Where to sleep on the Camino de Santiago
Public albergue, donation-based, private, or guesthouse: what each one is, and when you need to book ahead.
The Camino Bonsai Café team · Last editorial update:
You don't need to book everything, but you do need to know what's what
Four types of accommodation coexist along the Camino: the public albergue (run by the regional government or another public body, the cheapest option, pilgrim credential required, no bookings taken), the donation-based albergue (run by a parish or association, you pay what you can or want), the private albergue (more beds, individual showers, and bookings are accepted) and the hotel or guesthouse (private room, for whoever wants more comfort).
The general rule: in low season you can improvise as you go; in high season (June to September, especially the last 100 km into Santiago) it pays to book a private albergue or hotel several days ahead, because public ones don't take bookings and fill up on a first-come, first-served basis.
What each one is and how they differ
Public albergue
Run by the Xunta de Galicia or the relevant local authority. The cheapest option, pilgrim credential required, no bookings: first come, first served.
Donation-based albergue
Run by a parish, brotherhood, or association of Camino friends. No fixed price: you pay what you can or want.
Private albergue
More beds, individual showers, kitchen, and laundry. Bookings are accepted, which makes it the safest option in high season.
Hotel or guesthouse
A private room, for the nights when you want more comfort or need to share a bed with someone who isn't walking.
Accommodation in Portomarín, Camino Francés
Booking.com ratings checked in August 2026, on one of the busiest stages of the last 100 km.
Albergue de peregrinos de Portomarín
Public albergueRun by the Xunta de Galicia, 114 beds in dorms of 6 to 30 beds. Pilgrim credential required; no bookings. Tel. 660 396 816.
Albergue Ferramenteiro
StandardPortomarín's largest: 130 beds, individual showers, kitchen and laundry. Rated 7.2/10 on Booking, with over 4,000 reviews.
Albergue Manuel
StandardBy the bridge over the Miño river, on Rúa do Miño. Tel. 982 545 385.
Albergue Aqua Portomarín
Comfort100 m from the centre, with private rooms as well as dorm beds. Rated 8.3/10 on Booking, with close to 1,000 reviews.
Casa Do Marabillas
ComfortFree-to-use kitchen and laundry, 200 m from the square. Rated 8.6/10 on Booking, with over 350 reviews. Open April to October.
PortoSantiago
Premium9.0/10 on Booking · 1,700+ reviewsPortomarín's highest-rated place to stay, boutique-style, on C/ Diputación 8.
Accommodation for your arrival in Santiago
The three tiers we recommend for arrival night, whichever route you've walked.
Albergue Azabache
AlbergueRight in the old town, next to Praza da Quintana. Open February to December.
Pensión A Casa do Peregrino
GuesthouseJust 50 m from the Cathedral, between Praza de Cervantes and Quintana, with original stone walls.
NH Collection Santiago de Compostela
HotelA 13-minute walk from the Cathedral, with an indoor pool, sauna, and spa to rest from the Camino.
So you don't end up without a bed
Leave early if you're heading for a public albergue
They don't take bookings and fill up on a first-come, first-served basis; in high season, especially over the last 100 km, aim to arrive by early afternoon.
Book private albergues ahead in summer
Between June and September, and especially between Sarria and Santiago, private albergues and hotels fill up days in advance.
Always carry your credential
It's required to sleep in any albergue, public or private, and it's also what lets you get the Compostela on arrival.
Carry some cash
Many donation-based albergues, and some small public ones, don't take cards.
The full picture, route by route
Camino Francés
Recommended accommodation across all 33 stages, from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.
Camino Portugués
Where to sleep on every stage from Porto or Lisbon to Santiago.
Camino Inglés
Accommodation stage by stage from Ferrol or A Coruña.
Camino del Norte
Where to sleep along the Cantabrian coast, from Irún.
Camino Primitivo
Accommodation on every stage from Oviedo.
Vía de la Plata
Where to sleep on the great southern route, from Seville.
Camino to Fisterra & Muxía
Accommodation after Santiago, all the way to the world's end lighthouse.