Staying with the Bombeiros Voluntarios

[hel&scott]

For those who asked about sleeping with firemen, we are happy to report that its pretty straight forward, and while they tend to be very basic (the accommodation not the firemen) and more used to dealing with pre-booked groups going to Fatima they will take in stray travellers to (and from) Santiago.

If you start in Porto you won’t need to stay in Bombeiros as there is a good network of often excellent albergues going up to Tui and onto Santiago. But if you start in Lisbon chances are the Bombeiros will often be the only budget option available in town.

If you want to stay just turn up with your credencial and ask. Most offer only mattress on the floor of the main hall. But you can use their showers, women can use the female showers if available. No kitchens in those we stayed in but most stations are close enough to a bar or restaurants. They don’t charge individual walkers and most won’t accept donations, so just thank them and make sure they don’t have to clean up after you!

While a list of stations is available from most camhino web sites and CJS guide it is worth noting that this is not up to date a few changes to be aware of are:

Alverca is not a full station, more of an office so go up the road a couple of kms to Alhandra and the boys will see you right. Note it’s the big station next to the cement factory not the old shed.

Santarem’s old station has moved and while the lovely old tiles still show the Bombeiros in action the building is bricked up and the new station is some way out of town.

Alvaiazere is also on the edge of town, but not that far out as it’s not a big place, can be hard to find a meal here though.

 

[Caminando]

Thanks for the info, tho' some of us may not be keen on "sleeping with firemen". :shock: :wink:

A German female pilg (Nov '10)told me that when she asked the Porto firemen about staying, they weren't interested and, she said, were quite unhelpful, in an indifferent kind of way. I get the idea that this response is untypical.

 

[hel&scott]

We were two females (mother and daughter) walking in winter so came in wet, muddy and smelly...

Most stations have female staff who show you the ropes, and yes they tend leave you alone once so this could be read as dis-interest. But in general its a safe, dry service they offer which is more then other places we've stayed in.

 

[poogeyejr]

Hi All,

Does anyone know if this is still the case? I will be walking from Lisbon in Mar/Apr and would be happy to partake of Bombeiros Voluntarios hospitality.

A basic night on a fire station floor, could balance out some of the more expensive hotels required for this route.

Thanks.

 

[peregrina2000]

The CSJ/Forum guide https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/resources/camino-portugués-lisbon-porto-2017.517/ gives a recent listing, I think.

I don't know how the Via Lusitana list compares to the forum guides, but theirs is probably as up to date as anything. http://www.vialusitana.org/caminho-portugues/albergues/

There are definitely still a few fire stations that will take pilgrims, but a lot have stopped. I rtemember Alhandra, Vila Franca, Azambuja... all the places close to Lisbon have stopped.

And there's no need to stay in expensive hotels. I walked from Lisbon when there were no albergues at all between Lisbon and Porto, and I never spent much more than 20/25 euros a night. And there are really a lot of albergues now.

 

[poogeyejr]

And there's no need to stay in expensive hotels. I walked from Lisbon when there were no albergues at all between Lisbon and Porto, and I never spent much more than 20/25 euros a night. And there are really a lot of albergues now.

Thank you. That is helpful.