Galway is a great spot on the west coast of Ireland. It is a cool city to visit itself, thanks to the entertainment and lively pubs of the 18th-century Eyre Square. Add on the extra buzzy Latin Quarter and the wild history of Ireland and you’re in for an entertaining vacation.
So there’s Guinness and the infamous Galway girl, but do you know Galway’s a gateway to stunning natural spots? With sights like the Cliffs of Moher and Connemara, the Aran Islands all a part of the landscape, make sure you see some of it. There’s so much man made history here too, from the Calendar Sundial to the Dun Aonghasa and the Seven Churches, geek out, then get drunk.
Unless you’re not here to party…
With all this liveliness going on, where the hell do you stay if you just don’t feel like partying in Galway? Or (more likely) which one of the Galway hostels offers the best atmosphere for a good party?
I’m here to help! With my trusty guide of the best Galway hostels, you’re bound to find something to suit you – and your budget!
So don’t you worry. Sit back, scroll down, and get excited for the great Galway hostels I’ve found…
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Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Galway
- Best Overall Hostel in Galway – Galway City Hostel & Bar
- Best Hostel in Galway for Solo Travelers – Snoozles Hostel Galway
- Best Cheap Hostel in Galway – Sleepzone
- Best Party Hostel in Galway – Kinlay Hostel
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Galway – Woodquay Hostel Galway City
The 5 Best Hostels in Galway
1. Galway City Hostel & Bar – Best Overall Hostel in Galway
- Dorm (mixed): From $61
- Address: Frenchville Lane, Eyre Square, Galway, Ireland
This top hostel in Galway may be a little pricey but it IS an award-winning place to stay in Galway. Why’s that then? Good vibes, free breakfast, a decent location (near buzzy Eyre Square and a bus station), oh and yeah there’s a bar attached to it too.
All this makes Galway City Hostel & Bar our numero uno for the best overall hostel in Galway. Yeah, the free breakfast might only be toast (yum, toast!), but there’s also free tea and stuff all day. Plus it’s award-winning, did I mention?
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Free wifi
- Free city maps
- Close to the train station
This epic city centre location is not to be skimmed over either, minutes from pretty much anything you want to see in Galway. From the Galway Cathedral, to Shop Street, from Eyre Square to the famous O’Connors pub, to the train station! If you want to go any further, the friendly staff can help, ask them about tours to the Aran Islands and anywhere else you’re interested in.
This is a great hostel in the city centre and a popular hostel so the rooms here are a bit bigger than most options. Sleeping between six and 16 guests, you’ll still be able to tuck yourself away in these dorm rooms with the privacy curtain around each bunk. There’s also a USB port and a reading light in each dorm bed so if you really need some downtime, shut in and recharge.
2. Snoozles Hostel Galway – Best Hostel in Galway for Solo Travelers
- Dorm (mixed): From $61
- Private Room: From $163
- Address: Forster Street, Galway, Ireland
Aww, Snoozles, isn’t that cute? Sorta. But yes, this is the best hostel for solo travellers in Galway because it’s a super social place to spend your time in this town.
It tends to attract friendly people, which is great, plus the staff are amazing and it’s about creating the atmosphere from the top down, innit? It’s probably also got something to do with the kitchen being tiny, so you literally HAVE to talk to people otherwise it’s just… weird.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Laundry facilities
- Late checkout
- Pool Table
With all the activities around Galway, it’s hard not to make friends, unless that’s what you’re into… In which case, tuck up and enjoy your space boo! There’s plenty of space throughout this Galway hostels setup as well as fun group activities to get amongst.
The breakfast is free and so are the bathrooms… usually. Each room has its own ensuite and assortment of bunk debs, with the option of mixed or female-only dorm beds. Great craic! Make the most of the friendly staff here, ask for anything you need, whether it be storing luggage or an early or late check in.
3. Sleepzone – Best Cheap Hostel in Galway
- Dorm (mixed): From $49
- Private Room: From $261
- Address: Bothar na mBan, Woodquay, Galway, Ireland
Sleepzone is nice and comfy. If somewhere’s called Sleepzone, you’d sorta expect it to be, right? But yeah: it is. It also happens to be the best cheap hostel in Galway since it’s damn affordable, yo.
