Is there heat in the albergues?

[Marla in CA]

I did the CF in Sept/Oct 2019. I am doing the Portugues Central at end of March with a friend. She asked me if albergues have heat. I honestly don't remember on the CF, but my question now is specific to the Portugues.

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[roving_rufus]

Yes, no, maybe.... some do during winter but given rising costs I suspect many will shorten the season they run the heating so by the end of March it may not be on as the weather gets milder and more spring like. I wouldn't depend on heating being on at the end of March.

 

[lt56ny]

With the price of energy in Europe in all likelihood it will not be on and if it is it will probably only be on for a short time.

 

[Trekker One]

Heat? Sometimes...but I think it depends on the phase of the moon how much heat one may receive for early spring Camino's.
In all seriousness, usually a blast in the afternoon and early evening, but none in the morning. I think the lack of heat during the night and early morning is to get any reluctant peregrino's out of their bunk and out the door as early as possible.
The one notable exception was at an albergue in O'Cebriero where the bunk room was like a sauna all night. Must have been 30C all night.

 

[Tincatinker]

if albergues have heat

Assume no, and be pleasantly surprised if they do

 

[Grousedoctor]

I did the CF in Sept/Oct 2019. I am doing the Portugues Central at end of March with a friend. She asked me if albergues have heat. I honestly don't remember on the CF, but my question now is specific to the Portugues.

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Very unpredictable. All the more reason to carry a sleeping bag for an end of March Camino (which may already be your plan).

 

[Marbe2]

We stayed in Private room accommodations in Feb. and March on the CF. Heating usually went on in the late afternoon fora very short time, , went off, came back on at night for an hour or so…went off and went on in the morning for a short period of time. We slept in two layers bottom and top in our sleepng bags. Sometimes we would see our breath in the air!

 

[Anniesantiago]

What Tincatinker said.

 

[RachelK]

I completed the Portuguese Central route in December. Most municipal albergues had some form of heating, many with individual heaters dotted around the dorm rooms that could be turned off and on by individuals nearby. I only remember 1 with central heating that turned on and off automatically. A couple had mobile heaters that the host brought in to heat the room if it was very cold. That said a few had nothing and were very cold. I’d definitively bring a sleeping bag and be prepared for no heat as others have said.

 

[Sirron]

during my trip in June I hope I find some cool albergues haha

 

[Friend from Barquinha]

Depending on whether you're doing the whole route from Lisboa, if you start at the end of March, and are going the whole way, it shouldn't be a concern, except maybe for a couple of days north of Porto.

We live 4 or 5 days' walk north of Lisboa, and typically, by the end of March, we're not using much heat (in an old, not-well-insulated Portuguese house). Regular bedding suffices at night, without heat. And as you walk on, spring will be accompanying you.

Lisbon, Portugal - March Weather - Holiday Weather

Lisbon March Weather Averages

www.holiday-weather.com

Porto, Portugal - April Weather - Holiday Weather

Porto April Weather Averages

www.holiday-weather.com

In our area, we usually just need heat at night from mid-November to mid-February or so (mind you, we're from Canada, so maybe a bit less delicate than some...)