5 Best Hostels in Costa Brava – from Medieval Villages To Secret Beaches

5 Best Hostels in Costa Brava - Picturesque Region with Medieval Villages and Sandy Beaches

Welcome to your first-hand guide to the absolute coolest and best hostels in Costa Brava. I have visited this region so many times, I cannot even count it anymore. It is one of the most beautiful beach areas in all Spain, no doubt. In this guide I will be sharing the best hostels Costa Brava has to offer as well as more backpacking tips. These come in especially handy when coming from the main destination Barcelona.

I have also created a Costa Brava map for you, adding all the hostels to it. It will help you plan your trip.

Thanks to the cultural and historical diversity, you can do plenty of things if you decide to visit this region.

Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type

🦸 Solo Traveler: Malva Hostel
🙎‍♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: Can Cocollona
🎒 For Backpackers: Mana Mana Hostel
👩‍❤️‍👨Couple Hostel: Can Cocollona
👨‍👩‍👦 Family Hostel: Alberg Costa Brava
👩‍💻 For Digital Nomads: Alberg Solidança
🧘 Cozy Hostel: Malva Hostel

Read: full guide to the absolute best hostels in Spain – which is your favourite hostel in Spain?

Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.

We put all hostels and backpacker places along the Costa Brava on this big hostel map. It will help a lot in planning your Costa Brava Backpacking trip.

We also answer common FAQ.

From swimming, snorkelling, and boat cruising, to cycling, hiking, and playing golf or football, this lively Catalan community has everything to make your stay fun. If you’re looking for a cultural activity, you can visit the Archeological Museum in Banyoles, the Theatre Museum in Figures, or the various castles and fortresses in the region.

What we cover in this article?

You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.

Quick Introduction to Costa Brava

Average price for a bed: Hostels in Costa Brava cost 25€ – 37€ per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room starts from 55€ up to 120€ per night. This is a rough average just to give you an idea.

Prices always depend on season and holidays. Please always check exact rates on Hostelz.com or Hostelworld.com.

Check-In and Check Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3pm), while the Check-Out time is before 11:00 (11am). Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later. Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost.

Backpacking Tips For Costa Brava: In order to get the most out of your backpacking experience, here are some things we suggest you consider:

Take a coastal footpath – every fisherman’s village in Costa Brava has one that leads to some of the most beautiful hidden beaches and coves. If you wish to explore the fragments of untouched nature, we suggest you stroll between two villages at a time. The most famous trail is Camino de Ronda. Here is a useful guide with more details – How to follow the Camí de Ronda hiking trail on the Costa Brava.

Picturesque scenery – once you take a look at the natural beauty this region offers, you’ll understand why the world-renowned painter Salvador Dali has included many of its landscapes in his paintings. There are plenty of mesmerising views that you can discover if you go hiking, so make sure to put this activity on your list.

Plenty of activities – just as we mentioned, the Costa Brava region is known for its liveliness, so you’ll have no shortage of activities there. You can go parasailing, water-skiing, or kayaking in the waters, or take a short day trip on a catamaran, glass boat, or speedboat. There are also plenty of tours organised if you feel like going with a guide will help you explore more.

Historic sites – Costa Brava in Spain has plenty of sites worth exploring due to its diverse and rich history. Visit the ruins of the ancient city of Empuries, the monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes, or the medieval castles of Requesens, Perelara, or Tossa de Mar. One absolute highly is the village of Pals.

Paella in Costa Brava: One of the best and most authentic places to get a Paella is in Pals. The place is called “El mirador de Pals”. It is right in the center of the mediaval village of Pals. Fantastic paella and tapas! (The place might be closed in off-season, so please check before). I added it to our map for you.

Costa Brava Spain Nightlife: The nightlife in Costa Brava, Spain is as vibrant as the day. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of clubs, bars, pubs, and discos that are open until the early hours of the morning. Popular venues include the Pacha Club in Lloret de Mar and the Havana Club in Blanes. For a more traditional Spanish experience, visitors can also visit the many tapas bars and restaurants in the area. For those looking for something a little more relaxed, Costa Brava also offers a variety of lounges and cocktail bars.

