Has anyone had a haircut on the Camino?

[G.White]

Strange question but I have fast growing hair, I figure I will need it cut by the time I get to Leon. Has anyone had any experience with this? I don't speak Spanish so I am a little concerned. I'm learning some phrases and have a translation app.

 

[Rajy62]

Of course there are hair salons in all major cities you would pass through (Pamplona, Burgos, Leon etc). Why not shave your head or cut it short enough and wear a hat.

 

[nellpilgrim]

There are hairdressers, pharmacies and a surprising (quite why it's surprising I don't know!) number of lingerie shops in most/many of the smaller towns.
I got a tight crop that lasted-just about.

 

[mspath]

If you have a picture of what you would like your cut to be it will help get your idea across.

If you learn a few basic phrases ie good day, please, thank you, how far?, how much? etc. you will be able to communicate. When all else fails there is always pantomime!

 

[Kent Davis]

Picture is a great idea, I had the same question.

 

[G.White]

I'm not really a hat guy, I'm going to bring one for the sun/rain though. It wouldn't be a big deal but I am meeting my wife in Paris after my camino and want to look presentable. I think I'll go the picture route and try in Leon, it might be fun, thanks for the advise. I always feel a bit of trepidation in other countries when I can't speak the language. I think I need a mentor.

 

[jsalt]

Strange question but I have fast growing hair, I figure I will need it cut by the time I get to Leon. Has anyone had any experience with this? I don't speak Spanish so I am a little concerned. I'm learning some phrases and have a translation app.

Hi, yes, I walked from Le Puy to Santiago one year, and after 6 weeks, in Pamplona, I walked into a hairdresser’s as I needed a haircut. It was a disaster! I think that when I said “please take this much off” (I measured about half an inch between my thumb and forefinger), she translated that as “please leave this much on”. I have never had such a crew cut in my life before. I now have a photo of me, head and shoulders, on my smartphone, so that I can show any future hairdresser just how I would like my hair to look. Jill

 

[Gareth Griffith]

I had a very good haircut in Melide. I was very happy with the old boy that did it. He took his time and used scissors, cut throat razor and trimmer to make me look even more handsome than usual (no he didn't used the cut throat to chop my head off). The attached picture of me on the left, Jennifer from Vermont in the middle and Andre from Australia via France and Morocco on the right was taken the following morning in the Albergue. However, six weeks later I'm now due for a new haircut. My wife's opinion when I got home was "it's a bit severe!".
Good value at 9 euros.

 

[AJ]

Best haircut ever Puente d'Arbia. Across the bridge, on the right before the albergues. Hand powered shears and cutthroat razors. Maestro!!

 

[Robo]

I had a great haircut and beard trim on the way into Leon.
The shop was right on the Camino. Sign language worked fine

 

[G.White]

That should be about perfect timing, I'll keep an eye for that place, thanks.

 

[HeidiL]

On the top floor of the Corte Ingles in Burgos there's a salon where they did an excellent job on my husband. They offered to call for a translator for him (all Corte Ingles locations I've been to had translators on call), but I stepped in instead.

 

[NorwegianWalker]

Strange question but I have fast growing hair, I figure I will need it cut by the time I get to Leon. Has anyone had any experience with this? I don't speak Spanish so I am a little concerned. I'm learning some phrases and have a translation app.

Oh yes, I had my hair cut " commando style" 5 Euros is what I paid and I used a mixture between English and mute language, it worked out just perfect

 

[marbuck]

I found it very difficult to get a hair cut on the CF. Most hairdressers wanted me to make an appointment which is not possible unless you want to stay for a few days. I finally got my hair cut at a barber in Porto in Portugal. He was excellent. This year I got a really short haircut before I left Australia, that lasted until I got home.

 

[J Willhaus]

My husband Phil got a haircut and beard trim in Carrion at Perez Peluqueria del caballeros. Cost was 6.50 euro. Right across from the Santa Maria Church on the CF.

