Planning a trip to Malaga? If you’re like most people who have never been to Spain and don’t know where to stay, you’ve landed on the right page!
Are you looking for affordable and safe lodging in this exotic coastal city? If so, we’ve got you covered with a list of all the best hostels in Malaga, Spain.
Quick Summary
- Best Hostel for Budget Travelers — The Lights Hostel
- Best Hostel for Families — TOC Hostel Malaga
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads — La Moraga de Poniente Malaga Hostel
- Best Hostel for Partying — Chinitas Urban Hostel
- Best Hostel for Solo Female Travelers — Terraza del Limonar
- Best Overall Hostel — The Urban Jungle Rooftop Hostel
Malaga Spain: an Underestimated Tourist Destination
One of the most beautiful cities in the world, Malaga is located on Spain’s southern Costa del Sol, meaning Coast of the Sun. It’s known for its beautiful beaches, modern skyline, and, oh yeah, it’s the birthplace of Pablo Picasso.
Home of the famous Museo Piccaso (Picasso Museum), Malaga has tons of cultural history to offer. There is La Alcazaba, the 8th-century fortress with architecture heavily influenced by Arab roots, The Roman Theatre, also created during the Moorish period, and the famous Malaga Cathedral.
Aside from its historical value, the city also offers many other activities, including shopping, great food, and beautiful views. So, if you want to learn more about Spain’s rich history and get a taste of local culture, look no further than Malaga!
The Best Hostels in Malaga, Spain
After a long day out in Malaga, you will be looking to sleep in a nice warm bed to prepare for your next day’s adventures (and a safe place to store your goods when you are gone all day). Below are the best hostels in Malaga Spain.
1. The Urban Jungle Rooftop Hostel
Best known for its rooftop terrace and historic location, The Urban Jungle Rooftop Hostel. Mere minutes away from the Picasso Museum and La Alcazaba, this hostel is the perfect place for someone looking for a green oasis in a town of stone and sand.
Aside from the greenery, this hostel offers free WiFi, a private bedroom upon request, full kitchen access, and many activities that will take you around the city.
They also provide a free hair dryer and straight iron to keep you looking good on your Spanish vacation, free weekly concerts, and free coffee all day. Finally, they offer a complimentary, themed dinner every night, including vegan options.
Check-in starts at 2:00 pm (14:00), check-out is at 11:00 am, and they accept cash, credit, and debit, with a maximum stay of 5 days. With a 9.3 rating, this hostel is a top choice for anyone looking to stay in Malaga on a budget.
2. The Lights Hostel
Another highly rated hostel, The Lights Hostel, is located in central Malaga and only a few minutes from La Alcazaba and the Malagueta beach. This hostel is the place to stay if you want to meet new people.
Guests have plenty of opportunities to socialize every morning over an excellent, cheap breakfast and complimentary Sangria in the evenings. Or, if you are looking to explore the town with some new friends, the staff is wonderful at offering ideas for things to do around the city.
This hostel has a lot of terrific amenities, including air conditioning, free linens, special pricing on bike and scooter rentals, a hairdryer and flat iron upon request, WiFi in every room, and showers with two types of showerheads. Furthermore, every bedroom includes a bed light, a curtain, and a power supply.
Check-in starts at 2:30 pm (14:30), check-out is until 11:30 am, and they accept credit cards and cash. Another great choice in Malaga and the only property with balconies over the Semana Santa and Feria Festivals, The Lights Hostel and its 9.0 rating are sure to please.
3. Conviven: Albergue y Espacio Ecocultural
Highly rated for its staff, cleanliness, and location, this hostel is your best option for reducing your carbon footprint on the world (or just saving the environment in any way possible) today.
While not the most inclusive option (breakfast, sheets, and towels not included), Conviven is determined to help its guests become more involved with the world around them. It is an environmentally aware space with activities that include school visits, conscious eating, organic farming, and environmental education.
Check-in is from 4:00 pm-10:00 pm (16:00-22:00), and check-out is before 3:00 pm (15:00). This environmentally friendly hostel is undoubtedly the best way to go if you want to save the world a little bit today or even learn what it is like to live a cleaner life.
