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
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
13/08/2023
Great staff and people who stay thereGuest Review
11/08/2023
Great hostel, central to everything in Kirkwall. Great self-catering and dining facilities.ronald schoedel iii
05/08/2023
Super clean and comfortable, friendly staff and hostelers.Bev
04/08/2023
I called as a last minute booking and the chap I got was very helpful and was spot on will definitely be there again when I iam back in Orkney the facility are really good they where better than some hotels I have been to imagine a hostel better than a hotel but they were ??????Highland Haggis
31/07/2023
Nous n'avons qu'une envie, y retourner, l'accueil chaleureux et convivial - et vive la musique belge :-) , la propreté, tout était parfait et sympathique.Guest Review
25/07/2023
Great hostel, location and staff. Ideal location to visit most places and near transport.Bill
11/07/2023
The hostel has great facilities and is really clean and the staff team are so friendly and kind! They gave me lots of recommendations of what to do while I was on the islands which made my trip even more special!Claire
29/06/2023
Hostel, private room and facilities clean and comfortable. Stayed one night and then explored the area by bicycle before taking the overnight ferry to Shetland. Much appreciated being able to come back to the hostel before leaving that evening.Linda
22/06/2023
Ross on checking was really helpful and other staff too. We were on late ferry so offering to store bikes and bags all day was a huge help. Breakfast was just what was needed and kitchen and lounge were spot on.Neil
21/06/2023
excellent check in staff, very very helpfull and friendly, nothing was too much bother. Shower was super and room super clean.Andrew Doney
19/06/2023
A very comfortable place, quiet and well located for carless walking visitors.Daniel Kriegk
19/06/2023
Excellent weekend. Staff very helpful and friendly, facilities very good, spotless loos, easy walk to town centreCarol Mills
18/06/2023
Thoroughly enjoyed my stay - the weather helped! This is a well-run hostel with a good-sized kitchen, dining room and lounge. The opportunity to dry clothes outside was a bonus.Guest Review
10/06/2023
Staff were great! Friendly, knowledgable and helpful. Good location for exploring Kirkwall and plenty of parking and space. Brilliant that it is dog friendly. Thanks!Guest Review
10/06/2023
Guest Review
08/06/2023
Very friendly staff. Thought it was great when I checked out could leave luggage and come back to hostel to hang out while waited for ferry.Angus
27/05/2023
The building is old but the staff is really nice and it's a great place to stay!St-Jean
21/05/2023
Friendly helpful staff and easy check in Comfy bed and clean room Good breakfast making facilities tooGuest Review
16/05/2023
All good; friendly staff and other people staying. Good facilities, small signs in the street helped me to find it.A sea kayaker
08/05/2023
Very friendly and helpful staff.Orkney adventure
03/05/2023
Great hospitality and very clean and comfortable . Great location. Excellent value.Belfast traveler
11/04/2023
Absolutely fantastic place - SUPER SUPER helpful staff, very well-kept, in general a very comfortable atmosphere. There are leaflets on all the islands, time tables, etc which greatly help plan. The team also knows a lot and go out of their way to help. Would definitely recommend staying here!Arjun Kamdar
29/03/2023
This was a perfect place for our group to stay while exploring Orkney. The wardens were helpful and as we had the place to ourselves we were able to rehearse and make the most of our time there. ThanksGuest Review
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.