 

[Carol06]

I had a hair cut three weeks ago in Leon and was thrilled with it. As good as I get in NZ and half the price. And that included a conditioning treatment. It was up the main road from the cathedral but could not tell you the name of the place. On your left with my back to the cathedral. I have to admit I was nervous though.

 

[Heikki]

I have had a shave after two last Caminos in Santiago and it has been a pleasure, so I think a hair cut too. My spanish is also very limited but I don't think that it has been a major problem. Three weeks ago I had a hair cut in Cadiz in a barber shop, because of my short hair style it was no problem to get it done the way I liked it.

 

[Kev]

Yes, there are some hair dressers in Leon on the way to the cathedral. There best part, the understand hand gestures and some speak fluent English.
For the guys, they'll even trim the mustache and beard, just point and give an indication with your fingers for wanted length.
Of course, smiles go a long way also .

 

[LTfit]

Although I guess it doesn't count as a haircut I have had my bangs trimmed in Ponferrada, Puebla de Sanabria and in Santiago for free! Each time it has surprised me!

 

[t2andreo]

There is a related forum thread on "Shave and a Haircut at Santiago." I asked a similar question before my April attempt from Madrid. Do, use the search function to look for it.

In this thread, there is specific information, including the specific location of a very good place in Santiago de Compostela. I prefer to let it all grow, hair and beard, until I am done. Then the relief is palpable and the result evident... I go from looking like either Papa Hemingway or Papa Smurf (my beard always comes in white). So, I lose about 30 years in the transition...works for me!

I hope this helps.

 

[MTtoCamino]

I am just glad you did the thread, I had buzzed my head, but when I was done After 6 weeks it was just right. I just kept my hat on due to the sun. But wearing a western looking hat did seem to make some leary to speak. Or I was over sensitive. When I was not wearing it after my daily stroll folks seemed much more willing to talk. Still love that hat!

 

[Peadarmac]

I've got to give a big shout out here for the BEST Barber on the Camino ! If you are ever in Astorga just about a 5 minute walk from Albergue San Javier you'll find Pedro Andrés. A proper old school barber for haircuts, head shaves, beard trims , he's your only man. Granted he didn't have much work to do on my head !!!
Very little English but peregrinos are made very welcome. Give him a shout
Rgds,
P

 

[Mark Lee]

On my last CF I stopped in a barber shop while walking into Burgos. Don't remember exactly where, but I was still about a 20 minute or so walk from the Cathedral. It was right on the walk in, on the left hand side I think. Two or three barbers inside. It was a warm day, and when I'm walking on the Camino it takes me a few minutes to cool down after I stop walking, so I just chilled out on a chair a bit. Got a shampoo and a buzz. It's easy for me. I just tell them "no guardia....cero".
Always feels nice when I get a haircut on the Camino. I feel cleaner.

 

[James R B]

I'm going to the barber of Seville.

 

[dariosilva]

Strange question but I have fast growing hair, I figure I will need it cut by the time I get to Leon. Has anyone had any experience with this? I don't speak Spanish so I am a little concerned. I'm learning some phrases and have a translation app.

In Porto Marin (2012), went to a hair dresser. Asked the hair dresser to "me deja pelon". She laughed and "me dejo pelon". did not need a hair cut for another 6 months.

 

[kdespot]

OMG this thread is hilarious. The barber of Seville takes the cake. Can't wait to meet you all on the Camino!

 

[Con Palos]

My sister had her hair cut at the end of our Camino in Madrid and she came out looking like Dora the explorer, I tried to get my haircut at a barber opposite my last alburgue before Santiago but he was a racist and did not cut foreigners hair. His words

 

[C2G]

Strange question but I have fast growing hair, I figure I will need it cut by the time I get to Leon. Has anyone had any experience with this? I don't speak Spanish so I am a little concerned. I'm learning some phrases and have a translation app.

