One the questions I hear often about the Camino is
"Where do you sleep?"
and
"What are the albergues like?"
The answer is so varied!
Each and every place is not only physically different,
but depending on who is acting hospitalero that week,
the entire mood of the place changes!
A grumpy hospitalera
or one who thinks she is a drill sergeant
can ruin your morning if you let it.
On the other hand,
there are people like Frida,
who love the pilgrims
and do all they can to make their stay
comfortable and memorable.
A grumpy hospitalera
or one who thinks she is a drill sergeant
can ruin your morning if you let it.
On the other hand,
there are people like Frida,
who love the pilgrims
and do all they can to make their stay
comfortable and memorable.
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| Frida, our hospitalera at Hospital de Orbigo |
I've stayed some places that I've simply adored,
only to hear a pilgrim complaining later
that it was the most terrible experience of their Camino!
So... my advice is
"travel the Camino with no expectations"
and you will not be disappointed.
There are seven basic different types of accommodation along the Camino.
CAMPING
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| On the VDLP, I camped out in the open air when possible. |
First, and the least expensive, is to simply camp.
There are some legal campgrounds along the route,
but they are often a bit off the beaten path.
Wild camping is not legal,
and with the low price of lodging,
it's really unnecessary unless you have a special reason
to do it,
but a few pilgrims do camp and enjoy it!
If you are sleeping in the countryside in a field or orchard,
and there is someone to ASK,
I would suggest that.
If not, and it's late, and you don't have a lot of other options,
I'd stay, but leave no footprint behind.
Be sure to clean up all of your trash,
and leave the place like you found it,
or better.
I often carry a lightweight screen tent to use
when the albergue is too perfumed for my tastes
or if I find bedbugs and there's no other place to sleep.
I've stayed in my screen tent in several albergue courtyards.
They are often open to this,
and for a small fee,
you can often arrange to use their shower and kitchen facilities as well.
This is a better option in the summer months,
because Spring and Fall can bring sudden rains,
and a screen tent won't give you much shelter
in a Spanish rainstorm!
PAROCHIALS or Parish Hostels
Next up the scale are the parroquias.
I will refer to them as parochials.
These are often owned by the local churches,
and are run by the local priest.
Some are quite stark
and others just lovely.
They often do not offer "real" beds,
but rather offer comfortable mats on the floor.
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| Melide Floor Mats - photo by Michael Hayward |
Tosantos is one of my favorite parochials.
When you settle in at Tosantos,
there is often an excursion offered
that takes you up to the hermitage
dedicated to the Virgen de la Peña on the hill.
Many people walk past this hermitage,
not taking the time to visit.
That is a mistake.
It's worth a stop.
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| The Virgen de la Pena hermitage has a one-room chapel built into the rock. |
The parochial at Trinidad de Arre offers a "snoring room!"
and a lovely garden.
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| Trinidad de Arre |
Located
behind the Convento de la Trinidad,
you must wait in the cool front
breezeway to be checked in
before being escorted to the back door
leading to the hostel.
There has been a pilgrim hospital here since the
11th century,
so they know what you need!
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| Waiting for Trinidad de Arre to open - 2006 |
In the parochial albergue or refugio,
you may be offered a family style meal.
How much food you get
and the quality of the meal
often depends
on how much money the last night's pilgrims left
for their "donativo" fee.
Remember this please,
and always leave a generous donation,
especially to these parish hostels.
To me,
they are the "sweet spots" along The Way,
and are run on your donations and love.
To me,
they are the "sweet spots" along The Way,
and are run on your donations and love.
If there is a special pilgrim's mass
or some other type of ceremony offered,
consider attending,
consider attending,
even if you are not religious.
Understanding the religion
that historically runs along the Camino
can make your pilgrim experience
a much more rich and full one.
Understanding the religion
that historically runs along the Camino
can make your pilgrim experience
a much more rich and full one.
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| Dinner in Viana |
Viana has a nice parochial refuge.
You will sleep on mats there,
but it's clean and friendly.
One year, at Viana,You will sleep on mats there,
but it's clean and friendly.
the priest played guitar and sang songs to us
and then he gave us a tour of the basement.
We were shown the church treasures,
art that is as good as any I've seen in the Louvre
or the British Museum.
art that is as good as any I've seen in the Louvre
or the British Museum.
Next morning, we were awakened at dawn
to a beautiful choir singing outside our window.
If I close my eyes,
I can still see and hear them,
those voices like angels - with the sun rising behind them -
an incredible Camino moment!
I can still see and hear them,
those voices like angels - with the sun rising behind them -
an incredible Camino moment!
