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I just looked at another interesting option: walking from Vigo to Santiago and then on to Finisterre. I have always avoided the Portugués because of the crowds, but I can imagine the climate on that route could still be rather mild in December.Next question is of course: which Camino?
Unless you've already been on them the Mozarabe either from Malaga or Almeria might suit. I've done both to Cordoba and Granada over previous Christmas holidays and had no problems with accommodation. I did however use other types of accommodation as well as albergues. No rain, and perfect walking conditions on both occasions whereas I was thoroughly soaked many times when I walked Zamora/Astorga/SdeC over Christmas in another year. Buen Camino !After I had to quit my Camino Sanabrés in August due to persistent Achilles tendonitis, I am now pondering a Christmas Camino. That would be my first winter camino, so I am still a bit reluctant about the weather (mostly because of the extra weight and the trouble to dry clothes). I am also if albergues would be open on Christmas and New Years day.
Next question is of course: which Camino? I could continue on the Sanabrés and start walking from Ourense, but it might make more sense to walk the Francés instead. I am also considering walking on to Finisterre (which was my original plan in August).
Any thoughts? Anyone else with similar plans?
Have a look here:where can I find a list of what municipals will be open?
https://www.gronze.com/camino-portugues is a fairly reliable resource for opening and closing dates.where can I find a list of what municipals will be open?
Use Wise Pilgrim. For each albergue, you’ll see their opening/closing schedule. Then you call to be certain they aren’t closed because it’s, say, Tuesday.where can I find a list of what municipals will be open?
I am not saying I have any better source but I notice that on another thread about a Christmas Camino @Luka seems to be reporting consistently finding, when she contacts albergues that Gronze lists as open over the Christmas season, they are telling a different story.https://www.gronze.com/camino-portugues is a fairly reliable resource for opening and closing dates.
At that time of year making advance direct contact with any accommodations is advisable
Gracias! This is very helpful thank you and I feel much more comfortable now with our plans! So excited for our first Camino.I was walking between Puente-la-Reina and Burgos on last december.
On 24th, we were in Logroño. We have dinners in bar (tapas), but they close one after the other. At 10pm, no open bars were remaining... But on Christmas day, leaving the town, we meet crowds of young people going back home after a festive night: they learn us that the bar have reopen after midnight !
On the 25th almost everything was closed (but a bar in Navarrete, hopefully for our breakfast), but on the other days, no problem to find food and beverages.
However you will have to book accomodations, you will find those which will be opened there:
You are very lucky, I have a nice remembering of this winter Camino.
Buen Camino !
Thank you very much for this info. We are just beginning our bookings so this will be very helpful.You can have luggage transferred from Sarria to Santiago in the winter. Contact Correos. There may be holiday hours so you may need to consider carrying your packs some days, but contact them to be certain. Xunta albergues are supposed to be open 365 days per year. But they don't accept bag transport or pick up. Plenty of Xunta albergues in this stretch. Consult Gronze.com to see what else may be open in winter. There are likely hotels, but grocery stores are probably going to be closed on Christmas and New Years Day.
Sounds like a special journey for them. And yes, would have been great to meet you...I am taking a group of 10 university students and one other instructor Sarria to Santiago Dec. 31 to Jan. 7. This is a study abroad class for nursing students on self-care for the mind, body, and soul. Sorry we will miss you @Luka .
I hope you don't mind, I've put a link to this thread on my Camino Planning Group for anyone wanting to walk a Christmas Camino.There have been several new threads lately (including my own) from pilgrims who want to walk during the Chrstmas holidays. If we gather here, we can share plans, tips, doubts and the joy of anticipation.
My plan: the (coastal) Portugués (border Portugal/Spain - Vigo - Pontevedra - Santiago). I hope to start walking from A Guarda on the 23rd of December and arrive in Santiago on the 31rd. It will be my first winter Camino and I am very excited about it!
