Samos option?

[Walden]

Is there still an option to stay in Samos? I missed it years ago and would like to take that option if still possible. Any information welcome and appreciated.

 

[trecile]

Gronze.com is a great resource.
It's in Spanish but if you use the Chrome browser it will automatically translate to English or the language you choose.
Here's the information for Samos, and it looks like the monastery is open.

Samos, Lugo | Albergues y Hoteles | Gronze.com

www.gronze.com

 

[Cleigh]

Is there still an option to stay in Samos? I missed it years ago and would like to take that option if still possible. Any information welcome and appreciated.

We are booked to stay in Samos at A Casa da Botica. It is highly rated and sounds like a great spot.

 

[trecile]

If I were spending the night in Samos I would try to get a booking at Casa Licerio. Some friends stayed there and I got to see it in the morning before we started walking. A great place with a great hospitalera.

Casa Licerio - Samos - Google Search

 

[Anniesantiago]

I love the walk to Sarria from Samos. One of my favorite sections!

 

[Albertagirl]

I have so far stayed twice in the monastic albergue at Samos, and shall do so again, if I find myself walking through there. I don't know if they are open at present. If they are, I don't know if I would want to stay there at present: one fairly large dormitory, full of bunk beds, and one bathroom (separate bath and toilet stalls). The cold and damp were so severe both times that I stayed there that I passed on getting a shower. And I helped myself to one of their warm woolen blankets for the cold night, to supplement my light-weight sleeping bag. But I expect that blankets will not be available during the pandemic. I won't try to explain why I stayed there. If you did so, you will understand. I cannot guarantee that you will be comfortable.

 

[Walden]

I have so far stayed twice in the monastic albergue at Samos, and shall do so again, if I find myself walking through there. I don't know if they are open at present. If they are, I don't know if I would want to stay there at present: one fairly large dormitory, full of bunk beds, and one bathroom (separate bath and toilet stalls). The cold and damp were so severe both times that I stayed there that I passed on getting a shower. And I helped myself to one of their warm woolen blankets for the cold night, to supplement my light-weight sleeping bag. But I expect that blankets will not be available during the pandemic. I won't try to explain why I stayed there. If you did so, you will understand. I cannot guarantee that you will be comfortable.

Thanks, that's really helpful.

 

[NualaOC]

If I were spending the night in Samos I would try to get a booking at Casa Licerio. Some friends stayed there and I got to see it in the morning before we started walking. A great place with a great hospitalera.

Casa Licerio - Samos - Google Search

That's good to know, @trecile. I've booked it for an Easter 2022 Camino with my niece.

 

[mspath]

In Samos a pleasant restaurant/hotel with a great menu de dia at the western side of the village is A Veiga.

Hotel A Veiga - Samos

Hotel A Veiga, situado en pleno camino de Santiago, ofrece un confortable descanso en su Hotel y unos platos insuperables en su restaurante.

hotelaveiga.com

I have often eaten there but have never stayed there.

The monastery is at the eastern side of the village as you enter on the camino.

The monastery albergue for all pilgrims has 90 beds, is extremely basic as well as frigid in winter. The monastery also offers a hospederia see more info here

Abadía de Samos · Monasterio de Samos · Abadía Benedictina de San Julián de Samos

Abadía de Samos · Monasterio de Samos · Abadía Benedictina de San Julián de Samos

www.abadiadesamos.com

Pilgrims staying in the monastery albergue are escorted by a monk through the interior to the evening Vespers service in the chapel. Life size images line the corridor walls. In the dim light the mix of living and painted figures including all wearing black robes is most surreal!

You need not stay in the Samos monastery albergue in order to attend the evening Vespers service. Check the time for the service and wait on the high steps outside the west front of the monastery church. The door will be opened shortly before the service.

 

[JMac TO]

Is there still an option to stay in Samos? I missed it years ago and would like to take that option if still possible. Any information welcome and appreciated.

It is a magical walk to Samos and the town just appears out of no where. I highly recommend it. There is also a small restaurant across the street from the albergue where I had an amazing meal. It is a shame more pilgrims don’t stay here. There were only 5 of us there in June 2017.

 

[offtrail1]

If I were spending the night in Samos I would try to get a booking at Casa Licerio. Some friends stayed there and I got to see it in the morning before we started walking. A great place with a great hospitalera.

Casa Licerio - Samos - Google Search

Stayed there as well. Recommended.

