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Ponferrada is the only city I didn't like along the Camino Frances. Most of it is a bit rundown. IMO.I'll be starting my first, short Camino in Ponferrada on a Monday, and have some flexibility prior to that. I'll have spent a few days in Madrid upon arrival in Spain—I'm there often and know the city well but I'm always happy to spend an extra day with my friends there. But don't *need* to add time there. I'd appreciate some input on the following options:
-Trains to Ponferrada on Saturday afternoon and explore/relax there for 36+hrs.
-Train to Leon Saturday, 24 hours there before going to Ponferrada for a shorter overnight.
-Skip them both—train directly to Ponferrada on Sunday for the Monday start.
What is the "one exceptional restaurant" in Ponferrada? I'm wondering if it is someplace I tried, probably not, given my budget, but I'm curious.Hmm, Ponferrada: small Spanish provincial city with a disnified castle with some notional links to the Templars and with a couple of good wine bars and one exceptional restaurant.
I’ve been reading the comments and see the variety of opinions. I’ll add that I really like Ponferrada. While at San Nicolas as a hospitalero I was lucky enough to meet up with a running group there and over the course of 15 days got to run with them 3 times and go out for tapas and beers afterward. Through the group I met a few people which led to a couple of lunches with locals on my days off. Consequently I got to know the town and some of the trails around town. So I would say that there are a lot of fun and interesting things to do there that would easily fill 36 hoursHmm, Ponferrada: small Spanish provincial city with a disnified castle with some notional links to the Templars and with a couple of good wine bars and one exceptional restaurant.
Leon: large Spanish provincial city with a stunning cathedral, several good bars and two or three exceptional restaurants.
Madrid: is Madrid but I gather you’re already aware of that
My advice would be to spend as little time as is absolutely necessary in Madrid. Train to Leon and walk from there. Much more fun and a longer Camino. Nearly long enough to discover the perfect joy of: “Walk; Eat; Sleep; Repeat”.
https://restaurantemuna.com/ is truly exceptional but probably only within a pilgrim budget if someone else is picking up the tab. I'm a Tinker, I get luckyWhat is the "one exceptional restaurant" in Ponferrada? I'm wondering if it is someplace I tried, probably not, given my budget, but I'm curious.
I just spent 2 weeks there as hospitalero at San Nicolas.
I second that sentiment!Ponferrada is the only city I didn't like along the Camino Frances. Most of it is a bit rundown. IMO.
Leon is much nicer.
Oh I did the last 2 weeks of April as hospitalera there too. I was very tempted by the Invierno but I think it is rather lonely for me. Must try to persuade my daughter to come with me. I liked San Nicolas albergue. Had never heard of him and once I learned his story, I wondered why his wife wasn’t canonized too.What is the "one exceptional restaurant" in Ponferrada? I'm wondering if it is someplace I tried, probably not, given my budget, but I'm curious.
I just spent 2 weeks there as hospitalero at San Nicolas.
Isobel, I want to thank you for recommending Alpinarium to me the night before I started the Invierno the last Sunday of April. I ate there as often as I could while I served at San Nicolas the second quincena of May.Oh I did the last 2 weeks of April as hospitalera there too. I was very tempted by the Invierno but I think it is rather lonely for me. Must try to persuade my daughter to come with me. I liked San Nicolas albergue. Had never heard of him and once I learned his story, I wondered why his wife wasn’t canonized too.
I'm similar. My worst case scenario is spending an afternoon reading and people watching on a terrace—a fine option on a good day.I'm a type of a person that almost always can find "something to do" practically anywhere.
A per-Camino full day in Ponferrada? Heck YEah!
I cannot argue that Leon is "better" - definitely much more to see and\or do but I would not fully 'dismiss' Ponferrada off hand.
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