Seeking Recommendations for Memorable Stops along the Camino Francés

[Mark Greenwood]

Hi, I want to start by thanking you all for the help given in responses to past posts, they have been invaluable.

So my time is coming, arrive SJPD, to depart on my Camino on the 10th. I have booked accommodation in SJPD, Orrison and Roncevalles from there I will just go with the flow and book for the nights ahead.

I was just wondering, for those that have completed, or are familiar with the route to Santiago and beyond, where if anywhere would you chose to spend more time? What sights did you accidentally stumble across that you’re pleased you did? Or where on reflection would you like to detour to because you heard it would be worth seeing? For me I’m lucky as time is not an issue, so as this may be my only Camino I want it to be truly an amazing adventure…..Thank you in advance.

 

[Bradypus]

I'd recommend taking the detour via the extraordinary church at Eunate. Adds a few km to the day if you are aiming for Puente la Reina but well worthwhile.

 

[Mark Greenwood]

I'd recommend taking the detour via the extraordinary church at Eunate. Adds a few km to the day if you are aiming for Puente la Reina but well worthwhile.

This chuch?

 

[mspath]

I would recommend a copy of this book on your Kindle to browse every night before you set off walking each new day.

Filled with a multitude of possibilities re the cultural richness found along the way The Pilgrimage Road to Santiago by David M Gitlitz and Linda Kay Davidson is a great resource. This is available on Amazon in both paperback and as a Kindle ebook.

Happy research and Buen camino!

Whatever you read/wherever you go while walking be sure to stop periodically to look behind you.Those personal pleasures of seeing how far you have come will stay in your memory forever!

 

[musicman]

Best book I’ve found and used on my Caminos - MOON CAMINO de SANTIAGO by Beebe Bahrami - you’ll be spoilt for choice.

 

[davejsy]

View attachment 161705 This chuch?

Yes - and I would second that recommendation. It's a wonderful place, and free entry for pilgrims.

 

[davejsy]

Best book I’ve found and used on my Caminos - MOON CAMINO de SANTIAGO by Beebe Bahrami - you’ll be spoilt for choice.

I had this on my phone, and it was great for finding places of interest, and potential cool places to stay. I would say that they can become fairly quickly outdated in some respects, so allow for that.

In terms of memorable places then it very much depends on what context you ask as what would be memorable for one would not be for someone else. For instance, some of the cities you pass through are beautiful and a place to spend a day or two, while for others they are places to hurry on through to return to the peace of the trail.

 

[Bothydave]

Hi, I want to start by thanking you all for the help given in responses to past posts, they have been invaluable.

So my time is coming, arrive SJPD, to depart on my Camino on the 10th. I have booked accommodation in SJPD, Orrison and Roncevalles from there I will just go with the flow and book for the nights ahead.

I was just wondering, for those that have completed, or are familiar with the route to Santiago and beyond, where if anywhere would you chose to spend more time? What sights did you accidentally stumble across that you’re pleased you did? Or where on reflection would you like to detour to because you heard it would be worth seeing? For me I’m lucky as time is not an issue, so as this may be my only Camino I want it to be truly an amazing adventure…..Thank you in advance.

Partly you should plan rest days in interesting places that also give you access to facilities to replace damaged gear, seek medical attention if required and chill.
burgos and Leon are for me fascinating places well worth a day to themselves each. The culture to be absorbed is just awesome.
other places such as Ponferadda and Astorga are well worth taking time over and also provide excellent facilitie.
for me it is not just the walk but the culture and food experience as well.

 

[David]

Don't plan so you know what is next - be surprised .. walk .. continually bring things unexpected into view - be surprised, at every moment.

 

[Ernie Fraser]

Hi, I want to start by thanking you all for the help given in responses to past posts, they have been invaluable.

So my time is coming, arrive SJPD, to depart on my Camino on the 10th. I have booked accommodation in SJPD, Orrison and Roncevalles from there I will just go with the flow and book for the nights ahead.

I was just wondering, for those that have completed, or are familiar with the route to Santiago and beyond, where if anywhere would you chose to spend more time? What sights did you accidentally stumble across that you’re pleased you did? Or where on reflection would you like to detour to because you heard it would be worth seeing? For me I’m lucky as time is not an issue, so as this may be my only Camino I want it to be truly an amazing adventure…..Thank you in advance.

Hi, I want to start by thanking you all for the help given in responses to past posts, they have been invaluable.