 

[GraemeHall]

I have so far stayed twice in the monastic albergue at Samos, and shall do so again, if I find myself walking through there. I don't know if they are open at present. If they are, I don't know if I would want to stay there at present: one fairly large dormitory, full of bunk beds, and one bathroom (separate bath and toilet stalls). The cold and damp were so severe both times that I stayed there that I passed on getting a shower. And I helped myself to one of their warm woolen blankets for the cold night, to supplement my light-weight sleeping bag. But I expect that blankets will not be available during the pandemic. I won't try to explain why I stayed there. If you did so, you will understand. I cannot guarantee that you will be comfortable.

I get it, Albertagirl. One of my most memorable Camino experiences......I never felt more like a Pilgrim.

 

[Rozenn]

Is there still an option to stay in Samos? I missed it years ago and would like to take that option if still possible. Any information welcome and appreciated.

I stayed in Tras do Convento end of April 2018just m front of the door of the Monasterio Albergue..,, the cold and humidity coming out of the Monasterio dormitory when you opened the door made me go away !
In Tras do Convento it was very confortable and I had a delicious and cheap meal ! The keeper and bartender were 2 Brazilian Liam ladies so nice and helpful !
Tras do Convento

 

[Chris Gi]

In Samos a pleasant restaurant/hotel with a great menu de dia at the western side of the village is A Veiga.

Hotel A Veiga - Samos

Hotel A Veiga, situado en pleno camino de Santiago, ofrece un confortable descanso en su Hotel y unos platos insuperables en su restaurante.

hotelaveiga.com

I have often eaten there but have never stayed there.

The monastery is at the eastern side of the village as you enter on the camino.

The monastery albergue for all pilgrims has 90 beds, is extremely basic as well as frigid in winter. The monastery also offers a hospederia see more info here

Abadía de Samos · Monasterio de Samos · Abadía Benedictina de San Julián de Samos

Abadía de Samos · Monasterio de Samos · Abadía Benedictina de San Julián de Samos

www.abadiadesamos.com

Pilgrims staying in the monastery albergue are escorted by a monk through the interior to the evening Vespers service in the chapel. Life size images line the corridor walls. In the dim light the mix of living and painted figures including all wearing black robes is most surreal!

You need not stay in the Samos monastery albergue in order to attend the evening Vespers service. Check the time for the service and wait on the high steps outside the west front of the monastery church. The door will be opened shortly before the service.

We stayed at A Veiga in 2018. It was very nice, very clean, very comfortable, very hospitable. BUT, it was a good walk from the Monastery (after having already walked many miles) and the lovely restaurants in that eastern part of town beside the monastery. We had gone to A Veiga first on arriving in Samos to check in. They did not have a pilgrims meal and did not serve dinner until quite late - 9 o'clock I believe so we walked back into town to eat at a great restaurant across from the monastery. Breakfast at A Veiga was great - they had a huge dining room and we were the only pilgrims there. It was right on the path to start out the next morning. Mid range price for lovely private rooms with bathroom.
I would highly recommend doing the walk to Sarria from Tricastella going via Samos.

 

[Richmond Gardner]

If I were spending the night in Samos I would try to get a booking at Casa Licerio. Some friends stayed there and I got to see it in the morning before we started walking. A great place with a great hospitalera.

Casa Licerio - Samos - Google Search

What year were you there?…we met the wonderful proprietor Ashley Weaver in Sarria in May 2017. It’s too bad she’s moved on to something else now. I hear it was still great in 2018 and 2019.

 

[trecile]

What year were you there?…we met the wonderful proprietor Ashley Weaver in Sarria in May 2017. It’s too bad she’s moved on to something else now. I hear it was still great in 2018 and 2019.

It was August 2017.
I didn't meet Ashley, but she had a wonderful woman from (I believe) South America, or with roots there, staying with her who made the most delicious empanadas for breakfast.

 

[Rex]

Stayed at the monastery dormitory in Oct, 2013. Monks gave us a late afternoon tour of the cloisters, the library and art works and a short lecture on the history of Samos (seems to burn down every few hundred years). The monastery church has a significant pipe organ that was (unfortunately) quite poorly played on the evening we attended (my wife is a retired professional organist and chamber music harpsichord player, so expectations were perhaps a bit high). Food across the street from the monastery was very good. Only drawbacks were that the dormitory was quite chilly at night and the showers were pretty primitive.
We'd stay there again, just to see more of the art and architecture of the place. Note: hospitalero roused everyone at 6:30am and literally ran us all out by 7:00am, locking the door behind the laggard (me) on my way out.

 

[Former member 88968]

I love the walk to Sarria from Samos. One of my favorite sections!

We made the mistake of walking along the road from Samos to Sarria - It was one of our worst sections!! But Samos is a must! Loved it!