Of course I don'tI hope you don't mind, I've put a link to this thread on my Camino Planning Group for anyone wanting to walk a Christmas Camino.
Arriving into Santiago on December 31st is really special. I walked Sarria - Santiago many years back with a large group of Spanish hospitaleros. Most had started in O Cebreiro but myself and a hospi friend from Madrid took the train to Sarria on December 26th. As the Oficina de Peregrinos was closed when we arrived, we received our final stamp in the Cathedral Sacristía. Wow!There have been several new threads lately (including my own) from pilgrims who want to walk during the Chrstmas holidays. If we gather here, we can share plans, tips, doubts and the joy of anticipation.
My plan: the (coastal) Portugués (border Portugal/Spain - Vigo - Pontevedra - Santiago). I hope to start walking from A Guarda on the 23rd of December and arrive in Santiago on the 31st. It will be my first winter Camino and I am very excited about it!
Many thanks I have contacted them with an enquiryHere's the Correos site
Rucksack transfer on the Camino de Santiago
Correos transfers your rucksack, suitcase or luggage along the Camino de Santiago stage by stagewww.elcaminoconcorreos.com
Just a few words about packing. Besides a sleeping bag I didn't find my pack weight much different than during the summer since you will be wearing most of your clothes, at least that was my experience walking from Burgos to Sarria one winter.. ..That would be my first winter camino, so I am still a bit reluctant about the weather (mostly because of the extra weight and the trouble to dry clothes). I am also if albergues would be open on Christmas and New Years day.
Hi LukaThere have been several new threads lately (including my own) from pilgrims who want to walk during the Chrstmas holidays. If we gather here, we can share plans, tips, doubts and the joy of anticipation.
My plan: the (coastal) Portugués (border Portugal/Spain - Vigo - Pontevedra - Santiago). I hope to start walking from A Guarda on the 23rd of December and arrive in Santiago on the 31st. It will be my first winter Camino and I am very excited about it!
Hi LukaI have been checking out my options (as I most likely won't be able to walk long distances) and it seems a bit tricky. So far I have already found one albergue that is open 'todo el año' according to Gronze but happens to be closed and one albergue I could book through Booking, but canceled my reservation because they were only open for groups in December.
With counting on xunta albergues to be open, sometimes accepting shorter distances and/or to pay a bit more for a private room, I seem to manage my way around. I would advice planning ahead around the Christmas holidays though if you are not able (or don't want to) walk longer distances than 20-25 kms.
Thank you. I realise I must really do my homework to be ready for this trip. You’ve given me me some good tips.I have walked a few short winter caminos but this year it's looking a bit earlier on the CF from 31st December on the mesata. (Last January I was on the latter section of the Via Bayona (Vasco) to Burgos but started on the 9th January - so missed any holidays that might cause issues).
Winter caminos are definitely quiet! One lesson learned was to ring/message to check if accommodation was open in winter (one albergue on the CP that should have been open was closed for 2 days due to some repair work after a waterleak, thankfully there were other accomodation and I had budgeted for the possible need to stay in a hotel (definitely a good idea for any winter camino to have an additional fund for a hotel or taxi in a pinch).
I am a supporter of carrying an umbrella on camino - as it means less water gets on me. Layers are key - I have had days of freezing fog on the VF in Italy in January when I had everything on, and perfect blue skies and sunshine on the CP with heavy frost in the morning but a t-shirt by midmorning. As for washing- apart from pants which I will wash out each day - I tend to only do a proper wash once a week and use a tumble dryer- it's nearly impossible to get things dry otherwise overnight- I just go into scruffy pilgrim mode. So compared to my "summer" kit, I bring an extra pair of socks, pants and top to allow for difficulties of washing and drying. I also found my feet were too cold in crocs in winter (others don't seem to have this issue) so I found a very light pair of slippers instead (about the same weight as crocs) (the trade off is some people are particular about shower shoes- I decided I liked warm feet more).
