Best towns to see

[ap0809]

Hello will be on Camino in September 2023 and looking forward to it...have a question we only have about 21 days - wishing to start in Pamploomla - and make it to at least Leon - are there any cities to skip in order to make it to Leon in the 21 days?
thanks - any suggestions on seeing other destinations and or countries after leaving the Camino - we wish to spend 7 days in europe somewhere in one spot for some r and r. thanks

 

[Pafayac]

You can walk from Pamplona to León in 21 days without skipping any cities, even without being a super-hiker.
The remnant of your question is hard to answer: it mainly depends on what you are looking for: history, art, building, feeling... ?
Europe cities are very different one from another.
During your camino, Burgos and León are worth spending a day in each of them: their cathedral is marvellous.

 

[Grousedoctor]

Completely agree with @Pafayac. You can easily walk from Pamplona to Leon in your timeframe giving you plenty of opportunity within 21 days to also explore Pamplona, Burgos, and Leon. After that, I’d recommend Madrid for rest of your stay. In addition to all there is to see in the Capital, you can also base yourself out of there for day trips.

 

[thejoker]

Horses for Courses.
In my opinion every town is special. I wouldn't want to skip any of them and I think there's no need to as 21 days is plenty for most people between Pamplona and Leon.

 

[Tincatinker]

we wish to spend 7 days in europe somewhere in one spot for some r and r. thanks

Ah, go on, give us a clue: are you into Art & Culture ( deliberate capitalization); food and wine; a suntan and a bit of lighthearted skinny dipping? Madrid for the first, San Sebastián for the second and Sitges for the latter. But a bit more info might help the well informed members of this forum inform you

 

[JabbaPapa]

21 days at the typical pilgrim speed of about 25K/day + is over 500K.

That would get you to about Ponferrada.

Why not get to Pamplona for tourism and all pleasant alarums and excursions ; then travel by bus or howsoever to Burgos, then walk from there to Santiago ?

Or from Astorga if you really wanted max ex-Camino days ?

 

[dramig]

Andulacia…head on down south for something a little different. Granada has always been magical for me. It is a nice contrast to northern Spain and maybe a perfect 2-3 day trip.

 

[ap0809]

You can walk from Pamplona to León in 21 days without skipping any cities, even without being a super-hiker.
The remnant of your question is hard to answer: it mainly depends on what you are looking for: history, art, building, feeling... ?
Europe cities are very different one from another.
During your camino, Burgos and León are worth spending a day in each of them: their cathedral is marvellous.

thank you ....sounds very doable

 

[ap0809]

Ah, go on, give us a clue: are you into Art & Culture ( deliberate capitalization); food and wine; a suntan and a bit of lighthearted skinny dipping? Madrid for the first, San Sebastián for the second and Sitges for the latter. But a bit more info might help the well informed members of this forum inform you

thank you, food and wine, so looks like San Sebastian will fit the inquiry. thanks

 

[Larry E]

Two of my favorite smaller towns were Puente la Reina, where I was glad I spent the night, and Castrojerez, where I was very sorry I didn't. Castrojerez might even make a good "rest" day city, in my opinion. And Logrono was a very big, pleasant surprise, and I place I would enjoy exploring more. Burgos and Leon are both very nice cities and amazing cathedrals and have their fans. But, with apologies to the westerners in "Castillo y Leon", I liked Burgos more. Slightly better cathedral and the environs around the Burgos cathedral were better, the Santa Maria park, puente and gate by the river were delightful, and the art museum had a nice collection.

 

[naplesdon]

Wine tour of Rioja Valley out of Logrono comes to mind.

 

[DreamWeaver]

Wine tour of Rioja Valley out of Logrono comes to mind.

Or bierzo region

 

[Walkerooni]

EVERY town is worth seeing, however large or small. Please, please resist the weird and misguided advice to skip sections, jump on buses, or taxi around other sections. I truly suggest if you are going to Spain to walk the Camino, to walk the Camino. Isn't that really the point?