 

[TaraWalks]

If I were spending the night in Samos I would try to get a booking at Casa Licerio. Some friends stayed there and I got to see it in the morning before we started walking. A great place with a great hospitalera.

Casa Licerio - Samos - Google Search

I second Casa Licerio!

 

[makingtrax]

I stayed twice here at Samos monastery, 2017 october and 2019 july....had hot showers in clean cubicles on both occasions. Loved the atmosphere and the service in church. Wonderful experience...

 

[mspath]

I stayed twice here at Samos monastery, 2017 october and 2019 july....had hot showers in clean cubicles on both occasions. Loved the atmosphere and the service in church. Wonderful experience...

makingtrax,
Your description is certainly different from what I remember from staying in the frigid albergue March 2007. By chance did you stay in the more comfortable hospideria?

 

[BROWNCOUNTYBOB]

My wife and I walked from Fonfria to Samos on Oct 19, 2019. Rained the entire five hour hike. We ducked into the cathedral at Triacastela to get a stamp and avoid the rain, but the rain continued when we resumed hiking. Despite Goretex jackets, waterproof pants and gaiters, we were soaked to the bone by the time we arrived in Samos. Our location was very near the monastery, but we did not have the energy or motivation to step out in the rain to visit the monastery.

We stayed at Hotel Costa Victoria. The hotel is adjacent to a bar / restaurant. We stayed in a nice corner room with floor to ceiling windows. Unfortunately, the windows are poorly insulated, since we had condensation on the inside of the windows our entire time there. The bar / restaurant was excellent and the owner could have have been more welcoming. Both days he was wearing a camino t-shirt or sweatshirt. As we prepared to leave after breakfast, he signaled no charge, then hugged each one of us and whispered, "Buen Camino". Clearly he has a big heart for the camino! Bob

 

[makingtrax]

makingtrax,
Your description is certainly different from what I remember from staying in the frigid albergue March 2007. By chance did you stay in the more comfortable hospideria?

No I was in the original big dorm. If u were there in 2007 I think it has been upgraded. The bathrooms at least. They were light and airy, tiled in white tiles. Very clean. Unisex showers with doors and laundry tubs. Sleeping area very basic and somewhat chilly but I enjoyed the monastery atmosphere. Ate salad in the glorious park opposite. Did need the blankets provided thou. Cheers kiwi kay

 

[mspath]

No I was in the original big dorm. If u were there in 2007 I think it has been upgraded. The bathrooms at least. They were light and airy, tiled in white tiles. Very clean. Unisex showers with doors and laundry tubs. Sleeping area very basic and somewhat chilly but I enjoyed the monastery atmosphere. Ate salad in the glorious park opposite. Did need the blankets provided thou. Cheers kiwi kay

Thanks for your update; it is good learn that so much has improved.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I have regretted not taking the variant to Samos and to see, or stay at the monestery. All of these many positive posts are making me regret it all the more, even with its chilly interior.

 

[Anniesantiago]

We made the mistake of walking along the road from Samos to Sarria - It was one of our worst sections!! But Samos is a must! Loved it!

You missed the turn off! It's across the road and you must watch for the arrow!

 

[Anamiri]

You missed the turn off! It's across the road and you must watch for the arrow!

Lucky we didnt miss the turn off, it was a beautiful walk through the countryside in the mist, hardly saw a soul. Stopped at a nice donativo for a great breakfast. What a culture shock when we hit the crowds coming from Triacastela.
I would detour through Samos again - unless I walk the invierno.

 

[Former member 88968]

You missed the turn off! It's across the road and you must watch for the arrow!

Alas, no we didn't !! We did see the turn off but consciously made the decision to walk along the road because it was shorter distance wise. Our logic was - "walking to Samos was the longer option from Triacastella, so let's not take the longer option on consecutive days"!!! In hindsight, probably not our best decision LOL!!

 

[Gerard Griffin]

Samos route is lovely, the monastery albergue is open, and it's wonderful, but when I was there two weeks ago there was no ATM (Google maps is wrong) and no-one in the town accepted credit cards. A generous pilgrim bailed me out (the Camino provides ...), but don't risk it, bring cash

 

[Gerard Griffin]

The monastery itself is a dark but extraordinary place, interesting art and church, a little sinister perhaps. Don't miss the tour or the mass.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Alas, no we didn't !! We did see the turn off but consciously made the decision to walk along the road because it was shorter distance wise. Our logic was - "walking to Samos was the longer option from Triacastella, so let's not take the longer option on consecutive days"!!! In hindsight, probably not our best decision LOL!!