I always carry food - snacks and enough for a dinner and breakfast of some description and a microwaveable container as most albergues have one but plates and cutlery can be minimal. I will definitely being upping what food I am carrying with the New Year and Epiphany!
I also tend to carry a flask in winter (I didn't on the CP from Porto as enough open bars but on parts of the CF like the mesata and also on the VF in Italy I was glad of it!).
I am a supporter of carrying an umbrella on camino - as it means less water gets on me. Layers are key - I have had days of freezing fog on the VF in Italy in January when I had everything on, and perfect blue skies and sunshine on the CP with heavy frost in the morning but a t-shirt by midmorning. As for washing- apart from pants which I will wash out each day - I tend to only do a proper wash once a week and use a tumble dryer- it's nearly impossible to get things dry otherwise overnight- I just go into scruffy pilgrim mode. So compared to my "summer" kit, I bring an extra pair of socks, pants and top to allow for difficulties of washing and drying. I also found my feet were too cold in crocs in winter (others don't seem to have this issue) so I found a very light pair of slippers instead (about the same weight as crocs) (the trade off is some people are particular about shower shoes- I decided I liked warm feet more).
Hello! I'm walking my first camino same route as you (arriving in Sarria 26th and heading off on 27th)! Hope we cross paths!Hola from Down Under! My beautiful daughter and I are walking Sarria to Santiago starting 26 December 2023. As this is our first (but hopefully not last Camino). We would love any guidance on:
1. Will we be able to buy food along the way? I.e. supermarkets, cafes. Or will everything be closed?
2. What are our luggage transfer options? Many of the services we have contacted will be closed along the period.
Hopefully we will see some of you on the trail! Buen Camino!
Would you arrive in Santiago on the 31st then?Hello! I'm walking my first camino same route as you (arriving in Sarria 26th and heading off on 27th)! Hope we cross paths!
That’s the plan, yes! Would love to find some folk to see in the new year with!Would you arrive in Santiago on the 31st then?
My plan is to arrive on the 31st too! But then from the Portugués.That’s the plan, yes! Would love to find some folk to see in the new year with!
Most likely rainy, foggy, windy, but it could also be sunny. Lots of fast changes (pouring rain in the morning, sunny in the afternoon). Temperatures from 0-10 °C at night till 8-18 °C during the day (also depending on altitude). But the Asturian weather is above all unpredictable...Hi-- planning to do my first solo Camino on the Primitivo, Dec 10 - Dec 24. I know many albergues will be closed, but I have done the research and know that I will be able to find lodging. I know this route is one of the higher altitude options, but it's the best for the timeframe I have. Anyone know much about the weather this time on year on this route? Thanks!
Great, thanks! Do albergues have blankets, or should I plan to carry a thicker sleeping bag?Most likely rainy, foggy, windy, but it could also be sunny. Lots of fast changes (pouring rain in the morning, sunny in the afternoon). Temperatures from 0-10 °C at night till 8-18 °C during the day (also depending on altitude). But the Asturian weather is above all unpredictable...
I don't know on the Primitivo, but I am going to carry a thicker sleeping bag. Also because I read that albergues aren't always heated in winter.Great, thanks! Do albergues have blankets, or should I plan to carry a thicker sleeping bag?
You can't rely on albergues having blankets. Some will, some have a few spare but there will be some places that don't at all - a warm sleeping bag is needed for winter!Great, thanks! Do albergues have blankets, or should I plan to carry a thicker sleeping bag?
Hi all,
I plan to continue to santiago from Burgos from the 17th dec 23.
Anyone else starting around there & around that time?
is Gronze the best / official site for which albergues will be open? Welcome all pointers.
Last time we found both xmas and boxing days to be very quiet.
Regards
Shalin
If you let Gronze know where you found it to be wrong, it won't be long before it is right for the next pilgrim who checks.I checked quite a few albergues on the Camino Portugués that are open according to Gronze but actually closed roughly from half December till the beginning of January.
