Albergue de Melide

The Melide hostel is located at km 18.8 in the 29th stage of the French Road (from Saint Jean Pied de Port). Remodelled in 2010, it is located in the town centre, at one side of the town overlooking the surrounding meadows. It is at the foot of the Way of St. James, just 200 metres from the Town Hall and 300 from the place where the Original Road and the French Road join together.

It has a sleeping capacity of 156 in bunk beds (except for 8 beds) divided among six common rooms and is open all year with an admission time from 1 to 10 pm, without the possibility of leaving after closing time. Pilgrims have to present their official pass (no bookings accepted) and it costs € 6.

It features a washing area, drying place, washing machine (€ 4.40), dryer (€ 1), first-aid kit, outdoor area for bikes.

The town of Melide is a dynamic commercial town (the municipality has 7,500 inhabitants) that offers all the basic services that a pilgrim needs: ATMs, supermarkets, shops, bakeries, butcher’s, bars and restaurants, tourist and pilgrim information offices, health centre and pharmacy. Tasting Galician-style octopus is a must.

Its economy has historically been based on a strong primary sector (agriculture and stockbreeding) and there is a market every Sunday, although cattle transactions are now limited to the last Sunday in the month.

Here you can visit the old pilgrim hospital (now the Terra de Melide Museum), the church and convent of Sancti Spiritus, the Town Hall building (18th c.), the chapel of San Antonio and the Romanesque church of Santa María de Melide (12th c.).