Where to Stay on the Camino Frances: My FULL Accommodation List as a Solo Female Pilgrim (2024)

If you’re researching the best places to stay on the Camino Frances before setting out on your trip, look no further than this guide, which will give you my honest review of the places I stayed at personally.

Throughout my 500-mile journey walking the Camino Frances, I stayed at over 30 albergues, hostels, and hotels.

These tips will help you avoid common pitfalls, make the most of your experience, and ensure you have a memorable and fulfilling pilgrimage.

Some of the albergues I stayed at on the Camino Frances were located in the most popular stages along the way, while others were a little more off the beaten path, rustic, and charming.

Remember, your own accommodation list may look different from mine, depending on how far you want to walk each day. 

For me, I averaged around 10 to 15 miles (16-24 kilometers) each day, except for my first day, when I stopped at Orisson after 7 miles. 

Now, let’s get into my list of where to stay on the Camino Frances:

1. Saint Jean Pied de Port

Before starting the Camino Frances the next day, I stayed at Gîte Bidean. The owners, Joe and Pascal, were so helpful and friendly. 

However, I’m certain I got bitten by bedbugs there. I found one on my pillow when I checked in, but at that point, I had zero experience with bedbugs so I just shrugged it off.

Two days later, I had red bites all over me. Such a bummer because the owners are SO nice.

2. Orisson 

At Orisson, there are really only two places to stay: Refuge Orisson or Auberge Borda. 

I booked a private room at Refuge Orisson, which was way overpriced. We had a communal dinner, which was a nice way to meet people, but it was pretty minimal – just a plain carrot broth soup, a few slices of meat, and bread served.

The showers are also coin-operated and limited to 5 minutes max – a bit tricky if you have tangly hair that has to be brushed out in the shower (like mine).

I talked to a few other pilgrims who stayed at Borda and absolutely loved it, so I’d recommend either staying in Orisson’s shared dormitory or at Borda instead.

You MUST book at either place in advance. They fill up fast.

Wifi: Terrible at Orisson.

3. Roncesvalles

Most people stay at the large monastery in Roncesvalles, but if you’re already jet-lagged and tired, I’d recommend getting a private room at the hotel just down the street. 

The trek from SJPDP to Roncesvalles is the most intense of the entire Camino Frances, so I treated myself to a private room with an attached bathroom at Posada de Roncesvalles. I’m so glad I did.

4. Zubiri

I had originally planned to stay at Albergue Segunda Etapa, but I made friends and they’d invited me to share an Airbnb with them. I said yes, in the spirit of spontaneity!

I really enjoyed this Airbnb. We were able to chat with our host and learn more about her life in Spain.

We asked her for her honest thoughts about Camino tourism and the influx of pilgrims every season, which was super interesting.

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5. Pamplona

I opted to stay in a shared room in an Airbnb in Pamplona. At this point of the trip, I needed the privacy of a private room so I could talk on the phone without having to worry about bothering other people.

I also got really lucky at this Airbnb because the host’s mother is a doctor. She graciously helped me pop and bandage the two blisters that had formed on my toes. I was way too afraid to pop them myself and really needed the guidance. 

The only thing about this Airbnb is that it’s a 15-minute walk – 800 meters – almost a whole kilometer — to the old town. After walking all day, that starts to feel a bit far.

In my case, my feet were in bad shape at this point, which made it extra hard to walk up to the old town to get dinner and refuel on snacks.

However, this Airbnb was really quiet, whereas if you stay in the old town, you run the risk of it being noisy.

6. Puente La Reina

I really loved this place. I stayed at the first albergue in town that you see when you arrive from the Camino in Puente La Reina – it’s called Albergue Jakue.

Because I booked a private room, it felt like a hotel more than an albergue, although there are shared rooms available, I believe. 

I was so happy with the queen bed and private attached bathroom here for $56. This was just so, so worth it after a long, hot, and difficult day. My air conditioning worked like a dreammmm.

Seriously, book this ASAP before they run out of available rooms!

7. Estella

I was SO happy they had female dorms available. I booked a single bed in a female dorm with just four beds total for only $19. Such a deal!

