If you’re keen to explore Estonia’s capital on the Baltic Sea, you’ll love our guide to the 3 best hostels in Tallinn.
Stroll along the cobblestoned Old Town and marvel at Gothic architecture. Then end the day in one of our handpicked spacious, comfy hostels.
One of them even has a pool and sauna!
Party lovers, budget travellers and solo adventurers – it doesn’t matter who you are, Tallinn is a great destination for most.
Your shortcut:
- Fat Margaret’s – top pick for solo travellers (with Pool and Sauna!)
- Capsule Hostels Tallinn – great for female solo travellers
- Academic Hostel – best for backpackers and couples
Money-Saving tip: Check hostel prices before with Hostelz.com. It is a smooth hostel price comparison, super useful.
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This guide is perfect for YOU, when …
- tired of bad and crappy hostels
- want to avoid the “young party kids”
- happy to spend 1-2€ for a better experience
Are you a free spirit with plenty of time to travel? It’s a must to head over to Tartu and say hello to Hektor Design Hostel, the only 5 star hostel in Estonia.
What we cover in this article?
- Introduction
- 3 best hostels in detail
- cheapest hostels in Tallinn
- best hostels in Tallinn for solo travellers
- fun party hostels in Tallinn
- great Tallinn hostels for backpackers
- more hostels worth a mention
- discounts and promo codes
- How to book?
- all hostel and sights on a map
- Flights
- FAQ
You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.
Quick Introduction to Tallinn
Average price for a bed: Hostels in Tallinn cost 10€ – 12€ per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room starts from 33€ up to 75€ 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 Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
Hostel Locations: Take a look at the map and you’ll notice that our topic hostels are not downtown Tallinn. But, that is okay. Especially Fat Margaret’s has a top location! It is just outside the old town but in an area worth to explore. It is near the tram stops, from where you can easily reach Tallinn University and the hipster Kalamaja area by tram in twenty minutes.
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.
🎁 New to Hostels? Read our guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. We especially recommend reading:
- How to book hostels? (and websites to save $)
- 23 clever items: the hostel packing list to download
- How does the Hostelworld App work exactly? Our Advanced Guide
The 3 Best Hostels in Tallinn
Let’s jump right into the boutique hostels in Tallinn.
We put all three accommodation on the map, you will find the map at the end of the article.
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | Fat Margaret’s |
| 🙎♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: | Capsule Hostels Tallinn |
| 👫 For Socializing: | Academic Hostel |
| 👩❤️👨Couple Hostel: | Fat Margaret’s |
| 👨👩👦 Family Hostel: | Capsule Hostels Tallinn |
| 👩💻 For Digital Nomads: | Capsule Hostels Tallinn |
| 🎒 For Backpackers: | Academic Hostel |
1. Fat Margaret’s
How do you like the sound of a morning sauna before hitting the historical Old Town of Tallinn?
We thought you might, which is why Fat Margaret’s sits snuggly at the number one spot.
This beautifully straight forward hostel showcases exactly what it’s all about through modern, minimalistic design. Yet no comfort or homely atmosphere is left behind. It has it all!
So first things first, the rooms. What options are there?
- 6-bed mixed, male & female dorms
- Twin private
- Double bed private
- Superior twin private
Big lockers, lots of light and linen included? Check, check and check. As a little bonus for the ladies: there is a vanity mirror and desk space to get ready for the day/night.
Did we already mention the sauna? What about the pool?
Yep, after a hot detox you can jump in to a refreshing pool just next door – wonderful!
The fully-fitted kitchen is also lovely and big, with a roomy seating area and ping pong table extending from it. We reckon this is a top space for socialising.
Note: keys need to be handed in at reception whenever you go out. It just saves you losing it, so see it as a positive extra.
Reception is open 24 hours a day, so no need to worry about a curfew or arriving too late/early.
Location: Just inside the gate of Old Town Tallinn. It is very close to ferry terminal and train station. There are tons of cafes, restaurants, bars and nightclubs nearby.