Suggested Reading: The Best Time To Visit Malaga, Spain
4. The Lights Garden
If you want an authentic Andalusian experience, The Lights Garden is the place for you. The hostel is an over 100-year-old home to create a beautiful and memorable experience in Malaga.
Located in the city center, this is another hostel where you only need to walk a few steps to experience something new and exciting. It is a short walk to Museo Picasso, Museo Thyssen, Calle Larios, La Malagueta Beach, La Alcazaba, and the Malaga Cathedral. It is also seconds from many restaurants, theaters, and bars.
Amenities include free WiFi, laundry service, heaters, fans, beach towels, and car and scooter rentals. Furthermore, there is access to a full kitchen if you want to cook with your new friends.
Check-in is from 2:00- 10:00 pm (14:00-22:00), and check-out is until 12:00 pm. The Lights Garden is a great place to save your wallet and gain an authentic living experience in Malaga, Spain.
5. Malaga Beach and Center Backpackers
Do quiet waves and sandy beaches sound like the best vacation to you? If so, you’ve just found your new go-to hostel in Malaga!
Located a breath away from the beach, the Malaga Beach and Center Backpackers hostel is nestled in a residential area, away from all the tourist hustle and bustle. The city center is easy to reach, so you get the best of both worlds during your vacation.
Aside from its quiet atmosphere, this hostel gets big points for its beautiful sea views, free WiFi, free maps to the city, and included linens. They host book exchanges and BBQs and have laundry facilities on the property. Not to mention the outdoor terrace or hot showers.
Check-in is from 3:00 pm- 11:00 pm (15:00-23:00), check-out is until 11:00 am, and they accept credit card, cash, and debit payments.
Malaga Beach and Center Backpackers is the best choice if you are looking for a quiet, relaxed hostel without the noise and mess a party hostel can bring.
6. Chinitas Urban Hostel
Located near many shops and restaurants, Chinitas Urban Hostel is the way to go if you want less history and more shopping.
The hostel is mere minutes from the famed Marques de Larios Street and the Alameda Principal, the hub for all Malaga busses.
Amenities for the Chinitas Urban Hostel include a terrace tea-coffee bar (with a breathtaking view of the Malaga Cathedral), air conditioning, hot showers, storage lockers, and an elevator. There is also free WiFi, 24-hour reception, and transport to the airport. Best of all for all you partygoers? This hostel has a nightclub.
Check-in is from 12:00 pm- 11:00 pm (12:00-23:00), check-out is until 12:00 pm, and they accept credit card, cash, and debit payments. Chinitas Urban Hostel is a great place to go if you are looking for some good nights out (and in).
7. Feels Hostel Soho Malaga
Centrally located, the Feels Hostel Soho Malaga maintains a good balance between the social and historical locations in Malaga. Walking distance from the CAC Malaga, the Parque de Malaga, La Alcazaba, Alameda Principal, and the seaport, to name a few places, Feels Hostel Soho Malaga has it all.
This is another hostel that encourages its guests to meet one another through Paella Nights. In addition, their amenities include free WiFi and linens, a laundry facility (including a dryer), an ironing board and iron, an elevator, and bike parking. Finally, the Feels Hostel Soho Malaga’s most unique aspect is its job board, which is available to all seeking guests.
Check-in is from 3:00 pm- 11:00 pm (15:00-23:00), check-out is until 11:00 am, and they accept credit card, cash, and debit payments. The lowest rated at 8.2, but still held in high regard, the Feels Hostel Soho Malaga.
Suggested Reading: Where To Stay in Malaga, Spain
8. TOC Hostel Malaga
Located in the center of Malaga’s historic district, TOC Hostel Malaga is perfect for visitors looking to stay in the heart of the action. Nearby attractions include the Picasso Museum, Alcazaba, and Malagueta Beach, all of which are just a short walk from the front door.
Beyond its convenient location, TOC Hostel also provides excellent comfort amenities within its 4, 6, or 8-bed mixed dorms, along with its six-bed female dorm. The hostel also features a variety of private rooms for an additional charge, ranging from family rooms to private suites.
