I’m planning some early starts and wondered what time breakfast was usually available in the albergues? Presume it varies a bit but is there a general rule? Don’t want to pay for it and get up early to find it’s not available…
Well, what's wrong with just asking what time?I’m planning some early starts and wondered what time breakfast was usually available in the albergues? Presume it varies a bit but is there a general rule? Don’t want to pay for it and get up early to find it’s not available…
Some leave stuff out and you make your own when you feel like it, others serve at a specific time. I found those were never served earlier than 7am as a rule.I’m planning some early starts and wondered what time breakfast was usually available in the albergues? Presume it varies a bit but is there a general rule? Don’t want to pay for it and get up early to find it’s not available…
Not fair! When I am volunteering, I always get up and make fresh coffee, hot toast, etc. Usually ready in summer no later than 6:30 and winter no later than 7 am. Jam, real butter, Nutella, coffee, tea, juice, sometimes homemade hummus, sometimes fruit, cereal and milk. Come see me this summer at Canfranc in late July.Totally depends on where you are staying but generally you might find a carafe of coffee brewed the night before and some bready kind of stuff wrapped in plastic earlier than 6am or maybe some of yesterday's bread with jam and butter and a way to brew your own coffee before 7am. I generally grab a cuppa and move on for an hour or so and stop around 9 to 10 at a cafe for a "real" breakfast of cafe con leche, heurvos fritos, bacon and fresh bread.
I did the same thing working with Oliver at San Anton every morning but I would say that is the exception not the rule. I can't wait to come visit Canfranc.Not fair! When I am volunteering, I always get up and make fresh coffee, hot toast, etc. Usually ready in summer no later than 6:30 and winter no later than 7 am. Jam, real butter, Nutella, coffee, tea, juice, sometimes homemade hummus, sometimes fruit, cereal and milk. Come see me this summer at Canfranc in late July.
Edit: Some benefit to a hospitalera/pilgrim that gets up at 5:30!
I remember walking out of Pamplona early one morning and finding a pastry shop just opening with fresh bread and pain au chocolat, it made my day.Some leave stuff out and you make your own when you feel like it, others serve at a specific time. I found those were never served earlier than 7am as a rule.
One albergue was putting out the breakfast (shrink wrapped bread slices) on to the tables straight after the evening meal.
However I chose to have an albergue breakfast only twice in three caminos. There's usually a cafe an hour or so down the road with better coffee and nicer food.
Its worth looking for bakeries open early too. Once when we walked out the door we saw a bakery open just down the road, and our grandson bought 2 hot chocolate pastries just out of the oven. For him it was a highlight of the day. Often by the time you arrive in the afternoon, all the best pasties are gone.
I remember the last time accidentally walking on some variente trails, and bypassing the planned breakfast village altogether.Currently on trail. I’ve been given a “takeaway” breakfast several times. These are made the evening before. Juice. Fruit. Bread. Etc. I’ve also seen more than one albergue setting out breakfast immediately after dinner. Usually 7am at the places that want you gone by 8am. If it’s a hotel/pension that doesn’t exclusively cater to pilgrims it might be out till 9:30 but doesn’t start earlier than 7. If I can’t see what’s included in the buffet ahead of time I don’t pay for it anymore, mostly because I’m looking for protein. Every time I have access to a fridge I just buy breakfast the evening before.
I wish I could say I’m finding cafes open before 9, but it’s the exception rather than the rule, so far. I’ve left more than once thinking “I’ll eat at the next town in 6 km” and ended up having to go to the town after that, 2 hours down the trail. Ymmv
Thanks for the update! This is what I experienced this past summer as well. And disappointed that some bars/cafes are still not opening before 9. I had a hard time with this last summer. I can't bring myself to eat first thing in the morning and walking in the next town is ideal for me - but I quite often couldn't find a place open before 9. But I noticed that you said it is the "exception rather than the rule" - so perhaps it is better than it was during the summer - that gives me hope! Still - I found I had to always carry a little food in my pack every day because I never knew how long it would take me to find my first meal of the day!Currently on trail. I’ve been given a “takeaway” breakfast several times. These are made the evening before. Juice. Fruit. Bread. Etc. I’ve also seen more than one albergue setting out breakfast immediately after dinner. Usually 7am at the places that want you gone by 8am. If it’s a hotel/pension that doesn’t exclusively cater to pilgrims it might be out till 9:30 but doesn’t start earlier than 7. If I can’t see what’s included in the buffet ahead of time I don’t pay for it anymore, mostly because I’m looking for protein. Every time I have access to a fridge I just buy breakfast the evening before.
I wish I could say I’m finding cafes open before 9, but it’s the exception rather than the rule, so far. I’ve left more than once thinking “I’ll eat at the next town in 6 km” and ended up having to go to the town after that, 2 hours down the trail. Ymmv
You and your breakfasts sound amazing! Where is Canfranc?Not fair! When I am volunteering, I always get up and make fresh coffee, hot toast, etc. Usually ready in summer no later than 6:30 and winter no later than 7 am. Jam, real butter, Nutella, coffee, tea, juice, sometimes homemade hummus, sometimes fruit, cereal and milk. Come see me this summer at Canfranc in late July.
Edit: Some benefit to a hospitalera/pilgrim that gets up at 5:30!
