To book or not to book albergues

[donnatello]

Hi There!

I did the short Camino Frances in 2017, Sarria to Santiago de Compostela. And I found it difficult at times to find accommodation (we didn’t book anything, just turned up). We ended up doing the last 2 days walking in 1 day as we couldnt find a place to stay. Was wondering if it’s better to book in advance now - going mid July. If so, can anyone advise on a link to book ? Would be very grateful for any help

 

[Rick M]

I always book in advance for the Sarria-Santiago leg. In the summer time, this would be essential. Your best resource is gronze.com , the Spanish online guidebook. They have contact information for all the albergues on the road.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

I never book and never had a problem

 

[Rick M]

I never book and never had a problem

Then you must always leave Sarria mid-week or off season, good planning on your part!

 

[DoughnutANZ]

Then you must always leave Sarria mid-week or off season, good planning on your part!

It also helps to stay in places that don't accept bookings and stop at other than popular stopping points. Last time I left Sarria was Tuesday 16th July.

 

[Bala]

It also helps to stay in places that don't accept bookings and stop at other than popular stopping points.

I'll second that. I stayed at several places that were half-empty, while the popular "stage-end" towns were booked up.

 

[trecile]

I would book ahead for mid July. You can find albergues and other accommodations on Gronze.com. They have contact information and links to booking.com for those properties that are on it.

Camino Francés | Gronze.com

El Camino Francés es el Camino de Santiago en el que confluyen la mayoría de las vías medievales de peregrinación europeas, siendo por tanto el camino de mayor relevancia histórica y el más seguido por los peregrinos. Su punto de inicio, hoy en día, tanto puede considerarse Roncesvalles como...

www.gronze.com

 

[donnatello]

Thanks everyone, appreciate the help

 

[camino.ninja]

Hi There!

I did the short Camino Frances in 2017, Sarria to Santiago de Compostela. And I found it difficult at times to find accommodation (we didn’t book anything, just turned up). We ended up doing the last 2 days walking in 1 day as we couldnt find a place to stay. Was wondering if it’s better to book in advance now - going mid July. If so, can anyone advise on a link to book ? Would be very grateful for any help

Hard to say exactly, but if you start in the beginning of August in Sarria you would have to book in advance. I probably would in July as well because Northern Europe have their summer holidays in July.

 

[Philtration]

Go off stage and you will have much easier time with accomodations.

 

[lt56ny]

Hi There!

I did the short Camino Frances in 2017, Sarria to Santiago de Compostela. And I found it difficult at times to find accommodation (we didn’t book anything, just turned up). We ended up doing the last 2 days walking in 1 day as we couldnt find a place to stay. Was wondering if it’s better to book in advance now - going mid July. If so, can anyone advise on a link to book ? Would be very grateful for any help

If you only have a week or so to walk and have to walk in peak season have you thought about walking from a different Camino? Or if getting a Compostela is not important just picking a nice stretch on any camino may relieve you of this worry.

 

[Isabelpilgrim]

Hi There!

I did the short Camino Frances in 2017, Sarria to Santiago de Compostela. And I found it difficult at times to find accommodation (we didn’t book anything, just turned up). We ended up doing the last 2 days walking in 1 day as we couldnt find a place to stay. Was wondering if it’s better to book in advance now - going mid July. If so, can anyone advise on a link to book ? Would be very grateful for any help

I'm not quite in Sarria. Walked from Cacabelos to Ambasmestas today, surprising amount of albergue we're closed, I think some temporarily. I haven't seen a lot of peregrinos today, but the bar + albergue in Pereje we're closed, and I think only two albergue we're open in Transdelo. There are hotels Cars and pensions,however. Not super helpful if on a tight budget. Cacabelos albergue at end of town was also locked up.

 

[Isabelpilgrim]

I'm not quite in Sarria. Walked from Cacabelos to Ambasmestas today, surprising amount of albergue we're closed, I think some temporarily. I haven't seen a lot of peregrinos today, but the bar + albergue in Pereje we're closed, and I think only two albergue we're open in Transdelo. There are hotels Cars and pensions,however. Not super helpful if on a tight budget. Cacabelos albergue at end of town was also locked up.

Autocorrect strikes again! Casa Rurals, Trabadelo.

 

[Ianinam]

Be aware that 2022 - like 2021 - is also a Holy Year in Santiago de Compostela and that you will be walking just a few days ahead of the many people that want to arrive in Santiago on the nameday of Saint James (25th of July). During these days it is extremely busy in SdC.

 

[AlexB]

I'll second that. I stayed at several places that were half-empty, while the popular "stage-end" towns were booked up.

Staying in the town between stages was great for example Melide and I found better accommodations, the best part I was not walking with the crowds from Sarria, plus