Fire stations on the route Lisbon-Porto, how does it work

[sus-anna]

Hi!
I'm leaving from Lisbon at the end of this week on my way to Santiago

I wonder about the places to stay from Lisbon to Porto.
I found a list here and the refugios seems to be fire stations.
I wonder how this works. Do you just turn up there, like at an albergue?

I speak 0 portugues so I'll be grateful for any advice before I leave.

Thanks
/S

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Hola Susana

As you speak Portuguese all will be easier. I´ve never used the firestations myself but I have met a number of pilgrims who have. You need your credencial and you simply turn up - they may ask you to wait until they see how many beds they need themselves but all report are that they are very helpful.

Buen camino

John

 

[peregrina2000]

I'll second John's observations. When I walked from Lisbon to Porto, I never slept there, but I did visit a couple (the people in Azambuja were particularly nice) and they told me that usually there are not beds, just floor space and access to showers. But that a few places have mattresses. They also said the only times they fill up is when there is a large group walking to Fatima, but that it's very rare.

I assume you've seen the online guide http://www.csj.org.uk/guides-online.htm (I wrote the Lisbon-Porto segment and John wrote the Porto to Santiago part). I also have a few updates to the guide that I have received from other walkers and would be happy to send them to you if you're intrested. Nothing too major, but I haven't revised the online guide yet.

And I for one would love to hear how it goes -- will you have a blog or anything?

Bom caminho, Laurie

 

[sus-anna]

Yes I saw the list with places to stay. And they all seemed to be fire stations
I imagine when I knock on the door, a lot of handsome men with muscles will turn up and wonder what I want?
And then I will make a gesture which means I want to sleep there. Then all will laugh at me! And say I can sleep in their beds, too!

I'm blushing just thinking of it! But I will make a try. It's too expensive to stay at hotels. Perhaps I must carry a camping mattress on this route? I know if I arrive late I'll be happy just to get a roof over my head

I will write here when I'm back and tell you how things were.

Happy to hear more about it, if there is someone out there!
/S

 

[gaspésie]

Yes I saw the list with places to stay. And they all seemed to be fire stations
I imagine when I knock on the door, a lot of handsome men with muscles will turn up and wonder what I want?
And then I will make a gesture which means I want to sleep there. Then all will laugh at me! And say I can sleep in their beds, too!

I'm blushing just thinking of it! But I will make a try. It's too expensive to stay at hotels. Perhaps I must carry a camping mattress on this route? I know if I arrive late I'll be happy just to get a roof over my head

I will write here when I'm back and tell you how things were.

Happy to hear more about it, if there is someone out there!

Allo, Sus-Anna,
I am eager to know how it goes for firefighters, too. Leave me in early September in Lisbon.
Bon voyage!
Diane

 

[hel&scott]

I imagine when I knock on the door, a lot of handsome men with muscles will turn up and wonder what I want? And then I will make a gesture which means I want to sleep there. Then all will laugh at me! And say I can sleep in their beds, too!

I think this is really going to increase the number of women Camino Portuguese walkers, but I am NOT passing it on to Hel who is planning on walking this route in November with her daughter.

Scott :evil:

 

[hel&scott]

Too late darling, already made a note of it... as it's likely to be cold Fran and I will really appreciate a warm friendly fire station.

Hel

 

[mmonomm]

hi,

i heard too late about these free fire-station sleeping possibilities in Portugal. in Valenca, last stop in Portugal, i wanted to stay at a fire-station. just to see what kind of experience is that. but when i arrived there, the albergue Teotonio was next to the fire station, and from the outside it looked much-much better then the firestation. so i have chosen the albergue but i can say i slept as a neighbor of the fire station

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Hola - pilgrims arriving from Santiago from Oporto say that there are other pilgrims on the route but it is not saturated. I haven´t met anyone who didn´t get a bed.

Buen Camino

John