TOC Hostel Málaga review: a stylish stay in Málaga's old town

If you’re looking for somewhere central, stylish and good value to stay in Málaga, TOC Hostel might be just what you need. This boutique hybrid hostel-hotel offers both private rooms and dorms in a beautifully refurbished historic building right in the heart of Málaga’s old town.

I stayed at TOC Hostel Málaga for four nights during Málaga Carnival at the end of February, and it was the perfect base for exploring the city on foot, enjoying the festivities and taking day trips to Córdoba, Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas.

In this TOC Hostel Málaga review I’ll tell you what I liked about my stay, what wasn’t so great and let you know what to expect if you book.

About TOC Hostel Málaga

TOC Hostel Málaga is a boutique hostel with a bit of a hotel feel. As well as dorm rooms, it offers private ensuite rooms, a comfortable lounge area, communal kitchen and a coffee shop where you can get a buffet breakfast.

Aimed at travellers who want a central location and modern style without the price tag of a hotel, TOC Hostel’s low price, kitchen facilities and location are a great alternative to a self-catering apartment.

Location

I really loved the location. TOC Hostel Málaga is in the middle of the city centre (Google Maps link), just around the corner from some of the old town’s liveliest streets. Despite that, it felt quiet and safe at night. We were able to walk everywhere, including to the main train station for our day trip to Córdoba, to the suburban train station for the airport, and to all the major sights in Málaga.

The Picasso Museum is less than 400 metres away and takes just 5 minutes to reach on foot. The grand Málaga Cathedral is a similar distance. A stroll to the Alcazaba, one of Málaga’s most impressive landmarks, takes about 10 minutes.

If you’re heading towards the seaside promenade, the Centre Pompidou Málaga is roughly a mile away or a 20-minute walk, and Malagueta Beach is a little further and took me about 22 minutes.

Málaga really surprised me with how much it reminded me of Venice, with its maze of alleyways and winding pedestrian streets. TOC Hostel is right in the middle of it all, and having everything within easy walking distance made the city even more enjoyable to explore.

There’s a Carrefour Express supermarket around the corner and you’re surrounded by places to eat, from tapas bars, to Italian, Asian and Moroccan restaurants.

Getting to TOC Hostel Málaga

From Málaga Airport, take the Cercanías C1 train to Estación Málaga Centro-Alameda, which takes around 12 minutes. From there, it’s about a 15-minute walk to the hostel. If you’re carrying a lot of luggage, a taxi may be more comfortable.

Estación María Zambrano, the main train station for long-distance and high-speed services, is around 1.9 km away (a 25 minute walk or a short taxi ride). The Málaga Central Bus Station for buses to Granada and other cities in Andalucia is around the same distance as the train station.

There’s very little public transport within the historic centre itself, so if you don’t take a taxi you will need to walk a little from the nearest train or bus stops.

Arriving

Check-in was easy and the staff were very friendly. Because we were in a private room, we didn’t need to worry about lockers, but they were happy to store our luggage after checkout so we could make the most of our last day.

The room

We stayed in a private ensuite room with a large double bed. It wasn’t huge but it was very comfortable and sparkling clean. There were power sockets on both sides of the bed, a safe and a hanging rail and shelves for storing all our stuff.

The bathroom was surprisingly spacious and had a really good shower. There were plenty of toiletries and a good hairdryer, although it did run a bit hot.

The only downside was that the room faced internally, so there wasn’t a view. But the upside was that it was nice and quiet, which made for very restful nights. I don’t remember any noise coming from the corridor or common areas.

There are a range of room types at TOC Hostel Málaga:

• ‘suites’ for two, which is what I had – the word suite is a bit misleading, but think standard ensuite hotel room
• suites for four people, which are great for families and groups
• shared bunk rooms for 6-8 people where you book a bed. Female-only bunk rooms are available.

Breakfast

Breakfast is served in the coffee shop just off reception. It’s a continental-style buffet with cereals, cheese, ham, boiled eggs, tortilla, cakes and pastries. The coffee comes from a large urn rather than being made fresh to order, but it did the job. You’re expected to clear away your own dishes afterwards.

There’s also a kitchen if you want to prepare your own meals, which is a big plus for a longer stay or for saving money. I didn’t use it, but it was nice to have the option.

Facilities and service

The reception area doubles as a lounge space with comfy seating, a pool table, books and work tables. There’s a coffee shop just off reception, which is open to the public and serves good sandwiches and cakes during the day.

TOC Hostel Málaga didn’t feel especially social; it wasn’t the kind of hostel where you end up chatting to people. People in the lounge seemed to stick to their own groups, and I didn’t see anyone using the little bar. That suited me fine, but if you’re looking to meet people, it might not be ideal.

Hotel design

This was one of my favourite things about TOC Hostel. The design is lovely: stylish and calming with lots of natural wood, black and white tones, and green accents. The flowers in the lobby really make an impression. It feels more like a boutique hotel than a typical hostel.

Where to eat nearby

You’re spoiled for choice. You’re in the heart of Málaga’s old town, so there are tapas bars and restaurants everywhere. Plus, with a supermarket around the corner and a kitchen on site, it’s easy to self-cater if you want to.

Price and value

I paid £319.89 for four nights in a private room with breakfast, during Málaga Carnival at the very end of February. That worked out much cheaper than all the hotels I looked at and similar in price to Airbnbs.

One of the reasons I chose TOC Hostel over an Airbnb is that locals in Málaga have been protesting about the affordability and availability of housing as more and more landlords convert their homes into holiday apartments. I didn’t want to contribute to that so staying in a hostel felt like a more responsible choice.

Check prices at TOC Hostel Malaga for your stay

Things I didn’t like

The dorm beds don’t have curtains, which might put off light sleepers or people who value privacy. There’s no parking on site, but they do have an agreement with a nearby car park just a minute away.

Also, breakfast doesn’t start until 8am, so if you have an early train or tour, you might miss it. We were only just able to have breakfast the day we went to Córdoba.

Final thoughts

TOC Hostel Málaga is a brilliant option if you want boutique hotel style on a hostel budget. It’s great for couples, solo travellers and families who don’t need a party vibe and prefer somewhere calm, central and comfortable. I’d definitely stay there again.

I hope you’ve found this TOC Hostel Malaga review helpful – leave me a comment below if you have any other questions!