too.

City Hostel at a glance:

• $$
• Clean bathrooms (a big plus in my books)
• Quiet and relaxed atmosphere
• Convenient location near the central station

Beds from 240 SEK, double rooms from 680 SEK.

Book here!

6. Långholmens Vandrarhem

This is the best family/group hostel 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, but they are available for an additional cost of 80 SEK. They have an awesome breakfast available with pretty much everything for an extra 98 SEK per person.

Långholmens Vandrarhem at a glance:

• $$$
• Bike rentals available to help you explore the city easily
• Large rooms that are great for groups/families
• Pub/Restaurant on-site that makes meeting people easy and fun

Private single rooms from 1,810 SEK.

Book here!
 

7. Lilla Brunn

This hostel is in a charming house that was built in 1865. It’s quiet here, as it is located in the north of the city, in a nice neighborhood (Vasastan) full of shops, cafés, and restaurants. This place is really good if you want something more upscale, smaller, and a bit quieter than some of the more centrally located party hostels.

Lilla Brunn at a glance:

• $$$
• Upscale accommodation with a chic vibe
• Quiet and laid-back atmosphere
• Located in Vasastan

Beds from 302 SEK, private rooms from 1,232 SEK.

Book here!
 

8. 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 need to be by the airport, stay here. It’s super awesome!

Jumbo Stay STF at a glance:

• $$$
• Located near the airport (great for layovers)
• Restaurant/Bar to mingle and meet people
• Small dorm rooms (2-4 beds) so you won’t be crowded

Beds from 470 SEK, private rooms from 1,250 SEK.

Book here!

***

Stockholm is easily walkable and has a great metro, so no matter where you are, it’s easy to get around to amazing green spaces and islands, nightlife, and historic areas. Every hostel in Stockholm has its own vibe, but if you’re looking for the best, these are it. Stick to this list and you’ll have a great stay!