It was hot in the room, but we kept the window open, and the fan that was running worked really well. It was pretty quiet the entire night. 

8. Sansol

Instead of staying in Los Arcos, I went farther and stayed with friends in Sansol. This worked out great because even though it was an extra 4.5 miles, the room was way less crowded than if we’d stayed in Los Arcos.

Which means… less snoring and better sleep 🙂

That night we had dinner in the outdoor courtyard, and I had some fun watching some grumpy men yell at each other loudly in Spanish. Very entertaining.

Showers were nothing to write home about here, but all in all, it was decent for the price. Had a great dinner and a delicious glass of red wine. 

Overall, I am really glad we pushed it this day to make it here for the night. Another reviewer from TripAdvisor agrees:

“The garden is perfect to chill after a long day. The albergue also features a small pool to put your feed on cold water after the hike. Food is amazing. The menu offers plenty of options with a strong Moroccan influence. This is a great variation to the usual Camino cuisine. I can highly recommend adding these 7 km, makes the following day a more convenient 20 km instead of 27.” 

9. Logroño

For my two-night stay in Logrono, I decided to book a private room at an Airbnb.

This was also greatly needed because I was able to have a little bit more privacy while I slowly got used to staying in shared accommodations.

For my rest day, it was great to be able to come and go as late as I wanted. I ended up having a fever that day, so having my own room, undisturbed sleep, and space to spread out was really crucial to recovering faster. 

10. Navarrete

To be honest, this stay felt a bit unnecessary. If I were to do it again, I’d go from Logrono to Najera. Navarrete is just too close.

But at the time, I was dealing with a lot of foot pain and recovering from being sick, so it was probably all for the best. 

That said, the albergue, A La Sombra Del Laurel, was comfortable. I booked a private room with an attached bath here.

The bathroom smelled a little funny, but was not a big deal when I closed the door. 

11. Grañón

Omg, I loved my stay here. I took the bus from Navarrete to Granon (this is normally too far to walk in one day). Albergue Parroquial San Juan Bautista is a donativo, meaning it operates on donations only and is run by volunteers. 

The feeling at this place is magic; there is such a beautiful sense of community. Many people say staying here has been one of the most memorable experiences of their Camino. I had a community dinner prepared by pilgrims who volunteered to cook. Then the rest of us helped clean up!

There is a special ceremony that takes place after dinner. Even if you aren’t religious (like me), I think it’s very beautiful to spend a moment reflecting with your fellow pilgrims.

You can’t reserve in advance – just show up the same day. They don’t turn anyone away. However, keep in mind that you do have to sleep on just a mat on the floor here. 

Wifi: No wifi here.

Address: Pl. de la Iglesia, 26259 Grañón, La Rioja, Spain

12. Belorado

We stayed at Albergue Cuatro Cantones – I’d rate it 6.5 out of 10 stars. 

I slept great on a top bunk, but unfortunately, the showers were cold here. There wasn’t any hot water. That was the only drawback – everything else was great.

There is a restaurant onsite here which makes it easy to get dinner. Belorado is a charming little town; we walked around and got churros with chocolate at a local neighborhood carnival here.

13. Atapuerca

If you can get a ride and go to Atapuerca, I would recommend it. I fell in love with the rustic, small albergue we stayed at — Hostel La Plazuela Verde. 

Atapuerca was small – only one restaurant was open on that day – but so beautiful.

We walked from Belorado to San Juan de Ortega, then hitched a ride with a bartender (thanks to the excellent social skills of my “Camino uncle”) to Atapeurca instead of getting a taxi for €45.

14. Burgos

In Burgos, I stayed at Hostel Catedral Burgos. I really liked that it was located in the old town of Burgos, just steps from the cathedral. 

It was a fairly unremarkable place to stay, but that was completely fine with me. Clean space with bunk beds spaced far enough apart. Our room with 10 beds wasn’t even entirely full.

This hostel has a pretty good bar and restaurant downstairs. I devoured a hamburger that had focaccia bread instead of a regular bun.

They also have female-only and male-only dorm rooms here, which is great for those times you don’t feel like having to worry about who’s watching you change your shirt.

