When picking your accommodation in Málaga, you can choose from hotels, apartment rentals, and hostels. Just as hotels are tiered from luxury to boutique to budget, the best hostels in Málaga are equally diverse.
As well as being cheap places to stay in Málaga, hostels are a sound option for mingling with other travelers and getting insider tips.
Hostels often organize social activities – many of which are free – and friendly, travel-mad staff are usually liberal at recommending hidden gems.
While they’re usually cheaper than hotels, that’s not to say you can’t find classy Málaga hostels for flashpackers.
Criteria for the Best Hostels in Málaga
This is how we weeded out Málaga’s best hostels.
Location: Málaga is small in comparison with Madrid and Barcelona. When choosing where to stay in Málaga, hostels in the Centro Histórico and near La Malagueta are best for walkability, sightseeing, and nightlife.
Price: Budget around €25-30 per night for a dorm bed in a mid-range hostel. Rates are higher in July and August. Private rooms in Málaga hostels can cost as little as €55 and rise to over €100 for deluxe accommodations.
Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, a 24/7 reception, and lockers (bring your own padlock!) are the key amenities. Most hostels have kitchen facilities although these are lightly equipped. Laundry facilities are an additional cost.
Social prospects: Málaga is a party city with a vibrant nightlife and beachy vibes. Youth hostels in Málaga organize social activities including pub crawls and beach volleyball. If a hostel has a bar, the party usually continues in the public bars so other hostel guests can get their shut eye.
Room types: Most Málaga hostels have female-only dorms as well as mixed dorms. Some hostels have private rooms: configuration varies from twin, double, and bunk beds.
Review score: The best hostels in Málaga will have a rating of at least 8/10 (or equivalent). If they score a little lower, it’s worth checking the most recent reviews in case a renovation has impacted what travelers are saying.
If you’re traveling solo to Málaga, staying in a hostel is a great way to meet fellow travelers.
Map of Málaga Hostels
Best Hostels in Málaga
There’s more than your standard youth hostels in Málaga. As one of the best cities in Spain for history and seaside culture, Málaga’s hostels accommodate shoestring travelers, digital nomads, flashpackers, couples, and families.
These are the best Málaga hostels at a glance.
- Best Málaga hostel overall: The Urban Jungle Hostel
- Best hostel in Málaga for couples: TOC Hostel
- Best hostel in Málaga for families: Hostal Vidamia
- Cheapest hostel in Málaga: Málaga Stop Hostel
- Best hostel in Málaga for solo female travelers: Coeo Pod Hostel
- Best hostel in Málaga for meeting people: The Lights Hostel
1. The Lights Hostel and Garden
In terms of cheap places to stay in Málaga’s Soho neighborhood, you can’t beat The Lights Hostel and Garden. Housed in a historic Andalusian building next to Atarazanas Metro, it’s minutes from the beach and all the top things to do in Málaga.
Bunks are quite basic but they do have the perk of privacy curtains and big under-the-bed lockers.
A bed in the 10-bed mixed dorm is the cheapest option with the four-bed mixed dorm with an en suite being the priciest. There are six-bed dorms for women only.
The Lights has a roof bar known for its wallet-friendly prices and dishing out free sangria. It’s a lively spot great for meeting new people, although the bar closes early to allow guests to get some beauty sleep. They also offer a €5 hostel dinner.
The Lights Hostel at a glance:
- Awesome roof terrace bar
- Sociable atmosphere
- Late check-out (11:00 AM)
- One of the most popular cheap hostels in Málaga
- Inexpensive beer and family dinners
- Private rooms are in the sister property next door
- Dorm beds from 27 EUR
Book The Lights Hostel on Hostelworld or Booking.
Note: The Lights Hostel has a sister property, The Lights City Rooms, with private hotel rooms. You can book The Lights City Rooms on Hostelworld or Booking.
If you are staying in Málaga, there’s a good chance you want to be close to the beach. Luckily there are some great hostels close to the beach in Málaga.
2. TOC Hostel
TOC Hostel is one of the best hostels in Málaga for a luxury experience. It provides the best of both worlds: a heritage building in the historic center with elegant decor and all the modern technology for a comfortable, safe stay.
Dorm beds are furnished with roomy, wobble-free booths with pouches for overnight essentials. There are female-only dorms with private bathrooms although most are mixed.
Private rooms are available for couples and small groups, with some configured as a duplex.