Yes, I had my haircut last year in Leon at s place called Julian. I took two others there this year and they cut all three of our hair. It is family run and they went out of there way to translate into English. They have us written directions, addresses ect of places/ cafes not to miss on the rest of the Camino. I had no problem getting exactly what I wanted both times just by pointing to someone either in the shop or on the street. It's on the corner #2 Suero de Quinones. The youngest son cut our hair and the older one trimmed my husband and son's beards as well. Mom blows dry the hair after the cut. Dad has done the Camino . Both times I was there we left with pictures with the family, kisses on both cheeks from all and help with anything we needed while in Leon. Not expensive either. Have fun.

 

[Koidream]

I had a perfect haircut in Portomarín. Just stept in a local barbershop and after a few minutes it was my turn.

 

[Lloyd Woodall]

I got a haircut just yesterday in Leon at Barber Shop peluqueria. It is located at Calle Barahona, 14, just a couple of blocks off the Camino and right by Albergue/hotel San Francisco de Asis (10€ Dm & €20 single w/private bath & very nice). My comment would be to show up early as I had to wait a long time. The barber was very apologetic about the delay & gave me a beer while he cut my hair. I agree that having a picture would help.

 

[domigee]

I always have a hair cut in Spain, sooooo much cheaper than in London and just as good!

 

[Deacon Jason]

Random general haircut question (having never had a haircut or beard trim outside the US): are the sizes of the clipper guards the same internationally? For instance if I ask for "#2" on the back and sides as I do at home will I get a similar result?

Just curious really, though a visit to a good barber shop now and again is one of life's simple pleasures and I might get the urge.

 

[oursonpolaire]

Random general haircut question (having never had a haircut or beard trim outside the US): are the sizes of the clipper guards the same internationally? For instance if I ask for "#2" on the back and sides as I do at home will I get a similar result?

Just curious really, though a visit to a good barber shop now and again is one of life's simple pleasures and I might get the urge.

My reply is likely a few years too late to be of any use, but the answer is yes. I have several times had beard trims along different Caminos, small local barber shops or unisex places being my favourite-- charges have been between 2 to 5 euro. I usually ask for a numero uno and get what I want. Sometimes they go to town on eyebrows etc. In Tarrazona on the Castellano-Aragonese, I was handed with great ceremony to a nervous trainee, and the barber gave me a sello for my credencial. In Aviles on the del Norte, I had a North African barber who had a most singular way of speaking English, French, and Castellano all in the same sentence--- he said that Berber barbers were the best, and I should be pleased (which I was, aside from the clouds of cologne which he applied).

A Scottish pilgrim I met, a retired RN officer, used to get straight-razor shaves every few days, and told me that he made great friends among the other customers, and once was taken by a barber to have dinner with his family and children.

Aside from ending up under medical care, hair care is perhaps one of the best ways to meet ordinary Spaniards in their daily lives.

 

[G.White]

I forgot about this thread, I ended up in a shop in Leon, not my best haircut but not my worst either. It was fun to try to communicate. I am working on my Spanish for my next Camino.

 

[ShaunKevin]

Strange question but I have fast growing hair, I figure I will need it cut by the time I get to Leon. Has anyone had any experience with this? I don't speak Spanish so I am a little concerned. I'm learning some phrases and have a translation app.

Yeah I treated myself to a hot towel shave and cut in Leon - found him in the old town. Total hipster, ink and all. Just smile and laugh and you’ll be fine. Was so great I felt a million bucks after ( and bought a new pair of jocks after the cut!).

Little things in life ..

 

[Karen Cap]

Strange question but I have fast growing hair, I figure I will need it cut by the time I get to Leon. Has anyone had any experience with this? I don't speak Spanish so I am a little concerned. I'm learning some phrases and have a translation app.

My husband got a haircut before the Camino. He didn’t bother trying to get one during our walk. He was pretty wooly when we got home.

 

[Oravasaari]

I always have a beard trim at the end of a camino....Feels a lot like this:
https://goo.gl/images/mfP24e