A little bit more expensive because Burgos is a big city, but even still, one bed costs only $22/night.

15. Hornillos del Camino

I really liked this place — El Afar. It’s small and has a homegrown feel. It has a kitchen that we used for cooking dinner, and there’s a garden and dining area in the backyard.

This tiny town actually exists only because of the Camino. I heard that the people who run the albergues and shops in town commute from Burgos each day. There is only one grocery store in town, FYI.

16. Castrojeriz

In Castrojeriz, we stayed at the albergue municipal. The full name of the albergue is Albergue municipal de peregrinos San Esteban. 

We heard it’s one of the better municipal albergues, and the best part is, it only costs €7. 

There was bread in the kitchen we could all take as we liked, which was so nice. I had so many slices of bread and delicious olive oil. A man came over and brought us ripe tomatoes from his garden, and we all sat and enjoyed them with the bread. 

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Really nice stay, and we made new friends here. I didn’t love the showers, but for €7, how can you really complain?

There are only 35 beds, and they are all pretty well-spaced apart.

Be sure to walk up to Castillo de Castrojeriz. We went at sunset, and it was absolutely breathtaking. Worth the climb up the hill, trust me. 

Address: Pl. Mayor, 16, 09110 Castrojeriz, Burgos, Spain 

17. Fromista

We stayed at the municipal albergue in Fromista as well. It’s a bit pricey at €14, and we all agreed it was nothing special… pretty standard.

However, there was a nice outdoor seating area where we sat around and talked until night fell. Heads up – the upper bunks don’t have protectors.

Wifi: No wifi here.

Address: Pl. San Martín, 34440 Frómista, Palencia, Spain

18. León

From Fromista, I had to take the train to León and skip three stages of the Camino Frances. Unfortunately, I was running out of time before my flight home to the States. I took two days to rest in Leon and explore the city. 

I stayed in the 4-dormitory room at Leon Hostel, located right in the center of the historic part of the city.

I lucked out – the first night, there were only two other people aside from me, and the second night, I had the room all to myself!

There is a grocery store right across the street, which is SO convenient. I bought a few things to cook in the kitchen, which helped save some money.

Leon Hostel also has a beautiful common room and seating area on the balcony with a great view of the bustling street below.

Wifi: Worked super fast here!

19. San Martín del Camino

Because I’d just had a rest day, I decided to walk a bit farther from Leon and stay in San Martin del Camino at Albergue La Huella.

I booked a single bed in a female dorm room. The beds are a little bit too close together, in my opinion.

This place was pretty clean, new, and had lockers. There is a swimming pool, but it was actually too cold outside to swim in when I was there. 

One grocery store down the street is a bit of a walk. There is a restaurant and bar attached to the albergue, so you can eat right there. 

The door to the bar doesn’t open until 7am, so if you want to leave your bag in the other room for Jacotrans, the earliest you can head out is 7am.

20. Astorga

Oh, I loved the albergue I stayed at in Astorga. My host, Patricia, was so welcoming and kind.

If you are looking for a comfortable place with a communal dinner, be sure to stay at Albergue Só Por Hoje.

All the beds are low (no bunk beds), and you even get a bath towel to use. I opted for the communal dinner – Patricia makes a delicious Brazilian meal.

The price to stay here is a little bit more expensive than usual, but I felt so at home here, it was worth it.

For breakfast, we were offered tea and coffee, plus a paper bag filled with snacks that we could take with us. Patricia has been a pilgrim herself, so she really goes the extra mile to make sure you feel comfortable.

21. Rabanal del Camino

Another incredible stay. This was absolutely my favorite albergue along the Camino! 

I felt so lucky to be able to stay here because there are only a few rooms, and I actually booked only a few days ahead of time. The owner, Kim, welcomed me when I arrived and took time to chat and get to know me. 

The bed with a fluffy duvet was the most comfortable I’d slept in for weeks. I literally felt like I was staying the night at a luxury spa.

This space overflows with good vibes and healing energy. The smell of fresh banana bread welcomed me when I stepped inside, and upstairs, the delicious smell of candles was enough to make me just melt.

