Arriving in Santiago early

[catattack]

I have allowed 13 days to get to Santiago. I have not worked out yet, but may end up staying in a / some town/s along the way, if I find out that they are worth more than a day.

My questions are, what would I do if I were to arrive in Santiago a few days before my flight? Can I hang around in Santiago in a pilgrims hostel, or must I get real accommodation in a tourist hostel or other place? From what I understand there is a one night maximum on the albergues?

And what about if I were to stay in a town along the way? What reccomendations to people have for a must see place from Oporto, to Santiago. Again, will I have to stay at a proper hotel, rather than an albergue?

 

[robertt]

Catattack, I do have a favourite town along the Portugues: Pontevedra. It has a large old quarter full of squares which feed into more squares through charming streets. One also has the river, the bridges and the ocean bays nearby. The place is full of historical interest and is abuzz with restaurant and bar life, mostly locals. I would recommend it to anyone for a rest day. Enjoy yourself, whatever you decide.

Rob

 

[Anniesantiago]

You could always continue walking to Finisterre!

 

[Portia1]

The big public alberque lets you stay several nights--you do have to leave (you can leave your stuff if you have a private room but YOU have to leave) everyday but you can stay there multiple nights. If you get there early, going out to Finisterre is wonderful. You can walk it (3 days) or take the bus out early (from bus terminal in Santiago) and spend the day or even the night out there and return to Santiago. I spent several days in Santiago as there is lots to see there as well.

 

[periperi]

you can stay a few days in the albergues in Santi, but I've never done so, choosing instead to stop at one of the more central pensions.

and I've regretted not following the lead of my pilgrim family of taking a rest day in Caldas in a spa hotel. Cheap, with treatments. nice...

next time I'm in Padron, if it's not raining, I'm going to spend a bit more time going up the hill to where James was meant to have done some stuff. others have recommended it; a quiet time before the noise of Santi! the albergue there is strict, but you could make it 2 short days and stop at Teo; the last albergue before Santi.

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Hola - There are several albergues in Santiago where you can stay more than one night.

John

 

[spik23]

If you dont want to stay in Monte do Gozo, which is an hour of walking to Santiago,
you can use one of many other albergues.

For example
Albergue Jaime García Rodríguez,
Rua de Moscova, Santiago de Compostela
price = 8 e

 

[katiemacm]

Hello there,
If you arrive in Santiago early there are plenty of reasonably cheap places to stay. If you have internet access check out Booking.com or just google cheap accommodation in Santiago - you will see lots of options - even in peak times there are plenty of places. If you don't have internet access there is an internet cafe very close to the Cathedral - ask for directions at the tourist office (also very close to the Cathedral,

happy walking, Kate

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Hola - the most central albergue in Santiago is the privately run Seminario Menor with 177 beds and 22 private rooms. You can stay there for more than one night. For reservations etc:

http://www.albergueseminariomenor.com/

 

[KiwiNomad06]

Johnnie, I see from its website that it is closed- from 1 November 2011 until 16 March 2012.
Margaret

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Oooops sorry - here is the next most obvious!

http://www.rootsandboots.es/

Although a single room might only cost 15 - 18 € with shared bathroom in a hostal at this time of the year.