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HiMy experience of current albergue situation on the norte....
It is close to capacity with all the municipal albergues still closed. There are beds but you need to reserve a bed in the morning as distance between albergues is quite long. Also prices are generally going up.
These are where I stayed.
Irun pilgrim hostel...can't reserve but they have space.
San Sebastian room in the city. 23e in room of 12. Booking.com 50e in August! Lots of beds but apparently full at weekends.
Agote aundi. Full.
Izarbide...2 beds free
Zenarruza..full
Pozueta...full by 11am plus 3 tents. Guernika has a large municipal hostel that is closed so big scramble for beds. As it is a few km to the top of the hill if you don't book then you may be disappointed to find all the albergues full!
Quarter Bilbao. Lots of rooms in Bilbao tho may be busy at weekend.
Tu Camino....3 beds free as of 1630.
Of course this is not a blanket statement as I only walked the Norte once in October/November 2018. On the Frances you find many pilgrims walking short stretches year to year. When you get to the bigger cities like Logrono/Burgos/Leon especially, people leave but there seems to be as many new pilgrims starting. When I walked the Norte it seemed like when we got to Bilbao and especially Santander people dropped off but there didn't seem to be new Pilgrims starting. When we took the boat to Santander a young German man who has walked the Norte a few times said it is a real drop off after Santander. Of course the split for the Primitivo left me almost alone on the Norte until Baamonde. It is about 100K to Santiago from there.Hello, we are on the Norte currently in Nueva. Accommodation situation is much better after Santander. We haven't done many albergues as for two people, we can get our private room for a small extra cost. However we stayed in an albergue in Pendueles and there were two pilgrims and a dog in the dormitory
Pretty easy choices depending on what you want. Norte is harder as there are alot more up and downs. I think the scenery is more spectacular especially if you love ocean views. There are alot of variants to avoid road walking. Maybe a little more independent pilgrims as you will meet lots of friendly people but many more seem to walk alone during the day (my observation only). The food is different as there is loads of really good seafood. Two options when you go inland. Staying on the Norte or splitting off to the Primitivo. I have been told by many that it is the hardest but the most beautiful Spanish Camino.Thanks! Ugh - still can't decide - Norte or Frances?!!
Thanks! Yes, did Frances last year and was all set to do it again - but leaning towards Norte now! Just worried about keeping budget - want to stick mostly to inexpensive albergues.Pretty easy choices depending on what you want.
I am on a budget too. When I walked the VDLP last fall/winter almost all the kitchens were closed. It seems a lot of the municipal albergues are closed but it also seems that kitchens are opening up. I doubt that private albergues on the Norte would be much different cost wise from those on the Frances but Maybe there are people out there that can shed better light on that.Thanks! Yes, did Frances last year and was all set to do it again - but leaning towards Norte now! Just worried about keeping budget - want to stick mostly to inexpensive albergues.
In my years walking the Norte, (2015-2017, 2019 different time of year and portions) and the Frances (many times since 2010, last in 2019) I have found the Norte to be always more expensive than the Francés. Post-Covid prices of private albergues may now be more similar but the big difference is that many of the municipal albergues on the Norte are closed which is not the case on the Francés.I am on a budget too. When I walked the VDLP last fall/winter almost all the kitchens were closed. It seems a lot of the municipal albergues are closed but it also seems that kitchens are opening up. I doubt that private albergues on the Norte would be much different cost wise from those on the Frances but Maybe there are people out there that can shed better light on that.
Accuracy fades with time for me haha. It may have been more money but correct me if I am wrong it wasn't more than a couple of euros. ThanksIn my years walking the Norte, (2015-2017, 2019 different time of year and portions) and the Frances (many times since 2010, last in 2019) I have found the Norte to be always more expensive than the Francés. Post-Covid prices of private albergues may now be more similar but the big difference is that many of the municipal albergues on the Norte are closed which is not the case on the Francés.
Looking at accommodations on the Norte (if Gronze is up to date) I have found that several donativo albergues I stayed in between Bilbao and Gijón in 2019 are now closed "temporarily". And between Irún and Bilbao it appears that the situation is even worse.
In the past I always stayed in municipals which are always cheaper than private albergues (whether on the Francés or Norte) hence the greater differenceAccuracy fades with time for me haha. It may have been more money but correct me if I am wrong it wasn't more than a couple of euros. Thanks
Yes they are and maybe that is why I didn't remember it being more expensive as I too try to stay in municipal and donativos whenever possible. Buen vida y buen camino peregrino.In the past I always stayed in municipals which are always cheaper than private albergues (whether on the Francés or Norte) hence the greater difference. Unfortunately they appear to be a dieing breed on the Norte.
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