Recommendations (Leon to Santiago) Frances - towns for rest days, and places with pilgrim services

Beth and Rodney · Mar 5, 2023

We did the first half of the Frances last year and will walk from Leon to SdC this summer. I would like 2 recommendations.

1. We want to schedule 2 rest days between Leon & SdC. What towns have a lot of charm and would be nice stops?

2. Are there churches, albergues, convents or monasteries that hold regular services for pilgrims between Leon & SdC?

Thx for your assistance.

Buen Camino

Roseangel · Mar 5, 2023

Ponferrada is a lovely town with the Castle and would give you time to explore
Also I am planning two nights in Trabadelo at Casa Susie’s, a lovely village to relax and absorb your walk so far
Buen Camino

mspath · Mar 5, 2023

Beth and Rodney,

Here is a list of CF monasteries, convents and chapter houses which host pilgrims; it was prepared in 2015 but is still quite valid.

See also this thread with comments/ updates re the list.

Happy planning and Buen camino to you both

naplesdon · Mar 5, 2023

There are so many options. One very special service is the vespers in Rabanal.

mspath · Mar 5, 2023

See also this thread for more re Mass and Monasteries along the Camino Frances.

PhxRiles · Mar 5, 2023

Roseangel said:
Ponferrada is a lovely town with the Castle and would give you time to explore
Also I am planning two nights in Trabadelo at Casa Susie’s, a lovely village to relax and absorb your walk so far
Buen Camino

Casa Susi is one of THE best albergues between Leon and Santiago!

Scott Fraser · Mar 5, 2023

Beth and Rodney said:
We did the first half of the Frances last year and will walk from Leon to SdC this summer. I would like 2 recommendations.

1. We want to schedule 2 rest days between Leon & SdC. What towns have a lot of charm and would be nice stops?

2. Are there churches, albergues, convents or monasteries that hold regular services for pilgrims between Leon & SdC?

Thx for your assistance.

Buen Camino

Some suggestions.
1. Towns for rest days: Molenaseca - sit in the park and swim in the river. Samos - visit the monastery. Astorga - see Cathedral, Gaudi Palace, and Roman Museum (Museo Romano La Ergast)

2. Albergues: Vega de Valcarce - Albergue El Paso (clean and comfortable, lovely place to sit in the sun enjoying the mountains after a long day walking uphill). Filoval - Albergue Filoval (good cafe bar with a nice garden)

David Tallan · Mar 5, 2023

Astorga would be my first choice, if it is not too close to Leon to take a rest day already.

Villafranca del Bierzo is a very nice town that many recommend for rest days and which doesn't seem to have been mentioned in this thread yet.

Laura Olsen · Mar 5, 2023

There is a lovely service at the church in Rabanal.

Marbe2 · Mar 5, 2023

Beth and Rodney said:
We did the first half of the Frances last year and will walk from Leon to SdC this summer. I would like 2 recommendations.

1. We want to schedule 2 rest days between Leon & SdC. What towns have a lot of charm and would be nice stops?

2. Are there churches, albergues, convents or monasteries that hold regular services for pilgrims between Leon & SdC?

Thx for your assistance.

Buen Camino

When areyou going?

Beth and Rodney · Mar 7, 2023

Marbe2 said:
When areyou going?

July 2 we depart from the US.

SeñorJacques · Mar 7, 2023

David Tallan said:
Astorga would be my first choice, if it is not too close to Leon to take a rest day already.

Villafranca del Bierzo is a very nice town that many recommend for rest days and which doesn't seem to have been mentioned in this thread yet.

Seconding this. Both are among my favorite towns on the Camino. I spent two nights in Astoria and there is plenty to see there (don’t miss the bishop’s palace and cathedral museum.) I only spent an overnight in Villafranca but it is a beautiful place and I would have loved to have spent another day there simply relaxing and taking in the scenery.

Marbe2 · Mar 11, 2023

A good place to take a pause would be in Ponferrada. Things to explore

THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Ponferrada - 2024 (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

Things to Do in Ponferrada, Spain: See Tripadvisor's 19,730 traveler reviews and photos of Ponferrada tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in February. We have reviews of the best places to see in Ponferrada. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions.

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Some really nice restaurants. Treat yourself to a private room in a small hotel!

If you are seeking a real rest day in a pastoral tiny town, try Las Herreras, before the climb to OCebreiro. Casa Lixa has both private room and dorm.

Actually, when walking fom Leon to SdC, I tend to shorten the distances rather than take rest days. I do take one, for sure, in Arzua because I like to dine at a particular restaurant.

wanderingvirg · Mar 11, 2023

Astorga would be my choice

SeñorJacques said:
Seconding this. Both are among my favorite towns on the Camino. I spent two nights in Astoria and there is plenty to see there (don’t miss the bishop’s palace and cathedral museum.) I only spent an overnight in Villafranca but it is a beautiful place and I would have loved to have spent another day there simply relaxing and taking in the scenery.

I agree with this choice as well. Astorga had quite a few Roman ruins. We took the museum walking tour. In Spanish but we picked up the basic idea of each site. The palace designed by Gaudi is wonderful and one of the displays is an older Cruz de Ferro.

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Recommendations (Leon to Santiago) Frances - towns for rest days, and places with pilgrim services

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