Holy week in Spain

[Rozzy]

Hi All,
I am wishing to walk from Salamanca to Santiago next year possibly starting in April. I am aware that Easter is in April next year so am wondering how (if at all) this will affect my walk. I read that some places with big celebrations (Salamanca, Zamora) are full of tourists at this time. Will this affect pilgrims? Will it make any difference to the availability of refugio beds?
Any info or advice will be very welcome.
Many thanks
Roz

 

[lovingkindness]

Hi there Roz. There are 16 beds in the Salamanca Albergue de Peregrinos. During Holy Week this year I stayed overnight there, on my way to begin walking from Astorga back down to Fuenterobble de Salvatierre. Salamanca is hugely exciting at this time, with processions every day, music,and fiesta. Some peregrinos stay more than a night in Salamanca at this time using cheap alternatives. There are hostels and also rooms for about 20 euros in the city centre. If I remember rightly, the next village after Salamanca has a small refugio (3 euros? ). You could always arrive early in Salamanca (it is only 18 kilometers from Morille, or 24 kms from San Pedro), spend the day enjoying the sights, then walk in the late afternoon to the next village.

Zamora is a large, new albergue. According to the tourist camino guide which I used when walking, there is a refugio or albergue in the village after Zamora. I didn't stay there, however.

Hope this helps. Regards, Lovingkindness

 

[Rozzy]

Thanks to Lovingkindness for your response,
I am on one hand excited and looking forward to being in Spain during Holy week, but am a little concerned about having somewhere to sleep at the end of the day. I will have to be flexible about staying outside of the major towns at this time.
Any other comments would be welcome.
Thanks
Roz