I even decided to treat myself to a myofascial energetic release massage at Casa Bhakti, less than 2 minutes up the street. Priscilla gave me the most calming and relaxing massage.

I felt amazing during and after the massage – it was seriously just what I needed at that point on the Camino.

22. Molinaseca

The walk from Rabanal to Molianseca was way more strenuous than I expected. After such a long day, I was hoping for a great albergue… but this one was a bit disappointing. 

I stayed at Señor Oso in a 4-bed mixed dorm room. It was fine, but the owner is a bit, hmmm, how should I say… quirky. He has a lot of rules and runs the place like a prison or a boarding school, rather than an albergue for pilgrims. 

At 4pm, he called me to make sure I was still arriving. Although that can be a later hour to arrive at, and the walk from Rabanal is challenging, and I’m sure some pilgrims change plans and stay somewhere else – he was a bit pushy about making sure I was going to arrive.

I didn’t encounter any other hosts like that along the entire Camino, even if I arrived at 6pm.

Lastly, the bathrooms are right off the common area – and frequently the doors are left open. This means, if you need some privacy, ahhem, to do your business in the bathroom, the entire common room is going to hear you. 😬

23. Pieros

I decided to walk the extra 2km on the Camino Frances and pass Cacabelos to stay at Albergue El Serbal y la Luna. And I’m so glad I did!

El Serbal y la Luna was such a comforting retreat for me. It started to storm just after I arrived, and I felt warm, safe, and cozy inside this albergue.

We had a beautiful, delicious vegetarian community dinner, and took turns introducing ourselves and sharing the reasons we each walked the Camino. If you’re looking for an answer to where to stay on the Camino Frances, this is definitely a great option.

The mattresses were so comfortable and the shared room only had a few beds. It was also very dark in the room, which helped me get a great night’s rest. 

Address: C/ El Pozo, 13 — Pieros – León.

Phone/ Email: (+34) 639 888 924 / hosteldepieros@gmail.com

24. La Portela de Valcarce

For this stop, I stayed at a friend of a friend’s albergue, Vagabond Vieiras. There is a pizza restaurant attached to the albergue, which is great if you’re missing home and a good slice of pizza pie.

David, his girlfriend, and their dog, Oreo, were welcoming and ate dinner with me and a big group of Americans.

I liked it here, it was a bit basic, but I did have the place all to myself, which is pretty incredible considering I was walking in the high season, August 2023, on the Camino Frances.

Stay here if you’re looking for something different, off-the-beaten-path.

25. O Cebreiro

I caught up with some friends whom I met along the Camino and decided to stay with them at the municipal albergue. This albergue has mixed reviews, but personally, I thought it was fine.

Showers were a little uncomfortable because although the water was warm, the bathroom was freezing. The bathroom is downstairs, which makes going back and forth a bit inconvenient. Other than that, this is a fine place to stay.

Lugar Cebreiro, 17, 27671 Pedrafita do Cebreiro, Lugo, Spain

26. Triacastela

Instead of going the route to Samos, I decided to stay in Triacastela. I actually got bed bugs at this albergue on the Camino Frances, so that wasn’t fun.

It was so surprising because I didn’t see any signs of them, and the albergue was clean everywhere – kitchen, bathroom, dorm rooms – all spotless. There is even a whole forum about this. 

I was there in September and looks like there are still bed bugs there as of October 2023.

After my second time getting bed bugs on the Camino Frances, I was so over it – another reason I started skipping the most popular stages and walking farther to the next town.

27. Sarria

I was so much happier with my accommodation in Sarria.

Although it felt a bit lacking in pilgrim/community atmosphere, I loved the “pod” style beds. I was actually able to change my shirt in bed, thanks to the privacy curtain.

There is a large kitchen, laundry (washer and dryer), and a vending machine. Showers were a little disappointing, but what can you do? 🤷‍♀️

Wifi: Super fast internet connection here. 

28. Portomarín

I was so comfortable at the albergue I stayed at in Portomarín.

I felt SO lucky I was able to get a bed at Albergue Manuel. It’s located steps from the main area where the restaurants, shops, and cathedral are.

Really great when you just have a few hours to explore Portomarín.

