Travelers find peaceful respite both indoors and out at this tranquil spot, where comfortable spaces invite relaxation after exploring the quiet surroundings
Kirkwall Youth Hostel offers a genuinely peaceful retreat with its quiet garden that guests can access throughout their stay. The rooms come with free WiFi for staying connected, while practical laundry facilities make longer visits more comfortable.
Located in Kirkwall, Kirkwall Youth Hostel is near the beach. Scapa Distillery and Orkney Wine Company are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Scapa Beach and Mill Sand. The Pickaquoy Centre and Stromness Museum are also worth visiting. Visit our Kirkwall travel guide
You can look forward to a garden, laundry facilities, and a restaurant at Kirkwall Youth Hostel. Free WiFi in public areas and a snack bar/deli are available to all guests.
Additional perks include:
Self-serve breakfast (surcharge), luggage storage, and smoke-free premises
Daily self-serve breakfast available 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM for a fee: GBP 6.50 for adults and GBP 6.50 for children
A restaurant
Snack bar/deli
Things to do
Bicycle storage
TV in common areas
Family friendly
Laundry facilities
Snack bar/deli
Conveniences
Laundry facilities
Luggage storage
Shared refrigerator
Outdoors
Garden
Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
No elevator (single-level property)
Vibrating pillow alarm
Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
Wheelchair-accessible lounge
Wheelchair-accessible restaurant
More
2 floors
Communal living room
Smoking not allowed
Vegetarian breakfast available
Vegetarian dining options
Room amenities
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
Shower
Toilet paper
Food and drink
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Oven
Shared kitchen access
Stovetop
More
Heating
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 5 PM; Check-in end time: 10 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 16
Check-out
Check-out before 10 AM
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open Monday - Sunday (8:00 AM - 10:00 AM) and Monday - Sunday (5:00 PM - 10:00 PM)
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
If you are planning to arrive after 10:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Renovations and closures
The property is closed between July 21 and March 31.
Access methods
Staffed front desk
Pets
Pets allowed for an extra charge of GBP 7.50 per pet, per night
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total pets
Pets cannot be left unattended
Specific rooms only; pet-friendly rooms can be requested by contacting the property at the number on the booking confirmation
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available
Property payment types
Important information
Optional extras
Fee for self-serve breakfast: approximately GBP 6.50 for adults and GBP 6.50 for children
Pet fee: GBP 7.50 per pet, per night
Service animals are exempt from fees
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
We should mention
This property does not have elevators
National rating
This establishment has received its official star rating from VisitScotland, the National Tourist Board for Scotland.
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total). There's a fee of GBP 7.50 per pet, per night. Service animals are exempt from fees.
How much does it cost to stay at Kirkwall Youth Hostel?
As of 2026/3/6, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Kirkwall Youth Hostel on 2026/4/3 start from NT$2,100, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking?
Limited spots are available.
What time is check-in at Kirkwall Youth Hostel?
Check-in start time: 5 PM; Check-in end time: 10 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.
What time is check-out at Kirkwall Youth Hostel?
Check-out is at 10 AM.
Where is Kirkwall Youth Hostel located?
Situated near the beach, this hostel is within a 15-minute walk of Bishop's Palace, Earl's Palace, and Orkney Museum. St. Magnus Cathedral and The Pickaquoy Centre are also within 15 minutes.
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Reviews
Kirkwall Youth Hostel Reviews
7.8
Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
Several of the staff were very helpful, like Ross and Joseph. I initially had a dorm room, but there wasn't enough space for me to layout equipment I needed each day. Was very happy to switch to a private room. Great set up for kitchen use.
Beth
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
6/10 Okay
Arthur
2025/7/26
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
We arrived late from the Shetland Ferry. Instructions to get in were clear. We had a private room but no towels, they were complimentary but had to be provided for by staff and upon arrival there was no staff… so we could not shower in the evening. All was clean and working well.
