LOTUS EATERS TRAVEL

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THE BEST ALBERGUES ON THE CAMINO FRANCES: LOTUS EATERS TRAVEL FAVORITES.

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We recently walked the Camino Frances, the 780km pilgrimage from from Saint Jean Pied do Port in France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. There are many reasons that we love walking the Camino. One of the reasons is the opportunity to stay in some fantastic albergues along the way.

Where you choose to stay at the end of the day can really make or break your Camino experience. This is why it is so important to choose carefully and to try to stay at some of the best albergues on the Camino Frances during your Camino adventure.

Below, we set out some of the best albergues that we stayed at on the Camino Frances as well as some other popular ones that have been recommended to us.

1. What is an albergue?
2. Where can I find out more about the Camino de Santiago?
3. Where can I find out more about the Camino Frances?
4. The best albergues on the Camino Frances (a map)
5. Most iconic Camino Frances albergue: Roncesvalles pilgrims hostel
6. Best Camino Frances albergue dog: Albergue San Nicolas
7. Best Camino Frances albergue for value for money: Alberuge Via Minera
8. Best Camino Frances albergue with interesting food: Albergue Orion
9. Friendliest Camino Frances albergue: Albergue Camino Real
10. Best Camino Frances albergue with outdoor space: Albergue La Perala
11. Best Camino Frances albergue with a bar: Albergue La Parada de Reliegos
12. Most novel Camino Frances albergue: Albergue Verde
13. Most homely Camino Frances albergue: Casa Susi
14. Albergue with the best overall facilities: Albergue A Reboleira
15. Most peaceful Albergue: A Lua do Camino
16. More popular Camino Frances albergues
17. Interested in albergues on other Camino routes?
18. Join our subscriber list for new posts with awesome travel tips. Don’t miss them!

What is an albergue?

Firstly, for anyone new to the Camino. What is an Albergue? An Albergue is a hostel, normally with dormitories, that are often exclusively for Pilgrims walking the Camino. There are generally two types – Municipal and Private. Municipal are often cheaper and more basic, designed to make the Camino accessible for all. Private Albergues tend to have better facilities as they tend to be run for profit. There are also Donativo Albergues (donate what you can) which are privately run too.

You can find out more about albergues, with more detail on what to expect in our post here.

Where can I find out more about the Camino de Santiago?

We’ve walked many Camino de Santiago routes and created a large bank of resources to help you to familiarize yourself with the Camino. Whether you’re looking for packing lists, route guides or a Camino book – you can find it all on our site.

📚You can find all of our Camino de Santiago resources here.

Where can I find out more about the Camino Frances?

Find out more about the Camino Frances, including the distance, route and daily stages here.

The best albergues on the Camino Frances (a map)

All of the albergues mentioned in this post are included on this map. You can see how far along the Camino Frances each albergue is, to help you plan ahead.

Most iconic Camino Frances albergue: Roncesvalles pilgrims hostel

Daily stage: End of day one for most or two (if you stop in Orison). Many pilgrims may choose to start in Roncesvalles too.

About the albergue:

For many pilgrims walking the Camino Frances, this will be the first albergue experience after the first day of walking from SJPP to Roncesvalles. It may be one of the largest albergues you come across on the Camino Frances, with 183 beds set over three floors.

The albergue is set on a huge historic complex, attached to a church. Arriving here feels like a very special moment, not least after trekking over the Pyrenees.

The albergue offers a communal dinner and a breakfast, alternatively there are vending machines or a few restaurants & bars in town.

What we loved:

• Beds are organized into “pods” containing two bunk beds
• Each bed is assigned a locker and there are ample charging points
• The quad is a great space outdoors to socialize and hangout, but there is also plenty of space inside
• Despite being an old charming building, it also has WiFi and decent facilities in general

How to book: It is best to book in advance to stay here. Although it is a large albergue, many people choose to stay in Roncesvalles and therefore it can become fully booked during peak season. Reserve beds online through the albergue website here.

