Looking for a city where you can visit world-class museums, historic castles, beautiful parks, charming bookshops, cozy cafés, and a legendary pub scene? Dublin delivers everything and more. Spend your days exploring Trinity College, Dublin Castle, St Patrick’s Cathedral, and countless other fascinating attractions before finishing each evening in one of Dublin’s countless traditional pubs. This vibrant Irish capital offers the perfect blend of culture, history, and entertainment for every type of traveller.
Most Dublin hostels are located in the city centre, providing the ideal base for exploring everything this captivating city offers. If visiting the Guinness Storehouse and The Old Jameson Distillery tops your list, staying in a hostel around Smithfield Square will save valuable time.
We’ve assembled a comprehensive list of the best hostels in Dublin for all types of backpackers. Expect free walking tours, pub crawls, wine and cheese nights, and even hostel saunas. From party hostels to establishments with private rooms, our guide will help you discover the perfect hostel in Dublin for your Irish vacation.
Best Hostels in Dublin for Solo Travellers
Like many European capitals, Dublin is an exceptional city for solo travel. You’ll encounter plenty of friendly locals who make you feel welcome and might even invite you for a pint of Guinness. Dublin’s hostels also provide excellent opportunities to meet backpackers from around the world and explore the city together.
Barnacles Temple Bar House
If you’re heading to Dublin for the craic, you can’t go wrong with Barnacles Temple Bar House. As the name suggests, you’ll be in the thick of things with Dublin’s iconic Temple Bar pub right on your doorstep—literally two doors down. The interior is bright and spacious, all rooms have en-suite bathrooms and personal under-bed lockers.
Barnacles is a warm, social hostel where meeting fellow travellers comes naturally thanks to multiple chill-out areas featuring foosball tables, darts, movie nights, and occasional live music nights. They also offer free breakfast and walking tours daily. Guests consistently praise the amazing staff, location, and atmosphere, resulting in Barnacles winning numerous awards including ‘Most Popular Hostel in Dublin.’
Hostel highlights:
- Free breakfast
- Amazing location: two doors from Temple Bar
- Free luggage storage
Address: 19 Temple Lane, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
Neighbourhood: City centre
Nearest station: Trinity College/College Green
Jacobs Inn
If you’re planning to explore more of Ireland after your Dublin adventure, Jacob’s Inn is perfectly positioned opposite the main bus station Busaras and 50 metres from Connolly train station. Jacobs Inn ticks all boxes with its modern design, relaxing roof terrace, and cool communal areas featuring table tennis and foosball.
Each dorm has its own en-suite bathroom, all beds include USB outlets to charge devices and curtains for extra privacy. Staff organize events including movie nights, walking tours, and pub crawls—perfect for meeting fellow travellers and experiencing authentic Dublin while making new friends.
Hostel Highlights:
- Roof terrace
- Cool communal areas
- Movie nights
- Walking tours
- Pub crawls
- Irish dance nights
Address: 21 Talbot Place
Neighbourhood: City centre
Nearest station: Central bus station
Best Hostels in Dublin for Couples
Charming cafés and restaurants, stunning architecture, and pubs dating back to 1198 make Dublin an amazing romantic getaway. We’ve identified perfect hostels for you and your loved one, offering all the privacy you need plus the social vibes only hostels provide.
Ashfield Hostel
Ashfield Hostel’s excellent location between Trinity College and O’Connell Street makes it incredibly convenient when visiting Dublin. You’ll be close to all the city’s main attractions and perfectly positioned to explore Dublin’s nightlife with your partner.
After your night out, enjoy free breakfast and daily walking tours offered by the hostel.
Hostel Highlights:
- Walking tour
- Free breakfast
- Great location
Address: 19-20 D’Olier Street, Dublin 2
Neighbourhood: City centre
Nearest station: College green
Generator Hostel
The Generator’s slick boutique-style design is impressively cool. Beautiful rooms are accompanied by awesome communal areas, an on-site bar and café—perfect when it’s time to socialize with other backpackers.
Guests enjoy drink promotions and free events including karaoke and quiz nights. Generator Hostel boasts an excellent location, just minutes from local hotspots. If you’re after authentic Irish whiskey, simply head next door to the Jameson Distillery.
Hostel highlights:
- Walking tours
- Central location
- Great staff
Address: Smithfield Square, Dublin 7
Neighbourhood: Smithfield
Nearest station: Smithfield stop
Best Party Hostels in Dublin
With fantastic pubs and clubs plus a lively backpacker and student scene, Dublin is a brilliant city for partying. You’ll have countless opportunities to go out and chat with locals while enjoying traditional pubs or trendy clubs.
Abbey Court
Abbey Court hostel is the 2018 HOSCAR Winner for ‘Best Hostel in Dublin.’ This place radiates funky, quirky design. Guests love the artistic vibes, especially the awesome kitchen/dining area perfect for socializing. Like many Dublin hostels, Abbey Court offers numerous freebies including free luggage storage, free daily walking tours, and an all-you-can-eat breakfast.
If you’re ready to party, join their infamous nightly pub crawl, which can get pretty rowdy. The location rates 9.8 by past guests as it’s right in Dublin’s centre, just 2 minutes from buzzing Temple Bar.