Room was clean and effective - but could be made more friendly by just putting up some pictures or Orkney fotos.. that would really make a difference.
Staff was very accomodating and nice, breakfast room was pleasant.
We had an okay stay but all in all found it quite high priced for the basic facilities we got.
My stay was great. The place was clean but a bit small.
You can wash your laundry there for a small price and even use the dryer. The bathroom was clean. The showers were new but a bit narrow.
Youth hostel with (some) rooms converted to double rooms. Rooms slightly basic, but comfortable. The place is somewhat aged but appears well kept.
Spacious communal kitchen and dining room.
Clean warm with good facilities. Only downer was hot water was a pain to access. Cold showers unless you waited and waited and waited!! However cheap and comfortable place to stay not too far from town
Run down- would benefit from a complete revamp. There are few amenities ( ie toilets) for size. Cost is extremely high for quality of accommodation on offer. A shame that this syha hostel has lost it way and is now more expensive and not as good as local competitors. No one about to let in some poor folk who came in on late boat despite arrangements having been made. Overall, extortionate and poor quality- reccomend either lowering the price or providing a much better service. W
Verified traveler
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025
4/10 Poor
YaoQiang
2023/5/24
Liked: Staff & service
Wi-Fi so bad the price one £80 room. You can’t get Wi-Fi in room no chair in room
YaoQiang
Stayed 1 night in May 2023
6/10 Okay
Mrs P
2024/8/18
Liked: Staff & service, amenities
The private room was ok but I did not like the gender neutral toilets and washrooms. If they had been single units affording some privacy, that would have been fine - but they weren’t. Also there was an unpleasant smell of cooking in the corridor. The room smelled ok. The doors of the other rooms banged as they were closing - so quite noisy late at night while trying to sleep.The warden was helpful and pleasant.
Mrs P
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024
6/10 Okay
Caroline
2025/8/14
Auberge de jeunesse vieillotte
Pratique pour visiter l’île.
Unterkunft für Ausflüge auf der Insel fußläufig sind die Destillerien Highland Park und Scapa (ca 20min Fußweg) zu erreichen. Auch der Weg in die Innenstadt ist nach kurzen Fußmarsch gut zu erreichen.
First time in a youth hostel as an adult (and since the 80s) was a surprisingly pleasant experience. A private twin room for myself and my 12 yo daughter was great, shared facilities not too much of an issue even though the place was busy.
Could do with more fridge space for guests, but ambient storage is plentiful, and the kitchen area and supplies ample for everyone.
Location is great: within easy walking distance of the bus station for the able-bodied even with a heavy suitcase in tow, 10 minutes walk from 3 supermarkets and multiple takeaway food outlets (all independant, no chains), and within 10 minutes to the town centre and major attractions.
Staff were available during advertised hours; friendly and efficient whenever encountered
Staff were excellent and accommodating. Great value for the money if you just need a clean bed. Didn't like large communal area. Too many people using foul language. Dishes and utensils not clean.
Verified traveler
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2019
8/10 Good
Maureen, Canada
2019/6/12
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Convenient location. Kitchen had all of the amenities necessary, but fridge space was limited and fridges were not clean. Private room was basic, but had everything needed. Only concern was not having staff available earlier in the day for checkin, and when I sent the hostel an email earlierthrough the booking program, I did not receive an answer.
Maureen
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2019
10/10 Excellent
sally
2018/9/14
Amazing and welcoming!
Amazing!!
sally
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2018
6/10 Okay
Verified traveler
2018/9/2
Diese Unterkunft entspricht einer gängigen Jugendherberge
Verified traveler
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2018
2/10 Terrible
Paul
2018/9/1
Don’t go there!
No hotels available for my date, so only a hostel available. This is not a hotel.
Poor standard of accommodation, shared bathrooms, no tv etc in room.
Uncomfortable single bed.
If you’re a student on s budget this could be for you.
Not for someone on business.