The Best Budget Hostels in Cádiz, Spain

For characterful, friendly budget accommodation in the centre of Cádiz, Casa Caracol should be your first choice. It offers shared dormitories in a quirkily-decorated building just off Plaza San Juan de Dios – one of the old town’s liveliest spaces – and several beautiful double rooms in a separate house (Casa Pirates) right next door to the cathedral. Both have superbly equipped communal kitchens, clean bathrooms and spectacular roof terraces on which you can enjoy views over the roftops of Cádiz. Exceptionally friendly staff make staying here even more enjoyable.

One of the beautiful double rooms at Casa Caracol; courtesy Casa Caracol

If you want to be by the beach rather than in the city centre, Hospederia Imar is one of the best value hostels in Cádiz. This family-run business offers light-filled, elegant rooms and apartments just 50 metres from Playa Victoria, Cádiz’s largest and most popular beach, as well as a charming little garden in which to relax and sunbathe. There are plenty of bars and restaurants nearby (but never any noise or disturbance at night) and clients of Hospederia are also offered a discount at the neighbouring gym and spa.

Hospederia is perfect for a beach-orientated trip to Cádiz; kanbron/flickr

Consistently singled out for the warmth and efficiency of its staff, Summer Cádiz Hostal offers shared, single and double (twin bed) rooms right in the middle of old Cádiz. Facilities include a kitchen equipped with all the mod cons you could want, a super-cool rooftop terrace for socialising and a comfortable lounge in which to relax and use the complementary Wi-Fi. The hostel offers free walking tours of the old town (all the attractions of which are within a ten minute walk) as well as bike rides and pub crawls.

Summer Cádiz Hostal is located in the heart of the old town; Luis Eduardo P Tavares/flickr

Alquimia Hostel is housed in an attractive, 19th-century baroque building just a few streets away from Cádiz’s bustling port. The individually-decorated rooms are spread over four floors that surround a traditional Andalusian courtyard, on the ground floor of which there are TV/chillout and dining rooms. The hostel’s star feature is its rooftop terrace – the perfect spot to meet other travellers and take in some great views of Cádiz. Guided tours of the city and a range of cultural and gastronomic activities are also offered to Alquiminia’s guests.

Enjoy views over Cádiz from the rooftop terrace at Alquimia Hostel; Luis Eduardo P Tavares/flickr

This cute and colourful hostel is situated on the western edge of Cádiz’s old town and an easy stroll away from the Genoves Park (with its amazing palm and rubber trees) and the old fishing quarter of La Viña. It is housed in a lovingly-refurbished 19th-century building, the communal areas of which delight with their funky colour schemes. Musical clients will be happy to hear there’s a piano in the lounge, whist ‘Grooming Kits’ are available for those getting ready for a night on the town. A fully-equipped kitchen and decently priced drinks complete the offering at Cádiz Cadi.

Cádiz’s Genoves Park is just a five minute walk from Cádiz Cadi Hostel; Emilio/flickr

Casa Morada is frequently praised for making travellers feel more like they’re staying in someone’s home than in a hostel. It offers cosy, vintage-style individual and shared rooms in the northwest corner of Cádiz, close enough to old town but also offering some peace and quiet at night. The accommodation is split over three floors and guests have access to a spotlessly-clean, fully-equipped kitchen and a rooftop terrace with a small bar. Nearby points of interest include the charming old fishing quarter of La Viña, Playa Caleta and the 16th-century Santa Catalina castle.

Cádiz’s Santa Catalina Castle is a few minutes’ walk from Casa Morada; Pom Angers/flickr

Hostal Bahía enjoys a prime location in the old town, situated just off the palm tree-lined Plaza San Juan de Dios (home to the beautiful town hall building). The rooms are basic but comfortable, kept to a high standard of cleanliness and all have their own bathrooms. Bahía’s staff, meanwhile, are singled out for their charm and their readiness to recommend things to see and do in the city, most of which are within a ten/fifteen minute walk of the front reception. A superb and inexpensive base from which to explore Cádiz.

Cádiz’s town hall on Plaza San Juan de Dios is just around the corner from Hostal Bahía; Diego Delso/Commons Wikimedia