Ah, that is a good idea. Will doIf you let Gronze know where you found it to be wrong, it won't be long before it is right for the next pilgrim who checks.Or so I'm told.
Are you able to link me to this? I can’t find it!Four recent threads about walking at Christmas have been merged now, which might explain why the discussion above might seem a bit disjointed. @Luka agreed that it would be good to bring the discussions together in one place.
This it it! The 3 threads have been merged and all posts are together on this thread you are now reading. Posts are put in the order (date and time) they were posted, so they are blended.Are you able to link me to this? I can’t find it!
What crowds ? I walked from Porto to Santiago late September, met hardly anyone on the Portugese side.I just looked at another interesting option: walking from Vigo to Santiago and then on to Finisterre. I have always avoided the Portugués because of the crowds, but I can imagine the climate on that route could still be rather mild in December.
The Portugues is the second most walked route after the Frances. When I walked it in early October (2018) there were plenty of fellow pilgrims between Porto and Tui, including at the beginning when I was on the Senda Litoral. Not crowds like people complain of after Sarria, but certainly not "hardly anyone" (that would be the Camino de Madrid).What crowds ? I walked from Porto to Santiago late September, met hardly anyone on the Portugese side.
Welcome to the Christmas Club! I suppose you'll have (roughly) the same weather as Lugo and Sarria are only 30 kms apart.Great thread! Planning to do just 100km of the camino this Dec 28 through Jan 6. Five or seven days. Was hoping to do the primitivo from Lugo. Will be walking with my 15 year old daughter, our first time. And planning to just book hotels.
Is there a difference in weather from the CF starting in Sarria vs the primitivo starting in Lugo?
It is probable worth asking this in the Routes in France section to actually get answersHas anyone done winter camino on the Arles way in France between Montpellier and Toulouse? I am considering this in January 2024. Are pilgrim accommodations there open in January?
Looks like we are going to meet each other indeed somewhere in between Redondela and SantiagoCurrently planning O Porrino to Santiago, December 26 - 31. @Luka it looks like we will likely be walking at the same time.
(Yes, I did do Sarria to SdC a few months ago, thinking it was a one-time thing. Yes, I cannot stop thinking about my next Camino).
Hi RosaHas anyone done winter camino on the Arles way in France between Montpellier and Toulouse? I am considering this in January 2024. Are pilgrim accommodations there open in January?
I’m just going to wing it.Lodging update: I decided to book everything ahead. So many closed albergues the end of December and I don't get an answer to my e-mail about the xunta albergues in Vigo and Padrón. I'll try to figure it out when on the road (if I can still cancel my booked accomodation then).
Oh, and I managed to book a pilgrim room in San Martín Pinario the 31st of December
Buen Camino! Where and when will you start?I’m just going to wing it.
Will be in Santiago for Christmas, if I can’t wing it then the Camino is not for me anymore
It is not.It isn't easy to find a bed during Christmas...
Also waiting for train and bus tickets to go on sale for our travel dates and for the tickets to be available for educational groups at the Sophia Reina Museum in Madrid for our last day of the trip.
I guess it has been as wet in Galicia as it has been in Asturias the last couple of weeks...buying rain gear!
They should be open 365, but you can check the night before at the place you are staying that night. This summer there were posters that indicated when one of them would be closed for some kind of work. We asked the hospitalera on duty and she confirmed. Palas de Rei was closed for work last summer so we stayed elsewhere.I still have no idea if the xunta albergues on the Portugués (de la Costa) will be open between Christmas and New Year. It seems impossible to reach them by e-mail, so I might try to phone them.
They should be open 365, but you can check the night before at the place you are staying that night. This summer there were posters that indicated when one of them would be closed for some kind of work. We asked the hospitalera on duty and she confirmed. Palas de Rei was closed for work last summer so we stayed elsewhere.
