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Thank you!If you are not walking in Winter you wont really have problems with accomodation. I never prereserved anything and always found a place. You can reserve 5 hotels and one day you get food poisoning, you will be behind and then what..? If you follow the normal schedule... and walk around 6 hours a day and you wake up at reasonable time which is inevitable as most pilgrims leave early and it gets noisy you wont really have problems. Especially on Camino Frances
Thanks! May I know what's the difference between Albergues, Municipals, Hostels and the different types of accommodation?I have a tendency to stay in the municipal places, and they more often than not, are on the route.
I generally have an idea of the town I want to stay, and head to the municipal in most instances. They cant be pre-booked anyway ... but if I see a place I fancy on the way there, maybe I'll go there first. Likewise, maybe someone I'm with has an idea or suggestion ... so I go with them.
I'm not above booking ahead from time to time, if there is a place I really want to stay at.
Thanks! May I know what's the difference between Albergues, Municipals, Hostels and the different types of accommodation?
Thank you!Albergue Municipal is financed by the goverment and ran by volunteers (cant be reserved)
Albergue Associated is supported by church or some group
Private Albergue is independent
Hostels etc... are humble hotels
Price varies... but usually 8-12e...
Thanks so much for sharing your experience and detailed explanations!It is easy. I would divide the albergues in three groups:
For sure you can find all kind of exceptions to the private being better equiped than the municipal,....
- Donation albergues: Albergues, managed by volunteers without a fix price. You leave what you consider. Please don´t confuse donation and free.
- Albergues municipales & parroquiales: Are Albergues managed by the parish or by the town hall. They usually counts with basic facilities are the cost is around 5 to 6 Euro.
- Private albergues: Albergues opened with a corcial pourpose. Usually the facilities are better than in donativo or municipal. The price could range from 9 to 12 Euros.
The ones I like the most (with some exceptions) are the Donation, then municipal or parish and private.
Thanks! I'll keep that in mind!It depends on which camino you are walking. There are some Caminos where you do not have the freedom of choice. One daily stage = one albergue.
You can use guidebooks or accomodation-lists for a pre-selection, especially if you favour albergues which offer meals/a laundry service/blankets....
Or you can just walk on and have a look and decide spontaneously. But then you should remember that the first albergue you reach when entering a town is not always the best choice.
No Municipal or Associated Albergues are financed by Asociations, Goverments or any kind of "official institutions". They are financied by the aportations pilgrims give. They are the owners of the building, but they usually don´t afford one single euro for paying the expenses, manteinance, cleaning, taxes. etc of those albergues. Why would the spaniards use our taxes to pay for the albergues? No Free Food in the Camino.(Or acomodation, shower, WIFI...) If you dont pay for it, somebody will.Albergue Municipal is financed by the goverment and ran by volunteers (cant be reserved)
Albergue Associated is supported by church or some group
Private Albergue is independent
Hostels etc... are humble hotels
Price varies... but usually 8-12e...
No Municipal or Associated Albergues are financed by Asociations, Goverments or any kind of "official institutions". They are financied by the aportations pilgrims give. They are the owners of the building, but they usually don´t afford one single euro for paying the expenses, manteinance, cleaning, taxes. etc of those albergues. Why would the spaniards use our taxes to pay for the albergues? No Free Food in the Camino.(Or acomodation, shower, WIFI...) If you dont pay for it, somebody will.
That is also true and really sad... Beautiful kitchens without plates and pans... I understand they want to help the local economy but its against the spirti of the CaminoA caution about the Xunta albergues in Galicia. You will see in guidebooks that they have kitchens. They are unlikely to have anything for you to prepare or eat your food. At least they didn't in the two we stayed at and I've been told this is the case generally.
Easy thing. The big one in Ponferrada was built with the donation of a very rich lady who was born in this town. She married a Swiss man, and went to live to Geneva; having no childrens, and being really wealthy and very religious people, they left much of their heritage for charity.Interesting... Then please explain me how does it work in Galicia if all the albergues municipales are managed by Xunta de Galicia... or how did anyone finance the brutal big albergue in Leon?
