Places to stay on camino frances for a extra day

[Cookiedave]

I am starting the Camino Frances on 13th may, and was/are wondering which are the interesting places to possibly visit/stay an extra day on route ?
Its been suggested Pamplona, Burgos, Leon, Astorga(Episcopal palace)… any other suggestions ?
I am walking from sjpdp to fisterra via muxia
thx

 

[scruffy1]

Buen Camino! You did not say if you are looking for a rest day or a fun day or a culture day or just what. A rest day(?) don't consider Burgos or León both are far too interesting - urban delights of museums, churches, restaurants, even shops too many nooks and crannies demanding exploration - not a chance for a rest you may find your self walking as much or more than on the Camino. Logroño would be the place to plan or to recover from a pintxos/tapas crawl - likewise, Astorga (Episcopal Palace is the poor man's Gaudi they didn't like the plan and changed much after he was gone) over and done in 20 minutes) but a good place to recover from a dinner of cocido maragato and don't miss the chocolate. I could recommend a Sunday spent in sipping coffee then tasting wine while watching the the old guys playing botifarra or crashing dominoes on the table in Los Arcos or Santo Domingo de Calzada or Carrión de los Condes (maybe stay in Villalcázar de Sirga for the church and walk 6 next morning for Carrión) - just enough to see and do between each coffee/bar. A lot of people to watch coming and going on the weekend in O'Cebreiro plus some of the best pulpo on the Camino, I personally don't much like Ponferrada - Tricastela, Palas de Rei, Arca, Melide also have no attraction for me - Portomarin would be a port in the storm if you are with some new found friends otherwise a bit boring. And Portomarin resolves the situation - you will meet up and become friends with many new people - if one such wants a rest day stop over with him/her where-ever and enjoy Camino life!

 

[Cookiedave]

Thx,
Well you've got me there mate....lol
Even on a normal holiday, I've not been one to lie on a beach I'm to hypoactive, I'm not really one for museums either (can count on one hand how many I've visited in my life). So I guess I meant look around city and not necessarily get up at the crack of dawn, stay in a private/cheep hotel with private bathroom/shower. As was suggested to me from another pilgrim which seemed a great idea.... Chill out try some nice local restaurants as I'm a x chef, now a dogwalker in London.... The octopus sounds a great idea... And the wine tasting...
The above city's were mentioned to me on a information day at csj in London.
Buen Camino

 

[Mackie]

Consider O'Cebreiro and Ponferrada

I am starting the Camino Frances on 13th may, and was/are wondering which are the interesting places to possibly visit/stay an extra day on route ?
Its been suggested Pamplona, Burgos, Leon, Astorga(Episcopal palace)… any other suggestions ?
I am walking from sjpdp to fisterra via muxia
thx

 

[Peligro]

Logroño is the capital of La Rioja and right across the river from downtown you will find Bodegas Franco-Españolas which gives a good tour and wine tasting. I think Logroño might be the most underrated city on the Francés. It’s a great place for food, drink, relaxing and people watching in the main square. Calle Laurel is great fun also.

 

[Cookiedave]

Logroño is the capital of La Rioja and right across the river from downtown you will find Bodegas Franco-Españolas which gives a good tour and wine tasting. I think Logroño might be the most underrated city on the Francés. It’s a great place for food, drink, relaxing and people watching in the main square. Calle Laurel is great fun also.

Thx.... I’ll check it out,
Probably like most people I’m using the ‘John brierley’ guide for Camino
Regards

 

[Anamiri]

I am starting the Camino Frances on 13th may, and was/are wondering which are the interesting places to possibly visit/stay an extra day on route ?
Its been suggested Pamplona, Burgos, Leon, Astorga(Episcopal palace)… any other suggestions ?
I am walking from sjpdp to fisterra via muxia
thx

Sometimes a short day followed by exploring feels like a break.
I loved Rabanal, a small village with a lot to offer (but not a whole day, just an extended afternoon, as the walk from Astorga is quite easy).
By the time you get to Molineseca you might like a swim and a cool down in the beautiful river pool - the place is bigger than it seems. Its a very pretty place.
Leon and Burgos are great cities to explore, very different. Its easy to fill a whole day in them.

 

[Cookiedave]

Sometimes a short day followed by exploring feels like a break.
I loved Rabanal, a small village with a lot to offer (but not a whole day, just an extended afternoon, as the walk from Astorga is quite easy).
By the time you get to Molineseca you might like a swim and a cool down in the beautiful river pool - the place is bigger than it seems. Its a very pretty place.
Leon and Burgos are great cities to explore, very different. Its easy to fill a whole day in them.

Thx mate

 

[arturo garcia]

It depends on what you are looking for : art? Museums? party? tapas & vine? Solitude? Ruins? Stargazing in a mountain refuge?
, if you like romanic arquitecture,The Basilica of San Isidoro, called the "Sixtine Chapel of the Romanic" is in Leon, is the best preserved romanic complex in all Europe. Follow your heart! Buen Camino!

 

[Cookiedave]

I love my food and wine, very occasionally art & museums... being a kiwi love nature... but I guess I mean by a day off doing the tourist stuff... which is all of above...
It will be nice to have a private room and bathroom get up at say 8:30-9am and have a mooch around the city/village sites...
Descent/reasonable ££ meal and wine... and chill out...
Ready for next slog of Camino
Regards

 

[T0M]

Okay Scruffy Guy... You seem to have insight into what makes certain places unique. So I have a question for you:

Please suggest a smaller, mellow town with excellent pintxos/tapas cheap hangouts on or near the Frances. I've heard good things about Sebastian which I could divert to for a day or two before resuming the Frances.

Thanks

 

[Pelegrin]

. I could recommend a Sunday spent in sipping coffee then tasting wine while watching the the old guys playing botifarra or crashing dominoes on the table in Los Arcos or Santo Domingo de Calzada or Carrión de los Condes (maybe stay in Villalcázar de Sirga for the church and walk 6 next morning for Carrión) - just enough to see and do between each coffee/bar

No, No @scruffy1 that is a MUS area and Botifarra is a Catalan game, so the four old guys were playing Mus for sure (3 a grande, Pares si, Juego no...… )