Hostel Highlights:
- Free breakfast
- Free walking tour
- Pub crawl
- Free luggage storage
Address: 29 Bachelors Walk, Dublin 1
Neighbourhood: City Centre
Nearest station: O’Connell Bridge
Isaacs Hostel
Isaacs Hostel is a converted 19th-century wine house with charming, cool design featuring exposed-brick wall tunnels that give it tremendous character. Again, it boasts a great location near Connolly train station and Busaras, Dublin’s main bus station, providing easy connections for exploring the rest of Ireland. It’s also conveniently within walking distance of O’Connell St and Temple Bar.
Isaacs has a friendly, lively atmosphere thanks to awesome social communal areas with table tennis tables. Other perks include free breakfast, walking tours, quiz nights, live music, pizza nights, AND a sauna for guests—perfect for recovering after a night out drinking.
Hostel highlights:
- Pub crawl
- 19th century converted wine house
- Free breakfast
- Walking tours
- Live music
- Sauna
Address: 2-4 Frenchmans Lane, Dublin 1
Neighbourhood: City centre
Nearest station: Central Bus Station/Connolly train station
Best Hostels in Dublin with Private Room
We know you love hostels and everything that happens in them—from meeting new people to getting the best tips from staff. Are you seeking an authentic travel experience with privacy during your Dublin visit? You’ll love these hostels with amazing private rooms, free breakfast, and great locations.
Garden Lane Backpackers
Garden Lane is a contemporary and stylish hostel tucked away on a side street of the upscale Christchurch neighbourhood. Here, you’ll enjoy a slightly quieter area while remaining just an easy ten-minute walk from popular hotspots like Grafton Street, Temple Bar, Camden area, and Trinity College.
Being out of the hustle and bustle has rewards, as it’s perfectly located for visiting the Guinness Storehouse, Jameson Distillery, Christchurch Cathedral, Saint Patrick Cathedral, Dublin Castle, and the ‘Brazen Head’—Ireland’s oldest pub. Guests also receive a free continental breakfast.
Hostel highlights:
- Free breakfast
- Terrace
- Great location
Address: Garden Lane, Christchurch
Neighbourhood: Dublin Liberties
Nearest station: The liberties
Abigails Hostel
Abigails Hostel occupies a fantastic location in Dublin’s very centre. Enjoy your en-suite private room and wake up to an amazing free breakfast. The hostel offers a walking tour every day, providing chances to chat with other guests while exploring the city.
The hostel kitchen and dining room are perfect for budget travel, helping you save pounds to use in a local pub.
Hostel highlights:
- Good location
- Walking tour
- Free breakfast
Address: 7-9 Aston Quay, Dublin 2
Neighbourhood: City centre
Nearest station: O’Connell Street
Best Hostels in Dublin City Centre
Central hostels are the best option for saving time and money during your visit. You’ll be in the heart of the city where all of Dublin’s main attractions are located, close to many night spots you can’t miss.
Sky Backpackers
Sky Backpackers is a funky, boutique-style hostel set in a former recording studio where the likes of U2 and Van Morrison produced hits. Sky Backpackers isn’t only pleasing to the eye but also excellently located in Dublin’s centre. Guests find themselves around the corner from the city’s favorite attractions—Liffey river, the Ha’Penny Bridge, O’Connell Street.
For those looking to experience local nightlife, it’s a quick 1-minute stroll to the buzzing Temple Bar Area.
Hostel highlights:
- Great location
- Set in an old recording studio
- Cool decoration
Address: 2-4 Litton Lane, Dublin 1
Neighbourhood: City centre
Nearest station: O’Connell Street
Ashfield Hostel
Ashfield Hostel isn’t only great for couples but also ideal for anyone wanting to be in the thick of the action. You’ll be conveniently located just one minute’s walk to Trinity College, Temple Bar, and O’Connell Street, plus bus stops to the airport, ferry terminal, Guinness Storehouse, and Heuston Station.
It offers tasty treats including free breakfast, free walking tours, free luggage storage, and free WiFi.
Hostel highlights:
- Great location
- Free breakfast
- Free walking tour
Address: 19-20 D’Olier Street, Dublin 2
Neighbourhood: City centre
Nearest station: College green
Best of the Rest Hostels in Dublin
Still unsure which hostel to book? What about free cheese and wine nights, pub crawls, walking tours, and a movie room?
The Times Hostel College Street
The Times Hostel is perfect for backpackers on a budget due to all freebies offered: ice cream on Monday, wine and cheese on Tuesday, dinner on Wednesday, and coffee, tea, and hot chocolate every day.
They also offer a free daily walking tour of Dublin and nightly pub crawls. You’ll be in the heart of Dublin’s historic city centre, close to all main attractions.
Hostel highlights:
- Daily free walking tour
- Pub crawl
- Free events
- Great location
Address: 8 College Street, Dublin
Neighbourhood: City centre
Nearest station: O’Connell Street
Four Courts
Four Courts hostel sits near many Dublin attractions you’ll visit: the Guinness Storehouse, Jameson Distillery, and Brazen Head—Dublin’s oldest pub.
They host free BBQs, pub crawls, and walking tours—perfect for meeting other backpackers. For the day after your pub crawl, enjoy delicious free breakfast before heading to town.
Hostel highlights:
- Free BBQs
- Pub crawls
- Walking tours
- Movie room
Address: 15/17 Merchants Quay, Christchurch
Neighbourhood: Wood Quay
Nearest station: Ushers Quay
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