After a long day of walking you want somewhere comfortable to rest your head but what do you look for when choosing an albergue? Here are a few ideas ..
First of all when choosing an albergue consult your guidebook - you want to first of all find one that is a comfortable distance for you to walk that day (and remember that it is not just distance on the flat, pay attention to the profile for the day: is it all uphill because if so the going will be tougher than day on on the mainly flat meseta). I then usually also look for an albergue a bit before and a bit after the general place I want to stop as well.
Then think about what facilities you want: does the albergue have a kitchen (and sometimes when the guidebook says 'kitchen' it will mean a sink and microwave, not a hob so if possible check out the facilities in the albergue before buying food which I know is not always possible - I have carried a bag of pasta and other food over 5km because there was no shop in the village I was heading to and then found only a microwave and so had to eat out anyway!). Do you want to use a washer/dryer that day? All albergues have toilets and showers but does your guidebook say how many of each?
How many beds are there in one room? I stayed in the old albergue in Roncenvalles and I know that you get a much better night's sleep in a room with only ten people in it compared to 200! Smaller is better (and often less crowded as well as being quieter).
Do you want internet to contact home? Many bars on the Frances do offer wifi but not as many on the Portuguese do (and I image fewer again on the Norte and English Ways do) and 'internet' does not always equal wifi (although I have found that most places only charge about 1 Euro for half an hour's use of their computers, not a vast amount but it can all add up when you are on a budget).
When you arrive look at the beds particuarly under the matresses and around the bed frame for any bed bugs. If you spot any leave - even the cleanest albergues can have had someone bring them in. I have an anti-bed bug sheet and spray my bag and sleeping bag with anti-bed bug spray before I go, both of these are worth investing in.
How many other people are staying there - a lot of people queueing up may mean that they have heard that this is a good albergue (or perhaps simply that you are walking in the summer) but maybe you want to stay somewhere quieter? Obviously don't walk a lot of extra miles for this but if there is another albergue in the village/town/city you may want to consider this.
Cost - the municials in Galicia charge 6 euros and privates 10-12, not a vast difference but you may want to consider this.
Where are your 'Camino family' staying that night - it's nice to stay in the same places and catch up with people after your day's walk.
Is there anything else that people consider when choosing an albergue - if so then please share in the comments.
First of all when choosing an albergue consult your guidebook - you want to first of all find one that is a comfortable distance for you to walk that day (and remember that it is not just distance on the flat, pay attention to the profile for the day: is it all uphill because if so the going will be tougher than day on on the mainly flat meseta). I then usually also look for an albergue a bit before and a bit after the general place I want to stop as well.
Then think about what facilities you want: does the albergue have a kitchen (and sometimes when the guidebook says 'kitchen' it will mean a sink and microwave, not a hob so if possible check out the facilities in the albergue before buying food which I know is not always possible - I have carried a bag of pasta and other food over 5km because there was no shop in the village I was heading to and then found only a microwave and so had to eat out anyway!). Do you want to use a washer/dryer that day? All albergues have toilets and showers but does your guidebook say how many of each?
How many beds are there in one room? I stayed in the old albergue in Roncenvalles and I know that you get a much better night's sleep in a room with only ten people in it compared to 200! Smaller is better (and often less crowded as well as being quieter).
The Albergue in Pamplona
Do you want internet to contact home? Many bars on the Frances do offer wifi but not as many on the Portuguese do (and I image fewer again on the Norte and English Ways do) and 'internet' does not always equal wifi (although I have found that most places only charge about 1 Euro for half an hour's use of their computers, not a vast amount but it can all add up when you are on a budget).
When you arrive look at the beds particuarly under the matresses and around the bed frame for any bed bugs. If you spot any leave - even the cleanest albergues can have had someone bring them in. I have an anti-bed bug sheet and spray my bag and sleeping bag with anti-bed bug spray before I go, both of these are worth investing in.
How many other people are staying there - a lot of people queueing up may mean that they have heard that this is a good albergue (or perhaps simply that you are walking in the summer) but maybe you want to stay somewhere quieter? Obviously don't walk a lot of extra miles for this but if there is another albergue in the village/town/city you may want to consider this.
Cost - the municials in Galicia charge 6 euros and privates 10-12, not a vast difference but you may want to consider this.
Where are your 'Camino family' staying that night - it's nice to stay in the same places and catch up with people after your day's walk.
Is there anything else that people consider when choosing an albergue - if so then please share in the comments.
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