Best Camino Frances albergue dog: Albergue San Nicolas

Daily stage: For us, this was the end of day two (from Roncesvalles to Larrasoana).

About the albergue:

A small albergue run by a young couple and their dog. We found it to be a really friendly and clean albergue. Set a little way away from the river and the municipal albergue in a peaceful location.

The albergue offers a wrap around terrace space and the albergue has great facilities inside (well placed plugs and small dorm rooms.)

Be sure to take the generous three course dinner, a communal supper is always a great way to meet people early on in the Camino Frances.

What we loved:

• Very generous three course communal dinner with wine
• Outdoor space and sumptuous seating to relax after a long walk
• Quiet location and comfortable beds, we slept very well
• The albergue dog roaming around looking for belly rubs.

How to book: You can book via their website, find it here.

Best Camino Frances albergue for value for money: Alberuge Via Minera

Daily stage: Albergue Via Minera is located in Cardeñuela Riopico, we stayed here on our tenth night on the Camino Frances.

About the albergue:

Cardeñuela Riopico is a small village on the Camino Frances, with a few bars and two or three albergues. We stayed at Via Minera, which is set up on the hill overlooking the village. We were originally lured in my the swimming pool (which is really quite a tiny pool in reality), but thoroughly enjoyed our evening here with the home cooked and generous dinner.

Although this albergue has fairly basic facilities, we wanted to include it on our list of the best albergues on the Camino Frances because it represents such good value for money. There are many albergues that charge upwards of 15 Euros for a bunk bed, so we were really impressed to find this one charging only 8 Euros.

What we loved:

• Incredible value for money – each bed is 8 Euros
• Dinner is also inexpensive and includes generous portions and oodles of red wine
• Fairly spacious dorm room, considering the price
• Quiet location at the top of the village

How to book: You can find the albergue website here, simply email or send a Whatsapp to book.

Best Camino Frances albergue with interesting food: Albergue Orion

Daily stage: Albergue Orion is in Castrojeriz, which was end of day 12 for us on the Camino Frances.

About the albergue:

Castrojeriz is a small and pretty town with a few different albergues to choose from. We opted for Albergue Orion because we had read about the communal dinner. The meal offered is a Korean style rice dish, something completely different to Spanish food and we were very keen to try it.

The albergue itself is a modern, well equipped and immaculately clean environment. We chose a 6 bed dorm room, but private rooms are also available.

What we loved:

• An immaculately clean albergue with great facilities – as soon as we walked in, we noticed how clean the albergue looked and smelled
• The Korean dinner, served with red wine in a communal style
• A small courtyard offering a relaxing place to enjoy a drink

How to book: Albergue Orion can be booked on booking.com. You can pay for dinner and breakfast on arrival.

Friendliest Camino Frances albergue: Albergue Camino Real

Daily stage: Calzadilla de La Cueza was at the end of day 14 for us.

About the albergue:

The walk from Villalcázar de Sirga to Calzadilla de La Cueza is a long and straight walk with few facilities, arriving at Albergue Real Camino is such a treat after this walk. You are immediately greeted by a welcoming albergue host, offering cold beers chilled in a vending machine. Prices here are reasonable and the facilities good.

When we arrived, we enjoyed the sound of pilgrims singing and playing guitar and delighted in sunbathing by the pool.

What we loved:

• The owner of the albergue is fantastic, a true “camino soul”, who is interested in every pilgrim who walks through the door. This creates a warm and welcome atmosphere in the albergue
• The swimming pool – delicious
• Although the dorm rooms are quite full of beds, the friendly atmosphere and amazing socializing/ communal space more than makes up for this

How to book: You can book on booking.com, but do note that not all beds are listed so if booking.com shows “no availability”, it’s best to contact the albergue directly.

Best Camino Frances albergue with outdoor space: Albergue La Perala

Daily stage: This albergue is in Bercianos del Real Camino. A few days before Leon. We stayed here on the 15th night of the Camino Frances.

