Portuguese Albergues

[Anton]

Sorry, but this is a bit of a rant, after leaving Porto on Friday, this is the second night straight that we’ve found albergues completely full upon entering towns. Last night in Esposende the one “albergue “ which also apparently takes reservations, was fully booked by 15:15 and the albergue in neighboring Marinhas was full by 16:00. Leaving us with a €90 hotel option and a €40 hotel option.
Tonight in Viana do Castelo the single albergue in town was full at 16:30.
Perhaps I was spoiled on the Camino Frances in September of 2015 where I never had to struggle for an albergue bed, but there really seems to be a vastly limited supply of albergue beds on the Portuguese route. Or maybe it’s the coastal route that we are on. The Portuguese people have been quite lovely, but it’s a massive difference in budget between planning to stay in albergues vs hotels. Plus, come on, it takes a bit of the fun out of the trek having to book ahead...and coming together with fellow pilgrims in the albergue, sore and grateful was what made my first Camino so enjoyable.
Just my opinion...one opinion of a very grateful and sore pilgrim.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Growth on the Camino Portugues has been much higher than on the Camino Frances, and accommodations have not grown along with it. It may be a permanent state of affairs. Good luck.

 

[Anton]

Thank you, Falcon269

 

[KateMarshall]

I feel your pain! I’m also on central at the moment and I have really struggled! Having to walk on further and last night due to festival in Ponte de Lima I think I managed to get the last hotel room but at a price of €80. I’ve been told by hotel that weekend walkers as filling up the spaces, and mon-thurs should be ok. Fingers crossed. Kate

 

[Karl Oz]

Similar situation last September when I walked from Porto. I was dismayed to find so many albergues filled so early due to people booking ahead. Always found something eventually though, although Ponte de Lima was a shared hotel room with two other pilgrims. I did hear an opinion that September was just about the busiest month on that route, and that the summer months were actually quieter. Booking ahead seemed like heresy to me at the time, but I think it is just the way the camino is nowadays. It was more romantic without a mobile phone, but there is little romantic about arriving in a village late in the afternoon to find no bed available.

 

[Walking Lover]

Sorry, but this is a bit of a rant, after leaving Porto on Friday, this is the second night straight that we’ve found albergues completely full upon entering towns. Last night in Esposende the one “albergue “ which also apparently takes reservations, was fully booked by 15:15 and the albergue in neighboring Marinhas was full by 16:00. Leaving us with a €90 hotel option and a €40 hotel option.
Tonight in Viana do Castelo the single albergue in town was full at 16:30.
Perhaps I was spoiled on the Camino Frances in September of 2015 where I never had to struggle for an albergue bed, but there really seems to be a vastly limited supply of albergue beds on the Portuguese route. Or maybe it’s the coastal route that we are on. The Portuguese people have been quite lovely, but it’s a massive difference in budget between planning to stay in albergues vs hotels. Plus, come on, it takes a bit of the fun out of the trek having to book ahead...and coming together with fellow pilgrims in the albergue, sore and grateful was what made my first Camino so enjoyable.
Just my opinion...one opinion of a very grateful and sore pilgrim.

Check booking,com. Prices are very readonable.

 

[KJFSophie]

Sorry, but this is a bit of a rant, after leaving Porto on Friday, this is the second night straight that we’ve found albergues completely full upon entering towns. Last night in Esposende the one “albergue “ which also apparently takes reservations, was fully booked by 15:15 and the albergue in neighboring Marinhas was full by 16:00. Leaving us with a €90 hotel option and a €40 hotel option.
Tonight in Viana do Castelo the single albergue in town was full at 16:30.
Perhaps I was spoiled on the Camino Frances in September of 2015 where I never had to struggle for an albergue bed, but there really seems to be a vastly limited supply of albergue beds on the Portuguese route. Or maybe it’s the coastal route that we are on. The Portuguese people have been quite lovely, but it’s a massive difference in budget between planning to stay in albergues vs hotels. Plus, come on, it takes a bit of the fun out of the trek having to book ahead...and coming together with fellow pilgrims in the albergue, sore and grateful was what made my first Camino so enjoyable.
Just my opinion...one opinion of a very grateful and sore pilgrim.