Oh yeah... it's such a beautiful stretch! Oh well, next time.

 

[SteveSherry]

Is there still an option to stay in Samos? I missed it years ago and would like to take that option if still possible. Any information welcome and appreciated.

Hi, I stayed in Samos in 1018. I didn’t do it in 2014/16 and only did it because I made it to Triacastela early so I pushed on to Samos. It’s amazing and certainly a little visited Camino highlight.
I stayed at the hotel on the corner at the rear of the Monastery . It’s a white building with lots of windows ( I know, I’m vague but I can’t remember the name ) just passed the monastery’s alburgue. It was inexpensive and I had a nice big room overlooking the Monastery.
The next day will be a short one to Sarria, so have lunch, and continue to Vilei ( 6 Kms ) and stay at Casa Barbedelo. It’s well worth it. Cheers

 

[Ste66]

If I were spending the night in Samos I would try to get a booking at Casa Licerio. Some friends stayed there and I got to see it in the morning before we started walking. A great place with a great hospitalera.

Casa Licerio - Samos - Google Search

We stayed at Casa Licerio in 2019,great place to stay in Samos, home from home and the walk into Samos is one of the highlights of the Frances in my opinion.

 

[NualaOC]

Alas, no we didn't !! We did see the turn off but consciously made the decision to walk along the road because it was shorter distance wise. Our logic was - "walking to Samos was the longer option from Triacastella, so let's not take the longer option on consecutive days"!!! In hindsight, probably not our best decision LOL!!

Thanks @Davybhoy for sharing this - I also noticed that the road was a much more direct route. Is it dangerous, or just less pleasant?

 

[Former member 88968]

Thanks @Davybhoy for sharing this - I also noticed that the road was a much more direct route. Is it dangerous, or just less pleasant?

We didn't find it especially dangerous, although there certainly some places where one must be vigilant. I recall one corner in particular was a bit dodgy. Most of it is on the road ie no footpaths. I suggest you take @Anniesantiago 's advice and take the country path. From memory it is about a kilometre outside Samos on the right hand side of the road. We were walking on the left (so we could see the traffic coming towards us) but still saw the turn off clearly.

 

[NualaOC]

We didn't find it especially dangerous, although there certainly some places where one must be vigilant. I recall one corner in particular was a bit dodgy. Most of it is on the road ie no footpaths. I suggest you take @Anniesantiago 's advice and take the country path. From memory it is about a kilometre outside Samos on the right hand side of the road. We were walking on the left (so we could see the traffic coming towards us) but still saw the turn off clearly.

Thanks for taking the time to reply - it's very helpful advice.

 

[alhartman]

IMO, Samos is a place of camino magic. The route from Tricastella is like a Hobbit set with all the slate roofs and big old hollowed out trees. And at the end of the walk, San Xulian seems to rise out of the valley. I know we are now in a ‘"design your own camino with nice alberges and kind hospitaleros and eat where the best pilgrim menu is" as we await Michelin to make a guide and further commercialize the experience.
The Samos monastery stay is the camino experience of decades ago: cold old stone vault with double bunks, dusty blankets and a barely adequate unisex shower and toilet room. Vespers is a must!! Sing/chant with the monks. There were maybe 20 monks, none under age 40 and Samos looks like it was built for 200-300. Take the tour!! Burned in the 50s I think, but the wall art is wonderful as are the cloisters. Visit the library!! If memory serves there is a copy of the Codex Calixtinus in one of the displays. The whole experience is like time travel back into the dark ages.

Save comfort seeking for your next night in Sarria. Go medieval and stay at Samos Monastery

 

[Jennylee]

I am w

Hi, I stayed in Samos in 1018. I didn’t do it in 2014/16 and only did it because I made it to Triacastela early so I pushed on to Samos. It’s amazing and certainly a little visited Camino highlight.
I stayed at the hotel on the corner at the rear of the Monastery . It’s a white building with lots of windows ( I know, I’m vague but I can’t remember the name ) just passed the monastery’s alburgue. It was inexpensive and I had a nice big room overlooking the Monastery.
The next day will be a short one to Sarria, so have lunch, and continue to Vilei ( 6 Kms ) and stay at Casa Barbedelo. It’s well worth it. Cheers

I am walking this route next week. Leaving Samos which is prettiest route to Vilei

 

[Tincatinker]

I am w

I am walking this route next week. Leaving Samos which is prettiest route to Vilei

Just follow the Camino. Once you are out of town its a beautiful woodland path

 

[Wdemoss]

I am w

I am walking this route next week. Leaving Samos which is prettiest route to Vilei

Let us know your experience. Would love to know!