Wonderful context. Many long years ago, in Manila, I attended the nine day Misa del Gallo experience/ retreat. Wow! It surely was early! I recall on the first morning waking up all the other sleepers in the dormitory because I could not silence my alarm!Here is my post from 2021 which may be of help/interest for Christmas 2023 plans.
In Spanish, Christmas Eve is La Noche Buena/The Good Night. In Spain it is celebrated with a large family feast eaten late in the evening and lasting several hours. Some families attend midnight mass before or after dinner. The special Christmas Eve midnight mass is called Misa del Gallo or Rooster's Mass, because a rooster is said to have crowed the night that Jesus was born.
It would be a wonderful experience for any pilgrim to attend such a service on such a special night. To help with your planning here is a Google Map of Parishes/Churches along the camino where you might attend.
Buen camino and Feliz Navidad!
albergue phone numbers are often on whatsapp, and they're usually more responsive there via sms. . . wondering if you've tried this @Luka and still no luck?Thanks! Quite a few albergues that should be open 365 happen to be closed somewhere between December 15 and January 7. I know that the xunta albergue in Redondela is closed, I am still hoping the ones in Vigo and Padrón will be open.
Thanks @mspath! I will be in Sabarís then (if everything goes according to plan) and found a church at 700m from my albergue. The biggest challenge is probably going to be to stay awake until midnight...Here is my post from 2021 which may be of help/interest for Christmas 2023 plans.
In Spanish, Christmas Eve is La Noche Buena/The Good Night. In Spain it is celebrated with a large family feast eaten late in the evening and lasting several hours. Some families attend midnight mass before or after dinner. The special Christmas Eve midnight mass is called Misa del Gallo or Rooster's Mass, because a rooster is said to have crowed the night that Jesus was born.
It would be a wonderful experience for any pilgrim to attend such a service on such a special night. To help with your planning here is a Google Map of Parishes/Churches along the camino where you might attend.
Buen camino and Feliz Navidad!
Wow, that is a real bargain! Great that you managed to make that reserveration. It is a wonderful museum.FYI, I did get the tickets booked for the Sophia Reina Museum. Quite a lot of hoops to jump through, but got all the paperwork completed and the online booking registration so that our group of 12 only had to pay 5 euros total. Normally is it 12 euros per person although students can get in at reduced or free with their student ID. I think it was worth the hassle. I had to get a document signed that certified that our students were degree-seeking from an educational program.
Now just waiting on train and bus tickets to go on sale. I also contacted @wisepilgrim to see if he knows anything more about the Portomarin Xunta albergue situation.
Do albergues generally suspend their closing hour rules to permit this?Here is my post from 2021 which may be of help/interest for Christmas 2023 plans.
In Spanish, Christmas Eve is La Noche Buena/The Good Night. In Spain it is celebrated with a large family feast eaten late in the evening and lasting several hours. Some families attend midnight mass before or after dinner. The special Christmas Eve midnight mass is called Misa del Gallo or Rooster's Mass, because a rooster is said to have crowed the night that Jesus was born.
It would be a wonderful experience for any pilgrim to attend such a service on such a special night. To help with your planning here is a Google Map of Parishes/Churches along the camino where you might attend.
Buen camino and Feliz Navidad!
Not the ones where I have worked over the holiday. (Zamora and Grañón) it may be up to the hospitaleros though.Do albergues generally suspend their closing hour rules to permit this?
When in Ferreiros do check out againAlas, our group of students will be in Ferreiros that night. Hope we will find someplace to eat or it will a microwave cup of soup and early to bed for us!
Yes, I am hoping they will be open. I will call ahead from Sarria to try to check, but I will also make sure everyone has the minimum for some kind of evening meal that we can cobble together in the limited confines of the Xunta albergue kitchen. I will let you know when we get going in a few weeks.When in Ferreiros do check out again
this place down the hill which I mentioned to you here and you enjoyed this past summer.
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