There is no one way to explore the Camino de Santiago. Where to sleep on the Camino is a conversation starter, particularly with those who believe in only sleeping in the municipal albergues for an authentic experience. Though I agree, I do not do well sleeping in the presence of others. For me, sleep was part of my healing process and I desired to experience historic and family homes, even if it cost more money.
Where you sleep is your decision. As an American, rooms are much more affordable here than they are in the states. Now, if sleeping in mixed dormitory, you can spend around 100 euros in total for a 10-16 journey. Though not my cup of tea, I enjoyed every moment at the accommodations I stayed in below and hope that your experience is the same.
Where you sleep is your decision. As an American, rooms are much more affordable here than they are in the states. Now, if sleeping in mixed dormitory, you can spend around 100 euros in total for a 10-16 journey. Though not my cup of tea, I enjoyed every moment at the accommodations I stayed in below and hope that your experience is the same.
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The Passenger Hostel - Porto, Portugal
Located directly inside Sao Bento train station, this hostel contains dormitory and private rooms as well as countless lounge spaces. The attic, where a free breakfast is served, features several hangout spots to lie on swinging beds or take a peak behind the train station's main clock. The private rooms are lofts and those guests have access to a separate kitchen and private lounge space. Although the street is noisy at night, the hostel is a 3 minute walk to the cathedral and camino connections.
Price: approx. $65USD incl. continental breakfast
Located directly inside Sao Bento train station, this hostel contains dormitory and private rooms as well as countless lounge spaces. The attic, where a free breakfast is served, features several hangout spots to lie on swinging beds or take a peak behind the train station's main clock. The private rooms are lofts and those guests have access to a separate kitchen and private lounge space. Although the street is noisy at night, the hostel is a 3 minute walk to the cathedral and camino connections.
Price: approx. $65USD incl. continental breakfast
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Quinta Sao Miguel de Arcos - Arcos, Portugal
From Porto to Arcos, this Quinta was once home to a rich man and now turned into a hotel. With two pools and an excellent pilgrim menu, I suggest staying in Arcos coming from Porto. The private room features a writing desk and a cute window seat accompanied by a courtyard or landscape view. The atmosphere at night was in pure silence minus the town's rooster cawing at 3:55am. This was one of my favorite stops on the camino. I cried when I left.
Price: 56 Euros for a basic room, breakfast included + free laundry
Pilgrim Menu (can be made vegan/vegetarian!) - 17 euros
Hotel de Terco - Barcelos, Portugal
Hotel de Terco is a standard hotel located in the heart of Barcelos. Clean and quiet, there were no complaints. A map or a GPS is needed to find the hotel. I stayed here because the hotel was nearby the train station where I left the next morning on a rest day to Braga.
Price: 39 euros, + breakfast 5 euros
From Porto to Arcos, this Quinta was once home to a rich man and now turned into a hotel. With two pools and an excellent pilgrim menu, I suggest staying in Arcos coming from Porto. The private room features a writing desk and a cute window seat accompanied by a courtyard or landscape view. The atmosphere at night was in pure silence minus the town's rooster cawing at 3:55am. This was one of my favorite stops on the camino. I cried when I left.
Price: 56 Euros for a basic room, breakfast included + free laundry
Pilgrim Menu (can be made vegan/vegetarian!) - 17 euros
Hotel de Terco - Barcelos, Portugal
Hotel de Terco is a standard hotel located in the heart of Barcelos. Clean and quiet, there were no complaints. A map or a GPS is needed to find the hotel. I stayed here because the hotel was nearby the train station where I left the next morning on a rest day to Braga.
Price: 39 euros, + breakfast 5 euros
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Collector's Hostel - Braga, Portugal
Located in the heart of Braga, and a 10-15 walk to the train station, Collector's Hostel had a historic charm that melted my heart. The three-story hostel contains private and dormitory accommodations. Each room features a unique theme, where I stayed in room number 3, The Robinson Crusoe. Old keys. Old books. What's not to love? One of my favorite areas included the tiled patio overlooking the street and the main cathedral. Private rooms share a bathroom.
Price: 27 euros - included breakfast
Train ticket cost between 3-3,30 euros each way from Barcelos
Located in the heart of Braga, and a 10-15 walk to the train station, Collector's Hostel had a historic charm that melted my heart. The three-story hostel contains private and dormitory accommodations. Each room features a unique theme, where I stayed in room number 3, The Robinson Crusoe. Old keys. Old books. What's not to love? One of my favorite areas included the tiled patio overlooking the street and the main cathedral. Private rooms share a bathroom.