🎁 New to Hostels? Read our guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. We especially recommend reading:

Top 5 Best Costa Brava Hostels

Once you get familiar with the preparation process for visiting Costa Brava, you need to figure out where you will stay. Here is a list of our top recommendations for backpackers’ hostels in this area:

1. Mana Mana Hostel

Located in the historic town of Tossa de Mar, close to the church square and the main boulevard, the Mana Mana Hostel is open to receive travellers from all around the globe. Being only 40 m away from Tossa beach, and close to the only fortified medieval city of the kind that still exists on the Catalan coast, this hostel is always positively rated for being conveniently positioned.

The property only offers shared rooms, so you can choose to stay in a 3, 4, or 6-bed dormitory. All rooms are bright and colourful, with comfy beds and clean bed linen. In addition, all of them feature storage space and lockers, and you’ll have access to either private or shared bathrooms.

Mana Mana has a free wifi facility, a communal kitchen, a bar, Costa Brava restaurant, and a cool chillout terrace. There’s also a TV and DVD player available in the lounge area. The hostel is ideal for all sociable individuals who are willing to share their own and learn from others’ experiences. Couples particularly like this place due to its location, as well as the atmosphere. The staff is friendly and welcoming and can give you information about making the most out of your visit to Tossa.

Book Mana Mana Hostel here

Check prices: Booking.com | Hostelworld | Hostelz.com

Mana Mana Hostel Dorm

Mana Mana Hostel Outside Space

2. Malva Hostel in L’Estartit

Malva Hostel is a nicely furnished property located in L’Estartit town that definitely deserves to find itself on the list of best Costa Brava hostels. It is only 350m away from the beach, in an area with plenty of activities to enjoy. In essence, it is the perfect place to come either by yourself or with a group of friends.

The hostel has express check-in and check-out services, clean and tidy rooms, and a shared lounge and kitchen area. It offers double, triple, quadruple, and family rooms, with the last providing space for accommodating 5 people. Every room has a wardrobe, a private bathroom, a flat-screen TV, and clean linen. A big terrace is also at the top of the building, equipped with hammocks, a bar, a solarium, and a shower to cool off.

The host and the staff will do their best to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable. They are willing to go the extra mile to provide you with the top service and create a unique experience.

Backpackers particularly love this palace for its location, since it’s near to many attractive locations, as well as for the many activities they can indulge in to make the most out of their stay.

Book Malva Hostel here

Check prices: Booking.com | Hostelz.com

Malva Hostel Outside Space

Malva Hostel Room

3. Alberg Hostel Costa Brava in Llanca

This modern hostel is located in Llanca, within a 10-minute walking distance from the beach. It features a spacious garden with hammocks, tables, and chairs, where you can spend your free time with friends or fellow backpackers.

Alberg Costa Brava has several types of accommodation, from double and twin rooms that fit two people up to 8-bed dormitories you can share with other visitors. It provides a free Wi-Fi facility and free access to the shared kitchen area and barbecue. The hostel also has a communal lounge area, a big terrace space, and a games room.

Your stay at one of the best hostels in Costa Brava will not be complete unless you enjoy it fully, so the staff offers you the option to visit some of the most notable places in the area. Go to the Cap the Creus to admire the wild and vivid landscape, visit the monastery and nature-surrounded villages of Sant Pere de Rodes, and take a stroll along the Lllanca shore. If you’re keen on art and wish to reward your visual senses, don’t forget to visit the Dali museum and discover his work.

Book Alberg Costa Brava here

Check prices: Booking.com | Hostelworld | Hostelz.com

Alberg Costa Brava Room

Alberg Costa Brava Outside Space

4. Can Cocollona in Girona

Located in the quiet quarter of Sant Narcis, Can Cocollona is a cosy hostel perfect for unwinding. It is close to some of the finest attractions in the area, including Central Park, the History Museum, the Antic Hospital de Santa Caterina, and many more. This means that every attraction you’re willing to visit will be within your reach.

All rooms have a comfortable bed and linen and feature a shared bathroom with a fitted shower and hairdryer. The hostel also has a shared lounge area, free Wi-Fi facility, and a cosy garden. Pets are also allowed upon request, making it one of the rare pet-friendly accommodation options.