The property has a palatial lobby and a chic cafe serving breakfast and coffee. There are light kitchen facilities for reheating food but not preparing full meals.
Prices are higher at TOC but that’s reflected in the amenities and design. If you’re impressed, TOC is also one of the best hostels in Madrid.
TOC Hostel at a glance:
- Organizes free city tours
- Gorgeous styling
- Basic kitchenware
- One of the best hostels in Málaga for couples and families
- Great central location
- Possible to make new friends but not outwardly sociable
- Dorm beds from 40 EUR, private rooms from 150 EUR
Book TOC Hostel on Hostelworld or Booking.
3. The Urban Jungle Hostel
Of all the hostels Málaga has to offer, the Urban Jungle sails to the top of the list. This is a boutique, eco hostel with a roof deck for flashpackers in the heart of the Centro Histórico.
Roomy bunk beds have privacy curtains, personal reading lights, and large under-the-bed lockers.
There are mixed-sex dorms and female-only options although all bathrooms are mixed sex.
The smallest private rooms have a shared bathroom while family/small-group rooms are en suite.
The Urban Jungle experience is completed with daily activities that go beyond the pub crawl – although they have those too. Cultural and sport activities include free walking tours, beach volleyball, yoga classes, bike tours, and beach clean-ups.
The Urban Jungle Hostel at a glance:
- Stunning aesthetic
- Sunny terrace and chic bar
- Social atmosphere but not a party hostel
- Lots of organized activities
- No female-only bathrooms
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Dorm beds from 34 EUR, private rooms from 90 EUR
Book The Urban Jungle Hostel on Hostelworld or Booking.
Málaga has so many cool sites to explore, so you want to make sure you save up your spending money to visit the sites!
4. La Moraga de Poniente Málaga Hostel
This “Bed & Beachfast” is one of the first cheap hostels in Málaga East’s Pedregalejo neighborhood. Playa Las Acacias is a five-minute walk and there are bus stops and supermarkets on the doorstep.
This calm hostel has a stunning roof deck with sea views and a smaller patio in the shade. It’s a laid-back area popular with couples and beachgoers.
There are mixed and women-only dorms.
The beds are rudimentary but clean and comfy, and the balconies are a perk – especially being so close to the sea. Private rooms are configured as doubles or twins and cots for tots can be supplied.
La Moraga de Poniente Málaga Hostel at a glance:
- Steps from the beach
- Best sunset views in Málaga
- Quiet environment
- One of the cheapest hostels in Málaga East
- Not staffed around-the-clock
- Thirty minutes by bus to the Centro Histórico
- Dorm beds from 24 EUR, private rooms from 54 EUR
Book La Moraga de Poniente Málaga Hostel on Hostelworld or Booking.
5. Coeo Pod Hostel
Coeo Pod Hostel is one of the coolest Málaga hostels for modern travelers. There’s no rickety bunk beds here, only trendy “pods” in female-only and mixed-gender pod rooms.
Pods come as single beds and doubles – although they’re not especially private for couples.
There are some lovely four-pod suites for families comprising a double bed and two upper singles. It’s great for kids and friendship groups alike.
The hostel has a funky communal lounge and bar which sees an assortment of diners, remote workers, and new friends bonding over a game of cards. Breakfast is served and comes at an extra cost.
Coeo Pod Hostel is geared up for sociable travelers and arranges sightseeing activities by day and bar hops by night.
It’s a five-minute walk to the base of the Alcazaba and the Picasso Museum.
Coeo Pod Hostel at a glance:
- Comfy pod beds and pristine bathrooms
- Daily/nightly social activities
- Limited floor space in rooms
- No kitchen facilities
- Awesome family/group rooms
- “Pods” from 40 EUR, private rooms from 120 EUR
Book Coeo Pod Hostel on Hostelworld or Booking.
Explore Málaga on foot to save some money as well as to soak in all of the best views which are only possible if you climb up to the Gibralfaro.
6. Hostal Vidamia
Hostal Vidamia is a hostel/hotel hybrid. There are no dorms, only private rooms, but there is a communal kitchen and a cozy lounge.
The hostel occupies a pretty heritage building with an unconventional layout. It’s charming and feels very homely, with cheerful staff available around the clock.
Rooms come with bunk beds or double beds with the option to add an extra floor mattress or crib in most cases. The set-up makes it one of the best hostels in Málaga for families or travelers seeking hotels with hostel prices.
It’s not a bad shout for remote workers seeking an economical private room. However, there’s no desks in the room or lounge so you’ll need to find a co-working cafe.
