Accommodation will always be one of your biggest travel expenses…but what if it wasn’t? What if you could reduce the cost of your accommodation to zero while still enjoying the comforts of home? That’s what house swaps promise. House swaps have been around for decades. It was the entire premise of the movie The Holiday (starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet). They became all the rage but then were soon eclipsed by sites like Airbnb. But as travel prices skyrocketed post-COVID, more and more people have turned back to house swaps as a means of saving money while they travel while still getting a local experience (but without the hassle of an Airbnb). House swaps are exactly what they sound like. You sign up, list your home, and then swap with someone else in another city. They stay in your place and you stay in their place. The biggest and most popular platform for swaps is HomeExchange . And, in this post, I’ll go over everything you need to know to get started with a house swa...
Posted: 10/26/2023 | October 26th, 2023
Lagos, Portugal is a backpacker hot spot. Located on the Algarve coast, with its breathtaking cliffs and rocky beaches, Lagos offers the perfect mix of nature and charm. Visitors can traipse through the bustling Old Town and take in the stunning coastlines by day, then enjoy the famous party scene at night.
The town’s ever-increasing popularity and rising prices have made it more important than ever to seek out affordable accommodation. Thankfully, Lagos is home to a variety of hostels that cater to different preferences and budgets.
To help you plan your trip and save money, here is my list of the best hostels in Lagos. They’ll ensure you have a fantastic and budget-friendly stay in this stunning coastal destination.
But, first, here are four things you need to remember before picking a hostel in Lagos:
- Location – While Lagos is relatively compact, you might want to choose a hostel that aligns with your interests, whether it’s beach access, proximity to nightlife, or a quiet retreat.
- Price – Hostel prices in Lagos are currently on the rise, but there are still many options to suit various budgets, including those seeking more comfort or amenities.
- Amenities – Whether it’s a rooftop, a pool, or yoga equipment that you’re after, hostels in Lagos are full of various amenities. All offer free Wi-Fi, and most include free breakfast, but if you want more than that, do your research to find one that best meets your needs.
- Staff – All the hostels listed here have amazing staff! They are all super friendly and knowledgeable. Even if you don’t stay at one of the places listed below, look up reviews to ensure you end up somewhere where the staff is helpful and friendly. They can make or break a hostel!
Want the specifics of each hostel? Here’s my breakdown of the best hostels in Lagos and why I love them:
Price legend (per night):
- $ = Under 30 EUR
- $$ = 30-35 EUR
- $$$ = Over 35 EUR
1. Top City Hostel
With its modern, clean rooms and bathrooms and strong A/C, this hostel is pretty big. It’s more like a hotel. The free breakfast is simple — just DIY toasties and juice — but there is a large communal kitchen to cook your own food in and vending machines if you want a quick snack.
The highlight of this hostel is the rooftop area, which has a small pool and plenty of loungers and beanbag chairs. It’s a fun place to hang out and the views over the ocean and marina are beautiful. The staff also organize lots of free events here, like pub crawls, karaoke, pool parties, and bingo nights. It’s a great hostel for travelers that love to party but also want a clean, comfortable place to sleep. There is also an entire floor with all female-only dorms.
Top City Hostel at a glance:
- $$
- Rooftop pool with sweeping city views
- Modern dorms with A/C
- Weekly pub crawls and activities
Beds from 30 EUR, private rooms from 140 EUR.
2. Banana Beach House
Just five minutes from the beach, this is the perfect hostel for travelers looking for a chill getaway. If you want to hit the waves, the owner runs his own surf school out of the hostel, teaching lessons and renting out boards.
This is a very social hostel, so it’s easy to meet people (there’s only one main common area, so everyone has to hang out together). The place has two kitchens and a rooftop jacuzzi, but the highlight for me is that the bar has a nightly deal: unlimited sangria for one hour for just 5 EUR! The beds are cozy and are pod-style, so you have decent privacy. There are curtains, lamps, and USB ports for each bed too.
Banana Beach House at a glance:
- $$
- Fun communal space with a bar
- Close proximity to the beach
- Rooftop jacuzzi
Beds from 32 EUR, private rooms from 85 EUR.
3. Olive Hostel
Located in the center of town just steps from popular bars and restaurants, Olive is a smaller, cozy hostel. It has a lovely outdoor terrace area filled with plants — a great hangout spot to meet other travelers. There is also a chill rooftop area and free yoga mats to use, as well as rooftop yoga classes (10 EUR). There is no free breakfast, but the hostel has a kitchen and an aptly named “Honesty Bar” where you can grab beer and snacks and simply write down your name and what you took, which you pay for at the end of your stay.
The rooms are clean, and although there is no A/C, there are mini fans on every bed, in addition to lamps, outlets, and (for the bottom bunks) curtains. Although it isn’t a party hostel, there’s a social atmosphere, and the bars in town are still very close. It’s also just a 10-minute walk from the beach, so if you’re looking for a more low-key, chill hostel that’s a bit cheaper than the others in the heart of Lagos, Olive is your best bet.
Olive Hostel at a glance:
- $$
- Lovely garden hangout space with a cozy feel
- Rooftop with weekly yoga
- Central location
Beds from 32 EUR, private rooms from 75 EUR.
4. Cloud 9 Hostel
This is one of the cheaper hostels in Lagos, making it the perfect choice for budget backpackers. There’s an age limit (18045) so it’s only younger travelers here, which gives the hostel a more lively, social atmosphere. While the hostel is clean and social with a large common room and terrace for hanging out (as well as a shared kitchen for cooking), the highlight for me is the pub crawl. Pretty much everyone in the hostel goes on it so it’s an easy, fun way to meet people and take in the city’s nightlife.
Like most party-centric hostels, the dorms here are basic and the bunks are simple metal ones with thin mattresses. There are no privacy curtains either, but the emphasis here isn’t on sleeping so that shouldn’t be a surprise!
Cloud 9 at a glance:
- $
- Fun, social atmosphere
- Wild pub crawl
- Young travelers only (18-45)
Beds from 24 EUR.
Whether you’re a budget-conscious backpacker, a party enthusiast, solo female traveler, or digital nomad, Lagos has a hostel for you. By booking one from this list, you’ll not only save money during your stay but you’ll have a fun, amazing time in this sunny corner of Europe!
Book Your Trip to Portugal: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- Safety Wing (best for everyone)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
- Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Looking for More Information on Visiting Portugal?
Be sure to check out our robust destination guide to Portugal for even more planning tips!
2 – Top City Hostel, 3 – Banana beach House, 4 – Olive Hostel, 5 – Cloud 9 Hostel.
The post The 4 Best Hostels in Lagos, Portugal appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.
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