accommodations

Guide to Accommodations on el Camino de Santiago

outside facade of an hotel on el Camino de Santiago

The Camino de Santiago is popular because it combines historical significance, spiritual exploration, scenic beauty, and a sense of community into a transformative journey. Unlike typical tourist destinations, you won't find any Holiday Inns or chain hotels along the route. Instead, the accommodations nestled in quaint villages exude a unique appeal that captivates travelers. Walking from village to village, without being whisked away from the Camino, allows you to tread the same path as countless pilgrims before you, spanning centuries back to the Middle Ages.

2021 and 2022: Holy Years on el Camino

Santiago Cathedral renovated
2010, the last Holy Year, was a busy and vibrant time on the Camino. The number of pilgrims walking the Camino and receiving a Compostela more than doubled from previous years. The Archbishop of Santiago opened a special door to the Cathedral on the afternoon of December 31st, 2020 signifying the beginning of a new Jubilee year. In this case, two Holy Years as both 2021 and 2022 qualify.

Same-day rooms on el Camino

closed albergue

I recently received a call from a family that wanted some advice on walking the Camino de Santiago this summer. They had booked their flights into Spain and were going to start walking from St. Jean Pied de Port, walk a few days, then take a train down to Sarria and walk the last 100km. They had read from guide books and forums that it is easy to find overnight accommodations upon arriving at the major towns, even if it is in a crowded albergue (hostel), and they wanted to confirm that this was the case.