Albergues on the Way of Saint James (the Camino de Santiago) in northern Spain provide shelter for weary pilgrims. The system of albergues continues to supply ample lodging for all pilgrims, particularly in the summertime. Types of albergues: church or confraternity sponsored, municipal, and private, often located on the main road and in almost every town or city on the Camino. Some albergues offer exceptional hospitality that may include a hot meal, good counsel or treatment for injuries.
Choose on the basis of the type of experience you want. A more traditional pilgrimage along the Camino suggests openness to unexpected physical challenges, emotional ups and downs, and the possibility of new spiritual awareness. If this becomes your approach, which albergue you choose -- whether large or small -- may not matter as you remain open to the experience. Larger albergues can host over 100 while smaller may have fewer than 12 bunk beds.
Choose on the basis of your overall physical and emotional health. If you have limiting conditions, consider finding the least stressful circumstances and ask for suggestions. Many veteran pilgrims will offer advice when asked. The hospitaleros also have lots of experience and may offer good counsel.
Choose based on spiritual or personal enrichment: If you would like to use the Camino experience as a retreat, the combination of physical and mental exertion may help. Choose albergues with connections to spirituality that you identify as enriching. Depending on your temperament, any type may work. If you seek solitude, you may find solitude in a larger group where the pressure to engage socially may be less demanding. You may find enough solitude during the day, while on the Camino, and welcome the company of pilgrims in any albergue, large or small, municipal or private.
You can choose an albergue even with limited funds. The albergues that offer hospitality as a gift to the pilgrim make the Camino affordable to all regardless of financial circumstances. Choose those supplied by local parishes or confraternities asking only for donations. If you have no money, give your time, energy or expertise, if useful.
Suppose you simply want the pilgrim experience and other categories do not apply to you, then let your sense of adventure take over. Stay in any available albergue whenever you arrive at a stopping point. Keep a log of your experiences and offer the information to those interested. Whatever you decide, the albergue offers a good place for rest, meeting others and learning about the culture, traditions and history of Spain.
Choose a clean albergue.
Pack only what you can carry and easily safeguard while on the Camino or in albergues.
Try to avoid blisters, rashes, bug bites, etc., but if you suffer from any of them, ask hospitaleros for assistance.
Follow house rules. Each albergue has information about departure times, check-in times, doors open or closed and resources available on site or in the local area.
Give generously at albergues that do not charge. Although they are not hotels, even the albergues that do charge provide good basic lodging at little cost. Municipal and private albergues cost three to 10 euros as of 2011.
