Are you looking for a social experience with a sense of community? If so, a hostel might be the ideal accommodation option for you.
Hostels usually offer dorm-style sleeping areas and shared common areas where travelers from around the world can connect and socialize. Hostels in Portugal are no different.
To find the best hostels in Portugal, you first need to decide what type of experience you’re looking for.
In this guide, we’ll explore the main types of hostels in Portugal and share 15 useful hostel tips, covering planning, safety and location.
Table of Contents
Types of Hostels in Portugal
First of all, there are many types of hostels in Portugal. These are the main ones.
Backpacker hostels
If you’re a solo traveler or planning a trip as a couple to backpack around Portugal, there are many hostels you can choose from.
For example, young backpackers can enjoy the youth hostels called Pousadas da Juventude. These hostels also attract pilgrims, nature lovers, and some are family-friendly.
If you’re looking for a unique experience in historic buildings and the opportunity to connect with new people, then Pousadas da Juventude could be a good option.There are many options to choose from, including Intra_rail programs.
You can also look for hostels near beaches, for a surf-focused trip, or hostels near natural parks for a cool hiking trip.
Family-friendly hostels
These types of hostels are more difficult to find. Some hostels advertise themselves as family-friendly when they may not actually be suitable for families. That’s why research is one of our top tips.
Family-friendly hostels may be easier to find in big cities as there is more variety of hostels.
Luxury hostels
Yes, “luxury hostels” are real and a growing category in Portugal. They combine hostel social spaces with boutique-hotel design, private rooms, stylish interiors, coworking areas, rooftop bars, and higher-end amenities.
This type of boutique hostels in Portugal are usually cleaner, more private, and quieter, but still social and affordable. You can find them mainly in Porto and Lisbon.
While they offer upscale amenities, they still maintain the social atmosphere of an hostel. If you’re looking for 5-star hotels, see here some examples of luxury hotels in Algarve.
Now, if you want to choose your hostel wisely, take the following tips into consideration.
15 Useful Tips to find the Best Hostel in Portugal and have a smooth experience
We have divided our useful hostel tips into three main sections: planning, location, and safety tips. And some extra tips at the end!
Planning Tips before choosing hostel in Portugal
1. Decide your travel objective
First of all, what is your travel objective?
Are you traveling alone, with friends, or with your partner? What is the purpose of your trip? These are all questions that will help you decide which hostel is best for you. Then, you can move on to the next step:
2. Research, Research, and more Research
It’s always good to do a bit of digging and exploring to find the best hostel in Portugal. Some websites you can watch out for are: Booking.com, Hostelworld.com and Tripadvisor.com. You could also try Pousadas da Juventude.
Read the reviews and check the ratings. Bad experiences can always happen, especially in shared spaces like those in hostels. To reduce potential problems, we recommend doing thorough research into each possible hostel in the area you’re looking for.
3. Book early
As with many hotels and Airbnb properties, it is very important to book in advance so that you don’t arrive to find that rooms are unavailable.
4. Pack any amenities
You will need, for example, toothpaste, shower gel, deodorant, a hairbrush, enough clothes and underwear, socks, shoes, glasses or contact lenses (if needed), shower shoes or flip-flops, adapters and a phone charger.
To ensure a quiet and comfortable stay, some people consider bringing earplugs and an eye mask (but these also have disadvantages, such as reduced awareness of alarms/surroundings, and prolonged or improper earplug use can cause irritation or other medical issues).
You may also need a bag for the dirty clothes and a towel. Finally, don’t forget a reusable water bottle and some snacks. These items may come in handy.
Safety Tips for a relaxing Hostel Stay in Portugal
5. Lock up your belongings
Keep your wallet, money, mobile phone in your hostel’s lockers or somewhere secure and close to you while you sleep. If you bring a portable safe, there’s always a risk someone takes it with them and opens it later on. Therefore, look for hostels with good lockers with actual locks that function or bring your own lock.
6. Have emergency numbers on hand
112 for medical emergencies, police, and firefighters.
7. Look for your hostel’s safety features
Some hostels have 24/7 reception and other safety features, like keycards, to make you feel safer. However, there shouldn’t be hidden cameras in places like bathrooms or showers. Check the surroundings of your room and the rest of the hotel spaces beforehand.
8. Trust your intuition
If the environment does not feel right, go ahead and choose another hostel.
9. Take precautions when using the internet
For example, use a safe VPN or mobile data when using the internet.
Hostel Location Tips
10. Luxury hostels
If you’re looking for a bit of luxury, head to larger cities like Porto and Lisbon that offer a greater variety of hostels. Gallery Hostel, in Porto, is one example of more elegant-looking hostels.
11. Surf-related hostels
Choose a coastal city like Ericeira or smaller towns in Algarve, such as Sagres. Nazaré is also home to the biggest waves in Europe and it has several hostels to choose from.
Note: In Fall (September/October) the sea starts to become dangerous.
12. Prefer a quiet, less-crowded stay.
If you prefer peace and quiet opt for hostels outside the city centers/ downtown areas.
Extra tips for hostels in Portugal
13. Check hostel rules and amenities
Make sure you’re following the hostel’s rules and procedures. In other words, be a good guest and respect other guests.
On the other hand, see what amenities each hostel offers. For example, is there an extra fee for towels? If so, then maybe bring a couple of towels with you.
14. See what types of events and activities they offer.
Are there any special events or activity programs for guests? Are there any events that interest you? Hostels are all about having a good environment, so knowing this type of information can help you get a sense of what it will be like when you get there.
15. Bring an adapter.
Portugal uses Type C and Type F electrical outlets, so bring a traveler adapter if your devices use a different plug type. Also, check your devices’ voltage compatibility.
Pick your favorite type of hostel and have a wonderful stay in Portugal! Have you ever stayed in a hostel in Portugal?
Looking for a different stay. Learn about Pousadas