This is one of the best hostels in Tallinn for
- Solo travellers
- Friends
- Couples
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
2. Capsule Hostels Tallinn
Capsule Hostels Tallinn the first innovative capsule-pod-type accommodation in the Baltics. Its futuristic design, smart solutions, safe and private environment allow you to enjoy your holiday in Tallinn as much as you want.
“The interrior of the capsule is like a spaceship. I enjoyed the lights and the privacy.”
Great experience and we recommend it for everyone who likes rather quiet and private hostel experiences.
The sleeping capsules are amazing: you have two different pillows, good mattress and blanket, a towel, tv, headphones, sockets, different types of lighting, ventilation, even the earplugs!
Some of the things offered by this hostel that should also be mentioned are:
- Easy check in/out
- Beautiful kitchen
- Clean bath
- Parking nearby
- Easy to reach city center by public transport
The staff here are very friendly and helpful, and check in process is nice and easy.
Good to know: Breakfast is not included but it is possible to purchase from a vending machine coffee and food or nearby 24/7 gas station.
Location: The location is a little bit further from the old town, but public transportation is right in front of the door.
This is one of the best hostels in Tallinn for
- Female solo travellers
- Digital nomads
- Families
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
3. Academic Hostel
Our #3 recommendation is Academic Hostel and this hostel offers perfect budget accommodation for students, backpackers and tourists who wish to enjoy an inexpensive but comfortable stay in Tallinn.
They have 108 twin rooms (216 beds). Every two rooms share a kitchenette, shower and toilet. Are there any big, typical dorms? Well, no. The Academic Hostel only offers twin rooms and triple rooms, at the moment.
The staff is really responsive and polite, especially the front desks staff. That always helps, right?! Ask them for their students tips like restaurants and bars. They know the good places.
Location: Located on the grounds of Tallinn University of Technology.
This is one of the best hostels in Tallinn for
- Students
- Backpackers
- Couples
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
What about cheapest hostels in Tallinn?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels. We think, it’s not worth it to go with the cheapest hostel out there.
Why?
The difference is usually 1-2€ ($1-2) per night, and a lot of amenities are not included. This can be breakfast or linen.
However, if you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you wanna save every penny, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Tallinn.
- Open Hostelworld with full list of budget places to stay in Tallinn
- Order the listing by price
Simple as that.
Read: 15 hacks for booking hostels
Make sure you use then the other filters and rank per price.
Also keep a close eye on the ratings, especially the “extreme ratings”. Meaning, the best and worst. These ratings can give great insight on what to expect.
Best Hostels in Tallinn for Solo Travellers?
What is seriously the best hostel in Tallinn for solo-travellers? This is usually the part where we include all of our already mentioned best hostels in Tallinn.
It would be tempting to do it again if it weren’t for Fat Margaret’s being such a top choice for solo travellers.
Whether you’re male, female, gay, transgender or part unicorn; this hostel will make you feel right at home. There are single gender dorms and private options to keep everyone happy.
Make friends over ping-pong or enjoy some ‘you time’ in the sauna. Perhaps the pool. So many choices!
The handy central location makes exploring easy for solo travellers that aren’t experienced in local transport. Let’s face it; this can be daunting.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Best Party Hostel Tallinn?
Update: This hostel has sadly closed its doors permanently. Right now we do not have another party hostel option in Tallinn to recommend. For now, we recommend Fat Margaret’s, as mentioned above.
If you’re ready to dive into a world of unforgettable nights, wild parties, and pub crawls, check out our guide to the coolest party hostels in Tallinn.
Do you love meeting new people and want to party every night during your time in Tallinn? Oh righty then, The Monk’s Bunk is the hostel for you. Specifically named as a party hosel, so be prepared!
Without doubt the best party hostel Tallinn has to offer if you…
- love a range of tours organised on your behalf
- like the idea of a free shot on arrival
- love a central location
- partial to a fun pub crawl
- enjoy themed nights
Make use of the pool table, kitchen, on-site bar and 24 hour reception and security.
Location: Right across from Town Hall Square, in the midst of Old Town Tallinn.