I don't think that helping the local economy is the reason why there is no cooking equipment in many xunta albergues. It's my understanding that they originally had this equipment (why else build these beautiful kitchens?), but that it was too quickly damaged/stolen. The xunta albergues usually only have one or two employees on site, and that may only be to register pilgrims in the afternoon and evening, then to clean the next day when the Pilgrims are gone. They don't have staff to monitor the cooking facilities.I understand they want to help the local economy but its against the spirti of the Camino
That sounds awesome! Will keep a look out for the XIII Iglesia de San Esteban at Zabaldika!I pre-booked for St. Jean, Orisson (reservations required due to high demand) and Roncesvalles. Got to Zubiri just in time to get the last bed at the 6 Euro Municipal (I think it might be closed now) and then was planning on going to Pamplona. Stopped at Zabaldika (about 8 km before Pamplona) to visit the XIII Iglesia de San Esteban where you can climb the belfry and ring the church bells. We got there around 2pm and were told by the very nice volunteer that the nuns had the key to the church and would be there by 6pm. We decided we could not wait that long and were just about to say goodbye when the volunteer cook comes out with fresh oranges and entices us into the large dining / kitchen. He brings out a loaf of bread and some cheese and chorizo and a jug of vino tinto and invites us to sit for a short snack break. It was me and 2 nice ladies from Holland who I had just met the night before (roommates) in Zubiri and we had decided to walk together. Next, Jose, the Spanish volunteer cook, brought out a roasting pan with leftovers from last nights dinner- Roast beef, potatoes, carrots in wine sauce, which he quickly heated and insisted we had to taste! Out of this world delicious- by now it's after 3pm- we decide to stay, ring the bells, & spend the night. We were the first three there, but by 4 pm it started filling up and they were turning people away by 6. Ringing the church bells was a kick, about 10 of us made the climb. Church service with nun was very interesting (I'm not catholic, but enjoyed it) and communal dinner for 20 by Jose was really great. I tell you all of this, because we would have missed out on all of this if we had reserved accommodations in Pamplona, so if you can live by the moment, you will have lots of these kinds of experiences on the camino. BTW, did I mention this albergue was a DONATIVO? This was my first experience with a donativo, and I asked the volunteer hostess what was appropriate. She said it was entirely up to me- no guidance on even a range. I paid 20 Euro, could have paid less but probably should have paid more for this great experience.
The reason there are not cooking equipment in many of the Xunta´s Albergues are mainly because the employees of those albergues (formerly Xunta´s employees, nowadays workers of the tenants companies) became tired of daily washing and cleaning the dirty kitchenware, left by certain "Piggrims". They throw it away when dirty, or just removed it.I don't think that helping the local economy is the reason why there is no cooking equipment in many xunta albergues. It's my understanding that they originally had this equipment (why else build these beautiful kitchens?), but that it was too quickly damaged/stolen. The xunta albergues usually only have one or two employees on site, and that may only be to register pilgrims in the afternoon and evening, then to clean the next day when the Pilgrims are gone. They don't have staff to monitor the cooking facilities.
Excellent description of the usual process.To the original question, it's all part of the daily walk. Your guidebook/app may tell you what's available in a town, with prices and facilities. The price or facilities might guide your decision making on which to go to first. You may walk past a flyer/poster with an advert and pictures that decides you. Other walkers may have said where they are going. You may walk by a place and think it looks nice, and inquire. You may ask a local where the albergue is, and they'll direct you to one. You are spending only one night, so not every one has to be perfect ... it's a bed.
Hi I have walked it three times I walk fairly fast and I am usualy finished by 1.30 or so and always got beds. BUT last time with my daughter we booked private albergues for the next day. BUT they will only hold the booking till 2pm. So we still had to get a move on.Also look out for the large groups that are booking out whole albergues.If you see parties like this consider staying at a village after or before the main stop.I e en saw a munisipal albergue with a sign on it sold out this was at 12.30! they should not be taking pilgrims till 2 pm. So some thing is going on some thing is changing. Now that I have sounded so negative I will say this Go and do it trust in yourself and if you have a faith trust in him to and you will be alright. Go and open your hart and mind to the Camino just keep an eye on whats happening around you. Wish I was going with you God bless.Hi! I will be walking the Camino Frances from mid-Sept and it just striked me with regards to finding albergues or places for rest... As I make my way to the next destination during the day, should I already have an albergue/hostel/hotel in mind that I potential want to stay for the night? Or (I might sound silly saying this) should I just walk around aimlessly in that town and see where has vacancies?
It's not so much of whether to pre-book an accommodation, or rather a question of upon reaching, how to decide or where to stay? I could be just worrying too much and should go with the flow but some advice would still be nice
Hi! I will be walking the Camino Frances from mid-Sept and it just striked me with regards to finding albergues or places for rest... As I make my way to the next destination during the day, should I already have an albergue/hostel/hotel in mind that I potential want to stay for the night? Or (I might sound silly saying this) should I just walk around aimlessly in that town and see where has vacancies?
