Where to sleep on the Saint James way?

On the Camino de Santiago, accommodation is an essential part of the pilgrimage experience. From friendly hostels to four-star hotels, each option caters to a different budget, comfort level, and mindset. Here's a comprehensive overview of the available options to help you plan your stages.

Main Types of Accommodation

Pilgrim hostels and guesthouses: These are the traditional and most economical accommodations (budget between €10 and €25), often in dormitories with half-board. A pilgrim's credential (credencial) is generally required. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed, but the comfort level is basic. Municipal hostels (albergue) are very common in Spain on the main routes, such as the Camino Francés.

- Bed and breakfasts and rural guesthouses : Here you will find more comfort and privacy, with single or double rooms and breakfast (budget between €40 and €50). Ideal for resting after several days spent in dormitories.

- Hotels, guesthouses, and hostels : These types of accommodation are found in the larger towns and villages. More expensive, but also more suitable for those taking a day or two off or when the hostels are full (yes, this can happen, especially in peak season :-).

- Apartments for rent : Via Airbnb or Booking, for more independence and privacy. This can be a practical solution for groups who don't want to split up.

- Donativo : This type of accommodation is based on the Christian tradition of hospitality: guests are welcomed in exchange for a voluntary financial contribution. It can be found in France as well as Spain, in guesthouses, convents, or monasteries. It's a socially responsible and economical practice, true to the spirit of the Camino.

- Camping and bivouacking : This is a good option for adventurers and people like me who want freedom of movement, but it remains subject to local regulations and requires appropriate equipment. Some sections of the route offer designated areas. To pitch your tent in the wilderness, check the regulations before you leave, as each region/province in Spain has its own rules. Just remember that sleeping under the stars (without shelter) is tolerated there; that opens up a world of possibilities, doesn't it?!?

tunel de San Adrian sur le Camino vasco del interior en Espagne

Useful Resources

Specialized guides: Miam-Miam Dodo (very practical for locating all the stages and accommodations in France).

Apps and websites (non-exhaustive list):

Gronze : detailed database of accommodations in Spain.

Buen Camino : a very practical mobile app for easily planning your stages and finding your way.

Saint-Jacques Info : a useful website for choosing your route in France, Spain, and Portugal.

Official website of the French Agency for the Camino de Santiago : a comprehensive information database.

Camino associations : they will provide you with advice, maps, and lists of local accommodations.

Tourist offices : in France, you will find them in each department you cross (Lot, Aveyron, Ariège, Pyrénées-Orientales, etc.), and they will give you up-to-date information. Note the specific opening hours in Spain: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

FFRandonnée Occitanie : the French hiking federation offers information on the GR® long-distance hiking trails and various routes to Compostela.

Practical Advice

- Book in advance during peak season (May–September).

- Always carry your pilgrim's passport (credencial) with you: it is required in many accommodations.

- Vary your accommodation options: alternate between guesthouses for a friendly atmosphere, bed and breakfasts for comfort, and donation-based lodgings (donativos) for a sense of solidarity.

- Inquire locally at tourist offices, local associations, or with residents.

- Respecting the places and accommodations helps perpetuate the spirit of fraternity and simplicity of the Camino. Every act of respect will contribute to preserving this age-old tradition, the respectable image, and the reputation of the pilgrims.

The 10 Commandments of the Pilgrim :

1- Respect the silence of the places : hostels, churches, and monasteries are spaces for rest and prayer.

2- Tidy up after yourself : leave the accommodation as clean as you found it.

3- Share the space kindly : in dormitories, avoid noise, respect schedules, and be considerate of others.

4- Use your pilgrim's passport only when you are on the Camino de Santiago : it is your pilgrim's passport and grants access to certain accommodations at reduced prices. Don't abuse it.

5- Contribute fairly : in donation centers, give according to your means, but always with gratitude.

6- Respect local rules : each accommodation has its own guidelines (shoes to be removed at the entrance, shared kitchen, curfew hours, etc.).

7- Protect the environment : leave no trace behind, respect nature and the villages you pass through.

8- Be supportive : help other pilgrims if needed, and share useful information about accommodations.

9- Respect the tradition of hospitality : be polite and grateful to the hosts who welcome you, whether they are volunteers or professionals.

10- Remember that you are a guest : the Camino and its accommodations do not belong to you; you are only passing through, like thousands of pilgrims before you.