Availability of Albergues in August 2022

[AidanC]

Hello All

I am planning on walking some of the Camino in August, likely to be starting in the first week of August and lasting for 3 weeks or so.

I have a few queries which i would be thankful for any advice etc

1. I have been advised that many of the Albergues on the Norte route are closed due to Covid and therefore more expensive accommodation options are required, which also can be an issue with due to the demand of Pilgrims in addition to tourists on the north coast of Spain. Is this correct?

2. We might not have the time to to the whole Norte route. Is there a recommended starting place further along the coast from Irun? Maybe somewhere 500km or so away from Santiago?

3. Due to a lack of time, we are also considering both Portuguese routes, namely the coastal route from Porto. Any advice/knowledge on Albergue availability along the route in Aug 2022?

Any feedback would be much appreciated!

Many Thanks

Aidan

Any

 

[Vacajoe]

Covid really Impacted the beginning of the Norte route, closing all of the publicly-run Albergues in Basque Country. If you are starting past Bilbao, this will not be an issue. However, that route does run through prime beach vacation areas, so inexpensive non-pilgrim accommodations tend to fill up pretty quickly.

August in general is when many people return to the Camino (especially Spaniards) as the heat is starting to dissipate and summer vacations are drawing to a close. While Albergues are back to full capacity on most routes (including the Portuguese), you likely will find some of them “completo“ as you walk. Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t at that time, just that you might want to pre-book if you have specific places you want/need to stay or are limited in your ability to walk a little further to find a bed.

 

[lt56ny]

However, that route does run through prime beach vacation areas, so inexpensive non-pilgrim accommodations tend to fill up pretty quickly.

The same would be true on the Portugues coastal too. With this heat that does not seem to be abating soon. Looking at the long range forecast for both Porto and Bilbao they will have high temperatures but fortunately nothing like what is being seen in inland areas across Europe. Maybe they might be even more crowded with tourists and pilgrims who are escaping the heat and don't want to risk the dangerous temperatures.

 

[Lavdrum]

Hello All

I am planning on walking some of the Camino in August, likely to be starting in the first week of August and lasting for 3 weeks or so.

I have a few queries which i would be thankful for any advice etc

1. I have been advised that many of the Albergues on the Norte route are closed due to Covid and therefore more expensive accommodation options are required, which also can be an issue with due to the demand of Pilgrims in addition to tourists on the north coast of Spain. Is this correct?

2. We might not have the time to to the whole Norte route. Is there a recommended starting place further along the coast from Irun? Maybe somewhere 500km or so away from Santiago?

3. Due to a lack of time, we are also considering both Portuguese routes, namely the coastal route from Porto. Any advice/knowledge on Albergue availability along the route in Aug 2022?

Any feedback would be much appreciated!

Many Thanks

Aidan

Any

We just did the Portugese coastal route from Porto as far as Redondela from where we took the train into Santiago as we ran out of time.There was no problem with cheap accommodation. We booked ahead a couple of nights, we were 5 family members. We saw very few pilgrims on the route until we reached Redondela where the Coastal and Central merge. Beautiful weather, beautiful beaches and scenery!

 

[AidanC]

Covid really Impacted the beginning of the Norte route, closing all of the publicly-run Albergues in Basque Country. If you are starting past Bilbao, this will not be an issue. However, that route does run through prime beach vacation areas, so inexpensive non-pilgrim accommodations tend to fill up pretty quickly.

August in general is when many people return to the Camino (especially Spaniards) as the heat is starting to dissipate and summer vacations are drawing to a close. While Albergues are back to full capacity on most routes (including the Portuguese), you likely will find some of them “completo“ as you walk. Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t at that time, just that you might want to pre-book if you have specific places you want/need to stay or are limited in your ability to walk a little further to find a bed.

Thank you for taking the time to respond, its really helpful

 

[dimdog]

Hello All

I am planning on walking some of the Camino in August, likely to be starting in the first week of August and lasting for 3 weeks or so.

I have a few queries which i would be thankful for any advice etc

1. I have been advised that many of the Albergues on the Norte route are closed due to Covid and therefore more expensive accommodation options are required, which also can be an issue with due to the demand of Pilgrims in addition to tourists on the north coast of Spain. Is this correct?

2. We might not have the time to to the whole Norte route. Is there a recommended starting place further along the coast from Irun? Maybe somewhere 500km or so away from Santiago?

3. Due to a lack of time, we are also considering both Portuguese routes, namely the coastal route from Porto. Any advice/knowledge on Albergue availability along the route in Aug 2022?

Any feedback would be much appreciated!

Many Thanks

Aidan

Any

Hi, just back from the Norte, the albergues are open, but more expensive. It took me 33 days, & I found it harder than the frances.
Hole this helps

 

[gittiharre]

Hello All

I am planning on walking some of the Camino in August, likely to be starting in the first week of August and lasting for 3 weeks or so.

I have a few queries which i would be thankful for any advice etc

1. I have been advised that many of the Albergues on the Norte route are closed due to Covid and therefore more expensive accommodation options are required, which also can be an issue with due to the demand of Pilgrims in addition to tourists on the north coast of Spain. Is this correct?

2. We might not have the time to to the whole Norte route. Is there a recommended starting place further along the coast from Irun? Maybe somewhere 500km or so away from Santiago?

3. Due to a lack of time, we are also considering both Portuguese routes, namely the coastal route from Porto. Any advice/knowledge on Albergue availability along the route in Aug 2022?

Any feedback would be much appreciated!

Many Thanks

Aidan

Any

Albergues were open on the Coastal Camino. They were busy. I had booked well ahead. The Muni in Vila do Conde, sadly closed. Apparently not enough pilgrims stayed there...sad. it was lovely and new.

 

[LTfit]

Hello All

I am planning on walking some of the Camino in August, likely to be starting in the first week of August and lasting for 3 weeks or so.

I have a few queries which i would be thankful for any advice etc

1. I have been advised that many of the Albergues on the Norte route are closed due to Covid and therefore more expensive accommodation options are required, which also can be an issue with due to the demand of Pilgrims in addition to tourists on the north coast of Spain. Is this correct?

Some municipals are stilled closed but from Bilbao on I never had a problem finding a bed in a private albergue or municipal when open (arrived in Santiago on Sunday).

2. We might not have the time to to the whole Norte route. Is there a recommended starting place further along the coast from Irun? Maybe somewhere 500km or so away from Santiago?

As above mentioned I started from Bilbao which is officially not quite 700 km. Starting from Santander who make it shorter and it's an easy location to get to.

3. Due to a lack of time, we are also considering both Portuguese routes, namely the coastal route from Porto. Any advice/knowledge on Albergue availability along the route in Aug 2022?

Any feedback would be much appreciated!

Many Thanks

Aidan

Any

There is a thread with details about albergue situation along the Norte.
I found reserving a bed one day in advance was sufficient. In fact during the last 10 days 5 of us reserved together and that worked out too.

 

[LTfit]

Albergues were open on the Coastal Camino. They were busy. I had booked well ahead. The Muni in Vila do Conde, sadly closed. Apparently not enough pilgrims stayed there...sad. it was lovely and new.

Sorry to hear. I stayed there several years ago.

 

[C clearly]

This thread is being closed because it specifically addressed accommodation in August 2022, which has passed. For newer information, go to this thread.