As a bonus to being budget-friendly, it’s also people-friendly and is a decent shout if you’re travelling alone. The common zones are nice, there’s a TV room and a sung reading lounge as well as the communal kitchen. This budget Galway hostel is in a great location – walking distance to the city centre and Shop Street and another 10 minutes to Galway Cathedral.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Free Breakfast
- Free tea and coffee – all day!
- Free wifi
Hostel prices are minimal at Sleepzone, whether they’re dorms or private, once you’ve taken all those freebies into account. So sleep easy in your dorm bed with between three and five other people, knowing you’ve cracked the cheap hostel code. Each of the hostel rooms has an ensuite, plus there are extra bathroom facilities in each corridor so if you gotta go, you can go!
There are laundry facilities at Sleepzone so if you’ve got a bit of time to kill between check out and bouncing outta there… Get yo shit together at this great Galway hostel and make the most of the deals this hostel delivers. If you want to leave something at the front desk, they’ll store your luggage and let you stash tings in the security lockers.
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View on Osprey View on REI4. Kinlay Hostel – Best Party Hostel in Galway
- Dorm (mixed): From $61
- Address: Merchants Road, Eyre Square, Galway, Ireland
On the corner of the infamous Eyre Square in Galway, where all the Galway Girls go, lays Kinlay Eyre Square Hostel. This top-rated Galway hostel is right in the city centre, a two-minute walk from the main thoroughfare of shop street. This bumping, jijjing, Guinness drinking centre of the action is where you want to be if you want to party.
If you’re looking to get your tourist on and see the Galway Cathedral (maybe confess some sins?), you can get picked up from Kinlay Hostel. A further convenience is the free breakfast on offer every day, as well as snacks, tea and coffee, you’ll be set. Your stomach will be lined and you’ll be ready to indulge in the wonders of Galway with your homies from this popular hostel.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Pod Beds
- Laundry Facilities
- Late checkout
There are board games and a pool table at Kinlay Hostel and 24-hour reception for anything, including to arrange tours (go to the Aran Islands!). There are self-catering facilities, if you’re on the cheap hostels buzz, cooking for yourself can save a heap of cash. And the common rooms are fun and filled with like-minded travellers who are fun to go out on the lash with.
Kinlay Hostel is now a Pod hostel, so all the beds are completely private – lush! There are three rooms with six dorm bed/pod bed setups, one for females only, one for males only and one mixed. Then there’s a big kahuna 12-bed dorm as well as ‘family rooms’ – another six-bed dorm that your whole crew could get together.
When you’ve hammered your liver enough and it’s time to head to the mountains, Kinlay Hostel is a mere minutes’ walk from the train station.
5. Woodquay Hostel Galway City – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Galway
- Dorm (mixed): From $39
- Private Room: From $247
- Address: 23/24 Woodquay, Galway, Ireland
When you don’t wanna be in the middle of all the pubs this city has to offer, Woodquay Hostel is the Galway Hostel you want. It’s within walking distance of Galway’s city centre so you can still get there in time for after-work drinks from this popular hostel. Digital nomads rejoice, this great hostel has two separate buildings you can rent and work from, or stick to a dorm bed.
Sure, Woodquay Hostel is basic, but the price is pretty decent and the staff are super friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. They do pretty cheap tours here, too – hostel deals for Cliffs of Moher, Aran Islands, Galway Cathedral – fun for a work break! It’s a fine balance between working and living especially when you’re doing the DN thing, but make sure you see the sights!
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Free wifi
- Self Catering
- Laundry facilities
With between four and seven dorm beds in each dormitory room, you’ll have plenty of space and not too many people around. The rooms are pretty spacious and are kept clean, as are the bathrooms. The staff are so friendly at Woodquay Hostel and not only knowledgable about Galway but passionate (and on hand 24/7) so if you need anything, holla!
However, maybe you’ve been on the road awhile and have a digital nomad tribe? If so, I highly recommend looking into the townhouses Woodquay hostel rents out. These are a great option for having more space and quiet but still being a part of the Galway hostel community.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Epic Galway Hostels
Are you looking to stay in specific neighborhood? Check out my guide to Galway’s best areas to stay.
6. The Nest Boutique Hostel
- Dorm (mixed): From $41
- Private Room: From $125
- Address: Salthill 107-109 Upper Salthill Road, Salthill, Galway, Ireland
Sure this Galway backpackers hostel is a bit of a walk from town, but it’s worth it to stay in the nicest hostel in town. It’s just the sort of fancy place that makes The Nest Boutique Hostel the best Galway hostel for couples. The private rooms are boutique hostel standard, as you can tell, decked out in that sorta minimalist decor that we love oh so much. But yeah, whilst it may be one of the coolest hostels in Galway some may dislike the walk into town; some might not care.