The host was inspired by the slow travel philosophy. They created a place that will be both cosy and affordable, where people could have a quiet place to rest but also be able to do plenty of activities and connect to the locals. Can Cocollona is designed to be a kind of meeting point, where guest interaction and hanging out are always encouraged.

Book Can Cocollona here

Check prices: Booking.com | Hostelworld | Hostelz.com

Can Cocollona Room

Can Cocollona Outside Space

5. Alberg Solidança Hostel in Palafrugell

Situated in the Palafrugell municipality, the Alberg Solidança Hostel is a cosy place that’s perfect for all who wish to indulge in some activity. In essence, this place can offer everything if you wish to go cycling, hiking, or canyoning.

Alberg Solidanca has the capacity to accommodate 65 people, distributed across individual, double, triple, quadruple, and 7-bed rooms. This means that the place offers both private and shared rooms, all of which are well-equipped with luggage storage, bed linen, and towels, as well as a terrace with some of the most scenic views of the area. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, and guests can relax in the common area or the reading corner.

The staff is remarkably friendly and welcoming, and the visitors often rate this place high for the cleanliness and range of facilities it provides.

Book Alberg Solidança here

Check prices: Booking.com | Hostelz.com

Alberg Solidança Hostel Dorm

Alberg Solidança Hostel Common Space

Best Hostels in Costa Brava for Solo Travelers? 

What is seriously the best hostel in Costa Brava for solo-travelers?

The best hostel in Costa Brava for solo-travelers is Mana Mana Hostel.

The location of this hostel is absolutely amazing. It is one of the best hostels in the Costa Brava beach towns. It is an 8 min walk to a huge supermarket and the bus station. The kitchen is well equipped and very clean and organised. There are enough bathrooms and toilettes for everyone. There are umbrellas for the beach that you could borrow which is an amazing service!

Book Mana Mana Hostel here

Check prices: Booking.com | Hostelworld | Hostelz.com

Mana Mana Hostel Outside Space

With this, we conclude our list of the best hostels in Costa Brava. There are various accommodations available, all of which are conveniently located and offer access to various activities that will make your stay enjoyable. After all, Costa Brava is a scenic and amazing location on its own, so no matter the choice of accommodation you end up with, you’re going to have a brilliant time!

More Hostels Worth a Mention

If you’re still looking for the perfect hostel in Costa Brava, we’ve got you covered! Check out the best-of-the-best Costa Brava Spain hostels, listed above, and you’re sure to find something that suits your needs!

But, of course, we have more for you:

Loft Hostal Group

Located in Lloret de Mar, just 300 m from Lloret de Mar Beach and 1.4 km from Fenals Beach, LOFT HOSTAL Group offers a shared lounge, free WiFi, a bar and a 24-hour front desk with staff speaking English, Spanish, French and Russian.

Some of the rooms have terraces with city views. The hostel is situated 39 km from Girona Train station and 2.7 km from Golf Lloret Pitch and Putt, while Girona-Costa Brava Airport is 32 km away. Water World is 2.3 km away.

Book Loft Hostal Group here

Check prices: Booking.com 

LOFT HOSTAL Group Dorm

LOFT HOSTAL Common Area

Bed in Girona

Stay in the heart of Girona and enjoy the exciting attractions the city has to offer! Bed in Girona is situated in the center of the city, only 150 meters from the Cinema Museum, 450 meters from the Cathedral and 750 meters from Jardins dels Alemanys.

Enjoy a stay in this two-story accommodation with six beds per room, three full bathrooms and a toilet, a washer and dryer, a full kitchen with oven, microwave, cooker with natural gas, fridge and washing machine, heating, a balcony, breakfast area with stained glass and a communal rest area with a TV.

And if you’re up for an adventure, take a 35-meter stroll to Placa Independencia and enjoy a variety of restaurants and tapas bars. Or, if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, explore the Camí de Sant Miquel and enjoy a 32km journey to the Mediterranean Sea. Make your stay in Girona truly unforgettable!

Book Bed in Girona here

Check prices: Booking.com | Hostelworld | Hostelz.com

Bed in Girona Dorm

Have a nice morning coffee with Bed in Girona

What about the cheapest hostels in Costa Brava?

