Last Updated: 04/26/23 | April 26th, 2023
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.
That said, there are a lot of things to consider when selecting a hostel. The top four when picking the best hostel in Stockholm are:
- Location – Stockholm is big and it can take some time to get around. Pick a place that is central to the sites and nightlife you want to see. All the hostels listed here are in central locations.
- Price – In Stockholm, you really get what you pay for, so if you go with a really cheap one, you’re probably going to get a hostel that is small, cramped, and doesn’t offer great service.
- Amenities – Every hostel in the city offers free Wi-Fi, and some have a free breakfast, but if you want more than that, be sure to do your research to find the hostel that best meets your needs!
- Staff – All the hostels listed here have amazing staff! They are super friendly and knowledgeable. Even if you don’t end up staying at one of the places listed below, be sure to look up reviews to ensure you end up somewhere where the staff is helpful and friendly! They can make or break a hostel!
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:
Best Overall Hostel: City Backpackers
Best Hostel for Budget Travelers: Generator Stockholm
Best Hostel for Families: Långholmens Vandrarhem
Best Hostel for Solo Female Travelers: Generator Stockholm
Best Hostel for Digital Nomads: City Hostel – Central Station
Best Hostel for Partying: City Backpackers or Generator Stockholm
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. 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 are decently comfortable but, like in much of Scandinavia, there is an added cost for blankets (sleeping bags are not allowed).
Archipelago Hostel Old Town at a glance:
- $$
- Great location (it’s right in Gamla Stan)
- Relaxed and quiet so you can get a good sleep
- Small hostel so it’s easy to meet people
Beds from 200 SEK, double rooms from 638 SEK.
2. Generator Stockholm
Generator is one of the biggest European hostel chains, and this is one of its best properties. The furniture is modern, Nordic, and very minimalist! There’s a huge common lounge on the ground floor too, with a restaurant and bar. There’s a laundry facility onsite as well. Its location near the train station makes it an ideal spot to explore nearby attractions, museums, and nightlife.
While it is the nicest hostel around (it was only recently built), it’s so big that it often feels impersonal and more like a backpacker hotel than anything else. If you want a more “luxury” hostel or something like a cheap hotel, stay here. The beds are comfortable and each bed has an electric socket and light. If you want a small, social, traditional backpacker place, stay elsewhere. Check the website for deals, which are frequent!
Generator Stockholm at a glance:
- $$
- 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 270 SEK, double rooms from 1,147 SEK USD.
HostelPass members get 10% off
3. 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!
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 171 SEK, double rooms from 765 SEK.
4. 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:
- $$$
- Huge kitchen for cooking your own meals
- Cozy atmosphere (it’s a smaller hostel so it’s easy to meet people)
- Recently renovated so everything is clean and new
Beds from 334 SEK, single rooms from 643 SEK.
5. Castanea Old Town Hostel
This amazingly central hostel is quiet and clean, and the staff is friendly. The rooms are bright and airy, with large windows and high ceilings. The beds are comfy with shelves and storage space. If you don’t want to make your own breakfast in the shared kitchen, there’s a fantastic small bakery just around the corner. I love the narrow cobblestone street on which it’s located! This place is cute, cozy, and relaxing.
Castanea Old Town Hostel at a glance:
- $$
- Central location close to all the main sights
- Quiet and laid back atmosphere
- Close to an amazing bakery
Beds from 280 SEK, double rooms from 700 SEK.
6. 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.
Overall, this is a pretty average hostel, but if you’re looking for something inexpensive and near the train station, stay here!
City Hostel at a glance:
- $$
- Clean bathrooms (a big plus in my books)
- Quiet and relaxed atmosphere
- Convenient location near the central station
Beds from 240 SEK, double rooms from 680 SEK.
7. Långholmens Vandrarhem
This is the best family/group hostel in Stockholm. It’s set inside an old prison, and most rooms have their own shower and toilet. It has free Wi-Fi, a cafeteria, a pub, a restaurant, a laundry room, and bike rentals. Linens are NOT included in the price, but they are available for an additional cost. They have an awesome breakfast available with pretty much everything for an extra SEK 126 discounted price per person.
The hostel is located on Långholmen Island, surrounded by nature. It opens right onto a beach, where you can take a swim in Lake Mälaren during the summer months! HI hostel members receive a discount.
Långholmens Vandrarhem at a glance:
- $$$
- 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
Single rooms are 700 SEK, private double rooms start at 808 SEK.
8. Lilla Brunn
This hostel is in 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. There’s a shared kitchen and a really good breakfast buffet available for purchase for SEK 110.
Lilla Brunn at a glance:
- $$$
- Upscale accommodation with a chic vibe
- Quiet and laid-back atmosphere
- Delicious breakfast buffet (for 110 SEK)
Beds from 355 SEK, double rooms from 945 SEK.
9. Jumbo Stay STF/IYHF
This hostel is actually an old converted 747 plane and the best place to stay if you have to be at the airport really early. There are singles, doubles, and 2–4-bed dorms. The best room is the cockpit suite with a private bathroom (starting at 1,850 SEK). It’s open 24 hours a day and has an onsite restaurant and bar. Towels and linens are included. If need to be by the airport, stay here. It’s super awesome!
Jumbo Stay STF at a glance:
- $$$
- 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 450 SEK, double standard rooms from 1,200 SEK.
10. STF af Chapman/Skeppsholmen
STF af Chapman & Skeppsholmen Hostel is a unique hostel with facilities and rooms spread across a 19th-century building as well as a three-masted full-rigged ship. You stay on the boat or on land and just visit the ship’s on-deck restaurant to enjoy a drink and bite to eat. Though it’s historic, everything has been newly renovated, with a guest kitchen, Wi-Fi, and a café. There’s also a continental breakfast on offer (for an additional fee) including ample vegetarian and vegan options. Unlike many hostels in Stockholm, linens and towels are included in the price.
Note: the location on the boat is under renovation until the end of 2023 but you can still book at their Hantverkshuset space (on land).
STF af Chapman/Skeppsholmen at a glance:
- $$$
- Option to stay on a ship
- Shared kitchen
- Continental breakfast available (additional fee)
Beds from 530 SEK, private rooms from 1755 SEK.
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 (remember, City Backpackers is the best). You’ll have a great stay, comfy bed, and fun social environment! What more do you really need?
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Book Your Trip to Stockholm: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine 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 as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. 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.
If you’re wondering what part of town to stay in, here’s my neighborhood breakdown of Stockholm!
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. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- Safety Wing (best for everyone)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
- Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
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’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want More Information on Stockholm?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide to Stockholm for even more planning tips!