It's not so much of whether to pre-book an accommodation, or rather a question of upon reaching, how to decide or where to stay? I could be just worrying too much and should go with the flow but some advice would still be nice
Dont get me started on the kitchens and this has nothing to do with the operaters. Last time three months ago my daughter and I shared accomadation several times with a non European group ( yes Shoot me). This group started cooking at two pm for the evening meal, and you could not get near the kitchen. In fact one day I mussel ed in to get one hot plate and got looked at big time. Not only did you have to wait for them to finish cooking in the pot but you had to wait for them to finnish eating out of the pot as well. Unfortunately I would say lets get rid of the kitchen and and that would generate more eating out possabilitiesThat is also true and really sad... Beautiful kitchens without plates and pans... I understand they want to help the local economy but its against the spirti of the Camino
Thank you for reminder! God Bless!Go and do it trust in yourself and if you have a faith trust in him to and you will be alright. Go and open your hart and mind to the Camino just keep an eye on whats happening around you.
Keep using the SEARCH function and you'll continue learning...in abundance!So thankful to everyone who has shared their experience and knowledge! I'm learning so much!
I generally have a place in mind. I decide where to stay based on a few things. Some places I read about or hear about from other pilgrims, either ones I've met in person or things that I've read in forums like these. Casa da Fernanda on the Camino Portugues or Grañon on the Camino Frances are examples of those. Otherwise, I'll look at the listings of albergues in my guidebooks, apps and on websites like Gronze.com, see what they have to offer in terms of amenities and what the prices are, along with any comments that may be attached from people that stayed there, and decide based on that. If you are travelling with other pilgrims, you may end up staying where they are.Hi! I will be walking the Camino Frances from mid-Sept and it just striked me with regards to finding albergues or places for rest... As I make my way to the next destination during the day, should I already have an albergue/hostel/hotel in mind that I potential want to stay for the night? Or (I might sound silly saying this) should I just walk around aimlessly in that town and see where has vacancies?
It's not so much of whether to pre-book an accommodation, or rather a question of upon reaching, how to decide or where to stay? I could be just worrying too much and should go with the flow but some advice would still be nice
I thoroughly approve of your style! Definitely a man after my own heart. I never book, except sometimes for the first night if I am arriving late. I have never (in Spain) not had a bed. Elsewhere in Europe I have never lacked a roof, though I have on occasion lacked a bed and/or a shower.I pre-booked for St. Jean, Orisson (reservations required due to high demand) and Roncesvalles. Got to Zubiri just in time to get the last bed at the 6 Euro Municipal (I think it might be closed now) and then was planning on going to Pamplona. Stopped at Zabaldika (about 8 km before Pamplona) to visit the XIII Iglesia de San Esteban where you can climb the belfry and ring the church bells. We got there around 2pm and were told by the very nice volunteer that the nuns had the key to the church and would be there by 6pm. We decided we could not wait that long and were just about to say goodbye when the volunteer cook comes out with fresh oranges and entices us into the large dining / kitchen. He brings out a loaf of bread and some cheese and chorizo and a jug of vino tinto and invites us to sit for a short snack break. It was me and 2 nice ladies from Holland who I had just met the night before (roommates) in Zubiri and we had decided to walk together. Next, Jose, the Spanish volunteer cook, brought out a roasting pan with leftovers from last nights dinner- Roast beef, potatoes, carrots in wine sauce, which he quickly heated and insisted we had to taste! Out of this world delicious- by now it's after 3pm- we decide to stay, ring the bells, & spend the night. We were the first three there, but by 4 pm it started filling up and they were turning people away by 6. Ringing the church bells was a kick, about 10 of us made the climb. Church service with nun was very interesting (I'm not catholic, but enjoyed it) and communal dinner for 20 by Jose was really great. I tell you all of this, because we would have missed out on all of this if we had reserved accommodations in Pamplona, so if you can live by the moment, you will have lots of these kinds of experiences on the camino. BTW, did I mention this albergue was a DONATIVO? This was my first experience with a donativo, and I asked the volunteer hostess what was appropriate. She said it was entirely up to me- no guidance on even a range. I paid 20 Euro, could have paid less but probably should have paid more for this great experience.
Albergue is basically a hostel: cheap accommodations for travellers with dormitories and shared washrooms. On the Caminos, there are several types of albergues, depemnding on who is operating them, as you've probably read above. They include the municipals, that you mention in your question. I tend to think of the albergues in the following categories:Thanks! May I know what's the difference between Albergues, Municipals, Hostels and the different types of accommodation?
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