The Swedish capital has always been on travelers’ bucket lists, due to its alluring mix of baroque architecture and a burgeoning creative scene.
Finding a hostel in this amazing city can be difficult, so we’ve narrowed down the plethora of options to find the 8 best places to stay in Stockholm.
City Backpackers Hostel – Best Stockholm Party Hostel
Book on Hostelworld Book on Booking.com from $43 / 12-bed dorm 4.6/5 Map
**Prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (August)
As the name suggests, the City Backpackers Hostel is ideal for those who want a friendly base filled with amenities to help their journey go smoothly. With a friendly atmosphere, a free sauna(!) and computers, it’s the ideal staging post and chillout spot for weary travelers and party animals alike.
Events such as live music and quiz nights are regular fixtures in the bar and courtyard area, so you’ll never run out of things to do, even if you rarely stray far from the hostel.
Local to the hostel is the Hötorget T-bana station, meaning that you’re never far away from anywhere in the wider Stockholm area. If public transport isn’t your thing, you can even rent a longboard to cruise around the city streets. All of the above goes towards making City Backpackers one of the coolest spots in Stockholm.
Generator Stockholm – Best for Digital Nomads
Book on Hostelworld Book on Booking.com from $28 / 6-bed dorm 4.2/5 Map
**Prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (August)
The venerable Generator chain of hostels has premises all over Europe, and the Stockholm branch lives up to the brand’s mission statement of style. Their trendy Swedish effort is located just down the road from the Central railway station, so it’s an ideal option if you’re looking for an easy and vibrant place to stay while on a Eurail trip.
There’s plenty of space at Generator for you and your fellow travelers to store your road bikes, so if you’ve come into the city as part of a grand cycling tour, you’ll be very well catered for.
Opt for either a bunk bed or a private room – both will have built-in phone chargers next to every bed and free WiFi as standard. There’s also a lively bar with reasonably priced drinks, the perfect starting point for a night exploring Stockholm’s diverse and exciting club scene.
City Hostel – Central Station
**Prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (August)
This recently renovated hostel located near Stockholm’s Central Train Station is a great choice for budget travelers. The hostel lets in tons of natural light thanks to a glass roof. Each private room at City Hostel – Central Station has cable TV channels and free WiFi.
The shared dorm options have large bunk beds and free storage lockers to secure your personal items. Private rooms have large flat-screen TVs and plenty of storage for all of your luggage. The hostel also gives you access to a kitchen during set hours throughout the day if you want to cut down on your food costs.
Guests of the City Hostel – Central Station comment over and over again about the location – you simply cannot be closer to the action than here. The hostel’s staff is also recognized as a bright spot for travelers who have never been to Stockholm before.
Langholmen Hostel
Book on Hostelworld Book on Booking.com from $246 / 4-bed private 4.4/5 Map
**Prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (August)
Continuing in the slightly off-the-wall vein, Langholmen Hostel stands on Langholmen island, which was once home to a prison of the same name that was pretty much the Alcatraz of Sweden.
Today, Langholmen is a relaxed area of town to stay in, featuring the prison museum, beaches, an open-air stage for summer concerts and a wonderful view over to Gamla Stan. Unlike those prisoners of old, you will be able to leave, and Langholmen is well-situated for easy excursions to the rest of the city, either by boat or public transport.
The hostel itself is well-regarded and incorporates part of the old prison and even refers to the rooms as ‘cells’ – but they’re light, airy and very comfortable for a stay of any length, offering private ensuites alongside more traditional hostel bunk rooms.
Jumbo Stay
Book on Hostelworld from $46 / 4-bed dorm 4.3/5 Map
**Prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (August)
If you’ve got to catch a flight back home but fancy a unique place to stay beforehand, then Jumbo Stay at Arlanda Airport is for you. Based inside an old 747 airplane, this unique setting will provide more than enough space to sleep comfortably before your flight.
The hostel even features a cocktail bar and a full breakfast, so you’ll be swiftly refueled after a great time in the Swedish capital and ready for your next adventure!
Castanea Old Town Hostel
Book on Hostelworld Book on Booking.com from $33 / 16-bed dorm 4.4/5 Map
**Prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (August)
The beating heart of Stockholm is Gamla Stan, the old town situated on a small island in the middle of the city’s archipelago. Hostel options in Gamla Stan are varied, but the Castanea Old Town Hostel stands out as a high-quality option if you’re looking to stay amongst the winding streets and chic bistros of this neighborhood.
The Vasa museum, the Royal Palace and much more are all within walking distance, so if you prefer to be right amongst the sights, then Castanea is for you.
The hostel features private rooms alongside bunk beds for group travelers, as well as a competitively priced breakfast option that will please your bank balance, especially in such a luxurious area of the city. There’s a highly-rated bistro across the road from the hostel if you are looking to splurge, however!
Old Town Lodge
Book on Hostelworld Book on Booking.com from $ / -bed dorm 4.3/5 Map
**Prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (August)
Just like the Castanea Hostel, the Old Town Lodge is another excellent option if your heart is set on staying in Gamla Stan. Old Town Lodge is one of the cheapest places to stay in Gamla Stan – and has a TripAdvisor certificate of excellence to boot. A no-frills affair situated on a quiet street near to all the major sights, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better city-center deal.
Breakfast is included in the room price, so don’t fret about negotiating the often steep prices in the center of Stockholm for the most important meal of the day!
Birka Hostel
Book on Hostelworld Book on Booking.com from $22 / 14-bed dorm 3.7/5 Map
**Prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (August)
A budget option but clean and well-situated, the Birka Hostel earns its place amongst Stockholm’s best. Recently refurbished, modern and family-friendly, the hostel is only a short walk from the central train station and therefore represents a quieter option for Eurail travelers when compared to more party-centric hostels such as Generator.
That’s not to say that you won’t make friends while at Birka, as there are plenty of communal areas within the hostel where you can meet fellow travelers and organize fun and activities.
Skeppsholmen Hostel
Book on Hostelworld Book on Booking.com from $28 / 16-bed dorm 4.4/5 Map
**Prices are shown for weekdays in Mid-season (August)
One of the most underrated islands of Stockholm, Skeppsholmen is an oasis of calm amongst the bustle of the Swedish capital. Once a military base, the islet is now home to a variety of museums including the Museum of Modern Art and the Architecture Museum, as well as the beautiful Admiralty House.
On a visit to the island, you might be struck by the beautiful ship af Chapman which is permanently moored here. What you might not know is that the ship and the neighboring building make a highly-rated hostel that offers a unique and comfortable stay in the city.
The boat has been wholly refurbished to include cabins with small seating areas and views across the water – you’ll scarcely believe that this boat that was built in the 19th century and was put in service for the Swedish Navy for decades is now an excellent place to stay.
The rooms on the island offer high ceilings and big windows if a nautical vibe isn’t what you’re after – so Skeppsholmen caters well for just about any traveler!
The island’s location means that the main sights of Stockholm are only a short walk away across the Kastellholmsbron and Skeppsholmsbron bridges, so don’t worry about feeling isolated, as this island is an intriguing mix of calm and excitement.
Whatever you’re after on your trip to Stockholm, there’s a hostel for you – whether you want to be in the center of the night-time action, in the midst of the Gamla Stan or you love the idea of staying on one of the city’s small islands, we hope this guide has been helpful for you to get a good picture of what the city has to offer.
The next step is to book your tickets and work out which of these is right for your stay!
Author bio: Alex Jones is a features writer for Start Fitness – providers of running, cycling, gym, football and outdoor products.
