Kirkwall
About About this youth hostel
Friendly and welcoming, in a quiet location 15 minutes’ walk from the town centre, Kirkwall Youth Hostel is the perfect base for exploring the historic sights and wonderful wildlife of Orkney.
Perfect for groups, families and individual travellers, this warm and welcoming youth hostel offers a wide range of accommodation from private rooms to comfortable shared dorms. Two of the rooms are en-suite but there are ample shower and washroom facilities available.
WiFi is available in the lounge and is free for all guests. Other facilities include: a well-equipped self-catering kitchen, a large comfortable lounge with TV and well-stocked library, a laundry, drying room and free onsite parking for up to 20 cars. Basic provisions, confectionery and soft drinks are available to purchase at reception.
The hostel also has a sheltered external bike storage area but guests are advised to bring suitable bicycle locks for security.
Kirkwall is a dog-friendly hostel. If you would like to book yourself and your dog into the hostel, please phone the hostel direct on: +44 (0) 1856 872 243 to check availability. There is a small charge of £7.50 per night for your dog when staying in our hostels.
‘Wee Breakfast’ available (Please remember to pre-book).
The hostel is also available for exclusive private rental.
Why stay?
- Walking distance from a number of visitor attractions
- Friendly team with expert local knowledge
- Dog Friendly
- Good public transport links
Please remember to book your ferry before you travel.
For more information on the hostel, accessibility and the local area please click here
Kirkwall Youth Hostel
Facilities & Services
Season
April to September (RentaHostel available all year)
Reception Hours
08:00-10:00 and 17:00-22:00
Check in
17:00 - 22:00
Check out
08:00 - 10:00
Access Hours
Reception is closed between 10:00-17:00, but guests arriving early will have access to the hostel's communal areas. Late check in available by prior arrangement.
Amenities
Free Wifi
Family Rooms
Free Tea and Coffee in Guest Kitchen
Laundry Room
Drying Room
Free Parking (nearby or onsite)
Private Rooms
Catering Available (Breakfast Only)
Lounge/TV Room
Towel Hire
Shopping Nearby
Pet Dogs Welcome
Guest Reviews
03/06/2025
Lovely hostel, very friendly staffsChung
01/06/2025
Great facilities well organisedZubin
27/05/2025
Safe clean spaces. Beds comfortable. Friendly staff. good lounge and washroom facilities. Cooking facilities ok & spacious dining room. Reasonable distance from bus station & main shopping street. Good for those walking, cycling or travelling by public transport needing drying room & storage.Paul
22/05/2025
good budget accommodation option in Orkney with dorms and private roomsanna
22/05/2025
Clean, comfortable straightforward accommodation offering flexibility and value for money. If you have never stayed in a hostel before this is a good one to start with. Take your own food - the kitchen is good. The shared washing facilities were spotlessly clean. Good location just a short walk from Scapa Beach. Welcoming to dogs.Bobbie the collie!
21/05/2025
Well run and managed hostel. Kitchen facilities excellent, the lounge area is very comfortable and relaxingHoward Robinson
18/05/2025
First stay in a Youth Hostel which was overall a good experience.We had a dog friendly room which included a wee breakfast which was fine but unfortunately we were unable to take the very well behaved dogs to the eating area as we were told the dogs had to stay on the carpet and not allowed on the Lino in the eating area.This spoiled it a little as we were not informed of this and had to eat separately.When booking please make aware of twin beds if needed rather than a double bed.Sally
18/05/2025
Warm and Welcoming staff who were always there to help. Friendly atmosphere in hostel, I was able to relax after long days out walking.Rakesh
14/05/2025
A great place to stay in Kirkwall. Excellent value, nice rooms and good washing & drying facilities. Perfect for walkers and cyclists.Yes
12/05/2025
Cosy hostell with very helpfull staff. Not far from Kirkwall centreLynn
11/05/2025
I was staying in a private room which I found very well equiped, e.g. hangers to put cloths or towels on. Kitchen was super, it had really everthing to prepare your own food.Sigrid
24/04/2025
Clean tidy hostel bit of a walk to the toiletsSkintag
12/04/2025
Felt very safe and welcome. Lovely facilities and friendly staff with great tips on what to do and where to visit. Definitely worth a visit.Nat F-W
11/04/2025
Comfortable, homely and clean bargain accommodation in an spectacular part of the UK.Andrew
10/04/2025
Great location. Clean rooms. Fantastic staff.Matt Newton
09/04/2025
Convenient location, comfortable bed and room and good facilities. Great value for money!PL
19/09/2024
Just a brief one-night stay, arrived late, left early, but could not have been a better stop.Ben
08/09/2024
A friendly hostel.No
04/09/2024
Great stayNO
30/08/2024
Stay was comfortable, other guests respectful. Staff extremely helpul.Tags
20/08/2024
Reception opened until late, you can catch a late ferry for Orkney. Very easy to find and park, super confortable twin rooms, spacious bathroom and hot showers (albeit oldish), big well equipped kitchen, lots of space to eat, comfy lounge, super close to the town centre and harbour (Clark Kent on reception recommended eating out at Helgi's... absolutely superb food ??)The central location of Kirkwall makes it super easy to access other parts of the islands.Sandy Valentin
17/08/2024
Thank you for a brief and happy stay. I am grateful to the staff for their helpfulness.Sarah M
07/08/2024
Great warden. Really helpful and accommodating with breakfast before scheduled time to enable comfortable bus journey to airportVery pleasant atmosphereJules
07/08/2024
Thanks to the hostel team - appreciatedSarah
06/08/2024
Orkney simple home from home youthhostel set in great location near to the bus stops , run by helpful friendly staff on an island full of history , good whisky and Art, food and wonderful nature. You don't come here for the sun but you do receive the warmest welcome from the Orcadians and fellow hostellers!Lisa
26/07/2024
We stayed a couple of times during our visit to Orkney. Both times we had a twin room which was very good. Pleanty of space with two floor beds (ie not bunks). The dinning room and the lounge were both spacious and comfortable and the kitchen facilities were very good. Would definately stay there again if we visit Orkney in the future.Catriona
21/07/2024
Auberge correcte pour une nuit pratique en arrivant du ferryCath
18/07/2024
Great hostel as a starting point for travels on Orkney. Good kitchen facilities with supermarkets not far away.Angela
16/07/2024
Nice play to stay, even if almost outside townNO
14/07/2024
Good hostel in a great location, good value for money.Mari
Reasons to visit
Capital of Orkney, the historic town of Kirkwall is dominated by the 12th century St Magnus Cathedral. Constructed from local red sandstone, it's one of Scotland's most interesting cathedrals.
Orkney is a Neolithic treasure trove and Kirkwall Youth Hostel is a superb base for exploring its historic sites. Many attractions, like Skara Brae, Maeshowe and the Ring of Brodgar are a short distance away and the hostel is only a mile from historic Scapa Flow and a quiet sandy beach.
South of the centre, the Highland Park Distillery is well worth a visit. An hour long tour will give you the opportunity to see how they malt their own barley and use a peat kiln to dry it.
The island is famous for its hand-made arts and crafts, from exquisite designer jewellery to fine knitwear and locally inspired artwork and souvenirs.
Orkney is well known for the quality of its fresh local larder. From fine quality meats to seafood and cheese, you will have plenty of opportunities to pick up a posh picnic or take home an edible souvenir.