I just returned home after walking Porto to Santiago . I can say that unlike any of my other caminos, the Portuguese route this time had a very present tension everyday regarding bed availability...every pilgrim had a story of being turned away or having to walk much further than expected. Most albergue owners agree that it's been unusually crowded. I resorted to using booking.com a day or two ahead, because I walked with a medically compromised knee and could not afford to chance greater distances than I could manage.
I feel the lack of accommodations had much to do with the lack of camaraderie as likely groups of new friends were often split because of having to walk on/stay behind, etc for beds.

 

[KateMarshall]

I totally understand. I walked it the similar time and was totally not prepared for the lack of camaraderie felt... it was beginning to feel like a joke! I wanted the experience on the walk to be like I’ve read about, heard about on here and even seen in films. No all I got was silence, a few hellos and beun caminos but generally walking all day by myself. I understood After a few days that’s what I needed (God and the Camino provides and all that!) I thoroughly enjoyed the solitude, But a few meaningful chats and communal meals would have been lovely. I did however get felllowship and friendship tenfold once I got to Santiago for a few days! The bars, Anglican centre, pilgrim house was lovely and provided me The camaraderie I craved on the walk. Hope your not put off by the experience, and I hear the french way is much more friendlier!

Kate

 

[Karl Oz]

The accommodation situation was mirrored in my CP in September 2017. Quite a surprise after the Frances. I made the point back then that the infrastructure did not cope with the number of pilgrims. On the other hand, a number of us came together for the final 7 days and formed what I believe will be a lasting bond.

 

[David Tallan]

I started from Porto on October 1 and didn't have any issues finding places in albergues (although I admit that I was wasn't in a terrible hurry and avoided the 30+ km days, so I tended not to arrive too late). Ponte de Lima was pretty full for people who wanted accommodation better than the municipal albergue, because there was a festival, but that was the only place I heard of problems.

 

[JoroAtanasof]

I've walked coastal route from Porto to Santiago in mid july and the only place that i had problems with albergues was Redondela , but i guess its normal for place where 2 routes are united .....
P.s i didnt book at all

 

[Diane Owens]

I've walked coastal route from Porto to Santiago in mid july and the only place that i had problems with albergues was Redondela , but i guess its normal for place where 2 routes are united .....
P.s i didnt book at all

I just returned home after walking Porto to Santiago . I can say that unlike any of my other caminos, the Portuguese route this time had a very present tension everyday regarding bed availability...every pilgrim had a story of being turned away or having to walk much further than expected. Most albergue owners agree that it's been unusually crowded. I resorted to using booking.com a day or two ahead, because I walked with a medically compromised knee and could not afford to chance greater distances than I could manage.
I feel the lack of accommodations had much to do with the lack of camaraderie as likely groups of new friends were often split because of having to walk on/stay behind, etc for beds.

Do you have a list of the places you stayed on the camino Portugese please?

 

[JoroAtanasof]

Do you have a list of the places you stayed on the camino Portugese please?

Since 2018 a lot has changed imho
Coastal route gained a lot of popularity, but i rewalked it again in 2019&2021 .
I try to stay in minicipal albergues in Vila do Conde ,Marinhas , Viana do castelo or if you can walk a litle bit more to Carreco and stay in https://goo.gl/maps/DVHgSdJWNgg8Byjw5 , after that Caminha and extra day of walk to Valenca (again minicipal albergue ) .
In Redondela i always stayed in https://goo.gl/maps/RsawiW6DoJ67dxVb6 .
Another minucipal albergue that i really like is the one in Brialos https://goo.gl/maps/Wi4NybA4XnMoWRnC6
You can use buen camino or wise pilgrim apps .

 

[Diane Owens]

Thanks so much!

 

[MEO]

Do you have a list of the places you stayed on the camino Portugese please?

Was the bed shortage due to many places being closed until Spring? That would be my guess. I'll be there next week with only Santiago booked.

 

[JoroAtanasof]

Was the bed shortage due to many places being closed until Spring? That would be my guess. I'll be there next week with only Santiago .

You can check if albergueas are opened I don’t think you will have problem finding a bed in April .

 

[Kildare]

I've walked coastal route from Porto to Santiago in mid july and the only place that i had problems with albergues was Redondela , but i guess its normal for place where 2 routes are united .....
P.s i didnt book at all

This is good to hear as I'm starting the portuguese camino on July 6th with my two daughters (age 11 and 14) I'm going to book most places as I feel with 3 of us I shud?

 

[JoroAtanasof]

This is good to hear as I'm starting the portuguese camino on July 6th with my two daughters (age 11 and 14) I'm going to book most places as I feel with 3 of us I shud?

It is better to book a day or two in advance this year imho