CAMINO DE SANTIAGO ALBERGUES: WHAT TO EXPECT + HOW TO FIND THE BEST ONES.
After walking the Camino de Santiago in its many guises at least seven times over the last few years, one thing we’ve come to appreciate more than most is the unique alchemy of the albergue. It’s not just where you sleep. It’s where you swap stories, tend to blisters, and share both the best (and worst) of life on the trail.
Whether you’re preparing for your first pilgrimage or refining your approach for the next one, understanding the world of albergues is essential.
Here’s our full guide to everything you need to know about Camino de Santiago albergues—from what they are, how they work, how to choose the best ones, and how not to become that person in the dorm room.
What is a Camino de Santiago albergue?
Put simply, an albergue is a pilgrim hostel. These accommodations are specifically for people walking or cycling the Camino de Santiago. They’re scattered along all the main routes and are often the cheapest and most community-spirited places to stay.
You’ll usually find dormitory-style rooms with bunk beds (sometimes dozens to a room, other times a cosy 4-bed dorm), shared bathrooms, and basic cooking facilities. Some offer communal dinners, a glass of local wine.
Think of them as a cross between a backpacker hostel, sometimes a spiritual retreat, and a community centre—all designed to support your pilgrimage.
How Do You Pronounce Albergue?
You’re not the only one who’s stumbled over the word. In English phonetics, it’s: Al-berg-ay.
- Al as in “Al Green”
- Berg like “iceberg”
- Ay as in “Yay!”
You’ll get the hang of it quickly—and by week two, it’ll roll off your tongue like you’ve always known how to say it.
What makes them so unique?
Having walked other long-distance trails across Europe—some without any dedicated accommodation—we’ve come to realise how special albergues are. There’s a distinct spirit to them.
When else in your adult life do you get to share bunk beds with total strangers?
And then there are the donativo albergues—run by volunteers, often with heartfelt generosity, asking only for a donation in return. This means that the Camino is available to everyone, regardless of financial means.
There are three main types of albergues you’ll encounter on the Camino:
1. Municipal Albergues
- Run by local councils or religious organisations
- Often the cheapest option (sometimes just €6–€10)
- Basic but functional
- Usually no bookings—first come, first served
Municipal albergues exist to keep the Camino accessible to all. You’ll likely find them in every major stage town and they are particularly prominent in Galicia. Facilities vary, but don’t expect luxury—just a clean bed and a bathroom.
You can find our detailed guide to Municipal Albergues here.
2. Private Albergues
- Run by individuals or businesses
- Slightly more expensive (€12–€20+)
- Often more modern and comfortable
- Frequently offer online booking or phone/email reservations
These range from boutique-style hostels with courtyards and pools to small rural conversions. The facilities are usually better—think better showers, more plug sockets, and sometimes even laundry service or breakfast.
Since we started walking the Camino three years ago, we’ve noticed more and more private albergues popping up on the Camino. With these little touches of luxury, we are here for it.
3. Donativo Albergues
- Run on a donation basis (give what you can)
- Usually operated by volunteers or religious groups
- Often offer communal meals or reflection sessions
- Booking not usually available
We’ve stayed in some magical donativo albergues—places that feel more like homes than hostels. But we’ve also encountered a few that are a bit too “rustic” for us. Choose wisely, and always give generously if you can.
What can you expect in an albergue
If you’re used to hotels or even traditional hostels, albergue life can feel a little alien at first. But embrace it—it’s all part of the Camino charm.
Here’s what a standard night looks like:
- Dorm Rooms: Bunk beds are the norm. Bring earplugs, an eye mask, and patience.
- Bathrooms: Shared, unisex in many places, and occasionally quite hectic at peak times.
- Kitchens: Often basic or small. Most albergues will have somewhere to store food and a sink, even if not full kitchens.
- Laundry Facilities: Wash basins or machines (for a fee), plus clotheslines to hang your wet items.
- Check-in: Show your pilgrim credential and ID. Cash or card dependent on the albergue.
- Kick-out: Most albergues require you to leave by 8:30am—no lie-ins!
- Curfews: Municipal albergues and religious albergues (like monasteries) often have a curfew of 22:00.
Some will offer extras: yoga sessions, group dinners, hammocks, even communal breakfasts. But at their core, they’re places to rest, reflect, and connect.
What do you need to enter an Camino albergue?
As albergues are just for people on the Camino, you will need a credential to prove that you are walking or cycling.
In Spain, you will always be asked to show your passport or ID when checking into accommodation. This is no different when you arrive to an albergue.
Finally, we’ve been asked before if you need to be religious to stay in an albergue. This is absolutely not a pre-requisite. Even for staying in the more spiritual albergues, like monasteries.
How to choose the best albergues for you?
Your ideal albergue will depend on what you value most—location, comfort, community, quiet, cost?
Here’s what we recommend considering:
- Communal Vibe: Want to meet other pilgrims? Donativo and municipal options can have a stronger community feel. But then often it’s about the space – private albergues with gardens can be great for socialising.
- Rural v Town: We always try to mix it up between the two. Rural albergues tend to be sociable as there’s nowhere else for pilgrims to go in the evening. Whilst staying in a town means you can go to bars and restaurants nearby.
- Private Rooms: If you snore and you’re worried about it (or can’t handle snorers), consider private rooms in albergues.
- Kitchen Facilities: Planning to self-cater? Look for places with proper cooking areas.
- Outdoor Spaces: After a long walk, a shady terrace or garden is a game changer.
- Pilgrim Reviews: Use the Buen Camino app or Goolge Reviews, to check photos, ratings, and reviews.
- Wi-Fi & Plugs: Not every albergue is tech-friendly—ask if that’s essential.
