How to Choose a Hostel in Stockholm in 2025 (What to Expect)

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Find your Perfect Hostel in Stockholm

Picking a bed in Stockholm can feel like Tinder gone wrong—too pricey, too quiet, too far, what’s that weird smell?

After three rounds through the city (ship hostel, prison hostel, and a minimalist pod), I’ve figured out how to choose a hostel here without bleeding kroner or sanity.

This guide is the shortcut I wish I had on night one.

Top Picks: The Best Hostels in Stockholm

Best for Hostel Newbies

Castanea Old Town Hoste...9.2

from $13.70 | More Details

Best for Female Solo Traveler

Generator Hostel Stockh...8.4

from $14.99 | More Details

Best Party Hostel

STF Stockholm Skeppshol...9.1

from $17.52 | More Details

This is not an ad. We help you find the perfect hostel and compare prices from Hostelworld and Booking. You can save up to 23.7%

Types of hostels in Stockholm

• Party hostels: On-site bars, pub-crawl sign-up sheets, bunk lights that never really go off.
  Pros: instant crew. Cons: sleep? Maybe.
• Social chill hostels: Common rooms, walking tours, quiet hours after midnight.
  Pros: balance. Cons: books close fast.
• Quiet budget hostels: No events, small kitchens, beds under €30.
  Pros: cheap rest. Cons: meet people elsewhere.
• Female-only dorms: Stockholm offers them in most properties, usually €3–4 more per night, but worth it for privacy.

Match vibe to your goals: rave, mingle, or recharge.

What to expect from Hostels in Stockholm

Atmosphere skews calm; Swedes love order. Even “party” ships shut music at 1 a.m.

Cleanliness is high. Kitchens sparkle because staff fine you for leaving dishes.

Facilities: card-entry lockers, Wi-Fi that actually works, and pay-by-minute laundry.

What NOT to Expect:

• Huge lounge floors—the city’s old buildings are narrow.
• Full stovetop armies—many kitchens just have microwaves.
• €10 dorms—Stockholm is pricey in Europe terms.

Short and crisp: The Best Hostels in Stockholm

1. City Backpackers Hostel - best for Digital Nomads, Party Hostel, Solo Traveller
2. STF Stockholm Skeppsholmen Vandrarhem - best for Couples, Party Hostel, Solo Traveller
3. Dockside Hostel Old Town - best for Digital Nomads, Family-Friendly Hostel, Older travelers (+50), Quiet Rest
4. The Red Boat Mälaren - best for Couples
5. Castanea Old Town Hostel - best for Digital Nomads, Family-Friendly Hostel, Older travelers (+50), Quiet Rest, Solo Traveller

City Backpackers Hostel

9.0

Norrmalm

"…I wasn't so wild about the idea of free pasta -- until I needed it. I wanted to try a few swedish more

from

$13.31

STF Stockholm Skeppsholmen Vandrarhem

9.1

Gamla Stan

"…I stayed in this hostel in April 2005. It was a great hostel. I spent the second night on the more

from

$17.52

Dockside Hostel Old Town

8.0

"…The kitchen is great, beds are comfortable, and the staff were like new friends. It's worth the more

from

$13.64

The Red Boat Mälaren

8.6

Södermalm

"…Note that there are no lockers on board, and there is very little storage space. Most rooms have more

from

$30.74

Castanea Old Town Hostel

9.2

Old Town

"…This hostel seems calm and less party oriented, although the common spaces are full of people more

from

$13.70

Best Location for Hostels in Stockholm

• Gamla Stan – best areas for backpackers: history outside, ferries two minutes away.
• Södermalm – best for nightlife: thrift shops, vegan cafés, street art.
• Kungsholmen – laid-back runners’ base: waterfront loops, local bars.
• Areas to avoid: Far-suburb industrial zones (cheapest beds, but transit kills savings).

How much do Hostels Cost in Stockholm

Expect higher rates than mainland Europe, with spikes for midsummer, Pride week, and big concerts.

Prices jump on weekends. Bigger dorm = cheaper kroners. Book early if your stay overlaps festivals.

How to Book a Hostel in Stockholm Without Overpaying

Start on Hostelz.com—it shows Booking and Hostelworld rates side-by-side, so hidden fees pop out. Reserve at least two weeks ahead for summer, cancel-flex on shoulder months. Watch for linen fees, late check-in charges, and paid lockers; those add €5–10 nightly.

Hostel Safety and What to Watch Out For

• Lockers use RFID cards or your own padlock—bring a small TSA lock.
• Reception 24/7 in party spots; smaller hostels close midnight, code entry after.
• Pickpockets rare, but label food—midnight fridge thieves exist everywhere.
• Read reviews for bed-bug mentions; Stockholm cleans fast, but check latest posts.

Final thoughts

Stockholm hostels aren’t dirt-cheap, but they’re clean, safe, and often quirky (sleeping in a 747 nose cone was peak travel flex). Decide your vibe first—party, social, or sleep—then filter by island.

Book on Hostelz early, pack a padlock plus travel sheet, and respect quiet hours; Swedes value calm even on a barge full of backpackers.

Nail those basics, and you’ll spend more time chasing sunset cliffs than troubleshooting bunks.

Backpacking Stockholm? Here’s What You Need to Know

These are the guides I wish I had before visiting. I’ve been there, had fun, did some minor mistakes, and now I’m passing the best tips on to you. Safe travels!

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About the author: Matt Kiefer

Hey, I’m Matt, the founder behind Hostelgeeks.com. My team and I are collecting the absolute best hostels in the world for you. We share the coolest hostels so you can focus on your travels, rather than spending your time trying to pick a good hostel.

Personally, I’ve bunked in over 600 hostels and stamped my passport in more than 70 countries. My heart beats for Vietnam, Spain, and France, and so many more destinations. I’m a Foosball champ but a beer pong amateur.

Last but not least: Hostelgeeks is a proud ambassador of Hostelz.com.