Of course, there are always cheap hostels. But how do you actually find them? When you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you want to save every dollar, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Costa Brava.

  1. Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Costa Brava
  2. add your dates
  3. Order the listings by price

Simple as that.

Hostelz.com is a price comparison site for hostels. They list every single one in the world and tells you exactly which website is cheaper to use.

Another smart Tip: Check what is actually included, and what is excluded. Take a closer look at the location, too. A further location might mean more costs in transport.

Any Discounts?

You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the freshest hostel discounts directly in your inbox. We even have special discount codes we only share in the newsletter.

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How to book?

The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.

We included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.

Read: Step-by-Step guide on how to book with Hostelworld

We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of Costa Brava best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.

The coolest Hostel App you need comes as well from Hostelworld. It gives you super cool features like you can contact your hostel mates beforehand, ask questions, and make plans together. Find more details in our review of the app.

Download the Hostelworld App here

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The best way to find hostels: Hostelgeeks website and Hostelworld App

Need an eSIM Card for Costa Brava?

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Our Favorite Hostels in Costa Brava put on a map + sights

Let us have a look at the map. Below, we list all three best Costa Brava hostels on a map.

Personally, we love to plan our trips with a map having all sights and potential hostels on it. We thought this map will help you with planning your trip too.

In Costa Brava we absolutely enjoyed:

  • Dalí Theatre-Museum
  • Cathedral of Girona
  • Murallas de Tossa de Mar
  • Jardins de Santa Clotilde
  • Monasterio de Sant Pere de Rodes
  • Jardíns de Cap Roig
  • Jardín Botánico Marimurtra
  • Salvador Dalí House Museum
  • Aiguamolls de l’Empordà
  • Castell de Sant Joan
  • Castillo Gala Dalí de Pubol
  • Camí de Ronda
  • Montgrí Castle
  • Museu la Ciutadella de Roses
  • Begur’s Castle
  • Parc de la Devesa
  • Muralles de Girona
  • Water World Parc
  • Banys Àrabs

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About Backpacking Costa Brava

We wish you a friendly welcome to Spain – the country gifted with the warm sun’s rays for 300 days a year. Here you will come across some of the friendliest and most communicative people and the tastiest local specialities that will bless all your senses. The country is a beautiful mix of pleasant climate and rich cultural heritage that attracts backpackers from all around.

One of the most picturesque regions, perhaps, is the region of Costa Brava. Known for its long stretches of fine-sanded beaches, beautiful mountain scenery, adorable villages, and rocky coves, Costa Brava is an ideal place for your adventurous spirit.

It is situated in the northeast of the country and overlooks the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea. This sets the party and friendly tone right from the start! But apart from spending a good time hanging out with the locals or fellow backpackers, it also offers plenty of activities you can enjoy while staying at some of the best hostels in Costa Brava.

FAQs

Here we share with you the most asked question:

Any questions about hostels in Costa Brava?

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Flights to Costa Brava?

If you want to fly to Costa Brava, the best way is to fly to Girona (Girona–Costa Brava Airport). It is an airport located 12.5 km (7.8 mi) southwest of the city of Girona, next to the small village of Vilobí d’Onyar, in the north-east of Catalonia, Spain.

It is a famous “Ryan air Airport”, meaning there are cheap connections all over Europe to get here. Most travelers use this airport to get to Barcelona, actually. Here you find our guide to best hostels in Barcelona.

We use Skyscanner and Omio.com to find cheap flights and good connections all over the globe.

Skyscanner has a bunch of cool features like Multi-City Trip. Instead of doing this research step-by-step, Skyscanner offers this flight planning tool.

Our Step-by-Step Guide to Skyscanner

review of Skyscanner flight searches

Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Costa Brava, Spain.

We did the leg work for you and bring you more hostel guides to destinations:

And party hostesl:

And surf hostels:

Over to you

Do you have any questions left, maybe doubts? Then please leave it in the comment below. We are very keen to help you - and actually you would even do us a favor!

Your question will help us to improve this Costa Brava guide.

Last note: Our commitment

This is a genuine article to help you travel a bit smarter, and find the best place on a budget! We will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. We are constantly updating all our guides to keep them as fresh and accurate as possible.

Safe travels,
The Hostelgeeks

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