 

[Zoe7]

Starting slow to allow for jet lag and wondering if Cacabelos were an interesting enough town to stay at after a very short day? (Or better to just walk on to Villafranca the same day?). Thanks

 

[Tincatinker]

Starting slow to allow for jet lag and wondering if Cacabelos were an interesting enough town to stay at after a very short day? (Or better to just walk on to Villafranca the same day?). Thanks

I think I would opt for Villafranca. Good bars and restaurants, a playa fluvial (river-beach) and some spectacular churches and monastic architecture.

That said Cacabelos also has a playa fluvial and some decent bars and restaurants. But it doesn’t have the elan.

Where are you walking from?

 

[Roland49]

Just my 2 cents: I've walked to Villafranca del Bierzo, despite being treated in the hospital in Ponferrada having a blister.

Where do you start?

 

[David Tallan]

Starting slow to allow for jet lag and wondering if Cacabelos were an interesting enough town to stay at after a short day? (Or better to just walk on to Villafranca the same day?). Thanks

I've stayed at both. I think Villafranca is more interesting than Cacabelos, but I don't remember being unhappy with my stay at Cacabelos. Listen to what your body tells you.

I do note, however, that neither of these places are between Sarria and Lavacolla, in case there was any confusion.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Starting slow to allow for jet lag and wondering if Cacabelos were an interesting enough town to stay at after a very short day? (Or better to just walk on to Villafranca the same day?). Thanks

We stayed at both on the same trip (Peg was injured and thus slow). I say Villafranca is place you want to spend time at.

From Villafranca consider taking the high but scenic Pradela route to Trabadelo and then to O Cebreiro.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/scenic-route-from-villafranca.72109/#post-970131

 

[Zoe7]

I think I would opt for Villafranca. Good bars and restaurants, a playa fluvial (river-beach) and some spectacular churches and monastic architecture.

That said Cacabelos also has a playa fluvial and some decent bars and restaurants. But it doesn’t have the elan.

Where are you walking from?

Starting in Ponferrada

 

[Zoe7]

I've stayed at both. I think Villafranca is more interesting than Cacabelos, but I don't remember being unhappy with my stay at Cacabelos. Listen to what your body tells you.

I do note, however, that neither of these places are between Sarria and Lavacolla, in case there was any confusion.

Sorry for the confusion. The request for recommendations through the towns after O Cebreiro up to Lavacolla was separate — and any suggestions still appreciated. Finding a lot of places are already filled up…..

 

[trecile]

Finding a lot of places are already filled up…..

Where are you looking?
Booking sites don't have access to all the beds/rooms. And there are many great places to stay that don't take reservations at all. Relax and don't over plan.

 

[oursonpolaire]

As others have suggested, do not skip stretches along the way. Estella is worth a break day, as is Leon. Or wherever your body suggests a break.

I found that, post-Camino, big cities was the one destination I did not want. Find a nice seaside town (Luarca, Ribadeo, Castro Urdiales, etc) along the del Norte, and park yourself near a few good seafood restaurants. If you luck out, you may meet some Spaniards who will absolutely drag you to their home pueblo, and that will be worth a thousand times more than a few days in expensive Barcelona, pricey Saint Sebastian, or extravagant Madrid.

 

[Roland49]

Sorry for the confusion. The request for recommendations through the towns after O Cebreiro up to Lavacolla was separate — and any suggestions still appreciated. Finding a lot of places are already filled up…..

my itinary you may take as suggestion:
Villafranca (Albergue Leo) -> OCebreiro (Municipal) -> Triacastela (Xacobeo)-> Sarria (Casa Peltre) -> Portomarrin (Albergue Folgueira)-> Ponte Campaña (Casa Domingo)-> A Rua (Esperitu Xacobeo).

The Albergues that were small and quiet: Leo, Casa Peltre, Casa Domingo. Outstanding experience.