Price: 27 euros - included breakfast
Train ticket cost between 3-3,30 euros each way from Barcelos
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Casas da Quinta da Cancela - Balugaes, Portugal
After taking the train from Braga back to Barcelos, I had a short walking day to Balugaes. Similar to Arcos, this Quinta features one-of-a-kind accommodations in the middle of a beautiful vineyard. The historic old homes are now private rooms. The kitchen is open day and night and guests are welcome to enjoy free coffee, tea and afternoon cake. The grounds are similar to walking through a fairy-tale landscape. Guests sit under lemon, persimmon or apple trees, or enjoy moments like a child on an old wooden swing overlooking the vineyard. These Quinta's are special places of their own.
Price: $48.39, breakfast included
Pilgrim's Meal: 15 euros
After taking the train from Braga back to Barcelos, I had a short walking day to Balugaes. Similar to Arcos, this Quinta features one-of-a-kind accommodations in the middle of a beautiful vineyard. The historic old homes are now private rooms. The kitchen is open day and night and guests are welcome to enjoy free coffee, tea and afternoon cake. The grounds are similar to walking through a fairy-tale landscape. Guests sit under lemon, persimmon or apple trees, or enjoy moments like a child on an old wooden swing overlooking the vineyard. These Quinta's are special places of their own.
Price: $48.39, breakfast included
Pilgrim's Meal: 15 euros
Casa das Neves - Ponte de Lima, Portugal
Pointe de Lima is one of Portugal's most charming cities. The Casa das Neves has an excellent reputation with pilgrims and for good reason. The owner is a very kind and helpful person. The entire home is spotless and the kitchen and laundry room services pilgrims on a budget. The rooms are not anything to brag about, but the bed is comfortable and the pillows feel clouds - what else could any pilgrim want?
Price: 36 euros includes free laundry
Pointe de Lima is one of Portugal's most charming cities. The Casa das Neves has an excellent reputation with pilgrims and for good reason. The owner is a very kind and helpful person. The entire home is spotless and the kitchen and laundry room services pilgrims on a budget. The rooms are not anything to brag about, but the bed is comfortable and the pillows feel clouds - what else could any pilgrim want?
Price: 36 euros includes free laundry
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Quinta das Aguas - Oak Room - Rubiaes / Parades de Couro, Portugal
I did a bit of a different stay upon entering Rubiaes and chose to spend two nights at a vegetarian / vegan farm. Ironically, I was the only guest during this stay, which was an interesting experience in itself. Hands down, this was my favorite place on the entire trip and I think it is because of the connection to the animals and the king-sized bed. Guests have access to meander the farm, admiring countless animals, gardens and sacred spaces. Guests can order a vegetarian meal, when available between 10-12 euros. Breakfast is included. The bookings are only available on Airbnb so the cost is higher due to the service + cleaning fees.
Total Price to Two Nights: $126
I did a bit of a different stay upon entering Rubiaes and chose to spend two nights at a vegetarian / vegan farm. Ironically, I was the only guest during this stay, which was an interesting experience in itself. Hands down, this was my favorite place on the entire trip and I think it is because of the connection to the animals and the king-sized bed. Guests have access to meander the farm, admiring countless animals, gardens and sacred spaces. Guests can order a vegetarian meal, when available between 10-12 euros. Breakfast is included. The bookings are only available on Airbnb so the cost is higher due to the service + cleaning fees.
Total Price to Two Nights: $126
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Hotel A Torre do Xudeu - Tui, Spain
Situated directly on the Camino, Hotel a Torre is a must-stay in Tui. This historic hotel has survived wars and has always been a Christian home even during Moorish battle. The once home now hotel contains several floors contained with accessible space such as a living room, dining room, patio, balcony and kitchen. Along The Way, this was the best breakfast buffet I had on the entire trip. Rare delights such as a flan were available along with a range of pastries, proteins and breads.
Price: 40 euros, breakfast included
Situated directly on the Camino, Hotel a Torre is a must-stay in Tui. This historic hotel has survived wars and has always been a Christian home even during Moorish battle. The once home now hotel contains several floors contained with accessible space such as a living room, dining room, patio, balcony and kitchen. Along The Way, this was the best breakfast buffet I had on the entire trip. Rare delights such as a flan were available along with a range of pastries, proteins and breads.
Price: 40 euros, breakfast included
Pension Louro - O Porrino, Spain
Located on the camino (and next to a laundromat and grocery store) is hostal Louro. I made reservations that morning on the camino via a WhatsApp message. They had one private room with a private bath left for 22 euros. Safe, quiet and comfortable, I recommend this hostal for pilgrims. The pension also contains a bar that serves alcohol and coffee, and croissants in the morning.
