Rooms in Bilbao June 2021

[Paul Wilson]

I have just noticed a possible accommodation issue for anyone walking through Bilbao in June 2021
There are 3 major sports events involving the Spanish national football team taking place on the 14th, 19th and 23rd June at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao the stadium hold over 50,000 so anyone planning their Camino May wish to plan ahead to avoid Bilbao on these dates as I would imagine accommodation will be scarce on those dates

 

[naplesdon]

I was there for the Rugby World Cup a few years ago. An Air BnB owner cancelled my reservation a week before I was supposed to arrive and I ended up having to stay in Laredo.

 

[MickMac]

Have been to Bilbao 4 or 5 times always stayed in Mecure decent hotel.

 

[peregrina2000]

I think that it is extremely in the realm of wishful thinking to think that sporting events for 50,000 people will be taking place next June in Bilbao. Hope springs eternal, though, so it is a good factoid for potential Norte peregrinos to keep in mind.

 

[Tincatinker]

Ah Bilbao. Have always headed to the Plaza Barria / Nuevo, handy for both the Abando & Concordia railway stations, though a bit of a schlep to Termibus / Bilbao Intermodal. A slow and very pleasant bar crawl has saved me the cost of an hotel room more than once. Plenty of benches under cover and the guys in the high-viz with the power-hoses will always wake you with a shake rather than a soaking.

I think any link between a possible football match and a possible pilgrimage in June 2021 is tenuous at best.

 

[ranthr]

Had a flight from Bilbao in middle of June this year on the day after some big music festival. Hotels were 1000 euros +, so I booked a room in Santander and a busticket to Bilbao in the morning in time for my flight. The corona put an and to it all anyway , but expect prices to be high when special events occur in Bilbao.
Some other year I ended up in Punte la Reina after a walk through a part of GR654 and wanted to stay a night in San Sebastian before taking a train to Toulouse for my flight home. No rooms at all. Learned later that Brice Springsteen had a consert the same night. So special event might make problems.

 

[nathanael]

I have just noticed a possible accommodation issue for anyone walking through Bilbao in June 2021
There are 3 major sports events involving the Spanish national football team taking place on the 14th, 19th and 23rd June at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao the stadium hold over 50,000 so anyone planning their Camino May wish to plan ahead to avoid Bilbao on these dates as I would imagine accommodation will be scarce on those dates

I guess you suppose people will be willing to walk the Camino? Hopefully, I would if there is a vaccine and Spain allows people from North America/Canada tootravel?

 

[trecile]

When faced with a large event in a city on the Camino the easiest thing is to plan your stages to stay elsewhere.
I passed through Pamplona during San Fermín, but stayed in Cizur Menor, where I had a reservation at Albergue Maribel Roncal.

 

[Paul Wilson]

Good morning all, a few good observations came in overnight so let’s see
@peregrina2000 i think those involved will be looking to get as many as possible allowed to the events plus I think people will also go in the hope of getting in to the event
@nathanael yes I I think people will be walking, by June I think numbers of the virus will be on the “summer decline” plus with various vaccines in production people will feel more confident
@trecile good advice, the purpose of the post is to give pilgrims a “heads up” this could create a perfect storm for beds especially the 4th event which is yet to be announced but will fall the following week and will have an impact on those planning to arrive at SdC for the 25th July celebrations. Plus if there is anyone like me on the forum (and I’m pretty sure there is) I’m well into planning for May next year and will be looking at booking some key stops in the next few weeks so it’s good to know what you are walking in to. Buen camino mi amigos

 

[lt56ny]

When faced with a large event in a city on the Camino the easiest thing is to plan your stages to stay elsewhere.
I passed through Pamplona during San Fermín, but stayed in Cizur Menor, where I had a reservation at Albergue Maribel Roncal.

Great albergue and even though it was almost 10 years ago I remember Marcel who tended to everyone’s feet. I had no blisters and being a rookie didn’t have much foot care knowledge. After she took care of the many walking wounded she spent a few minutes with me and gave me great foot care tips. Had a nice meal across the street with some other pilgrims. Fortunately I didn’t catch a flu that someone came down with in my room that night. That is not the albergue’s fault. Loved the garden and had such a good evening there. Haven’t been able to stay there my other two times on the CF.

 

[lisaflora]

I have just noticed a possible accommodation issue for anyone walking through Bilbao in June 2021
There are 3 major sports events involving the Spanish national football team taking place on the 14th, 19th and 23rd June at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao the stadium hold over 50,000 so anyone planning their Camino May wish to plan ahead to avoid Bilbao on these dates as I would imagine accommodation will be scarce on those dates

Thank you!

 

[Paul Wilson]

As a final post script to this thread it has just been announced that the events previously planned for Bilbao in June will now be moved to Seville which if restrictions are lifted or eased soon should benefit pilgrims with less people vying for the same rooms, although I did like the sound of @Tincatinker option of a bench under cover as a regular camper this appeals to me, I may have to give it a try when I walk the Norte