Casa da Madalena Backpackers Hostel

Casa da Madalena Backpackers Hostel is a small hostel on Travessa da Madalena 10, in the Baixa of Faro in Portugal's Algarve region. It is notable for its size and rating: the property has two shared dorms, two shared bathrooms and a rooftop hammock area, and it holds a Hostelworld guest rating of 9.9 out of 10 from about 1,216 reviews, which places it among the best-reviewed budget stays in the city. Dorm beds start from about €25 (~$29) per night. The small scale suggests a homely, social atmosphere where guests easily meet one another, though shared bathrooms and a limited number of beds mean advance booking is wise. The Baixa location is walkable to nearly everything of interest: the marina and the Ria Formosa boat departures, the walled Cidade Velha with its cathedral and the Arco da Vila gate, the Igreja do Carmo with its Chapel of Bones, and the railway and bus stations. The surrounding pedestrian streets contain cafés, pastry shops and restaurants serving grilled fish, cataplana and petiscos at modest prices. The rooftop hammock area offers a quiet place to rest after a day exploring, and in summer it is useful for catching a breeze. Faro is the hub for the Algarve rail line, with trains to Tavira, Olhão and Lagos, and buses to Seville and Lisbon, so the hostel suits travellers planning day trips. The airport is a short taxi or bus ride away. Because there are only two dorms, the hostel can fill early in July, August and around local festivals, and guests wanting private space should look elsewhere. Quiet hours and shared-space etiquette are important in a small house.