Price: 22 euros
Located on the camino (and next to a laundromat and grocery store) is hostal Louro. I made reservations that morning on the camino via a WhatsApp message. They had one private room with a private bath left for 22 euros. Safe, quiet and comfortable, I recommend this hostal for pilgrims. The pension also contains a bar that serves alcohol and coffee, and croissants in the morning.
Price: 22 euros
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A Casa da Herba - Redondela, Spain
If you are looking for a lively hostel to meet fellow pilgrims, look no further than A Casa da Herba. I shared this private room with a balcony with a Canadian woman for forty euros (20 euros/person). The private rooms share a bathroom. Dormitory beds are more affordable and the hostel contains a kitchen and small lounge where pilgrims congegrate to write, eat, chat and cook. Free coffee and tea are provided.
If you are looking for a lively hostel to meet fellow pilgrims, look no further than A Casa da Herba. I shared this private room with a balcony with a Canadian woman for forty euros (20 euros/person). The private rooms share a bathroom. Dormitory beds are more affordable and the hostel contains a kitchen and small lounge where pilgrims congegrate to write, eat, chat and cook. Free coffee and tea are provided.
Hotel Sena - Caldas de Reis, Spain
Hotel Sent is an affordable hotel for pilgrims and tourists. It's a bit off the camino and is 0.9 miles to the heart of town, but is one of the most affordable hotels in Caldas. This hotel would be better enjoyed during the summer months when guests enjoy the pool and grounds. Otherwise, it's a basic accommodation with a private bathroom nearby a massage center and grocery store.
Price: $27, breakfast is included
Hotel Ruas - Pontevedra, Spain
Located near the center of Old Town and the Cathedral, this hotel and restaurant is an affordable and comfortable stay while on the Camino. My room contained two beds, perfect for pilgrims who want to split the cost. The hotels' restaurant serves traditional food and if you order coffee in the morning, it comes with complimentary churros.
Price: 38 euros
Hotel Sent is an affordable hotel for pilgrims and tourists. It's a bit off the camino and is 0.9 miles to the heart of town, but is one of the most affordable hotels in Caldas. This hotel would be better enjoyed during the summer months when guests enjoy the pool and grounds. Otherwise, it's a basic accommodation with a private bathroom nearby a massage center and grocery store.
Price: $27, breakfast is included
Hotel Ruas - Pontevedra, Spain
Located near the center of Old Town and the Cathedral, this hotel and restaurant is an affordable and comfortable stay while on the Camino. My room contained two beds, perfect for pilgrims who want to split the cost. The hotels' restaurant serves traditional food and if you order coffee in the morning, it comes with complimentary churros.
Price: 38 euros
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Pension Jardin - Padron, Spain
If you love antiques, history and personal touches, stay at Pension Jardin. These historic homes have been my favorite on this trip and there is plenty of lobby space for guests to lounge, write and relax outside of their bedroom. The hotel is owned by a family, and these buildings were once farm stalls in the past. Rose bushes outline the exterior of the hotel, igniting the lush garden atmosphere. The hotel resides across from the botanical garden and is nearby a laundromat and grocery store.
Price: 35 euros (some rooms are 45 euros)
If you love antiques, history and personal touches, stay at Pension Jardin. These historic homes have been my favorite on this trip and there is plenty of lobby space for guests to lounge, write and relax outside of their bedroom. The hotel is owned by a family, and these buildings were once farm stalls in the past. Rose bushes outline the exterior of the hotel, igniting the lush garden atmosphere. The hotel resides across from the botanical garden and is nearby a laundromat and grocery store.
Price: 35 euros (some rooms are 45 euros)
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Hotel Bonaval - Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Located 0.3 miles from the Cathedral, Hotel Bonaval is an affordable hotel stay that features a 24-hour breakfast bar. Some rooms have exposed stone walls and a built-in fireplace. I stayed on the top floor, with two beds in my room. The bottom floor also contains a small garden that overlooks the cathedral and some of Santiago's skyline. Similar style hotels located next to the cathedral are double in price and so this little gem is a big money-saver.
Price for two nights: 70 euros
Do you have questions about the camino? If so be sure toast questions or comment below.
Located 0.3 miles from the Cathedral, Hotel Bonaval is an affordable hotel stay that features a 24-hour breakfast bar. Some rooms have exposed stone walls and a built-in fireplace. I stayed on the top floor, with two beds in my room. The bottom floor also contains a small garden that overlooks the cathedral and some of Santiago's skyline. Similar style hotels located next to the cathedral are double in price and so this little gem is a big money-saver.
Price for two nights: 70 euros
Do you have questions about the camino? If so be sure toast questions or comment below.
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