Posted: 8/21/2023 | August 21st, 2023

Lively Dublin is known for its rambunctious pubs, literary scene (William Butler Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, and Samuel Beckett all lived here), Guinness, and live music.

Dublin is quite compact and walkable if you stay somewhere central. Most hostels are relatively close together near Temple Bar, the riverside neighborhood known for its pubs and nightlife.

To help you plan your trip, I’ve compiled my list of the best hostels in the city, based on my numerous visits over the past 15 years.

Price (per night)

• $ – Under 40 EUR
• $$ – 40-55 EUR
• $$$ – Over 55 EUR

1. Jacob’s Inn

This is one of the top-rated hostels not just in Dublin but in all of Ireland. All of the dorm beds are super cozy pods with thick mattresses, as well as individual lights, curtains, and outlets. There’s a bar and restaurant on-site too and every morning you can get bottomless coffee, juice, and porridge for just 6 EUR.

There’s also plenty of space to socialize, laundry facilities, lockers to store your stuff, and key cards to access the rooms (so it’s quite safe and secure).

Jacob’s Inn at a glance:

• $$$
• Cozy pod beds ensure you get to sleep
• Bottomless breakfast
• Bar makes it easy to meet other travelers

Beds from 57 EUR, private rooms from 269 EUR.

2. Garden Lane Backpackers

This hostels feels like home. I love the vibe of the common areas and there’s a fully equipped kitchen in case you want to cook your meals, plus a rooftop terrace where you take in the view as you eat and drink with friends. The dorm beds have curtains and the mattresses are super thick so you can get a good night’s sleep. Each bed has its own light and outlet too.

Garden Lane Backpackers at a glance:

• $$
• Fully equipped kitchen
• Chill rooftop terrace for hanging out and meeting people
• Cozy, laid-back atmosphere

Beds from 47 EUR, private rooms from 143 EUR.

3. Generator

Generator is a chain with locations all around Europe. Its properties are stylish and have more of a hotel feel, though this location does a great job of keeping things fun and social. There are nightly events to help you meet people, including quizzes, karaoke, DJ nights, billiards, and drinking games, It definitely has a bit of a party vibe. The comfy beds all have outlets, lights, and USB ports. There are no curtains for privacy, but there is a small divider.

Generator at a glance:

• $$
• Organizes lots of events
• Female-only dorms
• Restaurant on-site

Beds from 47 EUR, private rooms from 200 EUR.

4. Ashfield Hostel

Located right beside Trinity College, this is one of the most central hostels in town (and thus a great place to crash after a wild night out). It also runs a daily free walking tour. There’s a fully equipped kitchen for cooking your own food, and a simple but filling breakfast is offered each morning (not included). The dorms are clean and spacious, but the beds are pretty basic (no curtains, thin mattresses). It’s one of the more affordable hostels in the city.

Ashfield Hostel at a glance:

• $
• Fully equipped kitchen
• Budget friendly
• Close to Temple Bar

Beds from 35 EUR, private rooms from 164 EUR.

5. Abigails Hostel

Another super central hostel, Abigails is just a short five-minute walk to Temple Bar. The interior is covered in all kinds of art and murals and it has a fun, social atmosphere. There are several huge common areas where you can hang out and they also organize daily free walking tours in case you want to see the sights. While the bunks are just basic metal ones, there are lockers under each bed and individual lights. The Dublin Express airport bus has a stop right near the hostel too so it’s easy to get to/from. It’s also one of the most affordable hostels in the city.

Abigails Hostel at a glance:

• $
• Fully equipped kitchen
• Free guided walking tours
• Close to Temple Bar

Beds from 35 EUR, private rooms from 160 EUR.

Dublin doesn’t have many hostels, and the ones it does have are not all created equal. But you can’t go wrong with any of the places on this list. Whether you’re looking for a social place to meet other travelers or a laid-back hostel for a good night’s sleep, you’ll find what you need on the list above!