You may have heard of Madeira as the “Hawaii of Europe” – or that it’s a hidden gem that’s quickly becoming the next European hot spot. Either way, this little Portuguese island is a destination you must check off your travel bucket list.
The larger towns and capital city of Funchal have a rich, historical past that make for some pretty cool sightseeing. Visitors have a lot to explore with Funchal’s Mercado dos Lavradores, cable cars, and the promenade. Outside of the city, the island offers amazing adventures for nature-lovers, like catching some waves or hitting up some of its famed hiking trails.
Most hostels in Madeira are in the capital of Funchal, which provides easy access on foot to the marina and historic old-town city center. Some hostels and low-cost hotels are located in coastal towns around the island. These are closer to the natural attractions in Madeira, like surfing and hiking. Apartments offer a more private stay to travelers, at prices that won’t break the bank.
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Madeira
- Overall Best Hostel in Madeira – Santa Maria Hostel
- Best Cheap Hostel in Madeira – 109 Funchal Hostel
- Best Hostel with a Private Room in Madeira – Residencial Funchal
The Best Hostels in Madeira
Do You Want to Travel FOREVER??
Pop your email in below to get a FREE copy of ‘How to Travel the World on $10 a Day!’.
Overall Best Hostel in Madeira – Santa Maria Hostel
- $
- Location: Funchal
- Free WiFi
- Free linens
- Outdoor area
- Free cake!
It’s pretty easy to see why Santa Maria Hostel is our pick for the Best Hostel in Madeira. It has it all – good prices, a central location, various room options, and awesome common areas to relax and meet other travelers.
This hostel is a renovated school building in the historic town center of Funchal, and sits right in the middle of the tiny, energetic streets. It’s also super close to the beach and all the city sights, including the popular cable car.
Best Cheap Hostel in Madeira – 109 Funchal Hostel
- $
- Location: Funchal
- Free WiFi
- Free linens & towels
This traditional hostel will set you up for a great stay at a low cost in Madeira. 109 Funchal Hostel conveniently offers both affordable dorm and private rooms, so you won’t have to worry when traveling on a budget.
The hostel is in the center of Funchal and just steps away from the beach, so you’ll be close to everything the area has to offer.
We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that still stands the test of time: the backpacker-approved Osprey Aether.
Want more deetz on why it’s so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on Osprey View on REIBest Hostel with a Private Room in Madeira – Residencial Funchal
- $
- Free WiFi
- Location: Funchal
- Free linens & towels
Residencial Funchal is the best place if you’re looking for more private accommodation. It’s in a central area of Madeira, right in the middle of everything you want to do in Funchal.
Immediately outside you’ll find the Zona Velha with its beautifully painted doors, and the Mercado do Lavradores, the market of fruit, veggies, fish, and flowers.
Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Madeira – Madeira Native Motion
- $
- Location: Lombada dos Marinheiros- Fajã da Ovelha
- Free WiFi
- Infinity pool
- BBQ
Madeira Native Motion is an oasis for the solo traveler keen to dive into that hostel life. Located in Lombada do Marinheiros-Fajã da Ovelha, this hostel is a 50 minute drive from the city, making it the perfect place to get away.
Madeira Native Motion can help arrange outdoor activities like surfing, boating, hiking/biking, and paragliding at discounted prices. It’s a bit of a drive to get here, so remember to stock up on groceries for the communal kitchen or BBQ.
Madeira Native Motion is one of our favourites in Madeira but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Best Party Hostel in Madeira – Stay Inn Funchal
- $$
- Location: Funchal
- Free WiFi
- Restaurant/bar
- Fitness room
- Terrace
Ironically named, the Stay Inn Funchal is in a central location and an easy walk to restaurants and clubs. The hostel also features its own bar, which is ideal if you’re after a warm-up drink before hitting the town.
In true party-hostel style, late check-out is permitted. It comes in pretty handy when you’ve stayed out a bit late and don’t feel like rising and shining the next morning.
Stay Inn Funchal is one of our favourites in Madeira but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Best Hostel for Couples in Madeira – Quinta Splendida Wellness & Botanical Garden
- $$$$
- Location: Canico
- Pool
- Fitness room
- Restaurant & bar
- Billiards
Quinta Splendida Wellness & Botanical Garden is the getaway you and your partner are dreaming about. This restored 19th century Manor House is set in a 30,000 square meter garden (with over 1,000 different types of plants), overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
You can relax by the heated outdoor pool or book spa treatments together. Some rooms have kitchens so you can make your own meal, unless you’d prefer to have a romantic dinner at the restaurant.
Quinta Splendida Wellness & Botanical Garden is one of our favourites in Madeira but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Madeira – Reed’s View
- $$$
- Location: Santa Cruz
- Free WiFi
- Free linens & towels
- Parking
- Kitchen
- Balcony
The most important needs of the digital nomad are usually internet speed and signal. Most places on the islane provide free WiFi but don’t host communal computers, which makes this hostel our top pick for digital nomads.
As we live in the digital age, the tech-savvy of us usually bring our devices with us. In your own private apartment, you can hook up to the free WiFi without someone else slowing it down – a luxury.
Reed’s View is one of our favourites in Madeira but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Our GREATEST Travel Secrets…
Pop your email here & get the original Broke Backpacker Bible for FREE.
What to Pack for your Madeira Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from us, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straight forward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art we have perfected over many years.
Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
Travel Safety Tips for Madeira
World Nomads’ mission is to support and encourage travellers to explore their boundaries. They offer simple & flexible travel insurance, and safety advice to help you travel confidently.
They’ve been doing it since 2002 – protecting, connecting, and inspiring independent travellers just like you.
Get a quote below or read our in-depth review!
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
Final Thoughts on the Best Hostels in Madeira
You can’t go wrong with a stay on Madeira if you’re traveling around Portugal. You definitely won’t run out of things to do, whether you’re into history, nature or just enjoy chilling on the beaches.
Whether you stay at Santa Maria Hostel or any of the others on our list, you’ll be sure to totally enjoy yourself without compromising your trip or your wallet. Plus, you’ll never be far from some of Madeira’s best trails, ideal for adventure lovers .
Do you own or run a kick ass hostel? Want to be featured in this list? Get in touch at [email protected]
And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!
