The buzzy resort town of San Sebastian in the Bay of Biscay is all about beautiful beaches and delicious dining. Framed by lush mountains and with an old town that’s positively overflowing with interesting architecture, the Basque city has a lot to offer its many visitors.
But with such a popular city comes the expense of staying close to the top sights. Hotels close to the beach and the Old Town can be pretty pricey.
There’s nothing to worry about though – we’ve solved the problem of price with our list of the best hostels in San Sebastian.
So now you can choose the best hostel in San Sebastian to suit your needs. You’ll be on the beach drinking a cocktail in no time!
Quick answer: The Best Hostels in San Sebastian
- Best Overall Hostel in San Sebastian – A Room in the City
- Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in San Sebastian – Koba Hostel
- Best Cheap Hostel in San Sebastian – Balea Hostel
- Best Hostel for Couples in San Sebastian – Downtown River Hostel
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in San Sebastian – Koisi Hostel
- Best Hostel with a Private Room in San Sebastian – Green Nest Hostel Uba Aterpetxea
Best Hostels in San Sebastian
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Best Overall Hostel in San Sebastian – A Room In The City
- $$
- Cafe
- Outdoor Terrace
- No Curfew
This hostel has to be the best overall hostel in San Sebastian, not only does it offer great value beds but the location is really close to the top sights around the town. Super close to the beautiful beach and a ten-minute stroll to the Old Town, there isn’t much NOT to like about this place.
Well organised and maintained, the staff at this San Antonio backpackers hostel take their jobs seriously and will be more than happy to look after you and tell you all about the best places to eat (and drink) nearby.
Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in San Sebastian – Koba Hostel
- $
- Free Breakfast
- 24 Hour Security
- Cafe
Travelling alone? You won’t need to worry about things to do or where you should hang out if you stay at this top hostel in San Sebastian. This place is properly cool as well, located inside a renovated old car workshop and the dorms are the ultimate in comfy.
The beach is literally a stroll away, or you can just unwind in the chill atmosphere of the common room. The staff are always on hand to be endlessly helpful and to tell you all their local recommendations at our top pick for the best hostel for solo travellers in San Sebastian.
Best Cheap Hostel in San Sebastian – Balea Hostel
- $
- Common Room
- Laundry
- 24 Hour Security
We hate to say it, but San Sebastian ain’t cheap. You’re gonna be hard pushed to find a top hostel in San Sebastian that fits into a tight budget. This hostel, however, is located around a twenty-minute walk from the centre of the action and offers very affordable rooms and dorm beds.
Surrounded by parks, local streets, cafes and coffee shops, choosing to stay here might mean a bit more of a walk to the beach, but you get to soak up a bit of the local life. The staff are on hand to make sure everyone staying there is well looked after. The rooms might be small, but if you’re looking for the best cheap hostel in San Sebastian, this is it.
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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 for Couples in San Sebastian – Downtown River Hostel
- $$
- 24 Hour Security
- Cafe
- Laundry
Staying in this recommended hostel in San Sebastian is perfect if you’re on a trip with your other half. A relaxing, calm atmosphere means plenty of space to unwind after a busy day of exploring the city, or just lounging on the beach, this really is the best hostel for couples in San Sebastian.
You can sleep in a dorm room, or (more likely for a couple) a private room, and stay in the centre of the action, where you can walk to the top sights and places to eat around town.
Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in San Sebastian – Koisi Hostel
- $$$
- Restaurant
- 24 Hour Security
- Luggage Storage
Being a digital nomad can be tricky at times, and finding the right place to stay can make all of the difference when it comes to working. We’ve chosen this place as the best hostel for digital nomads in San Sebastian as it has tons of clean, quiet spaces with tables where you can get your head down and get some work done.
There is a communal kitchen so you can make yourself the all-important cup of coffee to get the work flowing, and plenty of things to do and places to eat in the nearby streets to keep you entertained once all the work is complete.