The beds were some of the most comfortable I’d experienced on the Camino, which is really impressive. Would stay here again.

29. San Xulian do Camino

I skipped Palas de Rei, where most pilgrims stay, and went ahead to the next town of San Xulian.

I’m really glad I did this. I had lunch in Palas de Rei, and while the food was good, I wasn’t super in love with this town.

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By this point in the Camino, I really enjoyed staying in the small towns in the Spanish countryside as much as possible, instead of the larger cities that I felt lacked the rustic character and warmth I’d seen in the villages.

Albergue o Abrigadoiro was the perfect place to stay on the Camino Frances – only 3.6 kilometers beyond Palas de Rei. I was only one of three women who stayed here that night. 

The best part? In the afternoon, when I continued on the Camino to make it to the next town, I’d have the path virtually all to myself. So much peace and tranquility!

30. Pregontoño

On this day, I walked farther to avoid crowds. After Sarria, you’ll notice a lot more pilgrims on the Camino. This is great for those who have limited time, but not so great if you enjoy your privacy and quiet time.

I loved the albergue I stayed at here (Camino das Ocas) and the man who served me dinner was SO KIND, although, it was much, MUCH farther than I expected. I walked 19 miles that day, the farthest I’ve ever walked in one day. 

Address: Burres (San Vicenzo), Bebedeiro S/N, 15819 Arzúa, Spain

Phone/WhatsApp: +34 648 404 780

31. Lavacolla

Finally, my last night of the Camino Frances. My heart was breaking, but it was time for my Camino to come to a close.

I’m glad I spent it at Albergue Lavacolla, where I met the kindest hospitalero.

The garden in the back is nice, and I cooked dinner in the kitchen. There’s a grocery store just across the street.

I decided to stay here mostly because it’s only 10 kilometers away from Santiago, making my completing my pilgrimage on the Camino Frances the next day a breeze. Everything at this albergue is clean and well cared for, and they even did my laundry for me for a small fee. 

32. Santiago de Compostela

Congratulations, you’ve made it to Santiago!!

For my two nights in Santiago, I decided to go for a private room in an Airbnb. I wanted a bit more privacy so I could reflect on my experience and have the flexibility to come and go as I wanted.

I booked my Airbnb about two months beforehand. I reserved two nights, thinking I could adjust my days later if it turned out I’d be arriving early or late. It ended up working out perfectly. 

This Airbnb is really close to the cathedral, comfortable, and has a lovely view. I would stay here again.

The Bottom Line – Where to Stay on the Camino Frances, In My Opinion

The answer lies in the type of traveler you are. 

Prefer your privacy and bringing a lot of expensive equipment? Stay in private rooms or hotels.

Looking for community and/or on a budget? Stay in albergues. And stay in the municipal ones to meet more people – I noticed that, for some reason, it was easier to make friends at municipal albergues than at private ones.

Where did I stay? Both! I started off booking hotels and private rooms, but as I met more people, I started staying at albergues more often. I got used to shared accommodations after a while, and it fit my budget better, too.

If you’re leaning toward private rooms the whole way, I would encourage you to try staying at an albergue at least once to see what it’s like. Choose an albergue that looks nice (look at photos), has a communal dinner, and give it a try. 

Should I Book Albergues on the Camino Frances in Advance?

This is a huge question. This was one of the most nerve-wracking questions I had before I started my own Camino in August 2023.

The answer? I would recommend booking your first 5-10 nights ahead of time. That way, you can take time adjusting to life on the Camino Frances, figure out your pace, and decide what works best for you.

If you don’t book ahead of time, and just figure EVERYTHING out as soon as your feet hit the ground, you might seriously miss out on just relaxing the first few days and making friends.

Figuring out where to stay on the Camino Frances while you’re walking the Camino can be a bit of a hassle.

You also could potentially be dealing with unexpected health issues (like I did with my very painful blisters). Having to deal with finding a place to stay on top of all that?

Stressful. That’s why I’m glad I booked my first 10 nights in advance.

Also, if it’s important to you to stay in private rooms the entire Camino, you should definitely book your rooms ahead of time to ensure availability.

Watch my video about accommodations on the Camino Frances:

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