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
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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
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 townGuest Review
14/07/2024
Good hostel in a great location, good value for money.Mari
09/07/2024
Very comfortable accommodationGuest Review
07/07/2024
Excellent value. Comfy bed. Very nice people.Guest Review
02/07/2024
All very easy and friendlyHedgehog
01/07/2024
An excellent stay. We look forward to visiting again.Backabush
25/06/2024
My third time here. And I'll be back for a fourth. Great location. Rooms clean and quiet.Matt
22/06/2024
Im Hostel bekommt man mit vielen Reisenden Kontakt und kann Informationen austauschen.Sylvia
20/06/2024
Great hostei with friendly and helpfull staffPaul
13/06/2024
Great location and provides everything you needPeter
08/06/2024
Nice hostel directly in Kirkwall from where it is easy to explore the OrkneysChristina
06/06/2024
Great budget accommodation with friendly staff and good facilities. Recommend this hostel.bobnmary
05/06/2024
Lieu de séjour économique (cuisine bien équipée et offrant la base nécessaire, lavery, lounge). A 15 mn a pied du centre. Bien pour les "routards".Izia
05/06/2024
Friendly staff, clean hostel, excellent service, recommendedGuido Romanelli
29/05/2024
Great to have such an economical accommodation option in Kirkwall.Moira
19/05/2024
Comfortable and clean. Great value. Very handy kitchen facilities.Jay Cooper
18/05/2024
Good hostel experience in Kirkwall & close enough to walk into town in ~10 mins.Chris
08/05/2024
We really enjoyed our stay. Great hostel and very friendly and helpful staff.Maria
02/05/2024
-Guest Review
25/04/2024
Very friendly and accommodating.Dotty Diamond
19/04/2024
Auberge de jeunesse sympathique si votre budget est restreint, mention spéciale à l'accueil très chaleureux et amical du personnel !Alexandre
18/04/2024
It was particularly helpful for the hostel to allow storage and use of facilities until our ferry to Aberdeen left at 11-45. Very understanding.John Dodds
11/09/2023
A really well run hostel in a great location,staffed by very friendly helpful staff. A pleasure to visit.David Shearer
09/09/2023
We had a great, unexpected, 5 night stay here having had our tent damaged in strong wind while on a camping holiday. We were delighted that they would also allow our dog to stay and therefore we were able to continue our holiday. The staff were all very friendly and helpful.Guest Review
05/09/2023
Great staff and very knowledgeable. Highly recommended.Guest Review
30/08/2023
Great hostel, good facilities, good location, fantastically helpful staff.Nathan
25/08/2023
As a long stayer, the Kirkwall Youth Hostel was perfect for my stay and I settled into a home away from home. The staff, Ross, kelvin and Gary afforded me every assistance which made my stay as smooth as possible. I'll always recommend this institution and will return again.Ralph.
19/08/2023
Great hostel, clean, nice room and good facilities, helpful friendly staffDon’t mind
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.