About the albergue:

Albergue La Perala is a large, modern, purpose built albergue. It occupies a pleasant rural location before Leon and the end of the Mesita.

There are dorm rooms or private rooms available. The dorm rooms are less traditional than the usual bunk bed set up. There are five beds in each room.

A restaurant and bar is available for dinner, drinks and breakfast.

What we loved:

• Large outdoor space, perfect on a sunny day
• Bar available for coffee in the morning and drinks in the evening
• No bunk beds and small bedrooms (one bathroom per 5 guests)
• Well priced pilgrim menu, but do note that it’s not a “communal meal” as such, instead you just dine at a time to suit you

How to book: Booking is slightly tricky, you have to call rather than email or Whatsapp. Details can be found on their Facebook account. However, it is a large albergue and does tend to have space if you turn up without a booking.

Best Camino Frances albergue with a bar: Albergue La Parada de Reliegos

Daily stage: This albergue is located in Reliegeos, around 24km short of Leon. We stayed here on day 17 of our Camino Frances walk.

About the albergue:

An unassuming albergue, we found this totally by chance. There are some bad reviews on google, but we realized that the albergue was under new management and decided to give it a chance.

This turned out to be one of the best places we stayed. We arrived at 13:00 and didn’t leave until the following morning. The communal space and bar are great, plus dinner is offered. There are board games available and we found this a great space to socialize and enjoy a game or two.

This was a super location before an easy walk into Leon the next day.

What we loved:

• A sunny courtyard outside, the perfect place to socialize and enjoy some drinks
• A well stocked bar offering tapas all day and a pilgrim menu in the evening.
• Decent facilities and great layout. This albergue had a sense that it just flowed and everything worked really well for pilgrims.

How to book: Book via email alberguelaparada@gmail.com.

Most novel Camino Frances albergue: Albergue Verde

Daily stage: Albergue Verde is located in Hospital de Obrigo, this is 32km from the city of Leon and for us our stay here was on day 18.

About the albergue:

Albergue Verde is just off the Camino route in Hospital de Obrigo. A green paradise, the gardens and albergue offer a delightful place to relax and sleep.

The vibe here may be a little too “woo woo” for some people, but if you get into the spirit it is a wonderful place to spend the night.

Dinner and breakfast are offered on a donativo basis, as is the yoga class, but beds are a fixed price.

What we loved:

• A volunteer led albergue, with a number of personal touches
• Relaxing in the large garden and lazing around in the hammocks
• Organic and home grown vegan dinner (although do note that it does not include wine)
• A donation based yoga class is one of the most spectacular yoga shalas that I have ever seen

How to book: You can contact the albergue via email to book. Details can be found on the albergue Facebook account here.

Most homely Camino Frances albergue: Casa Susi

Daily stage: Casa Susi is located in Trabadelo, just before you start the climb to O Cebreiro. For us, this was day 22 on our Camino Frances walk.

About the albergue:

Casa Susi is run by a couple who have opened up their home to pilgrims walking the Camino Frances. That’s exactly the feeling you get when you arrive at Casa Susi, a home away from home.

It is a small albergue with only 10 beds, creating an intimate atmosphere. We felt incredibly lucky to get a booking here and enjoy a fabulous organic supper with fellow pilgrims.

The story of how Casa Susi came to be is quite magical, but I don’t want to spoil the surprise for you, so you can ask about it when you stay.

What we loved:

• What’s not to love at Casa Susi – Susi and Fermin have created a sanctuary for pilgrims walking the Camino Frances.
• All the details are perfect, with wonderful bathrooms, comfortable beds (no bunk beds) and a place to put all of your things.
• The garden is particularly brilliant, with a river running along the end and hammocks to rest your weary legs.
• The dinner and the rituals are truly special, with local and home grown food and wine too.

How to book: You can find more information about Casa Susi on their Facebook account. From there, you can contact via email or on phone to book a bed. Do book well in advance during peak season as there are only 10 beds and it is a popular place.