Oh, how wonderful. I understand why albergues use Tulipan but I think that stuff should be banned by law.real butter,
I didn’t wait for breakfast unless there were exceptional circumstances because it was generally and underwhelming meal. I took some biscuits and fruit and walked for an hour and then stopped for a good cup of coffee and something to eat in one of the pubs.I’m planning some early starts and wondered what time breakfast was usually available in the albergues? Presume it varies a bit but is there a general rule? Don’t want to pay for it and get up early to find it’s not available…
You be better off getting breakfast at many of the bakeries en route or buy something the night before as some Alberques don't do breakfast before 7 best ask them when you check in I have my neacafe 3in1 sachets so I have a cuppa before I leave then pick up another along with a pastry when leaving townI’m planning some early starts and wondered what time breakfast was usually available in the albergues? Presume it varies a bit but is there a general rule? Don’t want to pay for it and get up early to find it’s not available…
I don't think that I ever stayed at an Albergue where breakfast was available. Get on the road, walk a few kilometres and find a nice bar for a boccadillo or slice of potato tortilla. Lovely!I’m planning some early starts and wondered what time breakfast was usually available in the albergues? Presume it varies a bit but is there a general rule? Don’t want to pay for it and get up early to find it’s not available…
I told Reb that I would volunteer for a no- show hospi. You have the resources there to do a morning tortilla, that would be fun.On the Aragones, but I will only be there 2 weeks. You will have to take your chances with other volunteers who are serving at other times.
Rarely before seven am.I’m planning some early starts and wondered what time breakfast was usually available in the albergues? Presume it varies a bit but is there a general rule? Don’t want to pay for it and get up early to find it’s not available…
We did the same. Fresh pastries yummy.I remember walking out of Pamplona early one morning and finding a pastry shop just opening with fresh bread and pain au chocolat, it made my day.
On the CF, there are places to get breakfast, especially between Sarria AND SdC after 7am for breakfast.Currently on trail. I’ve been given a “takeaway” breakfast several times. These are made the evening before. Juice. Fruit. Bread. Etc. I’ve also seen more than one albergue setting out breakfast immediately after dinner. Usually 7am at the places that want you gone by 8am. If it’s a hotel/pension that doesn’t exclusively cater to pilgrims it might be out till 9:30 but doesn’t start earlier than 7. If I can’t see what’s included in the buffet ahead of time I don’t pay for it anymore, mostly because I’m looking for protein. Every time I have access to a fridge I just buy breakfast the evening before.
I wish I could say I’m finding cafes open before 9, but it’s the exception rather than the rule, so far. I’ve left more than once thinking “I’ll eat at the next town in 6 km” and ended up having to go to the town after that, 2 hours down the trail. Ymmv
Just go…!!! Breakfast is in the Next town..!!I’m planning some early starts and wondered what time breakfast was usually available in the albergues? Presume it varies a bit but is there a general rule? Don’t want to pay for it and get up early to find it’s not available…
Would be a good idea. I am not a tortilla wiz, but can practice a little before I leave home. Might have to make it the night before so it is ready for early walkers? Do you think it would increase donations? Donativos do run on a thin margin...I told Reb that I would volunteer for a no- show hospi. You have the resources there to do a morning tortilla, that would be fun.
Your bakery story brings back memories. When I spent a semester in Rome, we found a bakery in Trastevere and would go there in the very wee hours of the morning on Saturdays and Sundays to get piping hot cornettos. I'll have to be guided by scent come May when I start my next Camino.Some leave stuff out and you make your own when you feel like it, others serve at a specific time. I found those were never served earlier than 7am as a rule.
One albergue was putting out the breakfast (shrink wrapped bread slices) on to the tables straight after the evening meal.
However I chose to have an albergue breakfast only twice in three caminos. There's usually a cafe an hour or so down the road with better coffee and nicer food.
Its worth looking for bakeries open early too. Once when we walked out the door we saw a bakery open just down the road, and our grandson bought 2 hot chocolate pastries just out of the oven. For him it was a highlight of the day. Often by the time you arrive in the afternoon, all the best pastries are gone.
The best camino for food. My Portuguese camino was powered by nata.Breakfast -- the best thing about the Camino Portuguese. We found the bakeries opened at 6a and had wonderful coffee. Check out this article I read in 2018 on the plane to Portugal.
We found a lot of 'savory' pastries with meat stuffing as well.
Pastries to eat before you die....
20+ Portuguese cakes and pastries to try before you die - Portugalist
When it comes to Portuguese pastries and cakes, most people have heard of the pastel de nata (or Portuguese custard tart as it’s often called outside of...www.portugalist.com
Totally depends on where you are staying but generally you might find a carafe of coffee brewed the night before and some bready kind of stuff wrapped in plastic earlier than 6am or maybe some of yesterday's bread with jam and butter and a way to brew your own coffee before 7am. I generally grab a cuppa and move on for an hour or so and stop around 9 to 10 at a cafe for a "real" breakfast of cafe con leche, heurvos fritos, bacon and fresh bread.
I liked to get up early and walk for an hour or so before breakfast. Maybe a coffee now and then to start, if available, but breakfast later.I’m planning some early starts and wondered what time breakfast was usually available in the albergues? Presume it varies a bit but is there a general rule? Don’t want to pay for it and get up early to find it’s not available…
Thank you! And God bless youNot fair! When I am volunteering, I always get up and make fresh coffee, hot toast, etc. Usually ready in summer no later than 6:30 and winter no later than 7 am. Jam, real butter, Nutella, coffee, tea, juice, sometimes homemade hummus, sometimes fruit, cereal and milk. Come see me this summer at Canfranc in late July.
Edit: Some benefit to a hospitalera/pilgrim that gets up at 5:30!
Some private albergues will have it ready for you at your desired time.I’m planning some early starts and wondered what time breakfast was usually available in the albergues? Presume it varies a bit but is there a general rule? Don’t want to pay for it and get up early to find it’s not available…