Camino Francés accommodation

The Camino Francés offers a wide range of accommodation options. The most common is a hostel, known as an albergue (Spanish) or auberge (French). Other options include hostals, rural houses (casas rurales), campsites, and hotels. Larger towns and cities offer choices to suit every budget and comfort level.

Hostels (albergues)

The traditional place to stay on the Camino is a hostel, more commonly referred to as an albergue. There are two types of albergue: public and private.

Public albergues

Public albergues are exclusive to pilgrims. They admit only those with a pilgrim record* (credencial) who are walking, cycling, or travelling on horseback. They are the most affordable option: some operate on a donation basis, while others typically cost €10–25 per night.

There are several types of public albergue, including:

municipal albergue – operated by local government;
parish (parochial) albergue – run by churches, convents, or monasteries;
association albergue – operated by local or international pilgrim associations.

Public albergues usually offer mixed‑gender dormitory rooms and shared bathroom facilities. Standards vary widely: some provide only basic shelter and a mattress, while others offer amenities such as communal kitchens, dining areas, or lounges. Some accept animals.

Good to know...

In general, most public albergues:

operate on a first‑come, first‑served basis (some prioritise walkers over cyclists);
do not accept reservations;
limit stays to one night (exceptions may be made for health reasons);
are seasonal (typically open from 1 April to 31 October);
have fixed hours (check‑in from around 1pm and check‑out by 8am);
do not provide bed linen or towels (some may offer disposable sheets);
do not accept luggage transfers;
are staffed by volunteers (hospitaleros/as).

All hostels (including albergues/auberges) are colour‑coded yellow on our map. Properties that are exclusive to pilgrims or specifically geared towards pilgrims are marked accordingly.

Private albergues (albergue turístico)

Private albergues are run by individuals or companies. Some cater primarily to pilgrims, while others are open to all travellers. They generally offer more facilities than public albergues — such as laundry areas, internet access, and meals — and prices usually start from €35 per night.

Private albergues also provide dormitory accommodation, and some offer private rooms. Many accept reservations. If no booking link is available on our website, we recommend contacting the property directly.

Albergues often fill up during July and August. If this is your preferred accommodation type, arriving early or booking ahead (where possible) is advisable.

Hostals

Although the terms hostel and hostal sound similar, they refer to different types of accommodation. A hostel is a budget option with shared dormitories and communal facilities. A hostal, by contrast, typically offers private rooms and is closer to a budget hotel, though with fewer services than a full hotel. Hostals are often classified using a 1–3 star rating system.

Hostals are colour‑coded blue on our map.

Rural houses (casas rurales)

Rural houses are country homes, often located slightly off the Camino route. They offer more privacy and comfort than hostels and may be available as entire holiday homes or as private rooms. Prices generally start from €50 per night.

A rural stay can offer insight into local Spanish life, as these homes often reflect regional architecture and traditional building methods. Home‑cooked meals may also be available. In France, a similar accommodation type is known as a gîte rural.

On our website, rural houses appear under the guest‑house/hostal filter. This category also includes pensions, which offer private rooms but are not homestays and are usually located in more urban areas.

Rural homes and pensions are colour‑coded blue on our map.

Other options

Larger towns and cities along the Camino Francés offer additional accommodation types, including fondas (a low‑budget room above a local café or bar), campsites, hotels, and paradors (a type of luxury hotel typically located in a converted historic building such as a monastery or castle).

Campsites are colour‑coded green, and hotels are colour‑coded blue on our map.

We provide information on the full range of properties to support different budgets, comfort levels, and changing accommodation needs as you travel.

*A pilgrim record is a booklet or passport that serves as proof of pilgrim status. It can be obtained free of charge from albergues on the Camino Francés route or from pilgrim offices in larger towns, such as the office in Saint‑Jean‑Pied‑de‑Port at 39 Rue de Citadelle. The pilgrim record is stamped at each albergue to document the pilgrim journey.