So my time is coming, arrive SJPD, to depart on my Camino on the 10th. I have booked accommodation in SJPD, Orrison and Roncevalles from there I will just go with the flow and book for the nights ahead.

I was just wondering, for those that have completed, or are familiar with the route to Santiago and beyond, where if anywhere would you chose to spend more time? What sights did you accidentally stumble across that you’re pleased you did? Or where on reflection would you like to detour to because you heard it would be worth seeing? For me I’m lucky as time is not an issue, so as this may be my only Camino I want it to be truly an amazing adventure…..Thank you in advance.

From Triacastela to Sarria, take the Samos route rather than the main route. While the main route through the St. Xil valley is beautiful, the walk to Samos is beautiful too. The Monastery of Samos is well worth a visit and the village has a number of services so time here seems worthwhile.

 

[JerryStroebele]

Between Ages and Burgos is Atapuerca. Just after San Juan de Ortega bridge and before Atapuerca is a "welcome center" which is actually an amazing little museum about Atapuerca man, of whom you will be in awe. It is just a km off of the Camino and well worth the diversion. Buen Camino

 

[oursonpolaire]

This is one of the places where the Camino is very subjective. What worked for me will not necessarily work for anyone else. I have long recommended Estella for a second day, partly to recharge after a very intense first week out of the start from Roncesvalles, partly because it has a lot of history and a few interesting places to look at. Of the cities, Leon has perhaps the most to offer, but little accidental stops such as Luquin or Samos are well worth the detour.

Gitlitz and Davidson is a tremendous resource, and one of my bedside books. You can't go wrong with it.

 

[lt56ny]

I would recommend a copy of this book on your Kindle to browse every night before you sent off walking each new day.

Filled with a multitude of possibilities re the cultural richness found along the way The Pilgrimage Road to Santiago by David M Gitlitz and Linda Kay Davidson is a great resource. This is available on Amazon in both paperback and as a Kindle ebook.

Happy research and Buen camino!

Whatever you read/wherever you go while walking be sure to stop periodically to look behind you.Those personal pleasures of seeing how far you have come will stay in your memory forever!

Love this book! It has something for all interests.

 

[Scotwalker]

Museum of Evolution in Burgos is not to be missed.

 

[Richard Smith]

The castle in Ponferada was a highlight for me, with a good library display of old books and a steep walled tunnel down to the river to get water during a siege.
On the other hand, a spontaneous decision to get a haircut and shampoo massage late on Saturday night, a shared paella at a donativo - things like this cannot be planned, just be open.

 

[Dani7]

From Triacastela to Sarria, take the Samos route rather than the main route. While the main route through the St. Xil valley is beautiful, the walk to Samos is beautiful too. The Monastery of Samos is well worth a visit and the village has a number of services so time here seems worthwhile.

Second that. So glad i did it

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

We stayed a few days in each of Sahagún and Astorga due to illness and injury. It was nice to stay in a town; more laid back than a city but with enough to see and do that wouldn't be available in a village. You might find a town of your own.

Two sights I think you should see is the earlier mentioned Romanesque church in Eunate and the Royal Pantheon in León. Check the open times for Eunate to get to see the inside. The Pantheon is known for its ceiling frescos (the Sistine Chapel of Romanesque Art). It is at the museum attched to the Basilica de San Isadoro and it has a chalice that has only recently been entered into the list of possible or purported Holy Grails.

I just asked Peg for her opinion on your question. She recommends staying an extra day in each of Burgos and León to spend enough time at their cathedrals. Then she threw in visiting the castle at Ponferrada.

Museum of St Isidoro - Royal Collegiate

Web Oficial Museo Panteón San Isidoro de León. Es uno de los mejores conjuntos Románicos de Europa. Conserva el posible Santo Grial.

www.museosanisidorodeleon.com

 

[markie6]

I've found during my caminos that it's the people I am with at any given location that made places memorable. Random strangers for a day enjoying the moments.

In the spirit of the topic , perhaps Astorga and the museum of the camino

 

[MARSKA]

Burgos was my personal fav for a larger city. Stayed at Meson El Cid and the mini. Rabanal or El Cebo were my fav small towns. The refugios in Rabanal is wonderful.
That said, it was the people that made places special rather than the interesting sites.

 

[MARSKA]

Please report back to us from time to time. It's nice for us at home to hear from traveling pilgrims!!!!