Bilbao Akelarre Hostel

It’s clean and in a fairly good location, so it could be worse, but it could be better too. The place feels old and very basic. I’ve stayed in better hostels in Spain for the price. The showers need updating, and the bunk beds creak a lot when you move. Check-in and all contact happen through WhatsApp only after 14:00. The room felt short on oxygen, with no open windows and the air conditioning off. I woke up with a dry mouth and headache.

I appreciated how quiet this part of town was, away from the action. Walking along the river to busier downtown was lovely and easy, and I felt very safe. Bilbao is generally very walkable. The hostel had a stamp for peregrinos, and there are microwaves, fridges, and free coffee and tea, though no stove for cooking. My all-female room had a key, and check-in was easy. Natalia was thorough and helpful, sending a detailed guide to Bilbao and all the instructions. They’d taken care of the details too, with body wash, towels, sheets, comfortable beds, and lockers. One of my best hostel experiences.

The shared space was lovely, green, and comfortable, and the kitchen had everything I needed. The staff were so helpful and sweet. Everything was very clean, and the white, soft towels were amazing for a hostel. This is the best hostel I’ve stayed in. Thank you, guys, I really enjoyed it.

It’s a cozy, comfortable, very clean hostel, and I felt safe there. The service was excellent, too. It’s outside the city center, but there’s good transport, or you can walk the 20 minutes. There are some great cafes nearby. The hosts replied quickly whenever I needed something and helped out, giving me a locker, recommending facilities, and bringing an extra blanket when I visited in late autumn. I really enjoyed my time and highly recommend it.