Ireland
Every hostel-dense city in Ireland. Sorted by the vibes we think you'll actually care about.
The ranked list.
Galway City Hostel
Galway City Hostel is the highest-rated hostel in the city on Booking — 9.0 across 1,385 reviews, tucked on Frenchville Lane between Eyre Square and Ceannt Station. Beds from around €26, private rooms from €80. Small, staff-run, and visibly cared for.
Kinlay Hostel Eyre Square
Kinlay Hostel is the biggest hostel in Galway and winner of Ireland's best hostel (Irish Hostelling International 2025) — 8.9 rating across 3,804 reviews, €28 dorms on Merchants Road at Eyre Square. Pool table, in-house bar, tour desk, and a lot of private rooms for groups.
The Nest Boutique Hostel
The Nest Boutique Hostel is the Salthill-side option — a boutique-styled hostel on the Salthill promenade, 8.8 across 2,777 reviews, dorms from €32 with modern wooden bunks, a rooftop terrace looking toward Galway Bay, and breakfast included. Quieter than the Eyre Square hostels and closer to the sea.
Direct Travel Stays
Direct Travel Stays is a small family-run hostel in Shanakiel, 15 minutes' walk west of Cork city centre across the Shakey Bridge. Run by Sean (a name you'll see in every Booking review), it's earned 8.8 over 84 reviews on the strength of three things: a properly equipped shared kitchen with milk for tea included, a quiet garden behind the building, and the kind of host who actually remembers your name.
Snoozles Galway City Centre
Snoozles Galway is the repeat-booker's hostel on Forster Street — 8.7 across 1,918 reviews, €27 dorms with an included continental breakfast, 2 min walk to Eyre Square on the quieter side. Long-running family-owned operation with a high return-guest rate.
Jacobs Inn
Purpose-built hostel 5 minutes from Temple Bar with pod-style beds, on-site bar, and regular social events. One of Dublin's most-reviewed hostels with 11,000+ ratings.
Abigail's Hostel
Budget hostel on the south bank of the Liffey, seconds from Temple Bar. Shared kitchen, walking tours, and bar crawls. Overlooking the river with Trinity College a 5-minute walk.
Ashfield Hostel
Dublin's most centrally located hostel, between Trinity College and O'Connell Bridge. Shared kitchen, bar crawls, and a prime spot one minute from Temple Bar.
Gogartys Temple Bar Hostel
Hostel above Dublin's most famous pub, Oliver St. John Gogarty's, in the heart of Temple Bar. Live music nightly, shared kitchen, and you literally sleep above the action.
Clink i Lár
Modern hostel on Abbey Street with 10,000+ reviews. Stand-up comedy nights, evening entertainment, in-house bar, and comfortable beds. Feels upscale for a hostel.