Stay in Najera or Azofra? Early May 2023

[Silvermomma]

Any thoughts on Najera vs Azofra to overnight in early May? Coming from Navarrete. Thanks!

 

[Bradypus]

Najera is a larger town with more facilities. Perhaps a more useful town for a shorter day and a rest. But I usually decide my distances on the day depending on how I am feeling physically and mentally at the time.

 

[J Willhaus]

I love Azofra's albergue. 2 person rooms, a great kitchen to share a meal with others, good indoor and outdoor space, cute little town with some great local wine. Also a store and a couple of great little bars in town There's also a hotel in town if albergues are not your thing.

I love the smaller in between places though.

 

[trecile]

If you stay in Azofra you can visit the La Rioja Botanical Gardens

Jardín Botánico de La Rioja – Jardín Botánico de la Rioja

jardinbotanico.net

 

[Silvermomma]

If you stay in Azofra you can visit the La Rioja Botanical Gardens

Jardín Botánico de La Rioja – Jardín Botánico de la Rioja

jardinbotanico.net

How lovely - and a nice change from all the churches. Thank you!

 

[Silvermomma]

I love Azofra's albergue. 2 person rooms, a great kitchen to share a meal with others, good indoor and outdoor space, cute little town with some great local wine. Also a store and a couple of great little bars in town There's also a hotel in town if albergues are not your thing.

I love the smaller in between places though.

Yes, I'm leaning toward Azofra. I'm booking a few places and but also want to leave a lot to chance.

 

[J Willhaus]

Maybe wait and see how you feel on that day? If you are tired and hot, stay in Najera, if you still feel strong go on to Azofra?

 

[trecile]

How lovely - and a nice change from all the churches. Thank you!

It was a pretty warm day when I went there, and there was a sign inviting you to walk barefoot in the cool grass - it felt so good on my hot tired feet!

 

[jimmyc]

I walked from Navarette to Azofra. From Azofra I walked to Granon. I tried to limit each day to around 20klms. My preference was to stay in smaller villages.

 

[Silvermomma]

I walked from Navarette to Azofra. From Azofra I walked to Granon. I tried to limit each day to around 20klms. My preference was to stay in smaller villages.

Sounds good!

 

[MarkyD]

Any thoughts on Najera vs Azofra to overnight in early May? Coming from Navarrete. Thanks!

I stayed in Azofra in September 2018, which was quiet and had a large communal kitchen and a small fountain in the courtyard- great for dipping tired feet into. A small local shop provided very friendly service of basic foods and other corner shop type products.

The albergue had cute 2-bed rooms with a door, so the only disturbance you might get would be from the person next to you, or yourself!

 

[thejoker]

Why not do both? My last camino was ...Logrono - Navarette - Najera - Azofra - SDdlC - Redecilla - Belorado...

It is wonderful to be able to take shorter stages, relax at every pit stop and slowly walk in peace as most of the day is away from the guidebook stage posts.

If you stay in Azofra, you could try the Real Casona hotel. Really relaxing, with lovely pool, spa facilities, delicious food (the breakfast was amazing) and very comfortable beds.

 

[vanrobin]

I would stay in Azofra. Really nice albergue and dinner in the plaza serve3d from the Bar Sevilla is wonderful for people watching and an excellent botlle of Rioja red.

 

[rappahannock_rev]

Najera, hands down!

 

[David Tallan]

Maybe wait and see how you feel on that day? If you are tired and hot, stay in Najera, if you still feel strong go on to Azofra?

Don't underestimate the value of choosing your location based on how far you feel you can comfortably walk versus which village looks better.

 

[Silvermomma]

Why not do both? My last camino was ...Logrono - Navarette - Najera - Azofra - SDdlC - Redecilla - Belorado...

It is wonderful to be able to take shorter stages, relax at every pit stop and slowly walk in peace as most of the day is away from the guidebook stage posts.

If you stay in Azofra, you could try the Real Casona hotel. Really relaxing, with lovely pool, spa facilities, delicious food (the breakfast was amazing) and very comfortable beds.

Thanks. That hotel looks gorgeous but is way way way out of my budget. Maybe after I win the lottery I can return!

 

[John Crawford Howell]

Azofra, hands up!