Albergue with the best overall facilities: Albergue A Reboleira

Daily stage: Albergue A Reboleira is to be found in Fonfria, this was day 23 for us. This is one or two stages before Sarria (the last 100k of the Camino Frances.)

About the albergue:

Fonfria is a mountain village in Galicia, a welcome reward after a day of hill climbing. Albergue A Reboleira is a large albergue with dorm space and private rooms. It is spread over a few buildings, with a separate space for the communal dinner.

The vibe is “mountain chalet chic”, it has very smart design features for an albergue. We felt so relaxed during our stay here, enjoying being sprawled out in the lounge and playing some games before an excellent and fun communal supper.

What we loved:

• The communal dinner is a really fun experience. Wine flowed and the food was excellent.
• The albergue has a ton of social space, from tables outside to bean bags and sofas inside and more formal tables in the bar.
• Each bed has a light, plug and cupboard. The bathrooms and laundry facilities are great too.

How to book: Private rooms can be booked on booking.com here. Space in the dorm room can be booked via email or Whatsapp. Details can be found on the albergue website.

Most peaceful Albergue: A Lua do Camino

Daily stage: A Lua do Camino can be found in Melide, towards the end of the Camino Frances, for us this was day 25.

About the albergue:

A Lua do Camino offers a little slice of peace and quiet near to Melide. This can be found in the last 100km of the Camino. When we arrived, we walked in from a baking hot day and immediately felt cool and relaxed.

At this stage of the Camino, we both felt particularly tired and it was fantastic to take a swim, enjoy a bath and sink into laundered sheets.

The albergue offers only private rooms and does not have dinner, so it’s not a “traditional” albergue. But, the private rooms offered are very good value and worth it if you need total R&R.

What we loved:

• Peaceful location on the Camino Frances route just short of Melide, but you can walk into town for dinner easily
• Extremely clean albergue with immaculate facilities (it feels like a 4* hotel)
• Large and clean swimming pool to relax
• The ability to shut the door and enjoy some peace and quiet on our last few days on the Camino

How to book: This albergue can be booked in advance on booking.com here.

More popular albergues on the Camino Frances

There were a few Camino Frances albergues that were recommended to us, but unfortunately we did not get a chance to visit.

1/ Albergue de Arroyo de San Bol – San Bol Albergue is a remote hostel located between Hornillos and Hontanta. It is popular due to the intimate atmosphere and remote location. Find out more here.

2/ Monasterio de Samos Albergue – Samos can be found on a Camino variant route, which many pilgrims choose to take. Here you will find the fantastic Samos Monastery, an impressive 16th century building. The albergue is a popular place to spend the night for pilgrims looking to enjoy the history and splendor of the monastery. Find out more here.

3/ Albergue San Juan Bautista in Grañon – Albergue San Juan is nestled in a 16th century church. It offers very basic facilities, but pilgrims love the convivial atmosphere created by the volunteers. You can join in to cook dinner with others and attend church services on site. Find out more here.

4/ Ermita de San Nicolás – this is a tiny albergue with only 12 beds, run by Italian volunteers. A donativo albergue in the ruins of an old church, where you can enjoy dinner and a convivial atmosphere. Find out more here.

5/ Albergue Casa Rural Las Águedas – can be found just past Astorga in Murias de Rechivaldo. A rural and classy albergue, with a courtyard and a fun lolloping dog. Find out more here.

6/ Refugio Gaucelmo- Rabanal del Camino – located in the delightful mountain village of Rabanal del Camino, this is a quaint albergue run by the British organization CSJ. You cannot book in advance – find out more here.

Would you like more info on the Camino Frances?

We’ve got an Ebook packed full of information about the route. This includes a guide to accommodation, all the cities on route and more route daily information.

Find it here in our shop and download it today.

Interested in albergues on other Camino routes?

You can find further guides to albergues on different routes here:

• Camino del Norte best albergues
• Camino Portuguese best albergues
• A guide to walking the Camino Finisterre including where to stay

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