CONFRATERNITY HOSTELS
These are owned and run by Confraternities,
either Spanish or from other countries.
They are usually clean and well-run.
Almost all will have beds.
(Don't be put off by sleeping on a mat by the way - they're quite comfortable!)
Almost all will have beds.
(Don't be put off by sleeping on a mat by the way - they're quite comfortable!)
Often, volunteers who are former pilgrims staff these hostels
and so they are well aware of what the pilgrim is experiencing
and what their needs are.
They understand how tired you are.
They have worn your pilgrim shoes.
They understand how tired you are.
They have worn your pilgrim shoes.
Some confraternity hostels are donativo,
and others ask for a small set price.
It takes money to run these places,
so give a bit more if you can afford it
to cover the cost of those pilgrims
who may be on a very tight budget.
Some have kitchens and some do not.
Those who do not sometimes offer a family styled dinner.
It takes money to run these places,
so give a bit more if you can afford it
to cover the cost of those pilgrims
who may be on a very tight budget.
Some have kitchens and some do not.
Those who do not sometimes offer a family styled dinner.
San Nicholas is a beautiful place to stay.
Set in an old stone chapel, and run by an Italian Confraternity,
you are treated to a scrumptious dinner
and a special ritual after hours.
Then, climb into your bunk
and go to sleep by candlelight,
as there is no electricity in this refuge.
They do have a shower room in another building
offering hot showers,
and there is a hand-pump in the back yard
where you can do your wash.
and go to sleep by candlelight,
as there is no electricity in this refuge.
They do have a shower room in another building
offering hot showers,
and there is a hand-pump in the back yard
where you can do your wash.
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| San Nicholas |
Casa Paderborn in Pamplona
is run by the Jakobsfreunde Organization in Paderborn.
This is another beautiful, well-run refuge, a delight,
from the clean beds and the duck-filled stream running out back,
to the hefty breakfast served next morning.
to the hefty breakfast served next morning.
I think it's worth paying a little more to experience Paderborn's friendly welcome!
But you'll need to get there early,
it fills up fast!
But you'll need to get there early,
it fills up fast!
I heard Paderborn had some flooding this year.
I hope they will be hosting pilgrims later this season.
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| Paderborn is very popular! |
MONASTERY or CONVENT HOSTELS
There are several monasteries and convents along the Camino
and these can be excellent places to sleep.
and these can be excellent places to sleep.
One of my favorites is the Hospederia San Martin Pinario
in Santiago de Compostela.
Set in a beautiful historical building,
the rooms are stark, but sufficient,
and the buffet breakfast is fantastic!
Price for a shared double last year was around 22 euros.
I suggest you call and make a reservation
as soon as you are sure of your arrival date.
Price for a shared double last year was around 22 euros.
I suggest you call and make a reservation
as soon as you are sure of your arrival date.
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| Room in San Martin Pinario |
MUNICIPALS
Municipal hostels are owned and maintained by the local authorities.
The hospitalera is usually a local person.
They offer basic facilities and are very affordable.
You might expect to pay anywhere from 3 to 5 euros per night.
In Galicia, you may pay up to 7 euros.
You might expect to pay anywhere from 3 to 5 euros per night.
In Galicia, you may pay up to 7 euros.
Sometimes the municipal is the best place to stay,
even though there may be more pilgrims there.
even though there may be more pilgrims there.
I found that true in Astorga,
where the more expensive private was full of bedbugs
and was run by a hospitalero
who just shrugged when I told him!
who just shrugged when I told him!
The tiniest municipal I've slept in was in Uterga.
It was one tiny room
with a bunk bed
and a toilet/shower.
I understand when Joe walked past it in 2012
it was no longer operating.
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| Outside Uterga Municipal with my one Peregrina roommate. |
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| I took the top, she took the bottom, Joe took the floor! |
Staying here was a sweet experience
for me,
a brand new Pilgrim.
I feel lucky to have experienced it
before the Camino got too busy
to need such a tiny place.
NETWORK HOSTELS
Network Hostels include the famous "Red" Albergues.
These are hostels that have formed loose federations.
They provide a clean place to sleep and often offer additional services,
such as washing machines and wi-fi or internet access.
One of my favorite Red Hostels is at Ventosa.
It is called San Saturnino.
I have stayed there twice.
The first time was in 2006, when it was located beneath the church.
The second time was in 2009, in its new location.
Both were fantastic stays!
I've never been disappointed staying in a "Red" albergue.
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| Laundry hanging in the OLD San Saturnino Albergue |
PRIVATE hostels are just that... privately owned hostels.
