Are Albergues Open Over the Christmas / New Year Period?

[The Cumbrian]

If the forecast isn't looking too grim (I like the cold, but being from Cumbria, I've had quite enough of rain), I'm thinking of walking the Camino Ingles over Christmas - New Year. Will the albergues and / or other accommodation be open, along with bars and restaurants?

Thanks, Michael.

 

[henrythedog]

One of the many attractions of the Ingles; in my opinion, is that the infrastructure is largely there for the locals and not generally created for the Camino, so yes - probably. As there are not too many stops to consider ( and Ferrol and Santiago categorically do have accommodation open) I’d suggest making direct contact. Details will be on Gronze or the Wise Pilgrim App, and elsewhere. WhatsApp, Email and google translate will get you there.

I’m from Cumbria also but regard Galicia as just like home weather-wise in winter.

 

[The Cumbrian]

One of the many attractions of the Ingles; in my opinion, is that the infrastructure is largely there for the locals and not generally created for the Camino, so yes - probably. As there are not too many stops to consider ( and Ferrol and Santiago categorically do have accommodation open) I’d suggest making direct contact. Details will be on Gronze or the Wise Pilgrim App, and elsewhere. WhatsApp, Email and google translate will get you there.

I’m from Cumbria also but regard Galicia as just like home weather-wise in winter.

Thanks for that. If Galicia's going through a cold / dry spell, the Ingles is on the cards for me, followed by New Year in Santiago.

 

[J Willhaus]

Definitely call ahead, but I would think the Xunta albergues might be open. Might not be heat though.

 

[nilesite]

Wise Pilgrim is your best bet. Gronze is also good. I'm thinking of walking the same route in January. Winter's my thing.

 

[naplesdon]

Most of the towns at the end of each stage have reasonably priced hotels

 

[jenwearing]

I’m doing the portugués over Christmas/new years and crossing my fingers it doesn’t rain every single day!
I used booking.com and pre-booked private hostels (free cancellation just in case) for not much more than the walk-in price and also some extremely cheap hotels.

Fun fact, the pilgrim office is closed on New Year’s Day which is almost certainly the day I’ll walk into the square but I’ll get it the next day before leaving.

 

[Athena Atterdag]

I walked the Inglés this January, and had no issues with finding an open albergue along the way! The entire Inglés is in Galicia, and the Xunta makes a point of having the municipal albergues open all year round.

In Pontedeume, the municipal albergue is excellently located on the bank of the river, but it's unmercifully cold as the building is an old one, thin-walled, and not equipped with any kind of heating (the showers do have hot water, though), so I'd recommend finding private accommodation - thankfully, the town has lots of them.

The albergue in Betanzos is a true five-star Xunta albergue, and the one in Hospital de Bruma is also good - it's well-heated, except for the bathrooms which are located in a separate small building without heating.

In Sigüeiro, there's no municipal albergue and most of the private ones close for winter, but the town also has a number of hotels - I had no trouble finding a nice room.

 

[wisepilgrim]

Many of the albergues that are open for winter still close for new years and Reyes, and some for Christmas. Do call ahead, if they are planning to close they may have a tip on where to stay. And if they are not planning to close I’m sure they would appreciate some advance notice of your arrival in the off off season.

 

[kiwicat]

Wise Pilgrim is your best bet. Gronze is also good. I'm thinking of walking the same route in January. Winter's my thing.

Tumbleweed Pilgrim what is the title of you book?

 

[Bradypus]

The Xunta albergues in Galicia are officially open all year round. But in practice some may be closed for periods during the winter for repairs and maintenance. I've been caught out by that before. If you have a particular albergue in mind it is worth confirming that it is actually open on the day.

 

[nilesite]

Tumbleweed Pilgrim what is the title of you book?

Buen Camino! Típs From a WINTER Pilgrim. It's on Amazon.

 

[kiwicat]

Buen Camino! Típs From a WINTER Pilgrim. It's on Amazon.

TX!