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
09/09/2025
Excellent clean hostel with a friendly atmosphere.KW (Shetland U13s football coach)
01/09/2025
We had an excellent weekend stay August 25. 2 male 2 female in a 4 bed room (2 bunks) although forbsome this may feel a small room but compares to other hostels it was well laid out to give some privacy and we had plenty of room. The lounge and dining area are large and plenty of room for everyone. The kitchen was large and we had plenty of space to cook. There are plenty of walks both high and low in the surrounding area which are steeped in history.Cath
01/09/2025
Great facility! Big kitchen , good breakfast, close to town.Lynn
01/09/2025
I had comfortable en suite room and the staff were very helpful and pleasant. The hostel is in a quiet location but just a short walk from the centre of townBarry
30/08/2025
Great stay in a friendly secure place with cleanliness spacious functional kitchen. Great staff always available t help advise or just chat. Must come back placeJon
28/08/2025
Dog friendly hostel with lovely big room. Very clean and quiet while I stayed even though lots of people staying who were of all different ages. Huge free car park and short walk to beach and Scarpa distillery.Moe
01/08/2025
Perfectly acceptable facility. Thumbs upGrateful user
27/07/2025
We were only here for one night on this occasion. The new shower block is great! Good facilities and very welcoming.Clazz
24/07/2025
Kirkwall Youth Hostel is conveniently placed just outside the town centre, quiet and backin on to fields. The standard of the accomodation is good, lovely showers, comfortable beds and bedding and well-equipped kitchen. The comfortable sofas in the lounge were a welcome place to recharge the batteries after a day digging on an archaeological site.Bonedigger
22/07/2025
Very cozy place. Quiet and warm. Big enough kitchen with all necessary equipment and many tables to sit at.Olha
06/07/2025
Very pleased with our brief stay.Anne & Stephen
05/07/2025
My stay at the hostel was great. Cool and quiet atmosphere with responsive staff, functional kitchen and beautiful lounge. I would recommend as it's quite affordable.Esther
23/06/2025
The staff was really nice and helpful !!!Adria & Manuel
21/06/2025
It was so good to be back after a few years of not visiting Kirkwall. Gone a bit "upmarket" since my last visit but that's understandable as the clientele has changed. Still retains the ethos of affordable friendly knowledgeable staff. As someone once said "I'll be back".Val
19/06/2025
Comfortable Bed, good shower, centralYes
18/06/2025
Great location just 15 minutes walk from Kirkwall harbour and town centre. Rooms are clean, well presented and generally quiet as well away from the communal areas. Showers in the 'wing' my room was located at were clean and well presented - with plenty of hot water.BridgetE
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
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.