Regardless of your room or bed selection, all guests staying at the hostel receive access to the complex’s shared facilities, which include 24-hour reception, free wifi, and a full shared kitchen. The hostel also offers breakfast every morning in its cafeteria, as well as a bar and lounge for evening drinks.
TOC Hostel takes cash, credit, and debit cards and allows check-in from 3:00 pm – 3:00 am (15:00 – 03:00). Meanwhile, guests are required to check out by 11:00 am.
9. COEO Pod Hostel
Visitors looking to prioritize privacy while maintaining the budget-friendly and social atmosphere of a hostel will find that COEO Pod Hostel offers the perfect blend of the two within their pod-style accommodations.
The first of its kind in the Andalusia region, COEO Pod Hostel offers three types of private pods to its guests. The single bed is perfect for solo travelers, while the double bed pod is ideal for couples, and the private pod suite offers roomier accommodation for those seeking a little more space.
All hostel guests receive access to the facility’s shared communal spaces, along with an array of activities offered by the COEO Experience Group, including free walking tours, happy hours, yoga retreats, and beach volleyball.
Guests staying at the hostel are expected to check in from 3:00 pm – 11:00 pm (15:00 – 23:00), while check-in is anytime before 11:00 am. Guests pay upon arrival, with the hostel accepting cash, credit, and debit transactions.
10. Terraza del Limonar
Promising a cozy terrace with breathtaking sea views, Terraza del Limonar provides convenient accommodation within Malaga’s El Limonar neighborhood, only a short walk from the city center and such attractions as Malagueta Beach, Gibralfaro Viewpoint, and the Picasso Museum.
Guests have a selection of 4, 8, or 10-bed mixed dorms, with female travelers having the additional option of a ten-bed female-only dorm, which also features an ensuite bathroom.
All guests have access to the facility’s three shared bathrooms, a comfortable kitchen area, and a communal living room. The hostel features an onsite bar for sharing a drink with other guests.
Offering fantastic rates for a budget trip to the city, the Terraza del Limonar accepts payments in cash, credit, or debit, and guests are welcome to check in from 2:00 pm – 11:00 pm (14:00 – 3:00), with check out being anytime before 11:00 am.
11. Malaga Stop Hostel
Another fantastic budget hostel option located in the city center, Malaga Stop Hostel, is perfect for visitors looking for a quieter atmosphere. While only a few minutes from popular attractions such as the Picasso Museum, Malaga Cathedral, and La Alcazaba, Malaga Stop Hostel offers a cozy escape for a quiet night’s sleep.
Of course, those looking for active nightlife will find several theaters, tapas, bars, and nightclubs in the area, along with a shared lounge directly on the property.
Other facilities offered at the hostel include a shared kitchen, 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, and a selection of 6 or 8-bed mixed dorms. Private rooms are also available for an additional fee.
Check-in is from 2:00 pm – 10:00 pm (14:00 – 22:00), while check-out is anytime before 11:30 am. The property accepts payment of cash, debit, or credit.
12. La Moraga de Poniente Malaga Hostel
Perfect for medium and long-term stays, La Moraga de Poniente Malaga Hostel offers fantastic budget accommodation within the quieter seaside neighborhood of Pedregalejo.
Along with promising a more laid-back setting for exploring a more authentic side of Malaga, La Moraga de Poniente Hostel is only a short walk from many restaurants, shopping centers, and the public bus stop, which connects it to the more popular attractions downtown.
The hostel features a variety of 4 and 6-bed dorms, including a female-only dorm, along with some private room selections within its three-storied building. Additionally, the complex also features a rooftop solarium with seaside views, a multimedia room, a shared kitchen, and a laundry room.
Check-in is from 1:00 pm – 10:00 pm (13:00 – 20:00), and check-out is from 7:00 am – 12:00 pm. The hotel does offer baggage storage for those with later departures.
FAQ About Hostels in Malaga, Spain
Selecting the Best Hostel in Malaga for You
While not always the first trip that comes to mind, a vacation to Malaga is one you will not regret. And, with so many choices for lodging, it is essential to pick the one that best fits your needs (and your budget).
With all of the great selections we’ve researched and listed for you in our list of the best hostels, booking your favorite hostel and heading to the beautiful city of Malaga, Spain, should be a breeze!
