Easter Travel Question

[dfunghi]

I am planning my first attempt at a Camino walk for next Spring (2019). I have wanted to do this for a very long time and am finally going to try.

In looking at my chosen dates and a calendar I notice my date of arrival in Santiago is quite close to Easter. I plan to leave first week of April from Porto and spend 15 -20 days (it may go quicker but want to plan for a slow, steady pace) sending me to SDC right about Good Friday! Should I have concern about accommodations along the way at that time? My plan is to stay in hotels as little as possible and stick to "walker" accommodations.

I can move my dates a week or two in either direction but fear the earlier in March I go the more likely to have winter weather hanging on.

TIA,
David

 

[dfunghi]

No. You will not have a problem I have been in Leon and Astorga during the week. They were busy and festive, but accommodations were not a problem.

I will presume the CP will be similar to the CF route? Thanks for the reply. My pilgrimage is more of personal and spiritual in my own way journey. I realize many (most?) pilgrims (walkers) may have a more "religious" desire for the pilgrimage. That is why I wondered if Easter was a particularly busy time.

 

[C clearly]

I have been in Cordoba and Caceres during festival events, and yes, accommodation was a problem, even in the neighbouring towns. I think it is great to be on the Camino during Easter week and during festivals, but I would do it with some awareness of the fact that many Spaniards travel within their own country.

If it were me, I would make my best guess for arrival date in Santiago during Easter week, and I would book a place on booking.com that can be cancelled up to a day or 2 before arrival. There is no harm in booking that now, for the Good Friday-Easter weekend. Then as the time gets close, you can always cancel if your plans change, being aware that alternatives may or may not be plentiful. If you are going too fast and approaching Santiago too early, then slow down!

I don't know the Camino Portuguese, so I can't speak about the accommodations along the route.

 

[Joe.Iozzi]

I am planning my first attempt at a Camino walk for next Spring (2019). I have wanted to do this for a very long time and am finally going to try.

In looking at my chosen dates and a calendar I notice my date of arrival in Santiago is quite close to Easter. I plan to leave first week of April from Porto and spend 15 -20 days (it may go quicker but want to plan for a slow, steady pace) sending me to SDC right about Good Friday! Should I have concern about accommodations along the way at that time? My plan is to stay in hotels as little as possible and stick to "walker" accommodations.

I can move my dates a week or two in either direction but fear the earlier in March I go the more likely to have winter weather hanging on.

TIA,
David

We walked from Porto to Santiago over holy week in 2016. To my surprise, we had no trouble finding albergues and cafes open, even on Easter Sunday. We did not book ahead, except for Casa da Fernanda, we called the afternoon before to ask if we could stay, she had plenty of room.

 

[caroleb]

I am planning my first attempt at a Camino walk for next Spring (2019). I have wanted to do this for a very long time and am finally going to try.

In looking at my chosen dates and a calendar I notice my date of arrival in Santiago is quite close to Easter. I plan to leave first week of April from Porto and spend 15 -20 days (it may go quicker but want to plan for a slow, steady pace) sending me to SDC right about Good Friday! Should I have concern about accommodations along the way at that time? My plan is to stay in hotels as little as possible and stick to "walker" accommodations.

I can move my dates a week or two in either direction but fear the earlier in March I go the more likely to have winter weather hanging on.

TIA,
David

I'm tentatively planning the CP from Porto (Coastal Route) starting around Easter so was thinking the same thing.