During the early years of the pilgrimage’s revival (in the eighties), the present-day network of pilgrim hostels did not exist. Walkers were therefore put up in parishes, public places and municipal buildings. The appearance of Voluntary “Hospitaleros” in the nineties, thanks to the Spanish Federation of Associations of Friends of the Way of St. James, provided ad honorem personnel for the buildings that local authorities and other institutions were beginning to fit out, in order to cater to pilgrims free of charge. This resulted in the revival of the old medieval “hospitalero” –almost always an experienced pilgrim– who maintains the installations and runs the hostel.

Starting from the 1993 Holy Year, there was a sharp increase in the number of institutional and private hostels. Thus, the free hostels were joined by others requiring a fixed fee or donation, in order to cover cleaning expenses, maintenance and services.

Naturally, hostels do not accept bookings but provide accommodation on a first come, first served basis, giving priority to walkers, the disabled, horse riders and cyclists, in this order. Cyclists should therefore head for larger-capacity hostels. All hostel guests are required to respect the corresponding internal rules, opening hours, hygiene, let others rest and contribute to a spirit of peaceful coexistence.

An alternative to hostels is private hotel accommodation, which is preferred by organised groups when they are numerous or when they want to enjoy a break along the way to visit monuments or rest.

Pilgrim hostels in Santiago de Compostela:

San Lázaro
San Lázaro, s/n (no number). 15820 Santiago
Tel: (+34) 981 571 488
Fax: (+34) 981 571 489
80 beds
Location: Near Congress Hall. 20 min walking to the old town.

Monte do Gozo
Rúa do Gozo, 18 (Airport road). 15820 Santiago
Tel: -
398 beds
Location: Way of St. James. 25 min walking to the old town and 3 min by car.

Tourist hostels:

Seminario Menor de Belvís
Av. de Quiroga Palacios, 2, 15703 Santiago
Tel: (+34) 881 03 17 68
www.alberguesdelcamino.com
santiago@alberguesdelcamino.com
299 beds
Location: Old Town. 12 min walking to the Cathedral.

Other tourist hostels

Image gallery

Hostels