Leaving tomorrow for my first Camino! What should I expect in the alburgues?

[AlyB]

Specifically, I'm wondering about sleeping arrangements in the alburgues - I've read over a few packing lists on this forum and have noticed some mention sleeping bags...I'm planning on staying in an alburgues every night but don't really know what to expect....will they typically provide the blankets/pillows/whatever or are we expected to BYOBedding?

Thanks for your help!
Aly

 

[mspath]

Generally the albergue bunk will be covered with a bottom sheet or mattress cover and a pillow will be provided. Most albergues require you to use either a sheet sleeping sack or sleeping bag. Many albergues do provide blankets but not all. Many albergues also provide a fresh paper bottom sheet and pillow case for each pilgrim. Towels are not provided.

 

[nidarosa]

Some or most will provide disposable thin sheets and pillow cases, bunkbeds, pillows and blankets of varying descriptions. Yes, you are expected to bring your own bedding in the form of a sleeping sack/sleeping bag liner - some prefer silk. However many pilgrims prefer to bring a sleeping bag for warmth and then open it up or sleep on top of it if they need to cool down.
The albergue dorms can get very hot in the night bcause they are full of people - some of whom will insist on keeping the windows shut for some reason - so in the summer a lot of pilgrims just bring a liner and then borrow a blanket at the albergue if they are chilly, or sleep in more clothes. Depends if you sleep warm or cold, and only you can answer that. Albergues are not like hotels or hostales, they do not provide sheets or duvets, just a bare bones roof over your head and a shower, sometimes the use of a kitchen. If you don't already have a liner or sleep sack, you should try to get one before you go or you might have to go hunting for one on your first evening ... Buen Camino!

 

[SYates]

Specifically, I'm wondering about sleeping arrangements in the alburgues - I've read over a few packing lists on this forum and have noticed some mention sleeping bags...I'm planning on staying in an alburgues every night but don't really know what to expect....will they typically provide the blankets/pillows/whatever or are we expected to BYOBedding?

Thanks for your help!
Aly

You are expected to bring your own sleeping bag or liner in albergues. Some will provide pillows/blankets, some will not. If you missed bringing anything essential you can always buy it on the way. For example in Pamplona. Buen Camino! SY

 

[PANO]

Albergues offer a bed with a mattress, (often, that's just it), many have covers (disposable), pillows and blankets. You're safe and independent with a sleeping bag (or rather just a liner around his time of the year) I never cared to use the pillows (drenched in drivel of hundreds of pilgrims!) and recommend to take along a large cotton-bag or an old pillow-case from home; stuff it with some clothes and you have your own personal pillow. Plus, you have a handy bag to carry your laundry to the machine.
Buen camino and good nights sleep!

 

[mspath]

Since you are starting in Leon and may need equipment check out this Forum link re Leon sporting goods shops.

Buen camino!

 

[SYates]

...recommend to take along a larges cotton-bag or an old pillow-case from home; stuff it with some clothes and you have your own personal pillow. ...

I use the bag my sleeping bag comes in for that! SY

 

[MTtoCamino]

Everyone seems to have "covered it". An Aussie Family figured out that if you keep your paper sheets & pillow case supplied by one albergue, when arriving at others you will have what you need. Even though I did not do it still might be something to keep in mind. I must say some folks are simply more in tune with others body leftovers than I am. So I would suggest you follow their lead. The whole experience is just fun.

 

[Aussie Pete]

Hi Aly

On the Camino Francis at the moment.

Ear plugs! Would be my addition.

Am loving the Albergues but I am sleeping better than I thought I would.

 

[Singingheart]

I use the bag my sleeping bag comes in for that! SY

Great idea! Thanks!

 

[Susan hopes]

Aly, something that no one has mentioned is the "rhythm" of alburgues. If you've never been on camino, some things may surprise you.
- men and women are not sleeping in separate rooms (there are some exceptions). You will quickly get used to this.

- your fellow pilgrims may not have the same sense of modesty you do. Just learn to develop "selective vision."

- many alburgues have a strict "lights out at 10 pm" rule. Think summer sleep-away camp. I was once scolded by the lady who helps run the Roncenvalles alburgue for sitting in the common room past 10. She said the light would keep others awake and she would let them beat me. I think she was serious about lights out, but not about letting other pilgrims beat me for keeping them awake.

- many alburgues lock the doors at a given time. If an alburgue states they will lock the doors at 10 pm, believe me when I say you are out of luck at 10:01.

Everyone else has talked about blankets/pillows/sleeping bags and liners. I have heard arguments for and against sleeping bags. Personally, I tend to run cold and was thankful for my sleeping bag. In the alburgues that provided blankets, I used my rolled up sleeping bag as a foot prop for my swollen, aching feet, or as a pillow.

Wishing you a good night's sleep, wherever you go. Buen camino!

 

[george.g]

The hospitalio in Ponsfarrada today told a fellow pilgrim that blankets were not provided in Galicia.
Well I know that's not true, I think she was probably referring to Junta albergues.
Many of the private albergues have blankets.
However a lightweight sleeping bag would be good insurance.
Regards
George

 

[Sharni]

I will always bring my sleeping bag as the few blankets that I did see were certainly not laundered very often - much better in my opinion to be self sufficient likewise my own pillow slip. I always was provided a pillow. The Albergues are generally fairly basic, providing much welcome shelter and a bed - they do get hot at night even in Spring. To me the steady flow of get up in the morning, get dressed, put away your sleeping bag and walk out the door, find a place for breakfast, walk, eat, talk, walk, eat, talk, find a place to sleep, and repeat each day is very therapeutic. It's a very social communal living style where you may or may not eat in the Albergue as some but not all offer meals, there is usually a kitchen but not always kitchen utensils. I generally got a hot shower, I always got a good nights sleep (I'd recommend ear plugs though). I think the secret to Albergues is to be flexible and grateful for what you have, after all if its not to your liking it's only for one night and then you can move on ..... I love it!!
Buen camino

 

[Anemone del Camino]

On the Camino del Norte you will come across a number of albergues that give you top and bottom sheets (San Sebastian and Bilbao for ex.). Some even add blankets (Llanes and Zarautz), and some already have the bed made, with a duvet and give you proper towels (Albergue Piedad in Boo de Pielagos). On the primitivo some of the ones that opened recently also let you know on their website that they provide full bedding. This being said, this is the exception, nor the norm, and since you will need to sleep every night you will still need to provide YOB.