How about a cool Tallinn Backpackers Hostel?
Honestly, it’s so nice to stumble across a hostel that purely has a weary backpacker in mind. Often all a traveller wants is a place to drop their backpack and recharge in a cosy, communal space.
Welcome to Old Town Backpackers, in that case!
This is a remodelled 17th-18th century building, with tons of character and community feel. The dorm incorporates the living room, kitchen and common room – perfect for easy-going, open-minded, social travellers.
There are only 6-bed dorms in this intimate setting.
Wonderful staff will happily arrange a trip Lahemaa National Park and Patarei prison.
Location: In the oldest hostel in town, within the Old Town walls. Minutes from all of the top sights.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Hostelworld
How to book?
We recommend using Booking.com or Hostelworld for your reservations.
Hostelworld is the most popular website when it comes to hostel bookings.
Read: step-by-step guide on how to book with Hostelworld
On both platforms your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
We included the handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
Here is the overview:
- Fat Margaret’s: Booking.com | Hostelworld
- Capsule Hostels Tallinn: Booking.com | Hostelworld
- Academic Hostel: Booking.com | Hostelworld
- Old Town Backpackers: Hostelworld
We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible!
All of Tallinn best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish hostels, secure your room or bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.
More Hostels worth a Mention
Eager for more or still unsure which hostel in Tallinn to choose? No worries, we’ve got your covered. Here are a few more hostels worth taking a look at before you make that tough decision.
Old Town Munkenhof
Old Town Munkenhof offer 24/7 contactless check-in.
This hostel is more on the quiet side because they do not offer any organised activities. So, we think older travellers and friends will be best suited to this one.
Having said that, some of the amenities include:
- Games room
- Cinema in the basement
So, it is possible to still enjoy a sociable time here!
There’s a really good room selection here that ensures all bases are covered – private and shared rooms means you can decide depending on how sociable you’re feeling.
Dorms are on the larger side with 6 and 10-bed options.
Otherwise, you can opt for a twin, double, triple or quadruple private room. Some of them even come with a private bathroom!
Other perks include a guest kitchen, free wifi, cosy common areas and the possibility to rent a car, bicycle or scooter.
Location: In the heart of the Old Town on a quiet street just 100m from Town Hall Square. All of the cities best restaurants, cultural attractions and nightlife are within easy reach from here.
This is one of the best hostels in Tallinn for
- Older travellers
- Friends
- Couples
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Any Discounts?
Currently, we have no special hostel discounts in Tallinn. I know, it’s a pity. You can subscribe to our newsletter to receive our newest hostel discounts always to your inbox.
You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here.
Our Favorite Hostels in Tallinn put on a map + sights
Let us have a look on the map. Below we list all three best Tallinn 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.
We also included the main tourist attractions you’ve to know in this list:
- Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
- Tallinn Town Hall
- Kadriorg Art Museum
- Tallinn TV Tower
- Seaplane Harbour Lennusadam
- Kohtuotsa Viewing platform
- Kadriorg Park
How about fun things to do in Tallinn? Check out these cool ideas:
- Private Walking Tour with a Local
- 2-hour Tallinn Bike Tour
- Day return Ferry to Helsinki
- Old Town Tallinn Pub Crawl
- Jägala Waterfall & Harju County (5-hour tour)
Any questions about hostels in Tallinn? 🤔
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Ask all your questions and connect with like-minded wanderers 🔥
Flights to Tallinn?
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.
FAQ
Alright, you should have found your accommodation already. Below we list all the frequently asked questions. Have a look.
More guides
Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Tallinn.
We did the leg work for you and bring you more hostel guides to destinations:
- 3 best hostels in Helsinki, Finland
- best hostels in St Petersburg, Russia
- best hostels in Stockholm, Sweden
- 3 best hostels in Gothenburg
- best hostels in Norway
- Hektor Design Hostel in Tartu – 5 star hostel
You can find all our new and updated articles for Best Hostels here.
We also created a huge guide to hostels. Here we cover how to build lifetime friendships in hostels, the perfect packing list, and more.