They often have washing machines and dryers,
and if not, you can almost always pay someone to do your wash.
They have no overall code or regulations
and tend to be a bit more flexible with their rules,
such as whether or not the doors will lock you out at 10 pm!
One of my favorite private hostels is at Molinaseca.
I won't mention the name because I don't want it to be full next time I walk!
Here is a photo to tease you:
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| Photo by Patty Moak |
You will pay anywhere from 9 euros up
for a private hostel bed in a double-shared room along the Camino,
depending on where you are.
Does that make sense?
I'm saying a double-shared room has 2 beds,
and the rooms run anywhere from 18 euros up,
so if you find another pilgrim to share with,
you pay 9 euros or more each.
In general, I'd expect to pay closer to $35-$45
for a private double,
but the lower cost rooms are available
if you know where to look.
Another of my favorites is in Santiago.
for a private hostel bed in a double-shared room along the Camino,
depending on where you are.
Does that make sense?
I'm saying a double-shared room has 2 beds,
and the rooms run anywhere from 18 euros up,
so if you find another pilgrim to share with,
you pay 9 euros or more each.
In general, I'd expect to pay closer to $35-$45
for a private double,
but the lower cost rooms are available
if you know where to look.
Another of my favorites is in Santiago.
I pay 22 euros per night for just me,
and 32 euros for 2 people (that's only 16 each!)
and 32 euros for 2 people (that's only 16 each!)
for a private room with a television
and a bath.
That's cheaper than the backpacking hostel!
That's cheaper than the backpacking hostel!
I stay there each year.
I found it simply by walking up the street,
asking at bars.
Those deals are around.
You just have to keep your eyes open and ASK!
Bartenders are a good source of information.
Bartenders are a good source of information.
In a later post,
I will list all of the places I've stayed and tell a bit about each.
You can find some of this information in previous blog posts,
if you go back a few years.
You can expect to pay a bit more in the private hostels
than you would in a municipal,
but not as much as in a hotel.
You most likely will have fewer people sleeping in a room
than in a municipal hostel.
There is sometimes a kitchen where you can cook your dinner.
Other times, there is a restaurant attached to the hostel.
Other times, there is a restaurant attached to the hostel.
HOTELS
Next, you have hotels.
You can often book these ahead of time,
especially in the larger villages and big cities.
You can expect to pay anywhere from 25 euros up
for a double private room.
In small, remote villages you will pay less
than in large cities.
In small, remote villages you will pay less
than in large cities.
You will almost always have your own bathroom,
but generally will not have a kitchen.
Sometimes it's just nice to have some privacy,
no matter the cost.
One year, I walked into the Parador
in Santo Domingo and took a room.
When I returned home and got my credit card bill,
it was over $350.
But you know what?
It was worth every penny!
I took several baths in a REAL bathtub that night,
and had a fantastic breakfast in bed.
It gave me the gumption to walk the rest of the Way!
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| Annie at the Parador! |
PRIVATE ROOMS
Sometimes, you can find private rooms in regular pilgrim hostels.
It doesn't hurt to ask.
Some do have private rooms for a bit more money,
and it's often worth the cost
to get a good night's sleep.
When I walk, I enjoy staying in a combination of lodging.
Sometimes I stay in parochials, sometimes confraternity hostels,
and sometimes I rent a hotel.
I just depends on how I feel that day
and how much sleep I've gotten the night before.
PRICES
As far as price goes,
you can expect to pay anywhere
between 3 euros and 10 euros per night
in most albergues.
Prices vary depending on where you are.
Galicia tends to be more expensive.
Prices vary depending on where you are.
Galicia tends to be more expensive.
If you are willing to share a private room,
or to share a bathroom
(which is foreign to Americans but not bad at all)
you may pay as little as 8 euros per person
(which is foreign to Americans but not bad at all)
you may pay as little as 8 euros per person
for a double private in an albergue.
Hotels, of course,
will cost you more.
You can check www.booking.com for current prices in larger cities.
It's just hard to say,
because the prices change from village to village.
You can check www.booking.com for current prices in larger cities.
It's just hard to say,
because the prices change from village to village.
Whatever you decide when it comes to lodging,
remember...
this is YOUR Camino!
Do it however you prefer.
What's important is that you get a good night's rest.
What's important is that you get a good night's rest.
The "rules" are few and far between,
at least to those of us who are seasoned pilgrims.
at least to those of us who are seasoned pilgrims.
Buen Camino!
Annie
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| Singing 70's songs in Rabanal - photo by Patty Moak |
