Pre-booking & post-Easter (2025) numbers on the Norte

[PelegrinNikolai]

Hi all, and thank you in an advance for your time and consideration

I'm very much in my "Camino dreaming" phase, but next year I'll be looking to pre-book some of my accomodation for my planned Norte-Primitivo-Verde pilgrimage.

My plan is to start gently from Bayonne and do mostly 15-25km days with some shorter days than that to account for sightseeing and side-trips (if I have the energy). There's a few longer coastal alternatives on my radar as well

Current idea for getting to Easter, subject to plenty of change particularly on the Voie Littorale stretch:
(I would probably walk through Irun rather than take the ferry to Hondarribia)



I'm fit early 30s and do 15km walks frequently without my legs noticing. I love museums, churches, culture, nature, photography.... I want to savour my trip rather than be stressed and in a hurry.

I'll be carrying my own bag but want to stay in private accomodations where possible. I'm someone that wants to pre-book all of my stays (that's just my nature) - but wondering if I could loosen up with that a bit after Easter has passed. I think I would like to spend the Easter Sat/Sun (19/20 April) in Bilbao. Not looking for a "Camino family", I'm an introvert that wants to decompress and sketch in the evenings. Maybe I can relax that on a future Camino Francés pilgrimage and do the dorm experience (but not during Easter!)

So, my question is - how soon after Easter and Bilbao do the numbers and accomodation pressures tend to ease?

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Wow, I’ve only just seen this post, can’t believe no one has answered you.

As you probably know, the Norte has less accommodation options than many other routes, and weekends/ holiday periods these are often sought by holidaymakers and Surfers. That said, as I understand it (I have NOT walked the Norte yet) , you can often get away with booking just a couple of days ahead. With a couple of key exceptions like Bilbao -sorry, I don’t have access to my notes at present, can’t remember which these were.
Research under Norte here on the forum, should give you most of what you need.

Number’s normally drop off quite quickly after Easter, but do check for public holidays that might affect your timeframe. Especially if they’re near a weekend!

And remember, if you book directly you’ll often get a better rate - mention that you’re a pilgrim, it sometimes gets you a much better price. Casa Benigno in Friol (on the Verde) springs to mind - I paid €30 by emailing directly, identifying myself as a pilgrim on the Verde. Saved me 20/30€. Others are not as dramatic, but often €5 - €10y. And the business benefits by not paying the website fees.

Enjoy your planning!