Sleeping on the Camino Frances

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

If there is a special pilgrim's mass

or some other type of ceremony offered,
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.

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,
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.

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!

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!)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

I heard Paderborn had some flooding this year.

I hope they will be hosting pilgrims later this season.

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. 

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 or email and make a reservation
as soon as you are sure of your arrival date.

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 18 euros per night.

Sometimes the municipal is the best place to stay,
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!  

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.

Outside Uterga Municipal with my one Peregrina roommate.

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.

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:

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-$55
for a private double,

and even as much as $75/85 in the larger cities,
but the lower cost rooms are available
if you know where to look.

Another of my favorites is in Santiago.

I pay 28 euros per night for just me,
and 45 euros for 2 people

for a private room with a television

and a bath.
That's cheaper than the backpacking hostel!
 

I stay there almost every 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.

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.
 

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.

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!

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,

sometimes in casa rurales,

and sometimes I rent a hotel room.

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, 

in 2018 you could expect to pay anywhere

 between 3 euros and 18 euros per night

in most albergues.
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 or 10 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.

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.

The "rules" are few and far between,
at least to those of us who are seasoned pilgrims.

Buen Camino!

Annie

Singing 70's songs in Rabanal - photo by Patty Moak