Over to you
Was this useful? Do you have any questions, or doubts?
Then please please leave us a comment. This list of awesome Tallinn hostels should be as informative and useful as possible.
Your question will help me to understand what I have missed to mention.
Therefore, drop us a comment, we are keen to help you!
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 ONLY recommend places we know you will enjoy, no matter what.
We will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. We only share with you places we also recommend to our best friends and family!
Enjoy this fine hostel selection and all 5 Star Hostels.
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Update: Below are some hostels that used to be in our top 3 until they closed, unfortunately. We keep this content here for your information.
Tallinn Backpackers
Tallin Backpackers – for solo travellers that are keen to socialise. “The right choice for individual travelers. Top Old Town location, fun and friendly atmosphere, access to activities organised by our sister hostel, and a chill vibe.”
Alongside those of you travelling solo, this is also a good base for small groups. There are a ton of freebies to keep you happy, including:
- Walking tour
- Internet & wifi
- Luggage storage
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Tea & coffee
The staff here are super knowledgable about the area and will gladly share off-the-beaten-path tips with you. If you’re keen to try out local tours, make sure you speak to the staff at reception. You can book AK 47 shooting, day trips to Lahemaa National Park and much more.
When you’re not out exploring, make the most of the games room and common room which are set up perfectly for meeting others and relaxing.
Good to know: There are no private rooms here.
Instead, share a room with new found friends. You can sleep in a 6 or 8-bed mixed dorm. Two of them come with private bathrooms.
Location: Situated in a historical building just around the corner from Town Hall Square. The ferry terminals are a 20 minute walk from here.
CLOSED: Red Emperor Hostel (former #2 hostel)
Imagine a mix of historical Tallinn and a bearded Australian. This particular Aussie created a hostel with community spirit, creativity, excitement and tons of fun.
Red Emperor Hostel also just so happens to have a bar attached, open to guests and locals alike.
But don’t worry, this isn’t one of those crazy up-all-night party hostels.
Well, it has the potential to be if you like! Yet a good, quiet night’s sleep can also be enjoyed.
What other enticing perks are there?
- Pool table
- Live concerts, karaoke, pub quizzes
- Hostel dinners
- Indoor skate ramp (whaaaat!)
- Chill, quiet common room
- Fully-equipped kitchen & dining area
Have a watch of the cool hostel video (down below) to get an idea of the size and separation of nightlife and room life.
Rooms come in dorm and private sizes, all with linen and lockers. Private rooms come with en-suite and Old Town wall views.
Bunks are sturdy and rooms are spacious. But don’t expect privacy curtains here – this is a sociable hostel, inside and outside of the rooms.
Important: Groups large and small are welcome, but make sure you contact the hostel in advance.
The staff deserve mentioning. They’re friendly, fun and always welcoming.
Location: Inside the Old Town District, surrounded by medieval architecture, gothic spires and cobbled streets. A supermarket, ATM and restaurant are within short walking distance.
CLOSED: Tabinoya – Tallinn’s Travellers House (former #3 hostel)
Tabinoya stands for ‘Traveller’s House’, and it really is a home away from home.
Forget party party; Tabinoya is the place to be to enjoy a cup of tea, read a book, surf the net and enjoying a chat over a quiet drink.
Like we said, this is a homely hostel. And the rooms are no exception.
We love the ample choice on offer:
- Single room
- Double/twin private
- Triple room
- Quadruple room w/ ensuite
- 4-bed female dorm
- 8-bed mixed dorm
Each room has its own design. We particularly love the little window nook in the 8-bed dorm. Grab a book and get snuggly!
Bonus: here you’ll be treated to a free, filling breakfast each morning.
And if you fancy, there is also a fully-fitted kitchen to cook up a storm.
Treat yourself to a sauna experience after a day of exploring.
It’s only 5 euros for one hour, so how could you refuse?
Other perks include a common room, 24/hr security and free tea and coffee.
Location: Also within the Old Town, 100m from the town hall square and best restaurants around. Also close by to great districts such as Kalamaja and Telliskivi.