Sometimes your choice will be made for you—especially in remote villages with just one albergue. But when you can choose, take a few minutes to research. It’s often worth it.
How much do albergues cost on the Camino in 2025
Here’s a rough guide to 2025 prices – although ntoe that prices vary on each route.
| Type of Albergue | Typical Cost (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Municipal | €5–€10 |
| Private | €12–€20+ |
| Donativo | Donation-based €10 is normally a guide |
| Pension/Guesthouse (private room) | €30–€50 |
| Mid-range Hotel | €50–€100 |
In general, albergue accommodation remains affordable—especially when compared with hotels elsewhere in Europe. You can still walk the Camino for under €30/day including food and accommodation if you choose to.
Don’t forget, in summer, prices of private rooms can sky rocket. Especially in popular coastal towns.
Looking for a cheaper Camino experience – we recently walked the Camino Mozarabe in the south of Spain, which is a little less expensive than the northern caminos.
How to book and find details of albergues
You don’t need to book every night in advance. In fact some people prefer not to. But there are exceptions—busy seasons, holidays, and certain stretches of the Camino (like Sarria to Santiago) can get booked up.
Increasingly, more people are booking their spaces in albergues, which means that there’s a bit more pressure to book.
We tend to walk quite long days, so favour booking to ensure that we can get a bed. But it’s really a personal choice.
How to find and book albergues:
- Buen Camino App – Our favourite, up-to-date listings with maps, reviews, and contact details.
- Gronze.com – A Spanish website with detailed listings.
- Booking.com – Some private albergues list here.
- Call, Email or WhatsApp – Many albergues still operate on old-school phone bookings.
- In-person – Just turn up early, especially at municipals.
Tip: Some private albergues will give up your bed if you haven’t arrived by a set time (usually around 4–5pm), so let them know if you’ll be late.
Rules and etiquette in Camino albergues
There’s an unspoken code in every albergue—and breaking it will make you that pilgrim. Here’s what you need to know:
- Keep Quiet After Lights Out – No talking, no rustling, and definitely no phone calls.
- No Boots/Shoes in the Dorm – Leave them in the designated area, usually by the door.
- Prep Before Bed – Lay out clothes and kit before the lights go out, especially if you plan to leave early.
- Wake Up Silently – Use a vibrating alarm and pack quietly.
- Don’t Hog Plug Sockets – Share the juice!
- Respect Shared Spaces – Keep kitchens, bathrooms, and drying lines clean.
- Snoring? –Is to be expected. Don’t hate on the snorers, just get ear plugs.
How to Sleep Well in an Albergue
Let’s be honest—dorm sleeping isn’t always dreamy. But here’s how we’ve made it work:
- Earplugs + Eye Mask – Non-negotiable
- Choose Your Bunk Wisely – Away from doors and snorers if possible
- Top or Bottom? – Bottom bunks = easier access, top bunks = fewer footsteps. But, if you are able to take a top bunk and leave a bottom one for the less nimble pilgrims, please do.
- Layers – Blankets vary. Bring a lightweight sleeping bag liner (summer) or sleeping bag (spring and autumn.)
- Sleep Timing – Don’t go to bed too early if you wake easily in the night. Or listen to an audio book (in headphones) to help you nod off.
Alternatives to albergues on the Camino
Want a break from the dorms? You’re not alone. Here are the most common alternatives:
- Pensions / Guesthouses – Private rooms, often family-run and inexpensive
- Hostels – Slightly pricier, usually with mixed clientele – you’ll find these in cities on the Camino.
- Hotels – From simple to swanky, especially in bigger towns
- Rural Casas – Beautiful countryside stays, great if you want solitude
- Airbnb – Less common but useful in larger towns and if you want a few rest days.
We often mix it up: a few albergue nights, then a pension or hotel for rest and recovery.
You can find our guide to the best luxury hotels on the Camino here.
Our favourite albergues
Over the years, we’ve stayed in hundreds of albergues and we have favourites on each route. Here are a few that have left a lasting impression on us:
Casa Susi, Camino Frances
A true home away from home in Trabadelo, Casa Susi is run by former pilgrims for pilgrims. With communal meals, laughter around the table, and the feeling that you’re truly welcome.
Albergue Guemes, Camino del Norte
More than just a bed for the night, Güemes is an experience. Run by the incredible Padre Ernesto and his team, this albergue embodies the spirit of the Camino: hospitality, reflection, and generosity.
It can feel like quite a full on experience, so you have to be open minded to enjoy it.
Albergue o Xistral, Camino del Norte
A beautiful rural retreat with modern comforts, O Xistral is a place where you can properly rest and recharge. Surrounded by nature, it’s peaceful, well-maintained, and full of thoughtful touches that make pilgrims feel cared for.
O Lagar de Jesus Vilar, Camino Portuguese
This albergue exudes character and care. With welcoming hosts, cosy communal spaces, and a tranquil garden to rest your tired legs, it’s a gem on the Portuguese route. Don’t miss the hearty pilgrim meal and meaningful conversations shared around the table. Book in advance, it’s very popular.
Alcalde Carbonero Pilgrims Hostel, Camino Mozarabe
This albergue combines heritage with hospitality. Run by volunteers with passion and a deep appreciation for pilgrims, it’s a rare and memorable stop on the lesser-travelled Mozárabe route.
Albergue Logoso, Camino Finisterre
It offers solid comforts, a warm welcome, and a great pilgrim meal—everything you need before those final days to Fisterra. I don’t know if it’s just because we arrived to Logoso on a wetter than wet day, but it felt so cosy.
You can find more of our favourite albergues on individual routes here.
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Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
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