Deciding where to sleep on your Camino can take as little or as much time as you want it to take. There are some pilgrims that wake up and walk, not knowing how far they’ll go, or if there will be a bed available when they get there. “The Camino will provide,” they say. Others have paid an agency to book them a private hotel room every night along the way for the entire journey. There are many different ways to do the Camino, and, despite the debates in many Camino forums, there is no “right way” and no such thing as a “true pilgrim.” For those pilgrims that want to make a plan, or even a rough idea, I am sharing the best albergues (that I found!) on the Camino Frances.

Types of Lodging on the Camino

Pilgrim Only Accommodations – require a pilgrim passport, generally an early check-in time (1pm or 2pm usually) and an early check-out time (8 or 9 usually).

Municipal Albergues – These are city run, typically very basic, think large rooms with bunk beds. They generally don’t take reservations in advance and are the cheapest option on the Camino, from 8Euro per night. They typically do not have meals, though some have kitchens.

Donativo Albergues – Usually religious, often in or attached to a church. You pay what you can, and the places are run by volunteers. Usually very basic accommodations similar to Municipal Albergues. Many have communal dinners where pilgrims cook with volunteers and pay for the meal on a donation basis.

Private Albergues – Privately run, significant variation in quality. Usually at least slightly more than a municipal albergue, but you can generally reserve in advance, or even book online on Booking.com. These will vary greatly in price, offer bunk rooms or private rooms, shared or private bathrooms, and sometimes communal dinners.

Non-Exclusive Pilgrim Accommodations: Not exclusively for pilgrims, regular check-in / check-out times. Don’t worry, they’ll still have a stamp, and will participate in luggage transfer programs for pilgrims.

Hostels – In small Camino towns, even private hostels may have a large portion of guests that are pilgrims.

Hotels – Typical hotels exist all along the way, some very nice, fancy hotels like the famous Parador in “The Way” with Martin Sheen.

Guest Houses / B&Bs – There are many of these along the way as well, large houses with 5 or 6 rooms, not exclusively for pilgrims.

My Favorite Albergues on the Camino Frances

This post contains some affiliate links — I earn a small commission if you book through them, at no cost to you. Everything here is a place I actually stayed and would genuinely recommend.

Auberge Borda – French Pyrenees

I can’t recommend Borda enough.  Borda is consistently talked about as one of the best albergues on the Camino de Santiago. If you have a chance to start your Camino here, take it.  Waking up in the Pyrenees really makes you feel like your Camino has begun.  There are some private rooms and then there are small bunk rooms (4 per room) but they are about as private as you can get with how they are laid out.  The rate includes communal dinner and breakfast, and the hosts talk you through the next days hike at dinner and everyone introduces themselves.  I met two women that I walked the entire Camino with there and many others I’m still in touch with today out of the 14 Beds. 

Casa Suseia – Zubiri

Casa Suseia is on the outskirts of Zubiri – it is a bit out of town, but a very lovely place. It has a mix of private rooms and bunk rooms.  I again met a few people that I still talk to today.  Very high quality dinner, not the traditional pilgrim meals, more fancy, in a good way. Skip the breakfast, it’s just a box of stuff to make yourself. 

Albergue de Peregrinos de San Juan Bautista – Grañon

This was one of the most uncomfortable places I stayed, but still one of my favorites.  It’s a donativo, meaning you pay what you wish.  Everyone contributes and helps prepare the dinner together, and clean up afterwards.  The hosts are volunteers, and they were all very lovely.  After dinner, we were able to go into the organ area of the church, this 16th century space and we all read part of a camino story in a round.  We then each spoke, if we chose to, in our native language about why we were there and what we hoped would happen on the Camino.  It was so beautiful. So many languages, and such a human experience, tears were just streaming down my face as I tried not to sob out loud.  Afterwards, one of the volunteers, an Italian grandmother who didn’t speak english, gave me this BIG hug and said some words that I didn’t understand, but that I felt. We then slept on mats on the floor. Rustic. I was freezing because I didn’t have a sleeping bag, just a liner.  I had my coat on, my towel over me, and shivered myself to sleep. Would absolutely do again, 5 stars.

Hostal Punto B – Belorado

This was one of the most comfortable hostels, with a very engaged hostel owner.  Great bedding, I was so happy to see a fluffy comforter. Everything was very clean and cozy. The communal dinner was delicious and again, everyone spoke of their Camino purpose in the vulnerable and honest way you only do on the camino.

Albergue de Arroyo San Bol – San Bol

Albergue San Bol – In the middle of nowhere, the Albergue is the literal only thing there.  They have 12 beds, and a communal dinner. We ate at this very old round table that looks like it should be used for some religious ceremonies.  Wood burning fire, very cozy – only bunk rooms. Call the day of to have them hold a bed for you.

Albergue Puente Fitero – Itero de la Vega

The hostel itself isn’t particularly great or cozy, but the dinner was one of the most memorable experiences.  Other pilgrims from other hostels nearby were allowed to join for dinner as well. We asked for a private room for 2 of us, and they just gave us a 6 bed room for the 2 of us. The hostel owner was very passionate about the Camino experience and made sure we all had a great experience at his table, serving plenty of wine and starting some singing as well.

Albergue Verde – Hospital de Obrigo

A “hippy” sort of place in the best way.  Lush outdoor gardens, hammocks, a yoga room (the night I stayed there we did a sound bath instead of yoga).  Even a few dogs running around! Fresh food (all vegan – I’m not and it was still very good) and a lovely outdoor dining experience when the weather is nice. Call or use Whatsapp to book.

Albergue a Reboleira – Fonfria

Never have I been so happy to arrive in a hostel.  It was rainy and frigid and cold.  And did I mention rainy?  We arrived to this sanctuary that had a fire going and immediately relaxed. It also had a piano! The rooms were modern and warm with fluffy comforters.  It was somehow both large but also cozy, with a big communal dinner, followed by a lot of pilgrim drinking. One of my fondest memories.

Bonus Round: If You Keep Walking to the End of the World (Finisterre + Muxia)

Albergue O Logoso – O Logoso

Dorm beds only, this sanctuary in the middle of the forest on the way to Finisterre was clean and comfortable.  There wasn’t a communal dinner, but the on-site restaurant is all that there was around, but not in a bad way like some parts of the Meseta. The dinner was good and the hosts friendly.  They are only 500m (which did feel like a lot after a 40Km day!) away from a spot in the river where you can soak your feet or more if you’re up for the frigid water (it was late May, you may have better luck in August or September!). 

Hotel Mar de Fisterra – Finisterre

Okay, not an Albergue, but I highly recommend Hotel Mar de Finisterre if you want to splurge on a hotel at the end of the Camino.  The wall facing the water is all windows and you can see the water from the bed.  The breakfast is delicious.  It’s not the most centrally located, and definitely not a common pilgrim spot, but I loved ending my Camino there SO much.

Parador de Costa da Morte – Muxia

If you really want an end of Camino reward, this place is special.  It is NOT in Muxia, it is mostly on the way between Muxia and Finisterre, but after a long day walking to Muxia, I realized my destination was not in Muxia and I gave up and got a taxi to the Parador.  I was done for the day before I realized that I was, in fact, not at my destination. They have a spa with a series of baths and saunas that has an amazing view down to their (what feels like, but is not private) beach.