I stayed in the pensao/pensión (frequently called Residencial in Portuguese) in the center of town and it was fine. I think I remember a great cafe/bakery right below it where the breakfast was very good.
Just a quick note about Sao Joao da Madeira. Walking out the next morning, I walked past the "hat making museum". Sounds odd, but it looked very interesting. It was at a poignant statue with an inscription outside that I learned that the "Mad Hatter" from Alice in Wonderland came from a frequently used term to refer to the fact that many of the workers in hat factories went insane because of mercury poisoning. I think the museum is located in an old hat factory. http://museudachapelaria.blogspot.pt
There is no Albergue in Sao Joao but the closest thing to it is Casa de Misericordia. It's near the center but it's very basic: has mattresses on the floor and showers nearby. It's ok for one night but wouldn't suit everyone. On the way from Lisbon I aslo stayed in another Casa de Misericordia in Santarem and that one was a delight, too good to be true.
Hi all, this will be our last night on the trail and we would like to stay somewhere with a good atmosphere and perhaps a shared dinner. Any recommendations? Thanks all!!
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