Hostal Vidamia at a glance:
- Central location in the historic center
- Twenty minutes walk to the beach
- Quiet
- No social agenda
- Pretty decoration and a cozy vibe
- Shared kitchen is basic but works for simple meals
- Private rooms from 55 EUR
Book Hostal Vidamia on Booking.
7. Terraza del Limonar
Located in the Limonar neighborhood, Terraza del Limonar is steps from Playa de la Malagueta and close to Playa de la Calata. These are two of Málaga’s best beaches.
This is a basic hostel with low prices, a gorgeous terrace with Mediterranean views, and a huge kitchen. This is well-stocked with boxes to help guests store their items.
There are only dorm beds here, with four mixed-gender dorms and one female-only dorm. The metal beds can be a little squeaky and only the lower bunks have curtains.
But, if you’re looking to save cash and sleep near the beach, this seaside hostel works like a charm.
Terraza del Limonar at a glance:
- Best hostel kitchen in Málaga
- Incredible views from the terrace
- Guests rave about the staff
- Lots of steps to access the hostel – avoid a rolling suitcase
- Reception only manned until midnight
- No private rooms
- Dorm beds from 39 EUR
Book Terraza del Limonar on Hostelworld or Booking.
Explore the different beaches around Malaga while you’re here.
8. Málaga Stop Hostel
Or, should that be, Málaga’s “Top” Hostel? Either way, Málaga Stop Hostel is one of the top-rated cheap places to stay in Málaga.
These are some of the most economical dorms in the city. There are a couple of women-only dorms, and all bunks have privacy curtains.
The private rooms are dorm-style (with bunk beds). This works for friends but less so for couples.
Unlike other cheap youth hostels in Málaga that arrange activities, Málaga Stop Hostel is very much a place to sleep and store luggage. It’s not recommended as a hostel to solo travelers looking to meet new people.
Málaga Stop Hostel is located on the left bank of the Guadalmedina in La Trinidad. It’s central but not as central as other places on this list, and will be more attractive to group travelers looking for cheap digs.
Málaga Stop Hostel at a glance:
- One of the cheapest hostels in Málaga
- Decent kitchen
- Modern beds and bathrooms
- Fifteen minute walk from the city center
- Not a sociable place
- Dorm beds from 25 EUR, private rooms from 82 EUR
Book Málaga Stop Hostel on Hostelworld or Booking.
9. Good Vibes Only Hostel
Good Vibes Only is one of the most unique Málaga hostels in the Centro Histórico. There’s no beds here – only capsules that look like they belong in outer space.
These capsule nooks each have an adjustable ventilation system, LED lights control panel, television with internet connection, and USB charging ports.
Capsules are available as one-person singles and two-person doubles (or for solo travelers who like extra space). They’re large enough to sit up in and rated for comfort although claustrophobic travelers should look elsewhere.
Despite all the mod-cons, Good Vibes Only Hostel maintains a 24/7 reception desk and in-person check-ins.
Staff are friendly and eager to assist with sightseeing plans although the hostel doesn’t have a social agenda.
Good Vibes Only Hostel at a glance:
- Funky concept hostel
- Quiet environment
- No female-only rooms
- Basic facilities for heating up food and no breakfast
- Dorm capsules from 57 EUR
Book Good Vibes Only Hostel on Hostelworld and see additional reviews on Google.
If you choose a hostel in central Málaga, you’ll be within walking distance to the historical sites and great museums.
10. Hostel Sorolla Playa
Hostel Sorolla Playa is one of the best Málaga hostels near the beach. It’s located to the west of Málaga Este, just 10 minutes by bus from La Malagueta.
You can also walk to the center via the seafront in around 30 minutes (or a little longer if you stop at a chiringuito).
This beautiful period property comprises mixed and female-only dorms and private rooms. The dorm beds are solid wood bunkers with privacy curtains.
The bathrooms and communal kitchen are quite basic as is reflected in the price. However, everything is spotless and the staff here are particularly warm and helpful.
It’s not as busy as downtown Málaga hostels but you shouldn’t struggle to find someone to grab a beer at the chiringuitos with.
Hostel Sorolla Playa at a glance:
- Quiet
- Near the beach
- One of the cheapest hostels in Málaga for private rooms
- Good kitchen
- Dorm beds from 38 EUR, private rooms from 75 EUR
Book Hostel Sorolla Playa on Booking.