Best Hostel with a Private Room in San Sebastian – Green Nest Hostel Uba Aterpetxea
- $$$
- Free Parking
- Laundry Facilities
- Restaurant
Wowza, the private rooms in this place are amazing. The best hostel in San Sebastian with a private room for sure, huge floor to ceiling windows means you can wake up to incredible views and the rooms are flooded with plenty of natural light too.
Located inside the picturesque Ametzagaña Park, staying here means being surrounded by greenery and nature. There’s even a mountain viewing terrace. A communal kitchen means you can make yourself snacks and an onsite restaurant for good meals too.
If you’re looking for total privacy, check out these amazing Airbnbs in San Sebastian.
Best Party Hostel in San Sebastian – Usturre Hostel
- $$
- No Curfew
- Bicycle Hire
- Games Room
Situated close to the top location in the city if you want to spend your evening in the city’s bars, this is easily the best party hostel in San Sebastian. Ok, so they might not arrange big hostel parties and late night drinking games, but the streets surrounding the hostel are lively and full of people having a good time late into the night.
No curfew means you can roll in at any time you please, which is good because nobody likes getting locked out. For when you want to make yourself some hangover food, or a much-needed coffee, there are TWO communal kitchens for guests to use.
Usturre Hostel is one of our favourites in San Sebastian but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
More Best Hostels in San Sebastian
Are you looking to stay in a specific neighborhood? Check out our guide to San Sebastian’s best areas to stay.
Surfing Etxea
- $$$
- Bar
- Outdoor Terrace
- Surfing equipment rental
Staying close to the beach doesn’t always have to be about sunbathing all day, this recommended hostel in San Sebastian is all about the chilled surfing atmosphere. With a load of equipment to hire and surf lessons on offer, you’ll be out hitting the waves into time.
The accommodation itself is top class. There’s a great sociable atmosphere and everything is kept super clean. If you wanna party, this might not be the place for you as there is a no alcohol rule… but if good vibes and days at the beach are your thing, this is one of the best hostels in San Sebastian.
Pension Aia
- $$$
- Communal Kitchen
- Luggage Storage
- Cable TV
Looking for a hostel that has a little more privacy but still a fun hostel atmosphere? This B&B offers private rooms in a really beautiful house. The owners are extremely warm and welcoming, and if you have any problems they will be more than happy to help you out.
One of the best hostels in San Sebastian with private rooms, it may not be a true hostel BUT the location is incredible. A short walk to the beach, as well as the Old Town, this really is a top place to stay in San Sebastian.
San Fermin
- $$
- Outdoor Terrace
- Cafe
- Communal Kitchen
Brightly coloured, cheerful and fun, you won’t get bored if you book this top San Sebastian Hostel. Right in the heart of the Old Town, the streets surrounding this place are full of places to eat and interesting sights. The location is the BEST if you feel like hit up the towns many bars.
The rooms themselves are a little small but you’ll be spending all of your time out and about exploring anyway. Staff are always on hand to help you out, and you can keep to your travel budget by cooking meals in the communal kitchen.
San Fermin is one of our favourites in San Sebastian 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.
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What to Pack for your San Sebastian 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!
Why you should travel to San Sebastian
See, we told you we had the best places to stay on a budget in San Sebastian, and the wide choice means you can find the best one for your trip.
There are even hostels that are just a few minutes from the beach, others which are super low budget – and there’s even one inside the city park!
And, if you’re still struggling to make up your mind on the coolest hostel in San Sebastian for you, just go ahead and pick our Best Overall Hostel in San Sebastian – A Room in the City
FAQ about Hostels in San Sebastian
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in San Sebastian.
Travel Safety Tips for San Sebastian
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More Epic Hostels in Spain and Europe
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to San Sebastian.
Planning an epic trip all across Spain or even Europe itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around Europe, check out:
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in San Sebastian has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!
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!