7. Celtic Tourist Hostel
- Dorm (mixed): From $64
- Private Room: From $87
- Address: Queen Street,Victoria Place, Galway, Galway, Ireland
Located in the city centre, Celtic Tourist Hostel is a cosy Galway hostel that feels like a home away from home. There is a kitchen for self-catering and tea and coffee making facilities so you can nestle right in. There’s also the option to store your luggage after you stay which is handy for one last pint of Guinness before moving on.
8. Bunk Hostel Galway City
Definitely one of the coolest hostels in Galway, this place not only looks the part, but it’s nice and central too, just 1 min to the buzz of Eyre Square. Inside it’s pretty much more like a cool apartment than a youth hostel in Galway – the furniture and general design of the hostel is all very on point. It does have dorms, but because of the QUALITY of its private rooms, we’re gonna have to say that it’s the best hostel with a private room in Galway.
9. Salmon Weir Hostel
This budget hostel in Galway ain’t gonna win any awards for design, but it has a cosy, homely vibe that makes it a friendly place. There’s a plush(ish) common room, with guitars (yes, if you like a sing-song… that’s fine),next to that is a decent kitchen for cooking your own meals. The owner of this place definitely makes it though, he’s thoughtful, helpful and is constantly doing housekeeping which must mean it’s pretty clean here.
10. Barnacles Quay Street Galway
If you wanna stay in Galway for a chilled, quiet time then DON’T stay here. If you are here for the best party hostel in Galway, then please come in – here’s a beer for you. Um… but yes, this is it. Noisy, filled with drunk people after midnight, it’s literally the best place for fun times.
This top hostel in Galway is set on Quay Street in Galway’s Latin Quarter, which is lively by day (street performers, tourists, etc.) and, well, lively by night too (a zillion pubs).
11. Savoy Hostel
It may not be one of the coolest hostels in Galway, but it still is pretty cool. The common areas and lobby feel quite like a hotel, which is why I reckon this would be perf for digital nomads. There’s a nice lil’ area where you could get a bit of work done on your laptop here.
It’s clean and calm, plus the dorms are nice and spacious with cool looking bunks in ’em. Location-wise it’s on Eglinton Street, where you could probably find a hipster cafe around here to sit in and work, too. If you want to take a trip, visit the abandoned Menlo Castle – a jewel in the Emerald Isle.
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FAQ about Hostels in Galway
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Galway.
What to Pack for your Galway Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out my definitive Hostel Packing list for even more top hostel packing tips!
How much does a hostel cost in Galway?
On average, hostel prices are always changing ESPECIALLY in Europe, but you can generally expect to pay between $34 and $60+ per night. Remember you get what you pay for and cheap hostels aren’t always great hostels.
What are the best hostels in Galway for couples?
With private rooms of boutique standard, The Nest Boutique Hostel is the nicest hostel in Galway for couples. It’s a bit of a walk from town but get over it, you can hold hands, it’s one of the coolest hostels in Galway.
What are the best hostels in Galway near the airport?
The airport is quite far from Galway, so it is better to find the best place near the city centre. I highly recommend Snoozles Hostel Galway, the best hostel for solo travellers.
Final Thoughts on Galway’s Hostels
By now I hope my epic guide to the best hostels in Galway has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure. I get it, it can be overwhelming deciding where to stay and what you want to do, it’s a tough life eh. Ireland is literally a land of magic so just get there my friend!
Remember my top choice for Galway hostels is Galway City Hostel & Bar. It’s a bit expensive, but once you stay, you’ll understand its value for money. The beds are great, breakfast is free, the city centre location is hard to beat and so are the staff.
If you’re looking for something a bit more budget friendly, good craic, I hear ya! Choose Sleepzone. The name makes me lol, it’s such a vibe here, with different areas depending on your vibe (including great beds if your vibe is sleepy).
Wherever you choose to stay, Galway is dreamy, with lovely old pubs and ancient historical ruins around the joint. It’s picturesque and feels quaint but vibrant and alive. Let me know if you’ve been or gone, I’d love to chat.
If you think I’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit me up in the comments!
Photo: @amandaadraper
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Ireland for a wealth of info!
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Galway if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Galway before you arrive.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Europe backpacking guide.
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